Baby pics- Meet Fern

[mayanorange]

PS- that's not dirt, that's original handpainted gold accents highlighting her curvaceous lugs. And there's a trace of accents down the fork and at the green/chorme lines. Can't wait to get some sweet fenders on there and maybe a Brooks.

[DebW]

Very familiar. Even the R on the seat post bolt (which is English, not metric). I worked in a Raleigh shop in the 70s. What derailleurs does it have? Huret or Simplex?

[uforgot]

I have the Ritchey Biomax bars on my Nishiki. 75mm reach and 130mm drop. I think it's the term Biomax that is the shorter and shallower part. Mine are silver and I got them on ebay. Silver isn't as easy to find as black, but they ARE out there.

[Miranda]

Congrats! Fern is really beautiful. I was in the grocery store parking today watching a couple commuters buzzing in and out. Most locked their bikes. One did not. I wasn't close enough to see what the bikes were. But, the unlocked guy I thought, man I hope it's still there buddy when you come out. I agree, unfortunately you have to keep her undercover a bit to help prevent theft. Hope you have many happy and safe miles together.

[ASammy1]

That green rocks! Congrats!

[mayanorange]

Deb- Front is the simplex original, rear is a period replacement of a shimano. Shifters and brake levers are also shimano replacements. Not sure how the shimano of that era compares to something like suntour? I also am think the rear wheel (which I knew was replaced) is steel, not aluminum- a bit too shiny for aluminum. Not a huge deal, but I'll keep an eye out for a replacement. Do you know if period aluminum cranksets exist? Not sure it would save a ton of weight, but just curious.

uforgot- Thanks for the handlebar recommendation!

[uforgot]

Know what? I read my post and realize that I forgot to tell you what a lovely bike Fern is! I just love those old bikes. So much character!

[DebW]

Deb- Front is the simplex original, rear is a period replacement of a shimano. Shifters and brake levers are also shimano replacements. Not sure how the shimano of that era compares to something like suntour? I also am think the rear wheel (which I knew was replaced) is steel, not aluminum- a bit too shiny for aluminum. Not a huge deal, but I'll keep an eye out for a replacement. Do you know if period aluminum cranksets exist? Not sure it would save a ton of weight, but just curious.

Replacing a steel cottered crankset with aluminum would save quite a bit of weight. You'd need a new bottom bracket, or at least a new spindle. A modern replacement would work, but I think TA or Nervar was found on that bike in the day (it came with aluminum crankset by 1975). Simplex levers were poor-quality plastic, so better those have been replaced. For the rear wheel, you could rebuild it with a new rim. The shop I work in might have a whole wheel for $50-60. We carry 27" freewheel wheels.