More on the timewarp bike.

[gurdymonkey]

Bike helmets are designed to to withstand one impact incident and should be replaced afterwards, therefore, I wasn't going to spend a lot of money on something that's dorky looking no matter what color or shape it is. I hit Target at lunch break and picked one up for about $20, along with a bell for the handlebars.

The lock, however, is not something I wanted to skimp on. I also wanted to scope out a couple of the bike shops in town, just to see what sort of gear they have. I stopped at the place next to my opthalmologist's and picked out a Kryptonite U-lock and cable set because this bike was built in a kinder, gentler age, before someone came up with the idea of taking off the front wheels for locking them up. I also eyed up the gleaming row of Electra Cruisers displayed outside: and my bike is still cooler. Shop #2 had light sets, while shop# 1 sold front and rear lights separately. The sets were cheaper too, so my plan to scope out both stores worked out and I was able to patronize two local businesses.  While I don't plan on riding after dark if I can help it, you never know. This bike doesn't even have a reflector mount on the rear fender. There's a big square white one screwed on below the handlebars, but that's it.

I decided to wait on the basket. When  you see the photos of the front fender, you'll see why I'm hesitant to hide it under a basket.

Basic safety equipment acquired and installed, I took her for a spin.

Clogs are not quite as bad as flip flops, by the way, but not a wise choice. Stupid neighbor's cat followed me upstairs when I went to put my screwdriver away and I forgot to change my shoes while I shooed him out of the apartment. On the other hand, the reach to the ground was easier. (At least I am not as dumb as the kid I saw riding on the sidewalk texting one handed. Not quite.)

Except for last night, it has been literally decades since I biked anywhere. I'm way out of practice, and I am going to have to get used to riding again.  Lincoln Avenue gets a fair bit of traffic, 25 mph limit or not.  The shifters seem awkwardly placed (my last bike had a single shifter mounted right next to the hand grip). Since most of Alameda is fairly flat, I doubt I'll use most of the gears anyway. Plenty of uneven pavement to negotiate: the bike lane on Grand Street headed west across the old trolley tracks on Clement was not as scary as it looked.

Yes, that leather seat is as flat and as hard as it looks. Didn't go terribly far this evening, but I hope to get a little more ride time in tomorrow.

Yes, I should crawl around with a magnifying glass and find a serial number. Not only do I want to get her registered in case Kryptonite turns out not to be proof against supervillains, but I wouldn't mind a clue as to how old she is. 1960's or 70's maybe? I don't think 10-speeds go back further than that. A cursory cruise around the internet tells me that Murray no longer exists, their bikes have zero cachet, having been mass produced for sale through Sears, Firestone and other companies.

Yes, she's a she.

Pics below for those who missed the Craigslist ad, which has been taken down.


Yes, that's  FIN on the front fender.

Comments

[aeddie.livejournal.com]

How about saddle bags/panniers for the back? That would give you more carrying capacity, keep the front fender shown off and wouldn't obscure the rear too much.

[baronalejandro.livejournal.com]

I. LOVE. IT.

We might quibble on 'cooler than an electra'. But I still LOVE IT. You need a basket!

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

I thought you were at Pennsic!

Another basket vote. I need to measure the distance between the handlebars and that fender before I pick something out. All the ones I saw at the bike shops seemed awfully big.

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

Lovely. I like the color. :)
Eventually, she will become "The Bike" and it will be easier to put a basket on it. But something on the rear will be easier than something in the front.

[ladycelia.livejournal.com]

Go for a rack and panniers instead of a basket--you certainly don't want to cover up that cool fin.

[horsefriend2.livejournal.com]

I had a Murray 10 speed when I was 12, was bought for me at "Builder's Emporium", so they go back to the early 70's at least. They were "gas pipe specials" and the brand didn't make it past the early 80's, least not as far as I know, the Chinese took that market then. They were cheap and heavy, she's in amazing shape for her age. I go for a rack and panniers as well, the added weight of a load in a handlebar basket significantly destabilizes the bike : /



a/s

[moonflake1978.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous!!

[xrian.livejournal.com]

My 2 cents: I have always had a rack and panniers on the back of Gertrude (my 30+-year-old Raleigh 3-speed). Because it's directly bolted to and supported by the rear axle, a rack can support a surprising amount of weight -- I've strapped a box on the back and carried full loads of groceries, or a dozen library books. You do have to watch your balance with a heavy load because it's top-heavy, but the bike itself has no problem with it.

A front basket, IMHO, is mostly good for things you need to keep an eye on or be able to grab quickly while riding (valuables, for instance, if they aren't in a backpack). It won't hold as much as rear baskets, and you can't put anything tall into it because it blocks your vision.

So it depends on what and how much you think you will want to carry with you when you're bicycling.

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

My sister says I should get a front basket and a little yappy dog of some sort to put in it.