(WBO) The Mojave Express (Some Assembly required!!)

[metalchewy]

Only broke 8 spokes outta 32 on the front wheel last night as I disassembled it and cleaned up the ring.


I didn't pick enuff spokes for the back, thought they were the same, need 8 more. This cross lacing is cool, will put them back together this way.



Anyone know if the front axle is supposed to be missing a dust cover on one side? The front wheel has open bearings on one side...

 

[metalchewy]

Cross laced the front wheel after dinner tonight, took about 30 min. Not too bad for my first one. 286mm spokes with short nipples. Will setup something to tighten and center it tomorrow. Just finger tight for now.



I will be looking for a cap for the bearings

.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Looks good! Definitely should be a cap on those bearings!

Luke.

 

[metalchewy]

Bolted a few things together here amd there over the last couple of days.

Still gotta get the last 8 spokes for the rear wheel...

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Such a nice looking bike. To often the diamond frames get overlooked.

 

[metalchewy]

The more I work on it, the more I like it as well. I did enjoy it rusty, but it cleaned up so nicely, looking at another many years this bike will be rolling thru.

 

[metalchewy]

Assembly is started. Still gotta put the back wheel together. Long workweek and lots of hours, I am glad its the weekend...

 

[Schwinnspastic]

Ya know I generally am not into British bikes but I like the look of this build !
Mark

 

[metalchewy]

Ya know I generally am not into British bikes but I like the look of this build ! [emoji106]
Mark

When I was a kid, I saw thes british bikes as heavy clunky relics and had no interest. Now I am older and have used bikes for more than just play, these old roadsters are fun to ride and go faster with less effort their other light weight counterparts... the kinetic energy of the bike weight works well... I wish I had acquired one earlier now....

 

[SILVERKINGPC]

The red interior paint looks great with the black and chrome. Getting close eh?

 

[Schwinnspastic]

I have a bunch of roadies in the pile, American, Japanese and British I might have to build one up for old times sake.
So what model front hub do you need a dust shield for ?
It looks like your bars don't have any knurling at the stem area, I have a few bars like that and was wondering if they were British.
Mark

 

[metalchewy]

Getting really close.. hope to be riding it by tomorrow afternoon :-D

 

[metalchewy]

I
So what model front hub do you need a dust shield for ?
It looks like your bars don't have any knurling at the stem area, I have a few bars like that and was wondering if they were British.
Mark

The hub, is unmarked alloy. I assume it is phillips generic front hub, the rims are stamped dunlop, made in england.. bike world says they have a stock of rubber dust covers, was going to take the wheel in today to see if we can match one up.

The stem is knurled inside, the bars are smooth and unknurled. I've seen numerous european designs that don't have knurled bars. Old british, as well as some french and some bikes from holland...

 

[metalchewy]

40 cross laced 282mm spokes on the rear.



Put the front tire on the wheel. Had to peel off the hardened tape on the inside of the tubes.

 

[Funkme]

She is lookin good.
I prefer the old steel bikes to the lightweight racers...They do pick up more spped on a downhill.
The french made beautiful old road bikes.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Love that redline tire!

Luke.

 

[metalchewy]

Love that redline tire!

Luke.

When I got the bike in december, I wanted red lined tires on it. Was glad to find duro reproduces them.

Wish I could afford a set for the dart... ;-)

 

[metalchewy]

Broke ome of those british sized lock washers on the back wheel when I true'd it up.... mounted the tire.

Got the front tire mounted


Will be going thru the nut bin to find a lock washer that will fit...

 

[Big Ape]

Very nice, it looks like you really thought this build out!

 

[metalchewy]

Very nice, it looks like you really thought this build out!

When I start a build, I will just lay the bike around the back portch and look at it for days until I see how I want it to look in my mind. Then it might change over time, like my mbbo build did.

This one is coming out just as I pictured it, sans front light and speedo... hadn't seen the right ones at the right price yet...