bonnie & jason

New project - the beginning of Jason Wang Bicycles

With the bike done, I find myself craving another project. Not that I don’t have enough to do around here as it is with Alissa, Bonnie on bedrest, and some photography stuff here and there. I guess maybe I just need a diversion from all the adult responsibilities that come with a growing family. And since I can’t afford a Lotus, I figure I’ll expand on the bike theme. But instead of just building up a bike frame, this time, I’m going to build a bike from scratch. Crazy you say? Crazy like a fox! =)

It’s actually not that big a deal although I admit that the scope has grown. How? Here’s the evolution:

1. The last bike project aggravated the lumbar radiculopathy that hasn’t bothered me for the last two years so I need a proper work bench.
2. Work benches are expensive though, so I’m going to build my own.
3. To build a proper work bench, I need a compound miter saw. (Ok, I don’t absolutely need one, but any self-respecting DIY homeowner should have one.)
4. While I’m at Home Depot, I might as well get the closet rod that Bonnie wants me to add.
5. Yet to be identified projects that will be born from here.

And of course, to build the bike itself, I need some other tools that I don’t already have (bench grinder, hole saws, hand files, vice, gas torch, etc.)

So anyway, no post is really complete without pictures, so here are a few quick ones.

Here’s the bench holding up the mitre saw I used to build it:

It has wheels so I can put it in the middle of the garage when I’m using it and then roll it against the wall when I’m done.
I got the miter saw for $60 off at Sears.

Here are the bike pieces:

I got them from Nova Cycle Supply. Many of the parts are from their November special.

Here’s about how they’ll go together:

Of course, I still need the chain, wheels, saddle, seat post, handlebars, stem, pedals, and brake lever. I already got a crankset, freewheel, and brake caliper.

So, hopefully, before too long, all these parts will turn into a ridable, safe, and cool bike that fits me perfectly.

Public service announcement

Here’s a funny video that I thought was worth sharing since I’m riding my bike quite a bit these days.

Finished the bike

These were the final hurdles I had to overcome to finish the bike:

1. I got an old seat post to work by using cut up pieces of a tennis ball canister for shims. (free!)
2. I abandoned the modern brake that I had bought and used an old style side pull brake instead. As a result, I had to move the brake to the right side so the cable routing was cleaner. ($8)
3. I had to readjust the headset and bottom bracket after a short test ride.
4. I had to get another rear wheel since I couldn’t get the free one with the bent axle to work ($20). I re-spaced that wheel so the chainline was straighter (more a nice to do than a must do.) That wheel also had a couple spokes break so I had to replace those as well. ($1)
5. I got some short stack bolts so I could just use the small chain ring. ($5)
6. A quick wipe down and wax and she’s good as new!

All told, I spent about $100 in parts but $40 of that was the brake that I didn’t end up using. I’ll probably keep it around for another project. I also spent $20 for the bike stand and maybe another $20 in special bike tools but I won’t count those against this project.

It was pretty fun to do actually. I’m going to start looking for another project bike to rehab. This time, I’ll get something that already has parts that might just require a little maintenance and minor upgrading.

Here are the pictures from start to finish.

DIY bike work stand

I’ve been getting tired hunching down to work on the bike, so I decided I needed a bike stand. Unfortunately, all the decent ones commercially available are pretty pricey, so off to the great google I went in search of a DIY solution. The first result is this page which lists eight different solutions but I ultimately decided on this super simple one.

I followed the directions almost entirely. The only real differences were that I used a shorter length pipe (12″) since I didn’t feel I needed as much clearance from the wall and that I just threaded said pipe directly into the PVC t-section. In the end, for about $20, I got a super beefy stand that takes 10 seconds to take apart and put away.

Otherwise, notice that I pulled the large chain ring off and got the seat on. I also tried to make the rear wheel work, but there’s something wrong with the spacing so I may end up needing a new rear wheel after all. Grr… oh well… at least the front wheel is good.

Bike rebuild progress

I’ve made some good progress on the bike rebuild.

1. Dennis helped me score some free wheels from a guy on sffixed.com. They’re old 27 inchers which is the correct size for this bike. They even had tires, tubes, and a cog (even though the cog is a “suicide” cog in that it’s just loc-tited on there.) I just cleaned them up, rebuilt the hubs, and pumped up the tires. The rear wheel axle is a little bent but I’m hoping I can position so that it doesn’t make the wheel cockeyed in the frame. At least not by too much anyway.
2. I got a set of handlebars for free from a guy on craigslist. He also threw in some bar tape and some pedal clips. I wasn’t a fan of the red at first, but they were free and it’s actually growing on me a bit. The handlebars I flipped and chopped into bullhorn bars.

3. Dennis had an old stem that he gave me (CONTROLTECH!). The bars were a little big for the stem, but I wedged them in there and I think they’ll work fine.
4. I got an old Sakae crankset on ebay for $20. The bigger chain ring is a bit worn, but the inner one, which is the one I’ll use, is in pretty good shape.

5. I ordered a brake from bikeisland.com but they don’t reach the brake surface. I’m going to need to find a longer reach brake. I also need to figure out how to attach them to the fork since they are a newer recessed nut style vs. the original double nutted style.
6. I got a cheap chain from bikeisland.com as well. Should be fine.
7. I bought some tools (cone wrench, bottom bracket tool, waterproof grease, degreaser) from The Bike Nook which is the local bike store on Taraval. Len has been pretty helpful and their prices aren’t bad. It’s a really small store though, so they don’t have a ton of stuff in stock, but they’re helpful with advice and can order whatever you want. I like to support the local stores when I can as well so go visit them if you’re in the neighborhood.

So what’s left to do?
1. Well, I’m not sure if the chain line is going to work so once I get the bottom bracket rebuilt and the rear hub tightened up, I’ll figure out if I’m good or if I need to be creative or if I still need a new rear wheel.
2. I still need a 25.8mm (I think) seatpost. It’s an odd size for modern bikes so I’ll probably have to order one. (EDIT: I used a tennis ball canister to make some shims for the seatpost. It seems like it’s going to work fine.)
3. I may need a new saddle. I have a cheapy plastic one (another freebie from Craigslist) but that may not be very tushy friendly.
4. If the chainline works and I want to remove the bigger chain ring, I’ll need some short chain ring bolts or chain ring spacers.
5. Still need to figure out the brake thing I mentioned above.

I think that’s about it. So far, I’ve just been working on it for 30 minutes here or there after Alissa goes to bed. Typically, I’d be much more impatient about it but wanting to do it on a budget means waiting for cheap (or free) parts. But I have enjoyed getting my hands dirty again. Without the motorcycle/sports car/go kart around for me to turn wrenches on, the bike has been a welcome outlet.

Another bike! Panasonic Sport 500

I’ve been eying a stripped down bike frame that Terry has had hanging in his garage for decades apparently. It’s an 80’s era Panasonic Sport 500 which apparently, was the low end model that they had to offer back in the day. Using this thing called “google” I found out that the lineup went something like this:

$159: Sport 500 (Hi-Ten steel with stem mount and 27×1-3/8″ steel rims
$184.95: Sport (was only in the line a few years, basically a Sport 500 w/allo wheels)
$219.95: Sport Deluxe
$279: Sport 1000
$329: DX2000 (Midgrade components and the first 700C bike in the line)
$399: DX3000 (fitness bike with Tange Infinity Tubing and 700C wheels)
$499: DX4000 (Tange Double butted Fast Fitness entry level race bike with 700C wheels)
$599: DX5000 (Prestige frame and fork with Shimano 600 Ultegra 7speed)

Anyway, Terry was nice enough to just give me the bike. Here it is in all it’s glory:

It’s in pretty good shape for how old it is. A few chips here and there but no real rust. And the headset and bottom bracket both operated very smoothly. That being said, I can’t leave well enough alone so I spent a little time today tearing apart the headset, re-greasing the bearings, and reassembling. I’ll do the same with the bottom bracket as well once I pick up a pin spanner tool. Besides, it has been hanging in a garage for quite a while… it deserved a little TLC.

Clearly, there’s still a lot to do before it’s ready to ride. I’ve ordered a few parts here and there. I still need to figure out a number of details, but hopefully, I’ll have it together before too long. If anyone has any old bike parts lying around that could go to a loving home, let me know.

Mountain Biking at Skegg’s Point

It’s been about a year since I’ve done any mountain biking but I had the opportunity to visit Skegg’s Point again this morning with Woozy and a couple of his friends. I’ve forgotten how much fun mountain biking is. Sure, I like just stepping out the door and road biking. But the single track trails of El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve make for some entertaining riding that justify the drive down there. The road biking I’ve done recently has definitely helped the legs and the lungs, but I’m definitely a bit out of practice with the more technical stuff steering around rocks/trees/holes/etc. Oh well… at least I didn’t take a major fall this time around. Woozy wasn’t so lucky as you can see from the state of his shirt. (By the way, this picture was taken with the same camera that I broke in said “major fall”.)

Someone stole my bike

I’ve been riding my new fixed gear to BART to go to work and locking it up outside the station. Today, I got off the BART and no bike. Gone. Poof. Just like that. Grr!!! If you see it around, let me know.

New bike… Motobecane Messenger!

My first single speed/fixie just arrived! It’s a 54cm Motobecane Messenger. It’s supposed to be my beater commuter bike but to tell you the truth, it’s quite a bit nicer than I thought it was going to be. Sure, the components aren’t that great but they don’t look like their going to catastrophically fail on the first ride out or anything. More importantly, the frame is welded nicely and the paint looks pretty darn good actually! After removing the stickers, I think even the clearcoated branding looks pretty good!

Other than having to wait a month for it to ship, I have to say I’m pretty happy with the purchase. Everything was packed nicely, and they even included a 17T freewheel which I did not think was part of the deal. We’ll see how it rides tomorrow… then I’ll update this post with a full review.

(note the color is off… couldn’t get the white balance right with the fluorescent garage lights.)

EDIT: Someone stole my friggin’ bike! (12/1/07)

Anyway, I only rode it for a few weeks, but I was nevertheless growing quite fond of it. Everything worked just fine and I didn’t really feel the need to upgrade anything before the stock pieces wore out. I may have upgraded the seat if I was going to do any long rides. But for commuting and short rides, it’s great as is. I even had a fellow fixie rider compliment me on the cool color. (He was riding a much cooler bike than me.) I’ve thought about just getting another one, but I’m afraid it will get stolen as well. Besides, a friend of mine gave me an old beater mountain bike for free which I might just use for commuting. It’s really a beater but it seems to work fine. And I won’t have to worry about it getting stolen. We’ll see.

100 miles on a bike isn’t so much

Just a few weeks ago, I set a goal for myself to ride my bike 100 miles by the end of the year. Apparently, 100 miles isn’t all that much on a bike as I’ve now logged 150 miles including my ride today with Dennis to Fairfax Scoop (mmm… honey lavendar). So now, I think maybe I can hit 300 miles by the end of the year. We haven’t made our holiday plans yet but still, I think 300 miles is reasonable.

Speaking of mileage, while enjoying our ice cream, a German girl rode up with a bike loaded with about 50 pounds of gear. Apparently, she has been touring the west coast by herself for the last nine-weeks, riding from Seattle all the way down to San Francisco! That’s 814 miles in a direct route and who knows how many miles she put on visiting friends, national parks, etc. along the way. Those crazy Germans… she was saying how Germany is such a small country and doesn’t have nearly the scenery that the US has. So true. It’s too bad most of the native US population doesn’t take advantage of what they have in their own backyard. That being said, almost every time I bike or run or drive somewhere scenic (which is almost anywhere it seems), I remark to myself how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful part of the world. Hopefully I can instill the same sense of wonder in Alissa as she grows up. I think it’s too late for Bonnie. Having grown up here, she’s spoiled beyond hope by now. =)

Anyway, here’s a map of our route today. It’s no trek from the Great Northwest to the bay area, but hey… I don’t have 9-weeks of vacation to burn either.