Treats for the back side

I have sourced a saddle yesterday - a Brooks B17 Special. It's black with hand-hammered copper rivets. I really like the contrast between the rivets and the black leather, which will go well with the black mud guards and the black tires. Human Powered is just in the process of putting the whole thing together, so there should be a test ride on this saddle soon.

Mick has put in love and effort and detailed most of the frame and some parts. Check out the photos on his blog: http://busymanbicycles.blogspot.com/

Human Powered Cycles has built the wheels with the internal gear hub and drum brake at rear. Mick will drop the frame out this week for assemblage and then we should be close to a first test run. Just need to start a fire...

It's back & it's red

I have just returned from the MFB workshop in Thornbury where Philip stayed back the other day in order to give the frame this beautiful finish. It's all coated in signal red and I reckon it is just perfect. A huge thanks to the guys from MFB for all their help and support; especially Philip, Joe and Albert.

The wheels are next on the agenda...

This morning the frame rode on my shoulder all the way to Thornbury to visit Moz at Human Powered Cycles who was very helpful in choosing parts. Then I dropped it off at the workshop of the MFB, where Philip took over. He is charge to coat the frame with the original red of the fire trucks - something that will happen some time this week. To be continued.

Naked...

Over the weekend Mick has put in the hard yards and muscle power to strip the frame of it's old coat. Now it is ready to go to Human Powered Cycles tomorrow and then to the boys in the workshop at MFB. It looks quite pretty naked though...

Graphics

These stickers were given to us by the guys at MFB. I will play with them for a bit but expect that the final reference to the fire engine will more likely be less bright. I liked the shot I took of the door detail at the workshop - the white and red go well together.

Site: MFB Workshops

I got in contact with Albert Lindner, who is the executive manager of the Mechanical Engineering Division at the Metropolitan Fire Brigade here in Melbourne. Without having even met me, he agreed to help me with this crazy project and signed off that the MFB body shop will powder coat my frame.

Mick and I went out there today to have a chat to the people in charge. We were greeted with much openness and generosity. After a tour of the workshop we left with advice and supplies in head and hand - ready for the next step. The pump in the picture above had just been resprayed.

The Rack

As this bike will be in true porteur-style (you shall google, you shall learn...), it needs a front rack for me to transport goods. I anticipate that it will become my market bike; a reliable friend and brother in arms to my obsession with food. Ewen from Gellie Custom makes some beautiful racks - here some photos.

The Frame

Mick's brother in law had this old Raleigh frame. The size is perfect and there is some nice details about this frame. It was made in England, possibly in the late 70's early 80's. Now it needs to be stripped and then turn red...

Introducing

Mick Peel, the name behind busyman bicyles, is in charge of getting this project realised. He makes bikes from reclaimed parts and specialises in beautiful hand made leather work. Check out his blog: http://busymanbicycles.blogspot.com/

The Bike

Initially I wanted a custom made frame from Gellie Custom, here in Melbourne. The man behind the brand is Ewen and he makes beautiful frames and is a craftsmen able to produce lugged frames. Check out his website: http://www.gelliecustombikeframes.com.au/

In the end it proved to costly for me to have a frame made, and besides that point this bike is more about the process and the playing. The custom frame will have to wait till I am seriously wanting to do big rides.

These are a few details I found interesting. There is a certain language expressed in the signage and materiality of the vehicles. This could be utilised for the bicycle. The aim is to have subtle references to the fire engine on the bike.

This project began with the desire to create a fire engine on two wheels - a red hot bicycle. The idea has been lingering for a while and was kick-started by a visit to the MFB station 3 in Carlton - close to Melbourne's CBD. Some photos...

Beginnings

The story of an idea.

The story of a bicycle.

The story of process.

The story of making.

The story of relationships.