Meet Margaret...

Beautiful, is she not?

Margaret is a mid-1970's Raleigh Grand Prix that I have lovingly brought back to life. I purchased her from an elderly gentleman off of Craigslist this past summer and immediately fell in love. Now, I don't usually give inanimate objects names and tell the public I love them, but she is different. As I was trying to fit the bike in the back of a 96 Civic Coupe (fun stuff, let me tell you) she spoke her name to me, and I knew I had something special on my hands.

Let's take a closer look, shall we?

She started out life as a ten speed and I suspect she was upgraded at some point in the late 80's with new tires, cables, and derailleurs. By the time I bought the bike it was in pretty crummy shape. When I finally had it dis-assembled in the garage and started to clean the frame, I noticed how absolutely gorgeous it was. I said to myself,

"This bike is too beautiful to be hidden behind cables and extra brakes and gears. This bike shall be a fixed gear".


And so it was.


So I put an Eight Inch crankset...

Restored the original quill pedals and toe clips.

On a rebuilt original bottom bracket and spindle (only because Raleigh used a proprietary BB thread count that NO ONE MANUFACTURES BOTTOM BRACKETS FOR.)

More anguish than I wish to recall.

I also built my rear wheel with an Origin 8 fixed/free flip flop hub and a bargain bin rim.

Threaded axle for the win.

I run only a front brake (run to the right hand) and installed a freaking awesome interrupter brake lever to replace the turkey wing / suicide lever so I can brake when I'm not in the drops.

Ignore the bikes in the background and admire that head badge.

The latest and greatest addition to Margaret is a Brooks B17 Standard saddle, which I have recently begun to break in. It is most glorious.

Notice the wrap around frame work. Very, very nice.

So there is my dear Margaret. I'll show you Ol' Blue next Tuesday but, until then, here is a look at what I use for repairs!!!!

Park Tool repair stand - a new and valued addition.

Oh. Oh God. Messy messy tool chest.

Specialty tools: spoke wrenches, a crank puller, a chain whip/lockring spanner, freewheel removal tools, Shimano splined bottom bracket removal tool and a chain breaker.

Having extra parts is handy for rebuilds or making friends.

This where all those wrenches on top of the chest are supposed to go.

Grease, lube, and less desirable spare parts (i.e. junk).

Oh, I almost forgot! I'm at 200lbs now, which is still considered obese according to a BMI chart I found on the internets. Oh well! See you all Thursday!