imperfectd:

I think it's rather funny that after helping to start up this blog with nothing but cars and motorcycles on the brain, my interests have lately been revolving almost entirely around bicycles. I must admit, (though I hate to) that gas prices have had a huge influence on this fact, especially after I made the decision to park the 142 indefinitely. I say indefinitely, but what I really mean is that I am somewhat suddenly and painfully aware of how much it costs to drive and keep up a car, and I haven't decided yet when I will be willing to insure and pour money into TWO cars again instead of only the necessary one. Of course I plan on keeping both of them, and I still have visions of supercharging the two-door and installing a Mustang 5-speed; but for now building bicycles is just easier and a whole lot cheaper.

The bikes that have recently held my attention are the so-called 'fixies': track or road touring bikes that have a fixed rear cog (you can't stop pedaling). This might seem a stupid and/or uncomfortable setup, but I rather like the simplicity, (no gears, no brakes) and there are a number of cool tricks that can only be done with a fixie--- like track-stands, skid-stops and wheelie-balancing on the back wheel. My current project besides finishing a new bike for AC is trying assemble one of these beauties out of a 1984 Trek road bike that I found abandoned and destined for the trash. Also in the mix is a friend's old Takara that I am basically putting together as a beater/cheapo experiment.

Next thing on the list for both these bikes are some wheel builds. Gotta use a track hub and all, you know...I plan on writing a post about my first attempt to lace my own wheel, so stay tuned!

If, by chance, you share my interest in fixed gears bicycles, you should check this out: fixedgeargallery.com Some pretty nice bikes and lots of ideas for your own...

Two wheels for Holly

You can tell I'm proud from the quantity of pictures I have posted...

Paintjob: complete

Stickers!

Fuel Tank

AFTER

BEFORE

Thoroughly Super-Stripped and squeaky-clean, the bare rough steel is smoothed and scrubbed into a vintage-bomber look.  The method: hours and hours spent with an old variable-speed drill and a wire brush wheel, breathing steel dust and obscenities with the peaceful accompaniment of Sigur Ros....

It turned out better than I expected, even with the disorganized rows of swirls.

Now I am rattle-canning it with matte urethane.  Hopefully the finish will stand the test of time and moisture.  In a week or so, after I'm done with the three or four coats the can has in it, the Suzuki emblems go on and of course, our newly minted logo "Imperfect'd".

Oh, and I bought a tire for the 'Strom on Saturday.  I took one look at the wheel sinking onto the pavement and decided that two more days were two days too many.  Two hours of travail at CalCoast, on an insanely busy Saturday morning, set me up with a Dunlop D607 Trail.  It was a cheap solution; but such are the needs of the moment.  I'm curious to see how long a "cheap" tire lasts.

It sure is nice to have a squawk-free machine again.

The V-Strom is back and it can see again. I can see again. People can see me again. What a relief. Now I don't have to risk death daily. Well, risk of death is somewhat diminished anyhow.

But still no rear tire. The parts department at CalCoast Motorsports sucks dismally. Long story short, the rear tire was placed on reorder a couple days ago and ought to be here by the end of next week. Till then, it's inflate it daily and don't stress it too much...I was down to 9.5 psi this morning in the carport. A flattish tire does really funky things to the handling *shiver*.

Smoothed, sanded, filed, primered and sporting the first stage of custom stripes! Things are shaping up.

The V-Strom is finally in the shop.  Now I wait.  Until tomorrow.

I will have the unique (for me) experience of carpooling to work for one day.

*squirm*

"The Daytona and I were one bright, jubilant ball of mph."

- SV_Wolf, TMW Motorcycle Forums

I can't wait till I get the V-Strom back with a new tire and an operative headlight.  Can't wait.  It's going to be a few days because I foolishly did NOT make an appointment with the dealer BEFORE leaving for the 4th weekend.  I'm going through mild motorcycle deprivation already and I'm not even deprived of the motorcycle yet, and sneaking around as The Invisible Rider is getting really freaking old.

Oh b'the way, the leaking rear tire is a failed plug.  That particular plug was a gamble anyways - so close the edge of the tread block that I never expected it to hold out that long.

And, on an unrelated note: Vienna Teng has a great voice - now if only she'd take voice lessons or something she could produce some truly great songs.  Although there are exceptions the majority of her work has a certain maturity that sets her apart from the majority of the sticky sentimentalism of chamber-pop.  "Dreaming Through The Noise" was the best $6.95 I've spent on a used CD in a long time....