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@Rik_Van_Looy
^ er yes, unfortunately things are moving at the usual glacial pace, but I completed drawing package for 3 chainrings (47T test sample + 48T for ClockworkKilla + 51T for Bob Rat) and also for the Jig/tool paths and submitted to machine shop for quote.
Update on the Gitane - I needed a quick cash injection and put it up for sale the other day (sale thread here - it sold in about 10mins)
As far as I know, the new owner is LucyH - hope she enjoys it and doesn't let indra & chums trash it!
Lessons learned from this biek:
Big wide bars so hot right now, but really not practical - I hit about 10 wing mirrors in 2weeks of traffic filtering!
skinny steel frames are super flexy - I could see the BB swinging around down there and I'm more Victoria Pendleton than Chris Hoy..... Nice on big milages though, I've been pretty ill lately and the Duratec would probably have killed me on the longer days....
Anyway, I was planning to replace the Gitane with another super-rad beater, but ended up with an interesting little anecdote instead...
Bought a hacksawed up frame here on the forum a few weeks ago for £5. Here are the sellers photos:
I know it's not really in the spirit of this thread to keep buying new frames, but anyway, I got home and discovered it was a re-painted Leader 735
When I took Mistral chainring drawings to the machineshop I brought the frame to see if they had any good contacts - I was directed to a weld shop near Heathrow T5 - they welded stays back on for £20 and did a mighty fine job.
I was speaking to Indra the next day for Gitane handover & mentioned this Leader - he said it was painted by René (of rusty Kagero!!! fame)
I contacted René to check whether it was stolen and if not, why was it hacksawed? and did he mind me building new super-rat?
He said it was his mk1 Motor_reeen - long story but when the seattube failed, BLB gave him PX on a Kagero and said to have the 735 back it would need to be disabled.
They chopped it with a hacksaw and when he showed up to collect it they said it had mysteriously disappeared. He was very keen to have it back and reimburse my costs!
Being a great fan of those who put personality into bikes it was clear that he was the rightful owner - he was delighted to have it back so it's back where it belongs.
Last night we met up in Soho for handover/beer. Most enjoyable, and Motoreeen kagero is extraordinary in the flesh...
René is a gent and a true enthusiast - I wish him all the best with the painting and sincerely hope the world gets to see a lot more of his 2-wheeled Apocolyptic visions.
For the time being I shall be rat-biek free! lets see how long I can keep that up.
I'll post some pictures of the welded seatstays when I get home
Here's the motör reeen leader in all it's glory.