A few more pictures

Two more bikes that didn't get posted after paint. My token moutain bike for the year for Donny and a Steelhead for Scott. Steelhead is a company out of St. Louis that I have built a few lugged framesets for. They do the design work and a few different builders do their fabrication. Thanks, guys!

Another cross bike

The pictures don't do this color justice. It is going to look awesome on the race course. Thank you for your order, Don!

I also forgot to thank Francis, Scott, Eric, Jim, Matt, Kenny, and Steve for their orders on the bikes below. It was an absolute pleasure working with each of you. Next out of the paint booth will be bikes for Kerry C, Diane E, Rebecca Z, Kevin-Scott, and Jeff U. Then next on the jig are bikes for Mark A (our RBR raffle winner!), Mike H, Bill S, Ryan R, John, C and Matt M.

Recent bikes

Here are some of the shots from my studio visit with Ken Scott. Following those are some of my hack shots of other recent frames. Ken also came by the shop to take some action photos. I took the opportunity to ham it up for the camera.

Major update coming!

I have lots of bikes to show. I just need some time to get the photos together. Stay tuned!

The real deal

Now I know the value of a real photographer. I had a great day in the studio with my pal Ken on Saturday. We rented a studio and brought in some bikes. I was amazed seeing the whole setup. I didn't realize how much goes into getting shots like this. I am THRILLED with the low-rez proofs and I just can't wait to see the finished photographs. I took this from off-stage. I wish I had a better shot. There were so many lights and computers and all kinds of other stuff. Certainly a day I won't forget.

Frames are in paint

I am jetting out to Cleveland today, but there are frames being painted this week. If I get back in time on Friday to ship them, they will go. Otherwise, it will be Monday. Have a good week!

Paint delays and Part 2 of How I build a bike

Folks, due to the extreme humidity and heat this past week, we have had some paint delays. The decals tend to bubble and the clear has issues of its own in this kind of weather. The weather is going to be more mild this week and painting will be complete on Jim's and Francis's framesets.

Last time, we left off with a completely machined tubeset, except for the seat stays. Next, we set up the jig and mock up the tubes to check all of the fits. Here is the frame in the jig with lugs installed.

What's goinig on under the lugs? Well, have a look...

Nice, tight mitres. Again, quality machining leads to a straight bicycle frame.

Here are some pictures of the joints with the lugs and the dropouts.

Here you can see what I mean by the "hollowed out" BB shell. No extra material hanging around.

I still do the seat stay miter by hand with a file. It's roughed in on a grinding wheel and finished with the file.

And here is the fit up in the lug.

Next time, I'll show the braze ons and tacking.