Tangerine machine - Blue Carlton reborn!

I built my trusty blue fixie a couple of years ago - I kept it cheap just to commute with and to have something foolproof to throw in the car. I've since become quite attached and have even managed some light touring.

After riding a nicer Road bike for a bit, I came back to it and it felt a bit funny. On further investigation the rear drops are off centre! The paint job, which wasn't the best to start with, really took a beating last winter and there are some early signs of rusting.

The plan is to dismantle, straighten out the frame and get her resprayed. Probably a powder coat. While I'm at it I'll build her some decent wheels and maybe swap out for some compact drops because currently they a bit of a stretch.

Photo of the bike from about a year ago, prior to the paint starting to degrade:

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Nice! I love Carltons!

Well the frame is with the power coaters. Went for Ral 2000 orange. Hope they mask it properly...

Got my wheel build bits together: mavic open pros and miche primato double fixed hubs. Seemed the best bang for my buck. Now it's a race to see if I can get them done before the frame is back!

I like these builds as an alternative to the 53 pages of arguing over Shimano vs Campag. Often you see decisions made to support a love for a particular piece of metal, not trying to shave 36 grams off a wheel weight.

Bravo! And more pictures please.

Thanks onyerbike! I'll try to keep the thread updated with pics but there won't be much to see until the frame gets back. Hopefully it will be done by the weekend. Have a dull picture of the wheel components in the meantime... Just before the truing stand takes over the kitchen.

My 28c marathon plus tyres arrived at the weekend and damn they're hefty! Not sure if they'll suit this build. Time will tell.

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Frame is ready for collection! Will be getting it tomorrow morning.

I decided to give power grips a try on some MKS stream pedals. I use look keos, but they're a hassle for Commuting or heading to the pub. I got some on a whim ages ago but never used them before.

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Goodbye blue, hello tangerine machine...

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What's that boss on the inside of the fork stays?

Also needs some contrast, what about some home made lug lining with some dark color (black)?
I'm going to do a similar lug lining (gold in my case probably) as well.

I've not seen a boss like it before, but I think it was for some sort of dynamo.

I wasn't planning to lug line this one - was going to keep it simple. Although it would highlight the lugwork. Maybe silver or white? I'm not really a fan of the dark on light.

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Never seen it either.

White would actually work better indeed.

isnt it a braze on for a hub brake like a sturmey

Thanks schnelly, it does look like it would fit that. I think the guy u bought it off ran it with a front hub brake/dyno.

I was polishing the frame and noticed a dodgy looking hole in the chain stay bridge. I guess the rust down there was worse than I thought and blasting took away some material.

They did a really good job of masking it for me. BB span in easy and the headset cups pressed in with just enough force. +1 victory for the homemade headset press.

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Wow that's a nasty hole!

It still looks usable and should old the stays properly, but wow. Keep an eye on that.

Bird cage arrived! Always thought these looked cool.

Got a dirt harry brake lever too. Was planning to use an old tektro cross brake but I'd rather keep them as a pair.

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She's coming together! I've had a chilled wheel building weekend. I went with radial front and 3x rear.

Front went together quick but I still need to tension up the rear.

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Any suggestions on mudguards? I might just use some plastic crud ones for now if they fit. I would just order bluemels but the rear of the bike is a bit unusual. I might have to take it into a LBS and see if some will fit.

I need some that can accomodate a 28c tyre (marathon+ are on the larger side I think) but still be able to fit through my crazy small rear non-brake bridge. I think the brake bridge is half an old machine washer the has been welded into the seat stays with ab internal diameter of around 40mm... maybe less. I've had a 30c cross tyre in there in the past with a few mm clearance each side.

This was supposed to be my winter commuter... Just realised I may have cluttered the bars a bit too much! The dirt harry brake is pretty central and now I'm going to struggle to get decent lights and a a bell on there.

I would fill that hole with car filler or something similar, to avoid building up wet shit that could ultimately start attacking the chainstays...

Nice orange! As you suggested, silver lug lining could be a nice touch.

Just noticed the brass washers on the hubs. Nice detail. Was the elbow of your spokes to wide? What's the reason behind (beside rad coolness?)

The spoke washers are supposed to eliminate play between the spoke head and the hub flange... Also they're gold and shiny. After tensioning up the wheel you tap each spoke head with a punch to set it into the brass washer.

I don't think I needed them in the rear, they were quite snug when lacing the spokes. I did a bit of research and found a lot of builders use them as a matter of routine so decided to roll with it.

Good thinking on the hole! Shame I didn't fill it prior to getting it powder coated - although the filler might not have survived the oven. I think I have some metal repair putty around somewhere.

I think, pending minor tweaks, We're done! Last pretty shots before I clutter it up with commuter crap...

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Well, after doing a some short commutes and using it to head into town... The marathon plus tyres are off. They made the bike no fun.

I've put some old 23c lugano tyres on so keen to see what it's like in the morning...

Is that tape comfy? It looks bumpy.

Nice frame color btw!

Looks like lizard skins 3.2mm. So very fat, but oh so comfy.

I think it's the mid lizard skin tape, 2.5mm I think it was? It is bumpy, but not in a bad way.

23c tyres are on and she feels nippy again!