A few weeks ago I met up with an fellow tweedian. We decided to celebrate the first rays of sunshine over a beer while sitting outside at an local pub. During the conversations we talked about tweed clothes, the optimal “carry-along-when-riding-a-bicycle” bag and of course bicycles. We both have been collecting parts for several years, building and repairing bicycles and so on. During the years we also been trading and giving all sorts of bicycle parts to each other in such extent that we no longer have any clue at all on whose bicycle parts belongs to whom.

During the discussion, and between the beers, we decided to take a look at his collection. We talked about the our vision for the ideal bicycle set up. Simply to have one good daily ride, one genuine vintage bicycle for sunny days and one bicycle just for fun, with all bells and whistles possible.

But with many projects going on at the same time, bits and pieces, nuts and bolts that did not belong or even fitted together was piling up. That is one disadvantage with vintage bicycles, they might be rusty and worn, more likely really rusty and worn, and in a need of replacement parts. The odd thing with vintage stuff is that one bicycle brands parts does not fit with a different parts brand. The thread on screws, diameter on nuts, length of axles, width of washers or parts not simply fitting at all just seems to pile up in boxes, on shelf’s and in drawers.

Did you know that it is not a matter of “only change a wheel nut”? You need to know the diameter of the axle, the climb of threads and so on. Nuts for one brand of hubs, does not fit a different brand. Then we have the issue with front or rear hubs. In the end, all measurements and all different versions can make a grown man cry in frustration.

As we were later standing in his shop, I got a sudden urge for building a bicycle again. I had some parts in my basement that were laying in boxes and would rather be suitable for a bicycle build. He asked if I wanted to use some of his parts for my build. It was settled, yet again parts were traded and swapped. A wheel set here, a frame there, some nuts and bolts in a box there. I am very aware that I said “no more projects” last time. But a man can perhaps change his mind sometimes? After all, we are only humans.

After taking a trolley with heavy parts and carrying a backpack filled with smaller parts, I headed on my way back to the trusty old basement. While walking I planed and decided what kind of build I was going to make. A all black bicycle in a 1930’s racing style. All parts were there, they only needed to be mounted and I was the man for the job.

As a foundation of the build I used a old Uppsala made frame, made by Nymans for the brand Hermes in the 1930’s. Long ago I bought the frame in a shop in central Stockholm. They had the frame laying on some water pipes up in the ceiling covered with dust, it wasn’t cheep, but I liked the black and gold look of the frame.

Along with a Fauber style crank with a chain sprocket made by Fram, also in Uppsala in the same era, that I was going to use. Further on I had old handlebars in a box that I do not remember where I got them from. I picked out one handlebar that looked to fit the style of the build.

The two wheels is newly build but with vintage Fichtel & Sachs Torpedo hubs, I found rims at velo-classic shop they also helped me with building and truing the wheels. It is always nice to have a professional to do the delicate work. I have never mastered the skill of truing spokes and wheels.

In the backpack together wit other parts that I got from my fellow tweedian, there were a pair of German made AVA handlebar grips that he had bought from velo-classic. What a coincidence.

Now came the fun work of putting all parts together to create a bicycle. After trying about 10 different crank case parts, bearings, washers, bearing bowls and locking nuts that I had in a box, dry fitting, trying, measuring and replacing parts back and fourth, I found the parts that was needed. I greased up the newly cleaned bearings and mounted it together. No grinding, scraping, whistling or buzzing sounds when turning the cranks. I guess it is a match.

Then we have the adventure of the front fork. I tried a bunch of forks that I had, no one fitted the bill. To long, to short, to wide, no narrow, wrong length of the threads, to short to long, not enough. Furthest down in the heap of frame parts and forks, I found one that fitted fairly well, but in the wrong colour. Close, but no cigar so speak. I can always repaint it later on, but it is missing the typical ornament for Hermes, as the frame have.

But it works for the project and that is the main reason. There are some minor play in the fork bearings. But what to expect from rusty and worn parts that are by now almost 90 years old?

The wheels on the other hand, fitted perfect without any problems at all. A set of old pedals were fitted to the cranks. On a shelf I had an old “safety pin” saddle, after fitting it with a modern Brooks seat post mount, the saddle was in place. The handlebars along with the AVA grips were turned upside down for a more classic sporty look and a chain that was just a bit to long were fitted, and there we have it.

A true bicycle project made of leftover spare parts. It was really fun to build the bicycle, I am fully aware that others do the same all the time. But this one was special for me, to finally be able to use all sorts of different parts, some of them I have had laying around for so long. With help from my fellow tweedian, it all became a bicycle in the end.

I have some mudguards in black and gold, perhaps I should mount them along with a chain guard to create a more roadster style of bicycle. Complete with a headlight… or perhaps make a headlight out of an old fermented herring can.. or change the handlebars to drop down bars for a really sporty look… or…

There are always new ideas, always room for improvement and adjustments. I do not dare to say this is the last project I will build because I have said it several times in the past. It has gone so far, that not even I believe my own words any more.

Put on the old tweed jacket, stuff your trouser legs in the socks and jump on the saddle for a ride. Spring is here, let us all enjoy the weather after a long grey winter.

Happy tweed everyone!