Giant lugged frame

Didn't have a time to write and update the blog recently which doesn't mean that I’m not doing anything. It’s just that I have too much real work than virtual and the other reason is that no good pictures were made.
So, below is one of the good reasons why we all love bicycles and think it’s a very sexy transportation to use. Nothing can make you more happier than seeing a gorgeous girl riding a beautiful bike. Especially y if it’s a renovated Giant lugged frame and classic leather accessories.

One thing in particular interesting here is that I have used a burner to release stocked seat post.

Before:

After:

Motobécane Grand Jubilé mixte

Well, I’m getting my family more and more involved. First it was my father that riding a fixie and has a very cool outfit to be aligned with bike design. And now it’s my sis. She said, I wanna bike, and I want it to be the most prettiest bike in town. It took me a while to get the right and unique frame for the request. It is Motobécane Grand Jubilé mixte frame that has a single top tube sloping down towards the seat tube, but diverging into twin lateral stays just before the seat tube. Only Motobecane did it and I find it very nice both in design and practical perspectives.
I was working very hard to refurbish it as it was in very-very bad shape. Had to remove the seatpost (alloy) with caustic acid. It was sitting inside for a week, till the seatpost got completely melted. My sis also had a specific color request for each and every part. So we run after the parts all over the globe and had to wait almost two months for shipments.
But finally, as in every project, she has a new ride.

This is an original Motobécane Grand Jubilé mixte as was shown in catalog:

the photo is taken from Motobecane Catalog 1979

And this is a new ride:

P.S. New brake installation. Very comfortable.

Kuwahara road frame

Max found it in the back of the store. Classic road frame for Japanese manufacture Kuwahara. I’m still wondering who brought it here. We took it immediately and within a few weeks, a friend came across asking for something old and not fancy. He has also requested to keep the original parts and was the biggest challenge. I have spent one week in order to remove the rust from the crank and pedals. A simple kitchen acid made it work. Look at the beauty and the simplicity.
This is how we found it:

And the magic:

Raleigh Colette 1973

I forget to update the blog. Doing more bicycles than writing, but who cares.
Anyway, once again I had a special request from a special friend. She wanted me to repair her old bike, and had brought it to me for week for evaluation.
Once the bike was disassembled, it was clear that nothing good won’t come out of it. I’ve tried to improvise something but the bike was completely useless. I told her, no way we can continue to use this frame, let’s find something else.
It actually took me two weeks of searching and I have finally got the piece I was looking for. Raleigh Colette 1973, in very bad shape, but no physical damages. This is how it looks before:

Over two months and VERY hard work, including drilling out the crank and unscrewing rusty quill for two weeks. I have tried to save the original color, but rust left me no chance. So we have decided to make it dark blue. And here is the result:

Guys keep telling me that i should document the whole process of recovery and post it out step by step. What do you think?

Schwinn fastback comp

First is how I got this frame. I was scrolling thru Yad2 (local second hand board), and marked several interesting items. One was Schwinn fastback comp frame in very mint condition. The price was surprisingly low and smelled fishy. But I said to myself what da hell, call the guy and let’s see. Apparently he stated that it’s not a problem come and get it. So I’ve jumped in to my car ride all the way to Hertzeliya and found myself on the very fancy street second line by the beach where the richest population of Israel hide their treasures. But the house we were heading to was completely different. It was like we found an old Freddy Kruger house. No movements, neglected yard, massive doors with scratches paint and rusty handles. It was really scary, and the door has finally opened the old lady that was standing just added to the whole impression. Fuck it I said, we are getting the fame and running off. The house was huge and felt very empty. I was totally in to the frame and didn’t pay attention to the surroundings, when Max told me hey dude look around. The was not much furniture around and the leftovers were completely destroyed or over used. Very strange experience to find such a poverty in the middle of the richest spot of Israel.
Never the less frame turned out to be in excellent condition, and I have started to look for some friend to build up. Then Max called and said that he has garageman that was inspired by Max’s bike and wants the same for him. No color restoration, just new parts and half of day work.
Check out the character!

Bianchi Mega Pro SL

Actually this bike was my first experience with full road set up (except the gear part). Therefore I was pretty excited to have this opportunity added to my experience list. So, Zhenya came to me with super light Bianchi frame no fork. Carbon fork, new line Weinmann wheels, re-issued Selle turbo saddle and much more. The biggest problem was bottom bracket. For some reason i was assuming that Italian frame will need Italian BB which not standart and shall be specifically pre-ordered. But it wasn't the case. After 3 hours of running between major velo distributors inluding few phone calls to main Bianchi importer in Israel, we have finally realized that BB shall be simple ISO.Simple as that.
At the end he also order an original handlebar tape from Bianchi to match the color.
Before:

And After:

Max's Colnago

One day, someone sent me a message via facebook. Something like “You are the guy with bicycles, right?”. Yes, and the next thing I know the guy is in my living room with huge Colnago frame. Red, very light, road frame. I said, dude I have never seen such a beauty. And he said, does that mean that you will make me a bicycle? No problem, but it will be single speed only.

So here it is before:

and after:

Favorite lady frame

Next was a bicycle for my gf Anna. She is still around which is a miracle by itself, and the bike.

All the colors and design chosen by her. However I couldn't convince her to make it fixed gear. Single speed it is.