Bicycle Snow Cover!

As we head towards the New Year, I give you this image of our neighbor's awesome bicycle cover!

It is snowing here in Boston again and the forecast promises that it will continue doing so for four days straight. So far, I have not exactly been a heroic winter cyclist, but in 2010, I hope to get increasingly more comfortable. Other cycling goals include: touring long distance, conquering drop bars, developing stronger upper body musculature for wielding the Pashley, learning more about bicycle components, and dare I say, wheel building? Yes, that may be in my future over the winter months. Stay tuned and have a Happy New Year!

BMW Recalls 2008-2010 F650GS and F800GS Motorcycles to Correct Stalling Condition

BMW is recalling model year 2008, 2009, and 2010 F650GS and F800GS motorcycles manufactured between January 2008 and December 2009.

During engine operation, a vacuum is created in order to draw fresh air into the canister. This air then mixes with the fuel vapors captured by the canister, and is subsequently combusted. Due to the routing of the ventilation hose, water near the end of the hose could be drawn into the charcoal canister.

4498 units are affected.

Check out my Motorcycle Recalls feature for more details.

The most extraordinary motorcycle GPS mount (but don't take our word for it)

Take Kevin's word for it! Here's what he says:

"If I had to describe your product in a word, it would be extraordinary! The material and workmanship was outstanding! Several employees [at my local dealership] had installed GPS's on their own motorcycles, and they said that Leader Motorsports was the place to go for top quality mounting systems. Thank you so much for your generosity. I can see why they recommended doing business with Leader Motorsports."

Thanks Kevin, you made our day!

For more information about mounting GPS on your motorcycle, click here.

Chance Encounters and Boston Vintage Bikes

Taking advantage of the mild temperatures a couple of days ago, we went for another ride along the Charles River Trail, this time a nice long one. We were taking a break to photograph the bikes (a totally normal part of any day, right?), when I heard a very polite yet excited voice from the trail. Was I by chance the person from Lovely Bicycle? I guess of all the girls out there riding loop-frame bicycles with enormous red bows on the basket, I must be especially recognisable? I attribute it to my unique facial features.

We invited the gentleman to join us on the dock, and a fest of bicycle photography and discussion ensued.

Apparently, he collects photos of people photographing him. So this is my picture of him, taking a picture of me taking a picture of him.

And this is his picture of me, taking a picture of him taking a picture of me taking a... Really, the philosophical implications are staggering. You can see this and many other bicycle related pictures on verdammelt's photostream on flickr.

Here is a shot showing off his bicycle better (admittedly posed in what Steve A. calls my "Lenin in Finland" stance). The bicycle is a vintage BSA 3-speed step-through, which he found abandoned, rescued, restored back to health, and now uses as a winter bike.

Here is a somewhat blurry close-up. Our new acquaintance is proof of how common these rare vintage bicycles are in Boston. A BSA randomly left abandoned on the streets? Yup. It is a pretty cerulean-blue colour with nice lugs and a beautiful fork crown. You can't see them here, but the bike also has shimmery red grips on the handlebars that set off the blue frame quite nicely.

And I love the unusual saddle. It is sprung pleather, with the look and feel of an old leather jacket - not the texture one normally sees on saddles. Overall, this is an excellent rescue, and the owner seems to care about bicycle and to like riding them very much. We enjoyed meeting him and thank him for posing for these photos!

Ward Hawthorne 1938

Sepeda Cruiser 26" ini di Produksi pada Tahun 1938 oleh Cleveland Welding Company, di Ohio Amerika Serikat. Yang mana perusahaan ini juga sebagai Produsen sepeda Roadmaster yang sangat terkenal.
Brand sepeda Hawthorne ini diperjualbelikan melalui toko-toko Montgomery Ward. Sebagian besar sepeda yang ditawarkan oleh Montgomery Ward cukup generik, namun ada beberapa pengecualian, seperti Hawthorne Zep tahun 1939 adalah Desain yang Eksklusif, dan begitu pula 1940-1941 Hawthorne All-American, yang dirancang oleh Desainer Industri terkenal Walter Dorwin Teague. Kebanyakan sepeda Hawthorne diproduksi oleh Cleveland Welding Company, yang mana juga salah satu pemilik Brand Roadmaster, atau HP Snyder, pembuat Rollfast.

New Vintage Red Ballon Tyre Set 26 x 2.125 

NOS Vintage Torrington Red Prewar Pedals Bicycle

NOS Vintage Chainguard Clamps

NOS Vintage Hunt Wilde Red Prewar Grips 

New Vintage Cruiser Sadle
NOS Vintage Rear Rack 26" Prewar / Postwar Era

Hawthorne Bicycle Advertising 1937 - 1938

~Monark Rocket 1951-1957

Manufactured by Monark-Silver King Bicycle Company, Chicago.

A classic bicycle built in Chicago in 1950-51 - its a single speed Monark Rocket cruiser. The frame has been completely Repainted and Rechromed - cleaned and polished - All bearing components including the New Departure coaster brake have been taken apart, cleaned and regreased - Oct 2009. Custom enameled/pinstriped rims and hand made spokes have been repaint . Wide Bars (26 1/2"), Coke Bottle FlexGrips, Brand New Ballon Tires/Tubes (26 x 2.125), Original Teardrop Crank, NOS Red Wald Pedals with Diamond Reflectors. Customed Seat. Customed Rear Rack Handmade Reproduction. Customed Tank Handmade Reproduction. Customed Monark Rocket Decals.

My Shifter + Hubs Bicycle Collections (Vintage)

Sturmey Archer 3 - Speed Thumb Shifter 80's:

Sturmey Archer 3-Speed Thumb Shifter 60/70's:

Sturmey Archer S2 Two Speed Hub Date: 71 (Kickback) NOS still in a box

Sturmey Archer AW 3 Speed Hub Date: 69/14  

Sturmey Archer AW 3 Speed Hub Date: 79/ 5 

Sturmey Archer AW 3 Speed Hub Date: 84/11

Used Good Conditions Sturmey Archer 3 speed:

Common used on Raleigh Rodeo Bicycle

NOS Sturmey Archer Sportshift 3 Speed Raleigh Chopper Girly:

• Mounted on Gooseneck / Stem

Mint Condition Schwinn Stingray '68 5 Speed Stick Shifter with cable tube:
NOS Knob 5 Speed and Nuts

NOS Sturmey Archer 3 + 2 / 5 Speed Raleigh Chopper Mk1:

NOS Sturmey Aarcher Shifter Cover Raleigh Chopper Mk1:

Sturmey Archer 3 + 2 or 5 Speed Raleigh Chopper Mk1:

NOS Sturmey Archer 3 Speed Sport Shift:
Common used on Raleigh Rodeo Bicycle

NOS Suntour 5 Speed:

Common used on 20" Muscle Bike Era, fit on common bicycle with single "Up Tube" on the Frame

Made In Japan.

NOS Sturmey Archer 5 Speed Twinshift:
Common used on Muscle Bike with Twin Up Tube on the Frame.

NOS Shimano 3 Speed Stick Shifter:
Usually used on 20" Muscle Bike Era, fit on common bicycle with single "Up Tube" on the Frame.
Made In Japan.

Stick Shifter Plate for Raleigh Chopper, NOS Knob and Sturmey Archer 3 Speed shifter Plate and Stick:

SF 3 Speed Stick Shifter:
Mounted on Gooseneck / Stem Tube

NOS 5 Speed Benhur / Apollo Stick Shifter