The first ACBS
Well I just got back from the first Australian custom bike show , and what a weekend it was . There was an amazing selection of beautiful bikes and accessories on display from all the builders in oz but the best part had to be that all the builders where in one room ( to my understanding it the first time it’s happened over here ) this gave punters the opportunity to put a face to the people they had heard about or been following and to see up close the workmanship on display , and from a builders perspective it was fantastic to see what others are producing and through around ideas on what people use and why . All in all it was an amazing event and may thanks go to Andy from fyxomatosis for organizing the event , and I’m already working on ideas for next years show . Hope to see you there .
Stay upright
For more photos of the show check out fyxomatosis.com and go to ACBS link or check out my primate frames face book page .
Fly little street monkey fly
Well here is my new play-thing finished and flying along.
There’s a write up on the build in an earlier post if you want the tec low down.
I had a major headache getting tyres for this little one, did a lot of web checking before I started designing her and I found 24″x1″ tyres, sweet. Little did I know how many variations there are in 24″ tyres.
Built my wheels up ordered the tyres from the UK, waited 5 days for them to arrive, on opening the box I could pretty much tell they would not fit. Sure enough they are floating over the rim by nearly an inch, they are 24″x1″with a 440mm rim diameter after much checking double checking and swearing went searching again found another tyre 24″x1″by 420mm rim . Email to the company, yes its 24″x1″x420mm “OK send it out thanks”. Another 5 day wait, low and be hold they have sent me another tyre that does not fit. More swearing and I’m starting to get worried now as the frame will only accept a 1″ tyre.
A call to Paul and Dylan at hill brick racing and they tell me they have 24x1x420 tyres third time lucky surly?
But alas no they are marked 24x1x420 and my rims are 420mm but they are still 10mm to big. Starting to lose my mojo with this build now, another call to hill brick and they tell me they have the complete pre built wheels and tyres ready to go, I hate using wheels I have not built my self but I had blown far too much time and money on things so far and me and my girl where going to ride around Melbourne for a couple of days and this is exactly what this bike was built for small and compact for traveling on planes and building up in hotel rooms and quick for cutting it up thru the streets.(at least that is what I was hoping it would do) .
Placed the order for the wheels the day before we flew out ( thanks Dylan for getting them away on time for me you guys rock) finished work late still had to build up the little beast makes sure it all fit together as it should, all together no time for a test ride, pull it apart and box it up for the morning flight.
I hate flying with bikes, I spend the whole time worrying if they will be broken when I un pack them at the other end, I have got packing them down to a fine art now though. All was well this time, nothing crushed bent or smashed. Onto the hotel to un pack the bikes build them up and it is finally time to see what I have actually created.
The car park test up and down outside the hotel all felt good, must remember little wheels and short chain stays makes for a bike that pops up on the back wheel very easy, a lesson learnt very quickly with much laughing from my girlfriend thanks. then it was time to hit the streets of Melbourne man I love this city. Soon found my self wearing a big grin this bike was just fun to ride we where just cruising but I could feel it chafing at the bit to through down some speed (easy there Tonto).
We cruised Brunswick st (man there is a lot of bikes in this town) then headed over to pony bikes to say hi to Sasha. We where there for about 10 mins when it started to rain which turned into hail which then turned into really BIG hail, probably lasted for 15 mins but man did it do some damage was crazy to watch. Thanks Sasha for keeping us high and dry. That pretty much put an end to riding thru town that day we tried to get over to see Dan from shifter bikes new shop but the city was seriously flooded was getting close to the BB on some of the streets so it was time to admit defeat and head back to the hotel. Next day was simlier no massive storm but it was short rides between showers so I didn’t get to really find out what this little monkey had to offer that had to wight till I got back to Sydney.
I have been riding the bike for a couple of weeks now and I’m sorry to say that my other whips are getting a bit neglected. This thing is just so much fun to ride, it is a speed weapon so fast of the lights and super nimble thru the traffic and man can it rip up the hills it really does bring out a smile when I’m riding it. There is not much I would change on it. I do have a second set of forks for it that I built that are a lot tighter over the wheel and will bring the front end down by an 1″ so i will fit them and ride it to see how it feels and handles and then I will be looking at building a couple of frame sets up for sale as I think it will tick the right boxes with some of the people out there.
Well I’m of to get my dose of fun on my little monkey.
Stay up right ..
24" Street Monkey
Here are a couple of shots of my newest build the 24″ street monkey. Go here to check out the write up on the build
Rob's green machine
Rob picked this wicked color for his frame, it looks crazy in the flesh they’ll certainly see you coming with this one Rob. I really enjoyed this build, it was very challenging (and some what frustrating at times) builds like this keep me on my toes and the end results are well worth it. She’s getting boxed up and will be on her way to NZ very soon. Hope you have as much fun riding her as I had building her Rob.
See previous post on Rob’s bike being built.
Rob from NZ’s 24″ mtb
This is Robs custom 24″ was a very challenging and rewarding build with super tight rear stays I had to do some creative notching and capping, it all came out very nice and looks sweet. She is off getting a hot lime green color scheme I’ll post when she gets back.
Rob from NZ’s 24" mtb
This is Robs custom 24″ was a very challenging and rewarding build with super tight rear stays I had to do some creative notching and capping, it all came out very nice and looks sweet. She is off getting a hot lime green color scheme I’ll post when she gets back.
“IT LIVES” fly my pretty
Just back from the magic hands of Peter at Star Enamelers. Up all night putting her together, and it rained on my the first ride day “stink”. It made for some good photos though, now I have to wait for some clear weather to get to know her properly, but riding up and down the car park at work she feels sweet.
"IT LIVES" fly my pretty
Just back from the magic hands of Peter at Star Enamelers. Up all night putting her together, and it rained on my the first ride day “stink”. It made for some good photos though, now I have to wait for some clear weather to get to know her properly, but riding up and down the car park at work she feels sweet.
The HARD tail bitches
– SS hand cut silver brased head badge on a 1.5 head tube
– I used a set of 29er fork blades for seat stays PHAT!!
– the organic look of dressed fillet welds
– she is of to the painters now will put some shots up when she is dressed in blue..
