plenty going on - no blogging

A couple months have passed and I have not made any attempt to show or explain what has been going on around here. I have some jigs that I am updating. I have some things being machined for me and I have ordered a bunch of 8020 extrusions for some projects that I am working on. I have the prototype bike that I am designing about ready for assembly. I have some PR things in the fire and really too much to keep up with.

Its all good though. I decided that this is the best way to take care of it. It is fall, winter is upon us and it's time to use this to my advantage so that I can be ready when it is time for the bikes to roll. Stay tuned, I promise that I will share more!

update

Well here it is the Friday before the Pedal for Paws and I have a camera full of pictures of the frame that I am building to show and not a one of them on the computer. The whole build process changed as things progressed and it turns out that I will be showing the frame at the event in a current build status. I will set up a little area that will be similar to what it is like right now in the shop for this frame. I will still have the rear triangle to do but the front is together and I am at the lug clean up stage of the build.

At this point, the pictures will have to be posted after the show but that doesn't change much. The frame still needs to be completed so the posts will go on.

I am also going to restructure the way things are happening around here so there will be updates as things progress. I really want to focus on setting up a solid process for building. Keep your eye out.

Roadie

I got the parts set in this week for the Pedal for Paws display bike. Everything checks out and I drew up my full size drawing of the frame. I also started doing some cleanup and fitting on the lugs set. I had a pretty tweaked up lower head lug and it took me a while to get it into shape for the down tube. Next up will be getting the bike's spine ready for brazing. The first joint I do is the seat tube to the BB shell. I will set off first thing in the morning to get this rolling.

I also have problems with my camera, so I will be using a different one that requires more work to upload to the blog. I will get some pictures on and start a Flickr group for this build.

NCAL's Pedal for Paws

On August 22, 2010, there is a fundraising ride in Stowe, VT. It is comprised of a Century, Metric Century, and a Fun Ride (25 miles). The proceeds of the event are to benefit the animals at the North Country Animal League. I have ridden it (the metric) two of the three years that it has happened. It is a very nice ride and it is for a very good cause.

This year I decided to contact the organizers and give them a proposal. I would build a custom steel frame and fork for a lucky individual that will win a raffle to raise money for the shelter.

I am really excited about this project. I will be building a frame and fork that will be displayed to represent what some lucky winner will receive. Lucky for me, I will be building the display for myself. I will build it up over the winter and have it to enjoy for next year's season. Feel free to Click for some details of the event and the frame. The build will begin soon and be documented right here on the blog for you to follow along.

A brief description: Pacenti Artisan lugs, BB shell and fork crown, Nova tube set, Henry James dropouts, and a hand full of braze-ons. Stay tuned.

absentee excuses

Blah Blah Blah. Our move took a lot out of me and my time. It took a while to get everything ready, then move, then settle. I am there now and of course with nice weather, I have been playing a lot. I like living closer to the shop. I ride nearly every day. it is about 11 miles one way so I am getting about 100 miles in every week just from my commute.

I signed up again this year for the Vermont 50. It is the 50 mile mountain bike race that I did for the first time last year. It is in September. I have 4 months to get my butt into shape for this. I have a goal of completing the race. I guess it will take about 9 hours. I have my work cut out for me on this one.

On to frame work. I happened to get the top tube fit, brazed, and initially cleanup in the frame. I will do some more lug clean up on the seat lug and the upper head lug. Then I will face and ream the head tube and ream the seat tube. I will also do a final face and chase on the bb shell. That will leave me at the rear triangle. If you remember, it is a wishbone rear end with track drop outs. I will get some pictures posted of where I am now and then get back on track with the updates there after. See ya soon!

blog update

I am going to attempt to rekindle something that I once did. check it out here.

delays and changes

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I have to upgrade my torch setup and I have some tools that I am working on getting made that will help me with the rear triangle on #001. It is also necessary for a frame that I am designing to build coming up. I have some things that I need to work out with the carbon frame as well. And on top of all that, we are moving. Getting closer to civilization and the shop. Less travel time on the highway will make me happy. I will also be able to commute by bike a lot more and take the public bus when the weather is too bad. All good things ahead. A little patience is what I need to get situated. Thanks, Wil