Joe's Mixed Bag: Ridley / Kona Honky Tonk / Merckx Strada/Tecnos

Productive update after a period of sulking/psyching up to repair. I got the Kona rear mech hanger straightened and the paint blown over by Argos who painted it originally. In my haste to build it back up (theme of rushing building here), I cross threaded the rear mech, enough that the jockey wheels sat out of line. Noted the rear mech and noted the carbon cage was cracked (bought from ebay). I bought Ultegra 6800 replacement inner/outer from SJS and installed to the body of the mech while still on the bike to check it wasn't a bent cage. Was not, so mech off and Park Tool M10 tap and cutting oil ordered.

Undertook tapping the hanger with a friend watching and helping to ensure it was run straight - definitely do this as it is easy to run out of line. Frame clamped firm in a stand, plenty of time set aside. Cleaned out the threads with a toothpick then cracked on. As soon as the tap bit I backed off half a turn and blasted with cutting oil. Took my time with it and fortunately had a good outcome. Refitted the mech carefully and it was square - phew!

Cabled up and took it for a tentative first ride - no shifting snafus thankfully! Bike rides really nicely, fast/light/responsive. No idea what type of bike it is now however, bastardised tourer with princess paint and road wheelset.

Observations/musings:

• Paint job is very high quality but slightly terrifying to use the bike ad it chips easily. In reality, wish I had just buffed back the rusty bits and touched up to prevent it spreading so the bike could be more useable!
  
• Top tube graphic is a touch big, downtube a touch small. Bit of a gamble having my own made, but still really chuffed with how it looks.
  
• Genesis Equilibrium fork is a bit fat for the frame. I still have the P2, so maybe one day I'll get that sprayed to match. Also it's for an integrated headset so has a gross flat bit at the top. Was £50 new however, and significantly lighter.
  
• 7900 downtube shifters are snappy! Shifting at the back is instant, and smooth friction shifting at the front. Glad I kept the original novelty of this bike by stick with downtube shifters.
  
• Always always clean threads up to the nth degree before installing parts and chase with a tap if you can. Gives you peace of mind!
  
• BDHU, and probably swap the -17 stem for -6 to match the top tube.
  

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