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.

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.