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.