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.

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:

Happy Halloween '21

Charlotte created this mini cemetery using decorations from the Dollar Tree. I like how it turned out. This display is a keeper. 

Char also used pumpkins and gourds to create this Halloween "Battle Royal." It's actually a bit graphic.

We gave out small packages of Smartfood popcorn and M&M's. That's one of our favorite movie snacks. I brought the projector back outside this year. I started with It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. It's cool when parents linger in the driveway to watch Lucy snag the football back from Charlie Brown's kick. After three showings, I switched to classic Scooby Doo cartoons. 

Some trick or treaters sat down with their popcorn and M&M's and enjoyed the show.

I walked to the sidewalk to get a "wide angle" view of our house. I accidentally caught Daphne standing in the window by the front door. Looks creepy.

It was a nice night. Char had a friend to run around with, and the evening's weather was clear and cool. 

Oh, I almost forgot. Char made her own costume this year. Currently, one of her favorite YouTube clips is "Guy says "porky worky" and gets attacked by pig." ---> link. She has laughed so hard at this so many times.

So, she went as a muddy Porky Worky. 

Good times.

Unnecessary?

One thing that you do not see at thrift stores very often is a skateboard. Bicycles, roller skates, skis, roller blades, snowboards, and scooters are all common finds, but skateboards are elusive. Even poor quality boards are rare.

Maybe it's because a lot of used boards get re-purposed. I did a search for "recycled skateboard" on Etsy, and there are 3,029 results.

One Etsy shop is selling used decks for $50 a pop, and they only have one left.

I suppose that's why I have a couple of junky skateboards in my garage. I bought them because they were all I could find. I went through a skateboard phase about eight years ago, and now I don't remember where they came from.

One of these skateboards is a clunky Kryptonics that probably came from Walmart in 2005. The deck is thick, unwieldy, and slightly warped. Also, the artwork isn't cool enough to display. I decided the Kryptonics was a perfect candidate for a short-long board. 

I've mentioned these before. A short-long board is a standard skateboard that mimics the feel of longboarding by relocating the trucks to the far ends of the deck. This lowers the deck, and it adds more flexibility. Wedge (angled) risers are placed beneath the trucks to aid with turning. Some people add longboard trucks and wheels as well.

This project is completely unnecessary. I just wanted to do something with my hands and then write about it.

My method of marking the board for new bolt holes is far from a scientific process, but it's better than just eyeballing it - I think. I run a long strip of painters tape directly across the middle of two bolt holes and extend the tape to the edge of the board. I try to keep the tape as flat and straight as possible.

The next step is to place the truck in place and see if the tape strips cut through the middle of the truck's holes. If one strip of tape doesn't bisect both holes, then peal it off and try again.

I placed the truck 3/4 of an inch from the end of the deck. Using the truck holes as a guide, I marked the edge of the tape with a black Sharpie.

I like to use a nail, an awl, or better yet, a center punch tool to make a dimple in the wood. That keeps the drill bit from wandering off when I drill my hole. I also use a small drill bit to make the pilot holes first.

When a drill bit goes all the way through, it often splinters the wood as it exits. A scrap of wood clamped to the bottom of the deck keeps the exit holes in the skateboard looking clean. I had to move the c-clamp around as I drilled each hole.

The scrap of wood takes all the damage. The skateboard's grip tape just tore a little bit.

I like to countersink the holes so the bolts sit flush with the grip tape. You could just crank the bolts really tight, I suppose, but why overstress the wood?

The holes look okay to me.

Once the holes are done, reassembly is easy.

The bolts look flush.

Both trucks are installed.

Here's the Kryptonics' new stance. It's low, and unfortunately slow. I had to clean the rusty bearings.

The board didn't turn at all, either. Since I didn't have angled risers on hand, I replaced the plastic bushings with soft rubber bushings.

These blue bushing are way too soft for me to use on a regular skateboard set-up. They are meant for a much lighter rider (like Charlotte). They seem to work well in this application, though.

I had an idea while I was testing the blue bushings last night. A board that doesn't turn well could be perfect as a "trainer" skateboard for Charlotte. If I put the plastic bushings back, then the board will just go forwards (or backwards.) All Char will have to worry about is keeping her balance as she stands on it. Maybe a low board will feel safer and be a confidence builder for her? It's worth a shot.

Okay, maybe this project won't be completely unnecessary.

An Aside (Table)

I bought half (or is it a third?) of an old desk at a Goodwill store when we were in Lincoln a few weeks ago. Here it is in the hotel's parking lot.

My idea was to clean it up and use it as a side table for our guest room. I bought chemical stripper, mineral spirits, a brush, and some stain at the hardware store. I already had sandpaper and steel wool.

I didn't do any online research for this project, and I didn't go to the library, either. This time I just read the instructions on the backs of the cans and went for it.

First came the chemical stripper. It's nasty stuff, but chemicals do their job. Goodbye paint.

I made two passes with the stripper.

And then I sanded until it was time for ballet lessons.

I chose Mission Oak Gloss for the stain color, and I used a stain and polyurethane in one product. I sanded the wood with 0000 steel wool after each coat of stain. The finish is a bit shinier than I expected, but what did I think a polyurethane gloss finish would look like? I stopped after three coats.

I picked up some new hardware at Home Depot, and called it done.

Welcome to your new home, side table. 

Will this become a cherished, family heirloom? Doubtful. But it was a fun project, and I learned a bit along the way. Can't ask for more than that.