Here are some shots of my latest project, "The Plummer." It is a 67cm, 198? Bridgestone/Kabuki Skyway 12. I named it after the police officer on the kids show "Balamory" because his bicycle, a classic English 3-speed, was the inspiration for the project.

The bike is going to be my new grocery-getter/child-trailer-hauler. There is no better feeling in the world than whooshing by a lycra-clad dude on a plastic bike while I'm riding "The Plummer."

Spec's on the bike:

- Glorious old Bridgestone/Kabuki high-tensile frame. It has buldge formed lugs, stamped drops, and many other hints of inexpensive manufacturing. Yet it has a 61.5cm top tube, suggesting that someone actually worked hard at creating an appropriate geometry for a bike this size.
- Brooks B-73 saddle
- Upside down moustache bars (the poor man's "Albatross")
- Suntour bar-cons
- Rubber block pedals
- Wald steel baskets, collapsible
- "European Market Basket" by Cynthia's Twigs, www.cynthiastwigs.com
- 27" Arraya rims and old Shimano hubs.

Plans for future upgrades:

- Fenders! Yes, the bike screams out for fenders. But the loooong stays and far-forward position of the kickstand plate/chainstay bridge are making it hard to fit them. I'll keep working on it, but since we won't see rain in So Cal for roughly six months, it's not at the top of my priority list.
- Internally-geared hub, probably a Nexus 7 or 8 speed.

Many thanks to Rich Pinder, Curt Crow, Karl Worley and many others for helping me find parts and for providing moral support.

Yours,

- FBB

Cool! I love the stuff you come up with! Just not real sure about those handlebars:p I may have to try mine both ways to see how it feels.

BTW, how well do you like the saddle? I don't believe I have ever seen one sprung that way.

Cool! I love the stuff you come up with! Just not real sure about those handlebars:p I may have to try mine both ways to see how it feels.

BTW, how well do you like the saddle? I don't believe I have ever seen one sprung that way.

I like the handlebars pretty well. I was surprised about how comfortable it is to ride on the curved parts, despite the upward slope. I find myself resting my hands in front of the brake levers quite often, which is why I used some leftover cork tape to wrap the front section of the bars.

But, truth be told, moustache bars are more comfortable to me when they are flipped the other way, positioned in the classic manner. I may flip them around, or I may leave them the way they are. I haven't made up my mind yet.

Re: The saddle. A co-worker told me it looked like a medieval torture device. It is quite a bit more comfortable than that, and it is great for the upright riding position on this bike. I'm not sure I'd like to ride a century on it, but that ain't what this bike is for.

Thanks for the kind words,

FBB