No longer gonna use the Paragon dropouts, instead these were designed for my bike by the welder and laser cut in New York from ¼” steel. With these the stays will not need to be slotted, which is cutting into the tube. Also this looks a lot like the dropouts on many other BMW bikes.
This is the tool I used to make my front rack. Think I’m going to seek out one of these for myself so I can try to make a rear rack.
I should stay on schedule with my monthly planning notes. For now here is a catch up.
Had a handful of weeks where I wasn’t thinking or doing much to prepare for a bike tour. The bike build was on a seemingly endless standstill. The sun was setting at its earliest for the year. I was going home and watching movies and playing phone games a lot to avoid the cold and save money I guess.
I was also getting tattoos finished so I spent money on that and was thinking about art and shit..
Now the days are getting a tad bit longer. Tattoos done for now. Spent 6 days in Mexico late last year. My wrrk schedule is good. My rent went down a little b/c my roommates gf moved in. They both have bike touring plans also.
I’ve added some more pins into my map.
I’ve not made much progress getting into work spaces to photograph workers here in NYC.
My bike could be finished soonish.
Today was 200 days till Aug 1, 2014. That is my projected departure. But really it could be sooner, or much later. But I want my bike, gear and life shit dialed by then.
I thought of a good answer to the “why shoot film? “Question. Because it’s more fun.
The sound of the shutter, the operation of loading and unloading the cartridges, waiting to see the results.
I think I’m going to make a custom rear rack for myself. And I had it suggested to paint them a different color than the bike, so not black. White maybe. I think it would look real good with no panniers on, and loaded just a lil would be visible. My bottle cages are white and I wrap my bars in white.
I’ve gathered 2 new cameras. I bought a Canon Rebel G and was gifted an Olympus Infinity Stylus. I like the Olympus, it’s my first 35mm P&S. Think I’ll bring it for shooting flash in b/w. And it’s just over 7oz with a roll loaded. The Rebel G will stay home.
Thinking about switching to large platform pedals and one pair of shoes vs clip-in pedals and road shoes & walking shoes.
I think I’ve picked out a pedal, now I just need to find a stiff sole hiking/trail shoe (not boot). I don’t really know that segment of footwear but I was looking at some Salewa stuff. Although I’m not sure if that is good for what I want.
Of course there are many thoughts going on too. How excited I am to go traveling for a long time. But it’s not excitement is more like a sureness that I will like a simple life. The gains from shedding down to just the basics. Tent, stove, tools, sleeping bag, camera, notebook.
Another thing is that even though I can’t erase the personal fulfillment motivations that go hand in hand with solo bike touring, I am sure I want to focus on some other bigger project. Not just the I’m going to ride my bike from A to B just so I can say I did.
And a reflector placement I hadn’t thought of.
My custom touring frame has started to take shape. The welder texted me to see if I’d swing by the shop tomorrow. Then he sent me this pic. So stoked!
After a long wait I hope to see the frame together soon.
Things are moving along. Also today I mounted a 700×38 to my rear wheel for them to use as a guide for clearances.
For my next tour, like my last two tours, I’ll ride right the hell out of this awesome city I live in.
Sitting around BMW talking bikes, talking touring bikes, and getting a custom build made, it has been this bike that was most influential. Other than my old touring bike of course. But in wanting to make a modern version of my old bike, although not too modern, I looked to this one for tube dimensions and frame features.
Both will have True Temper SuperTherm main tubes, with 1.25″ top tube, 1.5″ down tube. And external butted seat tube for 27.2mm post.
Feeling good about seeing all my frame tubes in their own box. The main triangle is even cut already.
Not bothered by a lil surface rust. Understandable, It was 97° today and humidity is nutz.
Paragon Machine Works DR0045 – Rear, 70 degree, eyelets
Spotted in NYC. I’d ride one of these. So many great things on this old bike.
Slightly longer chainstays, double eyelets on the front and rear drop outs, rack mounts front and rear.
Ari Gold and loaded bicycle. August 6th, 2011 outside a Hannaford grocery in York Village, Maine
I met Ari by chance that we both were on bike tours and both at the same market at the same time. He was 23 months into a much longer tour. He could recite a long list of cities and towns that were along his route. It sounded like a song. His goal was to get to Australia. He showed me a rear view mirror he makes and sells. It was different because you wear it on your hand. He was also kind and gave me a couple of ball on a bungee fasteners, that proved to be very useful.
House of Hades + Colossus of Roads tile seen in NYC.
I like tile art. I like art that is for everyone. Some good info about Colossus on never came back.
Some details not quite right. Need to add some features. But turned out good. Next one will be better. Also thinking about re-doing my rear panniers with revised pockets and more features. But that needs to be done in black 500 Cordura or I’d have too much camo.
Test phone post
