I actually bought this frame from a guy in Minneapolis last year at this time, while I was in Mesa, AZ. I had thought to have my son ship it out for the ORBO 2016 klunker build-off. Then I decided to have him send the Schwinn '51 DX straight bar frame, and this Columbia spent the last 12 months hanging in the BACK40.
Earlier this Fall, while waiting for the MBBO voting to commence, I pulled down the frame, grabbed a set of fenders that were original to Faded Glory, an old seat, and the Columbia springer fork I had purchased the previous year as well. I started with some assembly, some rat-ification techniques on frame and assorted parts, purchased my first set of colored tires (desert clay red), a set of coke bottle grips from @ifitsfreeitsforme here on the RRB site (love em! fat and firm, yet cushy) and a new front wheel.
Now, a year later, I am back in Mesa, and ready to finish this bike off so I can have it for cruising the canal and bike paths with the AZ Coaster Club, a local vintage bicycle club with a number of RRB members.
I am awaiting the arrival of a Park Tool bike work stand that should be here on Thursday. Until then, I may monkey around a bit in my new digs; BACK40 SW (Southwest). A storage space I rented at a bargain basement price for the next 3 months that is only 2 blocks from our condo!
Looking forward to a great build off with y'all! Here are a couple shots of the Desert Rat, and there are more in the BACK40 SW intro video linked below. RaT oN!
Earlier this Fall, while waiting for the MBBO voting to commence, I pulled down the frame, grabbed a set of fenders that were original to Faded Glory, an old seat, and the Columbia springer fork I had purchased the previous year as well. I started with some assembly, some rat-ification techniques on frame and assorted parts, purchased my first set of colored tires (desert clay red), a set of coke bottle grips from @ifitsfreeitsforme here on the RRB site (love em! fat and firm, yet cushy) and a new front wheel.
Now, a year later, I am back in Mesa, and ready to finish this bike off so I can have it for cruising the canal and bike paths with the AZ Coaster Club, a local vintage bicycle club with a number of RRB members.
I am awaiting the arrival of a Park Tool bike work stand that should be here on Thursday. Until then, I may monkey around a bit in my new digs; BACK40 SW (Southwest). A storage space I rented at a bargain basement price for the next 3 months that is only 2 blocks from our condo!
Looking forward to a great build off with y'all! Here are a couple shots of the Desert Rat, and there are more in the BACK40 SW intro video linked below. RaT oN!
