Category Archives: Bike

Suga’s Giant + Paino.

Sun is out, bit windy, and chilly but a mid week ride at Centennial Park is always nice (even if there were a couple of tosser Sydney drivers going twice the designated speed limit in there).

Photo: Top model and professional athlete, Jenny Fletcher for BMC Bikes.

Those who know me, also know I’m a lover of everything 2 wheels. I’ve just started working for Cycling Express, an Australian online cycling shop that has the balls to take on and price match the 2 largest and cheapest online bike shops in the world. Wiggle and Chain Reaction Cycles of the UK.

I’ve convinced the guys to do a pre-launch and give away a $200 gift voucher to spend in the upcoming Cycling Express online store (should be later this month if everything goes to plan!). Open to Australian residents only, all you have to do to go into the draw to win is “Like” the Cycling Express Facebook Page.

Cycling Express Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cycling-Express/170320129694838

Spread the word (I’d appreciate it). Winner will be drawn 1st of July!

Just spotted this photo I took at the BMU bike night at MCC on MCC’s home page! Visit: http://www.mccyclery.com.au

Re-issue Dia Compe brakes from the states.

Name and shame! The brakes came wrapped up in this freaky double page spread of a local newspaper.

North Georgia Busted!

The new frame (came with BB + headset which I removed to replace with chrome bits).

Dropout detail.

Brake boss detail.

All done.

I managed to find myself a genuine Kuwahara re-issue frame in chrome as I didn’t think the black frame I had was cutting it. The frame came in today. I was meant to get to Top One to work on the car, then fix the alignment but I had to wait around for a live stock delivery (peppermint shrimp for the fish tank) so instead I worked on the car (removed spacers to stop the rubbing) and I got busy working on the Kuwa too.

It’s come up like it was before, except now it’s a genuine Kuwahara frame as opposed to some knock-off cheapy. I’m happy, hands are sore, it’s 4.30PM, where are my shrimp?

FBS.

All NOS (new old stock) parts now on the new (genuine) black frame.

I bought these model/period correct V-bars years ago, just never got around to fitting them until now.

As pictured in this 80’s advertisement.

I also had this model correct NOS Suntour stem from years ago, never used it, such a shame to rip it out of it’s original packaging but I did it, and now I’ve fitted it.

I caved in after a bottle of wine the other night and got into a midnight build (as you do).

I still want to replace the rear brake caliper with a model correct MX1000 one (which Dia-Comp are now re-releasing which is great news). I liked the chrome frame a lot more than the black one, but this is the real deal (where the chrome frame was not a genuine Kuwahara). Ultimately I’d love to track down the same frame, but in chrome. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out.

Day 1. Previous owner Paul had already bought an exhaust, stretch kit and lower seat frame.

Stripped plastic panels, frame brace with forward pegs, new exhaust. Painted. New seat frame. Low and flat handlebars, removed blinkers and put them on the sides of the battery box. New seat, fat rear wheel and tyre, painted mid section of frame, new front-end (brakes, wheel and shocks), JDM headlights.

It’s always nice to see before and after pics :)

This morning I dropped in to Racecourse Motors to get the guys there to swap my front tyre for me. They’ve got a really nice and neat scooter shop across the road from the Randwick Racecourse which is pretty close to where I live.

I spotted this strange Zoomer like bike. The seating position with the pegs forward actually wouldn’t be too unlike my Zoomer.

Old wheel left, new right. The guy that greeted me was a champ. He swapped the tyre over in no time and it only cost me $20.

NCY rotor installed. Kinda ugly. A plain cross drilled completely round rotor would have been nicer.

Braided line is pretty long (a LOT nicer than having the crazy long drum brake cable before though) and I’m still not sure I’ve routed it the best way.

Other side. Glossy black wheel suits the rear wheel now and this new alloy wheel with tyre weighs the same as an original steel wheel without tyre.

Super happy with it!

I’ve installed everything. Just need to buy some brake fluid. I’ve had issues with spacing the front wheel. The kit came with everything I needed, except the speedo housing and the wheel doesn’t sit flush against the stopper on the fork (to stop it rotating) as I had to use a spacer on that side to centre the wheel. It’s not rotating at all though, so it works fine, but it’s definitely not designed to work this way.