Yesterday I finally got some legitimate work done in the shop. Even though I've done a little here and there not of it really felt like I was frame building. As I said before, things haven't completely settled since our move but they are progressing a little at a time. I've got an order from an old friend/customer, Phil Passantino, for a new 650B touring bike. Phil already has two MEECHs and is ready for another. I told him it was gonna be a slow build but I had no idea it would take me this long. Fortunately for me, Phil is very understanding and has agreed to wait patiently. Thank you Phil!
Just got a couple of quick pics showing the build process. Nothing you haven't seen before on this blog but since it is the first frame since moving, and I didn't have anything else to show you, why not stay true to form. I took more pictures than what are here however a handful were blurry and I had already tacked the frame together.
Always making sure the chain stays are level both here and at the bottom bracket shell. The dummy axle is always level however it one of the dropouts is rotated forward or backward a little it can make things a little less than perfect. I prefer not to file dropouts unless it's a last resort.
The seat stays are now in place and I need to finish up the brazing. It felt good to actually have a frame together in the jig after all this time. I'm hoping to be able to build on this little bit of progress.
Phil asked to see a couple of pics of the new shop and so here you are. It's not much but it's getting better. Things are still unorganized and I'm gonna have to do some work in order to make this place a little warmer for the winter but it will have to do for now. For those of you who don't know, this is actually the original shop that I started in. I built my first 5-6 frames here before we moved to Mountain Home.
My old crutches are still hanging on the wall from an old motorcycle accident about 12-13 years ago. I've started to throw them away on several occasions, but knowing how I am, I could need them again on any given day. Maybe I can find a way to incorporate them into a bike frame. Hmmm? I still have some pictures and things to get on the wall in order to make it more homey but that'll get done when it gets done.
You can see the very first MEECH frame that I built at the Yamaguchi Bicycle Lab hanging over in the corner. It's retired these days but it's ready to go on a moments notice.
HEY!! That's not a MEECH!
My own son defected to Team Schwinn. He told me, "No hard feelings Dad but you're just not getting things done fast enough." In this business it's not, "What have you done for me?" but "What have you done for me lately?" I understand Jack. I think it's fair to say that he loves it. Once he gets to where he can reach the pedals I'm gonna fill those buckets and baskets up with rocks and we'll see if he's still laughing while he's trying to ride up Potter's Hill.
Thanks for stopping by and I'll try to start doing better with some posts. I'm taking Jack today to see about a day school a couple of days a week and if that works out I should be able to start getting some things done. Keeping my fingers crossed. Chao.
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