Today started blustery and cold but ended with drizzle. In between, it seemed that the Koppen climate classification for this area changed a couple of times.
Tonight I listened to Obama's farewell speech. I had mixed emotions: I am less saddened by his impending departure than I am scared of Orange Man ascending the throne, I mean, assuming the Presidency. I am glad for what Barack did in some areas, such as LGBT rights and energy sustainability. On the other hand, the United States has spent more time at war, and more innocent people have been killed, tortured or surveilled, than under any other President in this nation's history.
His speech was followed--at least on the station I had tuned into--by the perfect antidote: a program called "The World of Jazz," hosted by Dwight Brewster, who has become a favorite of mine. Tonight's program featured Sonny Rollins and musicians he mentored (who, incidentally, include Brewster). It was all just right.
And what was I doing while listening?
Yes, my estate-sale find is coming along. The fenders and handlebars (Porteur) are from Velo Orange. And the crankset is the same as what I have on Vera, my green Mercian mixte: a Shimano Deore 110/74 with 46/30 chainrings--a.k.a. Gran Fondo gearing--and a BBG Bashguard in place of the outer chainring. I found the crank on eBay. (The one on Vera came with the bike; I replaced the rings.). As I said in an earlier post, I am not looking to do a strict "original" or even "period" restoration, but I want to do things that are "in the spirit" of the bike. The Deore crank was made a few years later than the bike but it's not unlike some of the 110/74 BCD touring triple cranks--such as the ones made by Sugino--from the bike's era.
I took off the SunTour VGT rear derailleur, which I'm saving in case I ever use the 34t freewheel that came with this bike. I replaced it with a VXs: the "medium cage" version of the Vx. Ironically, the Trek 412's original equipment included that derailleur and I just happened to have one in my parts box!
I still have some other work to do on the bike, of course. But now I'm starting to think of some details that have nothing to do with the function of the bike. To wit:
Do I use this basic black steel-riveted Brooks B17? The original saddle was probably an Avocet, which came on most Treks of that time. And, as far as I know, Avocets were like Model T's: You could have one in any color you wanted, as long as it was black.
With the black saddle, the bike somehow reminds me of a Fuji. As I recall, at least one model was painted a blue,and had a a gray panel, similar to what's on this bike--and came with a black "Belt" saddle that looked a lot like this black B17.
I have another B17 in brown (actually, aged honey):
Of course, it is a more elegant saddle than the black one. I think I like the way it looks on the bike. But I wonder whether it's "too much" or "too good" for this bike.
Also, I am thinking about how each saddle would coordinate with the bar wrap I plan: A "barber pole", "candy cane" or "harlequin" of blue and gray Tressostar tape, which I think I'll coat with clear shellac.
I'm guessing the brown/honey saddle would work with it--and with the bags I'll probably use with the bike: the Ruthworks handlebar bag that's on Vera and a wedge to match it. (The bag will be moved between the bikes as needed.) The black saddle would be OK with those bags, but the brown would echo the leather in the bags.
Hmm... Big decisions, right? I went to my "council" for advice.
Tonight I listened to Obama's farewell speech. I had mixed emotions: I am less saddened by his impending departure than I am scared of Orange Man ascending the throne, I mean, assuming the Presidency. I am glad for what Barack did in some areas, such as LGBT rights and energy sustainability. On the other hand, the United States has spent more time at war, and more innocent people have been killed, tortured or surveilled, than under any other President in this nation's history.
His speech was followed--at least on the station I had tuned into--by the perfect antidote: a program called "The World of Jazz," hosted by Dwight Brewster, who has become a favorite of mine. Tonight's program featured Sonny Rollins and musicians he mentored (who, incidentally, include Brewster). It was all just right.
And what was I doing while listening?
Yes, my estate-sale find is coming along. The fenders and handlebars (Porteur) are from Velo Orange. And the crankset is the same as what I have on Vera, my green Mercian mixte: a Shimano Deore 110/74 with 46/30 chainrings--a.k.a. Gran Fondo gearing--and a BBG Bashguard in place of the outer chainring. I found the crank on eBay. (The one on Vera came with the bike; I replaced the rings.). As I said in an earlier post, I am not looking to do a strict "original" or even "period" restoration, but I want to do things that are "in the spirit" of the bike. The Deore crank was made a few years later than the bike but it's not unlike some of the 110/74 BCD touring triple cranks--such as the ones made by Sugino--from the bike's era.
I took off the SunTour VGT rear derailleur, which I'm saving in case I ever use the 34t freewheel that came with this bike. I replaced it with a VXs: the "medium cage" version of the Vx. Ironically, the Trek 412's original equipment included that derailleur and I just happened to have one in my parts box!
I still have some other work to do on the bike, of course. But now I'm starting to think of some details that have nothing to do with the function of the bike. To wit:
Do I use this basic black steel-riveted Brooks B17? The original saddle was probably an Avocet, which came on most Treks of that time. And, as far as I know, Avocets were like Model T's: You could have one in any color you wanted, as long as it was black.
With the black saddle, the bike somehow reminds me of a Fuji. As I recall, at least one model was painted a blue,and had a a gray panel, similar to what's on this bike--and came with a black "Belt" saddle that looked a lot like this black B17.
I have another B17 in brown (actually, aged honey):
Of course, it is a more elegant saddle than the black one. I think I like the way it looks on the bike. But I wonder whether it's "too much" or "too good" for this bike.
Also, I am thinking about how each saddle would coordinate with the bar wrap I plan: A "barber pole", "candy cane" or "harlequin" of blue and gray Tressostar tape, which I think I'll coat with clear shellac.
I'm guessing the brown/honey saddle would work with it--and with the bags I'll probably use with the bike: the Ruthworks handlebar bag that's on Vera and a wedge to match it. (The bag will be moved between the bikes as needed.) The black saddle would be OK with those bags, but the brown would echo the leather in the bags.
Hmm... Big decisions, right? I went to my "council" for advice.
