Tumblr (3.0; @birthdaybike)http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m41u7mfFyK1rs1ftio1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Here’s a detail shot of how the shifters came together, they’re NOS SunTour Sprint downtube shifters mated to Shimano pods; I can’t take credit for this genius though, as it was all “stronglight’s” idea as seen on his flickr. They work very well and look the part much better than the old Dura-ace levers.</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/23090955218http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/23090955218Tue, 15 May 2012 01:35:46 -0400shiftersuntourshimanodura-acevintageDIY<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m41tzyvxRV1rs1ftio1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>With new shifters, the bike is now done!</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/23090795812http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/23090795812Tue, 15 May 2012 01:31:10 -0400girlbikelegsdura-acebicyclegreenvintageporteurbellmksnitto<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3odlcNJ421rs1ftio1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Enjoying the sun this week…</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/22614535030http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/22614535030Mon, 07 May 2012 19:08:00 -0400bikegirlvintageporteurdura-aceroadbluegreen<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3kw40FFfR1rs1ftio1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>The bike is basically done and needs a couple tweaks, but we’re both super happy with the result!</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/22487422134http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/22487422134Sat, 05 May 2012 21:57:36 -0400heelsbikevintagenailsbicycle<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2dw4iyIH21rs1ftio1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Done! More shots soon!</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20980320697http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20980320697Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:41:06 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m22uz3dwbX1rs1ftio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>The missing links were found today at <a href="http://www.cambiecycles.com/" title="Vancouver Bike Shop" target="_blank">Cambie Cycles</a>! Looks like we’ll be done monday! </p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20611872138http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20611872138Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:42:39 -0400custombikevelo orangelevershousingjapanesetrackbikevancouvermouellicbirthdaybike<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m219mx2emI1rs1ftio1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m219mx2emI1rs1ftio2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m219mx2emI1rs1ftio3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>So the order make it in time, but I got short shipped the brake levers. I’m going to let the paint cure a little over the weekend before throwing on the front derailleur and brakes. The good news: Joana is really happy with how it looks! Mission accomplished!</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20559554479http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20559554479Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:04:09 -0400japanesecustomDura-Aceshimanotrackfixedvintagepaintluggedvelo orangeporteurnelsonmouellicvancouverbikebicyclebirthday<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m215zmP12K1rs1ftio1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Oh baby…</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20554735636http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20554735636Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:45:22 -0400japanesedura-acerestorationfixedtrackcustomvelo orange<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1xfelcFxB1rs1ftio1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>I finished the rear wheel today. The rear hub was in great shape, but the cones were looking a bit pitted (The pair above, on the right). I managed to find some replacements on eBay, which arrived today (The shiny and smooth pair above, on the left). Both the front and rear hubs feel silky smooth and new now! I’m still not sure if the bulk of the parts are going to make it in time for her birthday… Fingers crossed they do!</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20433360747http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20433360747Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:18:00 -0400coneshubnosdura-aceshimano<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1w3y5lzBM1rs1ftio1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1w3y5lzBM1rs1ftio2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>I’m getting yelled at to come to bed, but I wont have many chances to post up more shots between now and Joana’s Birthday (This Thursday!), so I’ll make this quick. The tires arrived today; a nice set of Michelin gumwalls that will match the look of the bike. I gave the still new looking Ambrosio rims a true before mounting the fresh rubber.</p> <p>Unfortunately, it looks like the new handlebars, BB, headset, and pedals won’t be arriving in time for her birthday. I may just end up giving her the super cool Japanese Crane Suzu bell I got her with a link to this build log… fingers crossed I won’t have to!<br/><br/>Ok. Bedtime! </p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20397517371http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20397517371Tue, 03 Apr 2012 02:13:00 -0400japaneserimsdura-acemichelinerubbertirerestoration<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1w3m0HSUW1rs1ftio1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1w3m0HSUW1rs1ftio2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Todays good news is that I rebuilt the Dura-Ace front hub and cleaned up the gearing. It all cleaned up nicely, and the hub feels just as good as any high end piece today, despite being 35 years old. I’ve ordered a NOS Dura-Ace rear axle off eBay, to replace a pitted drive side cone, which should be here tomorrow; Then I’ll be done with the wheels. </p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20397320495http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20397320495Tue, 03 Apr 2012 02:06:00 -0400shimanodura-acehubwheelbikerebuildthingsorganizedneatlybearingsvintagejapanesebicycle<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1mhwmdM2Y1rs1ftio1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>One week until completion and I’m still working on the paint… Yikes.</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20094597619http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/20094597619Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:38:00 -0400forkbiketrackpaintspraypaintmontanagoldmanila greenvintagevancouver mouellic<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1ctiegyV91rs1ftio1_500.png"/><br/><br/><p>Sprayed the colour coat today. Gonna let it dry over the weekend before hand painting the lugs and going over with some high gloss clear. Stay tuned…</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19794126832http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19794126832Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:13:00 -0400montanagoldpaintspraypaintframegraffitiluggedsteelframevintagetrackfixeddura-ace<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m19sp31FJ21rs1ftio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>This is what I’ll be using; ‘Montana Gold’ spray paint in a nice ‘Manila Green’. The cans in the back are the same, in a high gloss clearcoat. </p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19720838787http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19720838787Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:03:03 -0400graffitibikepaintmontanagoldmanilagreenvintagebikevancouverspraybomb<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m19sf4Unig1rs1ftio1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m19sf4Unig1rs1ftio2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>I filled in a small dent in the top tube with Bondo, and primed the frame for paint today. Things are rolling along nicely.</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19720625276http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19720625276Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:57:04 -0400japanesetrackbikerestorationroaddura-acesteelpaintcustomsprayprimervancouvervintage<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m19s77SGbV1rs1ftio1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m19s77SGbV1rs1ftio2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m19s77SGbV1rs1ftio3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>So I rebuilt the rear derailleur today. Despite the pulley wheels being a bit worn, they are silky smooth, and the cage springs are all still super tight. </p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19720454007http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19720454007Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:52:00 -0400rearderailleurshimanodura-acepolishedrebuildrestorationthingsorganizedneatly<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m11we1HJ5v1rs1ftio1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m11we1HJ5v1rs1ftio2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Here she is, scrubbed of her old coat. Note the awesome Shimano SF dropouts with built in axle adjusters. Beautiful.</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19476565409http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19476565409Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:42:00 -0400bicyclebirthdayjapanesestrippedsteelvancouvermouellicframeforkshimanobraze<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m11vqz9NLP1rs1ftio1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m11vqz9NLP1rs1ftio2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m11vqz9NLP1rs1ftio3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m11vqz9NLP1rs1ftio4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>After a couple hours of scrubbing…. look at those beautiful lugs!</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19475821108http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19475821108Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:37:13 -0400luggedsteeljapaneseshimanobikeframebeautifulvintagerestorationbrazedfilletvancouver<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m11vm0LENu1rs1ftio1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Since about 1850 this stuff has been kicking the crap out of paint. Honest.</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19475656655http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19475656655Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:36:20 -0400circa 1850stripperbicyclepaintremovalbirthday<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m11w10Koyk1rs1ftio1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m11w10Koyk1rs1ftio2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m11w10Koyk1rs1ftio3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m11w10Koyk1rs1ftio4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Full Shimano ‘Dura-Ace’ (Even the housing clamps!) circa 1978.</p>http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19476182808http://birthdaybike.tumblr.com/post/19476182808Sat, 17 Mar 2012 18:35:05 -0400shimanodura-acebikebicyclegiftbirthdayvancouverphotographyvintagepartsjapanesenjs