final product...so far

so...couldn't find pure white handlebar tape in red deer or calgary, so i had to settle with the black/white split. it seems to work because i also couldn't find white cable housing and ended up with black, so it's a three colour deal.

perhaps in time i will do a few more accents in white or something. but, it is a smooth ride and will be a nice addition to my office in downtown red deer.

inaugural ride!

first time out on the sekine medialle. now, the jeremy bouw blue and white something or another. went to calgary today, bow cycle, to get white handlebar tape, but none was available. the thing i have learned about this process is that the little things matter. and white handlebar tape matters.

rides pretty smoothly...not too bad for a makeshift single speed.

two tone

so.....still trying to get good at the spray paint approach. i think for the next bike i will try something different, especially if going with two colours. i had to hand paint a few sections, especially the heart. the taping is what does it in. it is difficult to get a good finish when paint seeps through a tape job, no matter how tight it is.

i like the colour combo, though, and will put on a clear coat finish next week. after that, i get to build the bike back and i am excited about that.

i have to get my hands on some white handlebar tape pretty soon, too.

second bike

well....the paint was barely dry on the 1975 sekine when i picked up this late 70s (?) Raleigh Royal. it is heavy as all get out. the tires are in pretty good shape and it has classic leather handlebar tape, which will sadly go. looking forward to taking this thing apart.

i picked it up in lacombe for $10.

putting on the paint

i love this blue. i think the blue and white combo that it is going to be will be sweet. it was tricky painting this as it was slightly windy, but even trickier was taping the parts i didn't want painted blue. i'm nervous about pulling the tape off and seeing how bad of a job i did.

i did two full coats and am contemplating a third before i put on the clear coat.

frame's primed, too

fuzzy picture, sorry. my plan is to also do the fork blue, but accent the crown molding with white

getting primed

well...the frame has been primed. i went for the tremclad grey primer after reading that a grey primer was the best to go with. it was a windy day, so i built this structure in my backyard, tarped it up, and voila...instant garage. sure would be nice to have a real garage, though.

i used spray cans and it tested my patience. a few big globs blew out of the nozzle and landed square on the frame. i will try to delicately sand those out before i do the paint job. i am going with a candy blue/white combo and i am really looking forward to it.