Here she is. My new ride!

**sandra** · 10-12-2007, 03:41 AM

The pictures may actually make it look a little better than it is. The scratches don't show up in the pictures. That top twin bar on the left side has got a pretty long scratch. There are others. I'm wondering what I could touch it up with or if that would just make it look worse.

**rij73** · 10-12-2007, 03:44 AM

Nail polish or car touch-up paint are the common ways to touch up a bike. That red shouldn't be too hard to match. Might be worth a try on an inconspicuous area first!

**DebW** · 10-12-2007, 04:30 AM

Congratulations! That bike is LOVELY. Great lug work. What does the decal at the top of the seat tube say (it will tell you the tubing grade)? Funny that someone removed the cable bridge from the front brake and wired up one side only. Go to a bike shop and ask for a centerpull bridge cable and cable anchor with bridge hook.

**sandra** · 10-12-2007, 04:35 AM

Funny that someone removed the cable bridge from the front brake and wired up one side only. Go to a bike shop and ask for a centerpull bridge cable and cable anchor with bridge hook

ahhhhhhhh. so THAT's my problem.

Sad to say, but I wouldn't know what to do with it after I got it. I guess I'll have to take it in sometime, but not yet. I'm still admiring it too much. Yes, she slept inside last night.

**Tuckervill** · 10-12-2007, 04:42 AM

The bridge is just like the one on the rear brake. The little cable that stretches between the calipers, to which the brake cable attaches. Youcan tell what to do with it by looking at the rear.

NIIIIce bike. Those lugs are so pretty. You hit the jackpot!

Karen

**sandra** · 10-12-2007, 04:46 AM

Originally Posted by DebW

Congratulations! That bike is LOVELY. Great lug work. What does the decal at the top of the seat tube say (it will tell you the tubing grade)? Funny that someone removed the cable bridge from the front brake and wired up one side only. Go to a bike shop and ask for a centerpull bridge cable and cable anchor with bridge hook.

The decal says: (please translate)
Champion No. 5
Chrome Molyboen Steel
Seamless P. G. Tubes
Tange Industries LTD.

**DebW** · 10-12-2007, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by sandra

The decal says: (please translate)
Champion No. 5
Chrome Molyboen Steel
Seamless P. G. Tubes
Tange Industries LTD.

That's a grade of chrome-molybdenum steel alloy (chromium and molybdenum are impurities added to the iron to give the steel desirable properties) manufactured by Tange Industries of Japan. According to Sheldon Brown, Champion #1 and #2 are very high end and equivalent to Columbus SL/SP or Reynolds 531, often found on Centurion bikes. Champion #3, #4, and #5 are lower grade, straight-gage (no butting) tubing, not high-end racing quality, but good quality nonetheless. You've got a great bike here.

**sgtiger** · 10-12-2007, 10:01 AM

Ooooooh Sandra, that's a lovely bike! <pant,pant> You lucked out big time girl!

I'm envious!

**elk** · 10-12-2007, 01:06 PM

Naughty...last night I was looking at steel frames on ebay....did you see the Peugot mixte...?

one bike one bike one bike

**northstar** · 10-12-2007, 02:59 PM

Gorgeous! Classy! Congrats!

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 10-22-2007, 03:48 PM

So Sandra......how is your new bike working for you? Is she smooth and fun? Any unexpected challenges? Going on breezy rides around the lake? What's the latest?

**sandra** · 10-22-2007, 04:05 PM

I spent a lot of time tinkering with Blossom this past weekend. I could not figure out how to get the chain off, but I did eventually get it cleaned while on the bike. I lubed it with Pedro's Dry Lube (for chains), cleaned all of the components and polished the bike with Pedro's Bike Lust. (Pedro's really is great stuff! The LBS owner says he loves the Bike Lust so much, he buys it by the gallon.)

A few weeks back I got a used Brooks Champion Flyer with copper rivets and put on it. I still lack replacing the stem and handlebars. I'm sure I'll need new cables and the front brake needs some work. I'll do all of that at the same time....eventually.

I really enjoy riding this bike. I rode it around the neighborhood circling back while my DH walked. He said "your bike sure is shiny!"

Here she is so far, resting comfortably in the guest bedroom. I hope this picture comes out smaller.

**elk** · 10-22-2007, 06:06 PM

looks great! needs cork grips...

**sandra** · 10-22-2007, 06:07 PM

I have the cork grips, just have to wait until I get handlebars. I got the cart in front of the horse.

**elk** · 10-22-2007, 06:13 PM

remind me which bars you ordered? did you get the albatross?

Thread: Here she is. My new ride!

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