Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Tranquil Plan: Update

Can you spot ten differences? 



Kidding. I made a lot of updates to my bike, and I'll just point out a few changes like the larger tires I chose for a more comfortable ride.


I really liked this saddle. It's wasn't cool, but it was comfortable. I used it as a handle when I was moving the Peugeot, and the pad's base tore away from the springs. Disappointing. 


I got this used Brooks B17 Champion Standard Saddle on eBay for cheap. The metal was rusty and the leather had drops of paint on it. The seat cleaned up pretty well. I decided to try it on this bike build, and I was surprised to find that I like this seat as much as the previous one. The Brooks is really comfortable.

Because these seats can be expensive, I used a theft prevention hack that I've been waiting years to try. It's an old bike chain that's been shortened and looped inside a section of an old tire tube. To steal this saddle you're going to need either a chain tool or a bolt cutter. I used a zip tie to tighten the loop so it won't catch on as much stuff.


Before picture.


After picture. I think the Misfits sticker looks so cool up in front. I also like that brass bell there.


Before. Here's the original right grip, brake lever, and thumb shifter.


After. I decided to use all of that original equipment, but I wished I would have used different brake levers. These don't have barrel adjusters, and that makes adjusting the cantilever brakes even more frustrating... if that's possible. Getting the toe-in right is tricky, to say the least.


The chainstay protector was toast, and it took awhile to get it off the frame. It's basically a metal sticker.


New parts list: Kool Stop brake pads, straddle brake cables, Velo-Orange brake and shift cable kits, 26" x 1.95" Yunscm tires and tubes, Crane bike bell, and the chain was a Xmas gift.

New to me parts list: Sugino alloy seat post and the Brooks saddle.

Is the bike done? Doubtful. One of the most enjoyable parts of working on bicycles is the Lego-like aspect of it. There are so many ways you can change, upgrade, and personalize a bicycle. 

How's the ride? On test rides, it certainly feels comfortable. The gears shift easily and quietly. The brakes no longer squeal, and tonight I left a skid mark on our driveway... oops. I think I have the "fit" dialed in. The Peugeot now feels like it has been my bike for years. 

The weather turns cold on us this week, so I have yet to go on a long, tranquil ride. But I'm looking forward to giving it a shot.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Why Did I Buy This?

I didn't pack an LP mailing box when we went to Canada last year. I've mailed LPs home that I bought while traveling before, but it's a pain to get them to a post office, and that takes valuable time away from the family's vacation. The process feels selfish, and I promised myself I wouldn't do it again. 

I was regretting that decision after spotting some British New-Wave records in a thrift store. 


The OMD single "Shame" is a 12" single from 1987. The Naked Eyes LP is from 1983. The records were behind the counter's glass, so I'm sure they cost more than the riffraff in the boxes out on the tables. I didn't bother asking to see them even though I wanted to. I've been listening to the 1st Wave channel on Sirius XM, and that has renewed my interest in eighties music.

I've had this conversation with a friend at work who also collects records. He likes to point out that you hardly ever find LPs from the 80s for sale, "Where are they all? Bands like R.E.M. sold millions of records in the 80s, but you never see them anywhere!" 

He's not wrong. Decent LPs from the 60s and the 70s can be found if you're diligent. CDs dominated the 90's and 00s, so it's not surprising that LPs from that time are hard to score in the wild. But what about the 80s era? I have no idea where those records are hiding.

That brings me to this record. 


The back is even worse.


See? I told you. Let's look inside.


Man, the inner sleeve is really gross.


Yeah, I'm not sure that I should have even brought this thing into the house. 


Actually, the vinyl itself doesn't look too bad.


This Naked Eyes 12" single, "(What) in the name of love", is from 1984. My guess is that it was a new record that was dropped in the rain while someone was bringing it in from the car. Whoever made the fumble brought the record inside and left it to dry lying flat on its back. Then most of the back's artwork stuck to whatever surface it was lying on. 

I'm surprised that someone kept it for forty years after that. It's also kind of surprising someone would even donate a record in this condition to a thrift store. What's even more surprising than that is that someone actually bought a record in this condition. 

So, why (in the name of love) did I buy this?

1) The record looked sad and lonely.
2) That whole thing about 80s LPs being hard to find.
3) I had a hunch that this would clean up and sound okay. 
4) In the back of my mind, there was always something there to remind me that I didn't buy that Naked Eyes LP while we were in Canada. 

The first thing I did was throw that disgusting inner sleeve away. Next I cut away any debris from the outer sleeve that was going to fall off. I then vacuumed cleaned each side of the vinyl three times - two washes with record cleaner and one rinse with distilled water - and let the surfaces air-dry.


Looking pretty shiny there, guy. I can clearly see my reflection.


I slid the vinyl into a new paper inner sleeve, and then slid that into a new blank outer sleeve that's hiding behind the Naked Eyes sleeve. The whole thing is also covered by a clear protective sleeve. 

That's more sleeves than I wearing right now. 


How does sound after cleaning?


There is hardly any noise when the needle drops into the lead-in groove. The music is bright and doesn't suffer from surface noise. I don't think this vinyl spent much, if any, time on a turntable. I have new records that don't sound this clean.

I know this isn't a great story, and this isn't a great record, either. 

But you know what? 

I like 'em both. 

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

The Tranquil Plan

Irwin's Bike and Sport was a bike store/shop in Johnston, Iowa where we now live. Irwin's closed in 2010 when the owner retired. I did not know it was going close at the time. Charlotte was only two months old then, and I was pretty preoccupied with that. I did try to buy a bike tube from Irwin's the next spring, and I was sad to see that the space was empty. 

I enjoyed the atmosphere in Irwin's. The staff was friendly, and I didn't feel like I was being judged when I asked questions. One of the mechanics was an ex-student of mine from early in my career. He was a tall, quiet guy who would sometimes nod at me when I entered the store.

Irwin's was located in a strip mall near the Hy-Vee grocery store. One warm, summer morning I was standing in the Hy-Vee parking lot. I had just gotten out of my car when I spotted that ex-student riding his bike on the sidewalk that led to the grocery store. This was before Irwin's had closed and CarX had torn out the sidewalk to make room for their building.

I began walking towards the store, and he passed me on my left. He was about ten feet from me, but he could have been a mile away. His finely tuned bicycle was completely silent. He was sitting upright in the saddle, and pedaling slowly. He had his left hand on the handlebars. His right arm hung by his side. His open, right hand leisurely rotating as if he was petting a dog or conducting an orchestra. 

Instead of stopping at Hy-Vee, he continued past the store's loading dock, turned the corner, and disappeared into the neighborhood. 

I have never seen anyone look so relaxed and content on a bicycle. The word that describes him best is tranquil

I don't get jealous very often. I'm more than happy with what I have. But on that morning I was jealous of him. I wanted to be that guy. I guess that is why I have never forgotten that moment.

Time has mostly erased the details of his face, the color of the bike, and what he was wearing. I clearly remember the bicycle's upright handlebars, his easy pace, and that hand waving in the air as he rode.

That's what I was thinking of when I brought home yet another bicycle.

I think what drew me to the thrift store Peugeot was its handlebars and stem. This is what they looked like right after I pulled the bike out the back of my car.


That's set too high for me, but that is a cockpit that will allow me to sit straight up. The newest plan for the Peugeot is to see how comfortable and quiet I can make it. 

I want to see if I can be tranquil, too.

I'm not in love with this saddle. It's not very cool looking, but the springs make me think it might be easy on the backside. We'll see.


I've replaced the headset ball bearings that were in retainers with loose bearings seated in grease. I also did the same for the bottom bracket. They both seem to work more smoothly now.


Every original part of the Peugeot has been removed, cleaned, lubed, and reinstalled (well, not the handlebar grips). Up next are the new parts. I already installed the new chain. Now I have new shifter cables, brake cables, and the new cantilever brake pads to install. Apparently the style of brakes that are on this bike are supposed to be really frustrating to work with... great.

I knew it wouldn't go fast when I bought a bike project in early December. Our garage is not heated, and Iowa winters are not conducive to quick accomplishments. That's okay. The idea is that this bike is going to help me to take it slow. Stressing about getting it finished defeats that purpose.

I think I might have a shot at achieving tranquility. Look where the bike was originally purchased:

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

If You Know, You Know

Charlotte and I surprised each other with these t-shirt presents for Christmas.


I couldn't be more proud.

Thursday, December 14, 2023

It's the Mountech 2000!

Check out the graphic design on this TV wall mount's packaging.

I almost bought this at the thrift store just so I could cut out the front of the box and frame it. You just don't see fun and nonsensical artwork like this in advertising anymore. 

Sidebar:

That cat on the TV reminds me of my old cat Brody. When my niece and nephews were really young, they liked to watch the Teletubbies. For some reason, Sioux Falls, SD stopped broadcasting the show, so I volunteered to video tape the program for the kids. 

The show was on from 6:30 -7 AM, and for some reason Brody loved watching it. He'd come a running as soon as he heard that baby sun's giggle. Brody would lay on my bed with his paws tucked in while he watched the action. His head would jerk back as each Teletubbies leaped out of that hole in the curved roof. If a rabbit jumped off screen he's jump down from the bed and bat the side of the TV to try to make it come back. 

He never made it through an entire episode. I think staring at the screen made him tired. I'd find him asleep in a ball on the carpet after about fifteen minutes.

I'd smile down at him and whisper, "That's okay, buddy. We'll watch it again tomorrow." And we would.

I still miss my old roommate.

Sidebar #2:

I texted the picture of the Mountech 2000 to Charlotte. I thought she'd think it was funny. She did, but she also texted back the song we had made up on the way back from Great Bend, Kansas. We were excited with our new puppy, Ellie, but we'd been in the car for over 11 hours, and we were a bit punchy.


That was three and a half years ago, and I can't tell you how many times we have come home and either Charlotte or I or both sing those lyrics to our dog. 

It's strange how these things get started. Something is a joke for a moment and then it's forgotten. Other things stick for years. I think our short song has staying power.

Like turning to Daphne and saying, "You're tired, too, aren't you, fool." (Inside joke.)

Monday, December 11, 2023

Thrift Store Show and Tell '23: Fall Edition

Years ago I had a student who also liked to shop at thrift stores. She was really into 70's t-shirts, and it was fun to talk to her about her finds. Her mom, however, wasn't a huge fan of her daughter's hobby. Eventually the girl's closet was full of vintage threads, and her mom told her, "You can buy any shirt that you want. But from now on, for every one that you buy, you have to give one back." 

I thought that was kind of harsh at the time, but I get it now. We've lived in our house for ten years, and space in our basement is now at a premium. I have begun to thin the herd by returning stuff to Goodwill.
 

I used to own that Jackson Brown record. It was kinda weird seeing my old stuff for sale. Luckily, it and the other LPs that I had donated were gone the next time I checked. Makes me feel like my taste in music isn't so bad. Also, it makes me a little sad that I value the opinion of people I'll never meet. 

Maybe the next thrift store post I write will be about what else I donated... Okay onto the "finds".

I thought this was a hockey puck at first, but the Amazon logo gave it away. It's a 2nd generation Amazon Echo. It was first released in October, 2016. I had no idea if it would function, but we have a couple newer Echoes at home and they're fun to use. At $2.49, there wasn't much of a risk.


I used the Amazon Alexa app, an old phone cord, and a power adapter that we had in our kitchen "junk" drawer to give the Echo a test run. It only took a minute to connect to our internet. The speaker's sound isn't as beefy as our larger Echoes, but that's a minor complaint. "Raining Tacos" used to be hit at our house, but then Char grew out of Parry Gripp songs. (I miss those days.)


It's a light-up word clock from Sharper Image. I cleaned it up and put it in our downstairs bathroom. The clock advances in 5 minute increments. That takes a bit to get used to, but the timing seems to be very accurate. Also, the clock doubles as a nightlight.


I love this Razor Scooter's little kick stand.


Char's old scooter scrapes the pavement in certain spots when she scoots along with with us when we walk Ellie. That can be frustrating for Charlotte. I found this larger model in early November, but I wasn't sure if I should buy it. Maybe Charlotte would think she's too old for a scooter? I took a chance, and boy, I'm glad I did. Char glided out of our driveway without a hitch on her test ride. She then brought the scooter inside and personalized it with stickers. That's high praise from a 13-year-old. 

I internally smile every time I see this scooter in our garage. As a father of a teenager, I don't get as many "wins" as I used to.


Bike Project! It's a 1987 Peugeot U.S. Express. This was marketed as an "All Terrain Bicycle" before the term "mountain bike" became synonymous for all off-road bicycles. The Express looks pretty good from ten feet away. Looks can be deceiving. 

The plan is to make the Express as mechanically sound as I can without throwing too much money at it. I'll replace the chain, the cables, the housings, the brake pads, and the bearings. The tires look okay, so I'll leave them on for now. The same goes for the saddle, grips, and pedals.


I'm pumped to finally have a real bike stand in the garage. I should have bought one of these years ago. 


I made this ring from a spoon that I bought out of that flatware box. It's the first spoon ring I've made in years, and I was curious if I could still do it. 


I spent a lot time rounding off the inside edge of the ring to make it feel more comfortable on my finger, but that didn't help. I don't like wearing it. I forgot that spoon rings are more fun to make than they are to wear.


Man, Genesis ruled the 80s airwaves. In 1986 alone, "Throwing it All Away", "In Too Deep", "Land of Confusion", "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" were all in the top 5 of the US charts. "Invisible Touch" went all the way to number 1.


Here's The Beach Boys first LP, Surfing Safari from 1962. This isn't the greatest group of songs. The boys were playing their own instruments, instead of studio pros like the Wrecking Crew, and it shows. 


Check out this picture from the back of the sleeve. Look how young they are. I believe their ages ran from 21 to 14 years old. The Beach Boys was an accurate name.


I had this 45 when I was a boy. I remember being confused by the guy who started yelling about eating meat and pudding. My friends and I really liked the lyric "Hey Teachers! Leave them kids alone!"  "Another Brick in the Wall" was the most requested song at the 6th grade skating party at Magic Wheels. 


Any record that mixes classic monsters with Christmas in okay with me. I currently have this hanging on a wall in my basement.


The Ed Wood Box of six DVDs is still sealed in its original plastic wrap. That's cool, but it's also frustrating. There's no way I can bring myself to tear off the wrap. Whatever value this has to a collector would be greatly diminished if I open it. I'll just put this in the box of stuff I'm going to sell to Half Price Books.


This DVD set is open, so there's no guilt in watching Monty Python. 


I spotted this sign when we were walking in Charlottetown. PEI. Char didn't get the reference, and she wasn't impressed with the humor when I showed her the"Ministry of Silly Walks" sketch on YouTube. I guess we won't be watching Monty Python together on Sunday nights. 

That's about it. I bought other stuff, but nothing I want to write about. I am excited to have another bike to work on. I took some "before" pictures, so if things work out with the Express, I'll have some "after" shots as well. 

Friday, December 1, 2023

Thrift Store Show and Tell '23: A Music Haul

It was Saturday morning at the Salvation Army store. I scanned the media and the electronics shelves, breezed through the glassware isle, looked down the sporting goods isle, drifted past the book shelves, and then headed towards the exit. I usually spend less than ten minutes in here. I almost always walk out empty handed. 

But then I saw this guy poking his head out of a shopping cart crammed full of unsorted items. 

Fun fact: "Raven are notable for headlining Metallica's first-ever national tour in 1983."

I have to tell you, an English metal band's EP from 1986 is not the typical record that you find in a thrift store. Not by a long shot. This was exciting. What else was in this magical cart? I started digging... 

Here's what I found. 


On Aretha's This Girl's in Love with You (released on January 20, 1970), she covers the Beatles, Dusty Springfield, and even The Band. 
Fun Fact: "Her version of The Beatles’ “Let it Bewas the first recording of the song to be commercially issued (The Beatles did not release "Let It Be" as a single until March 1970). Songwriter Paul McCartney sent Franklin and Atlantic Records a demo of the song as a guide."


In Person by Ike & Tina Turner came out in 1969, and it too is full of great cover songs. Tina also covers "Son of a Preacher Man" AND she sings "Respect." Daphne likes to say that no one but Aretha should even try singing "Respect," but when I told her Tina recorded a live version, Daphne replied, "Oh! Well, Tina should be allowed to try."


The glue that held the front and back covers' flaps together had given out, and this record sleeve could be opened like a book. I ran a thin bead of regular white glue (not school glue) down each flap, and then used rulers and alligator clips to make a "record sleeve press."   


The new glue was dry after an hour.


This is a different record sleeve, but here's a pic of the "flap" that I was referring to. 


Sly & the Family Stone's Life came out in 1968, but this is a reissue from 1971. Fun Fact: "The opening riff on 'Into My Own Thing' was sampled for Fatboy's Slim's 2001 hit 'Weapon of Choice'".



Love Child by Diana Ross and The Supremes came out in 1968 and was their 15th release for Motown. Fun Fact: Tommy Chong, from Cheech and Chong, co-wrote "Does Your Mamma Know About Me?"  That isn't my favorite track from this LP, though. "Keep an Eye" wins that spot.       


The Temptations' Cloud Nine came out in 1969. Influenced by Sly and the Family Stone's production style and multi-lead vocals, The Temps took a walk into psychedelic territory. The change of style worked; they won their first Grammy that year. At 9:38, "Run Away Child, Running Wild" is a great example of their different direction.



I thought for sure I was going love Bloodstone's Unreal from 1973. A horse jumping over a rainbow that is emitting out of the hats of mimes? C'mon! But it was not meant to be. Sorry, Bloodstone. It's not you. It's me.


Rare Earth's Willie Remembers came out in 1972. I was hoping it would be another of those funky records that came out in the early 70's but side A was a disappointment. It was headed to the "Return to Goodwill" pile, but I changed my mind about 10 seconds into track 7, "We're Gonna Have a Good Time". The next and last track, "I Couldn't Believe What Happened Last Night", clocks in at 12:10. For me, this is the only reason to own this record. I love a Rare Earth jam, and I'm glad I stuck around long enough to hear this one.


Ambrosia's Ambrosia is progressive rock from 1975. I didn't know that I knew "Nice, Nice, Very Nice" until I played the song. I said excitedly to an empty basement, "Hey, I like this song!" Fun Fact: This song uses a poem from Kurt Vonnegut's book Cat's Cradle for its lyrics.


I already knew the songs  "The Night Chicago Died" and "Billy Don't Be A Hero", but they didn't get my attention like their cover of "Sealed with a Kiss". The song begins with cheesy harmonies, but after 25 seconds it morphs into a tight guitar-driven pop song. Fun surprise.


That's quite a custom glitter job on Roger Daltery's first solo effort. Looks to me like a teenager carefully drew a "glue tear" on the left, and then a younger sibling tried to do the same on the right when no one was looking. It's either that or a cat knocked over the glue bottle. 

Also, because of the charcoal pencil price tag, I 'm guessing a previous owner bought this at a garage sale. But when? When did anyone think that getting a nickel for something was a good deal? Hey, I'll trade you this record for half of a stick of gum.

And, yeah, I really didn't care for the music on this one. Sorry, Roger. Maybe it was priced right?


Nickel-priced album #2 is The Beach Boys' Love You from 1977. Fun Fact: "Originally planned as Brian Loves You, it is essentially a solo project by Brian Wilson, who wrote almost all of the material and played nearly every instrument on the record, including keyboards, synthesizers, and drums." "Love You has since been recognized for presaging synth-pop and new wave."


Nickel album #3 is Hummingbird's Diamond Nights from 1977. This isn't a disco album, but it's been overproduced like one. The funk/ soul aspect has been smoothed over. You really can't see the 5 cent mark on this one. The cover, like the music, is too glossy.

In the Queue: 

These are the other records that I bought from Salvation Army that day, but I haven't had the time to really listen to them.


The Impressions' Finally Got Myself Together came out in '74.


The Jeff Beck Group's Beck-Ola came out in 1969.


Jeff Beck's Wired came out in 1976, but this is a reissue from '79. Take what you can get.


This is an actual UK pressing from 1977. Crawler plays classic rock.


I have a few records from the British blues group Savoy Brown, so I'm pretty sure I'm going to be comfortable with 1974's Boogie Brothers.


I thought this was going to be a prog rock LP from the look of the cover art, but Discogs lists Lighthouse as a Canadian "brass-rock" band. Hmmm...


This GTR release is from 1986, and I recognized the artwork as soon as saw it. It's listed as "art rock/ prog rock" on Discogs, so we'll see. 

Okay, that has to be the biggest record haul I have ever taken from one store in one weekend. The first time I took ten records out to the car with the intention of leaving, and then I went back in and bought more. 

They were a buck each. So, why not? If I don't like one, I'll just return to Goodwill and mentally add a nickel to the cost of the other records.

Hey. Wait a minute...