Some updates on the build, and some notes about the merits and lack thereof of this bicycle.
In my replacement of the sprocket, I had put one of the bottom bracket bearings in backwards. (Say that five times fast!) I ordered a replacement bearing set, with new cups, etc. Note: this crank is 24tpi.
I thought it was really cool the way the metal stretched.
The new bearings are on the right.
Remember the 1968 Fastback that I had on offer? I swapped the Mag sprocket and pedals over onto this bike, then sold the remainder and broke even on that project. It's important to note that this frame and the stock sprocket, which is flat, were meant to fit each other. A sprocket such as this one needs to be bumped out a bit.
I used two crank lock washer-sized washers, which provide just enough clearance. I think a third wouldn't be a bad idea, as it is awfully close. The washers are between the bearing cone and the sprocket, so I would hope that this isn't an exceedingly bad idea, but this is really outside my knowledge set. My concern is that the washers are moving the center of motion away from the stability of the bottom bracket. Hivemind, what do you think?
I didn't realize it, but the "Mag" sprocket is a bit bigger than the previous one, so I am going to need a bit more chain.
Totally unrelated, but came to mind with this picture: I found some clear purple dice valve caps for the Grape Krate I am selling, but I haven't been able to find any orange ones at a similar price point. Has anyone seen them?
What holds my umbrella? Why, a Campagnolo "umbrella" pump bracket.
I saw the baseball bat holders that some people have installed on their Stingrays, and while very cool, I thought that not quite my style. I was looking for interesting brackets and bits to use on this project, and came across this. Such a fun little bit of metal, a perfect fit, and what better to hold with it than an umbrella?
Wing-type nuts for bicycle axles are available in a wide variety of styles, though almost all seem to be for standard, rather than metric threads. These are some of the few that are out there for M9x1, and had to be ordered from France.
Yes, I am kind of thrilled by the look.
Opposite the Campagnolo pump bracket sits this Shimano one, ordered from Portugal. It was just so cool that I could not resist. It will be solely decorative.
I've finally arrived on a speedometer that feels right. Big surprise as to what it is, eh? I liked the Clipper, but I could never get it to sit properly in place.
The stock axle does not have enough space to fit a Schwinn speedometer drive. I tried an older gear-driven one, but the cable didn't match up with this speedo head.
I have a plastic speedometer drive that is designed to roll against the wheel. It's cute, but would require fabricating a mounting bracket and a new drive cable. I'm not sure that it fits well enough to justify the cost, and I'm not 100% convinced that it would work visually once done.
I think that the speedometer is more about looks than anything, so I've decided I am totally content to just have it sit there.
Next step: Waiting on some NOS Sturmey Archer hardware to be delivered from Belgium.
As well as a really cute little bicycle license plate.
Once I have that all together, I'll work with the very kind
@Bman212 to figure out the cable routing for the drum brake.
I found a $30 metallic purple with white "S" stripe seat cover for the Grape Krate and ordered it. If it's as good as I expect, I will be ordering a metallic orange one for this bike and hopefully install it.
With that done, it's off to the shop.
I already have the cable on hand for the brakes and hopefully derailleur. It's the visual effect that I've always had in mind, and I think the slightly vintage look will help. It only cost 2.5 times the cost of new plain cable and seemed worth it for the effect. Note: I have a third, not pictured here.
I picked up this bicycle for the Shimano Nexus 7 hub, shifter, and wheel set. It's my hope to trade the remainder of the bicycle, at the shop, for: balancing the rear wheel (I did a bad job of building it); cable finishing and calibration; the remainder of the chain, and whatever else needs to be done. Maybe there will be a little bit of cash involved and they will handle the seat cover.