jambon's Walvale porteur

As in a bit chintz?

Yah. Next step is hanging a white enamel mug from the back, or a matching cigar holder.

Practically I think the leather will clean easier too.

... Or faux leather wine bottle carrier from the top tube. Point taken!

Love this bike!

Need to strip and Polish those levers

Thanks @Dazzrie really motivated to get it finished now

@spotter I'm even thinking black leather grips and polishing just the lever 'arms'.

Definitely the leather grips, not the suede, If you ask me. For all the reasons mentioned above :) Good idea to DIY it, curious to see how the sewing goes. Good luck in any case!
Build is coming together nicely, looking forward to the end result.

Coming late to this project but a great build so far. FWIW I think box-section rims in silver. Something like H+ Son TB-14.

Never heard of those shifters, or even IRD. Are they like MTB triggers or does the lever move round its arc for each cog position (if that makes sense)?

@Lieven_De_Vlaminck Think I've been told regarding the seude. Thanks, got fears the leather is too thin and might tear whilst sewing but it's all so cheap not a big deal.

@fizzy.bleach couldn't agree more with you about the rims, presuming I find some 9 speed Chorus hubs, TB-14's would be my preference. There's some more info on the IRD levers here. Cheers

IRD levers here.

Those levers look excellent. Just a shame they don't have an indexed varient.

Turned out okay for £8.74.

Clean and matchy matchy with the saddle!

... and no suede in sight!

Very nice build, Mike.

This looks lovely. Always makes me smile to see one of Norman's frames; despite having retired a while ago, he used to do odd bits of brazing work for the bike shop I used to work in. He had a little workshop set up in his garage with lots of little mementos from his career. Great guy.

Cheers Andy

Great project thread & great build. The quality of the photos make it that bit more enjoyable to read.

@Landslide Awesome, this is the kind of info that's great to find out. Searched a lot online but there isn't too much on Walvale Cycles let alone Norman Roberts.

@birofunk I often flick through build threads just looking at the photos, so thought Id try and take half decent pics. Ta!

clean, very clean. Makes mine look clunky and overly practical.

Thanks @spotter, you'll be pleased to hear I've stripped and polished those brake levers too. You were right, looks better. My bikes are normally so impractical, just having a rack is quite an achievement for me.

Oh glad to hear, and keen to see! Are you planning on using any baggage? @jtrent90 makes an excellent rack bag!

charges camera Hadn't planned on any specific baggage, although maybe a Carradice saddlebag for longer jaunts. Certainly open-minded to what's available though.

Well I believe that bigxtop will be planning on launching panniers this year. If they're anything like the prototypes that I have I'd really recommend.

You're gonna need some bags to carry all the locks you're gonna need.

Ha! Luckily I can bring this into the office, but suspect it'll be more Sunday best.

Still need another round of paint stripper and Brasso I think.