The owner is Russell Zech, he was riding the 24 hours of Sebring over the weekend. I'm guessing he's a little worn out.

I finally got accepted today. I felt like such an outsider there for a minute!

Mark

Seat Pix:








Bike turned upsidedown for ease of picture taking.

The small tube that runs from the bottom bracket to the left chainstay was added to keep the chainstays from cracking. Seems that the frame has enough flex that when pedaling the chain induced enough torque to bend the frame slightly at the chainstay with every pedal stroke. As I'm sure you know, aluminum doesn't like being bent repeatedly and will work harden and eventually break. It was determined that a brace was only needed on the left side as the chain itself kept the frame from bending the other way.

It’s a nice day and my day off so I’m going for a ride. I’ll catch up with you later.

Your seat definitely attaches different from mine. Mine just slides on the back and two grenade pins in the front. I'm going to fit some UHMW in between to take up some of the slop and protect the tubing. The previous (original?) rider had wrapped the tubes in tape to protect them. He/she seemed to have an affinity for electrical tape. I can't wait to clean it all off the bike and see how the original finish looks. I'm toying with the idea of having it powder coated.

I made a decision this morning. If I can get the tires to hold air, even for a little bit, I'm going to throw a bottom bracket and crank on it, lube up the chain and install some front brake pads. Then, I'm going to ride it around the block a time, or two, just to say I rode it before I break it down for overhaul.

Mark

I called Ace Tool & Engineering today and gave them my serial number. It turns out my bike was manufactured on my birthday, 10/07/91 and shipped 01/07/92 to it's first home in Austin Tx. It was a 12 speed, so it was originally equipped with a double.

Mark

IT LIVES!!!!!!! BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!! The $36 recumbent took to the streets tonight in God only knows how long. As soon as I got home from work, I put air in the tires and they HELD!! I quickly threw an old bottom bracket in and tossed on some Shimano 600 biopace cranks I had lying around. I put some brake shoes on the front, rerouted the cable, zip tied it to the top tube, a liberal dose of Tri-Flow to the rusty chain and VOILA!!!! I had to mess around with the front derailleur to get it working, but the back shifted just peachy. I ran it up and down the street and decided right away the seat was too close. I put it as far back as it would go and I was riding. Here's a couple pics and a short video as proof!





Mark

Is that a mob of angry villagers with torches and pitchforks I see behind you, Dr. Frankenstein? Semi-seriously, though, not bad for 36 bucks! I'm certain the tweaking has just begun... Keep us posted!

So far, I'm pretty impressed with how this thing is cleaning up. I had to do some straightening and adjusting of the front derailleur. It shifts just like a new one, now. The chain, after several liberal doses of Tri-flow and repeated wiping off of the excess, now seems serviceable with no frozen links. I removed what must have been half a roll of electrical tape from the frame and front fork, wiped her all down with simple green and polished the surface rust off the front fork. I've still got some cleaning to do on the wheels and then it will be time to spend money. I'll be needing tires and tubes right away. I've decided if I can't fine a suitable rear brake, I will bite the bullet and upgrade to some long reach dual pivot calipers.

Other than that, I think I'll just ride it as is for awhile to get a feel for if I really want to keep it. If and when I decide it's a permanent part of my fleet, I'll break it down for a complete overhaul. At that time, I'll repack everything, replace the chain, derailleurs and shifters. I will probably upgrade to a triple at the same time. It's a beautiful old bike. Used, perhaps neglected for several years, but seemingly not abused.

Mark

Mark,

This looks like it's going to be fun project. It might make a pretty cool single speed, ever thought of one of those?

Walt