A dream of mine. Not a BMX, but has some BMX parts

[Midschoolfool]

Aloha.

So as many of the regulars will know on here I have what used to be a PK Ripper fixed. It's what I do anything more than a potter around on. I got it in 2017 NOS from 08 and over the past 7 years had turned it into this.



Everything but the frame has been replaced with better, lighter components. The bike cost me 300 quid back then from Germany. The tyres (white, eww) were dry rotted and one of the wheels was damaged. I didn't mind, as 700c wheels are reasonably cheap unless you go high end.

Last year I added the bottle cage and the new rear wheel and ran into some issues. I had to drill the brake lower, and add extenders to the pads. A real bugger tbh. If I brake hard I reckon I would ruin the brake tube, and the bottle cage mounts were very hard to get in (rivnuts). As such for many years I have been on the look out for a new frame.

I wanted carbon, but heard it is stiffer and harder than alu. Like, the ride. With the new wheels and tyres on it smashed my ring hole to pieces, so that was the last thing I wanted. And then this happened for 525 quid about a week and a half back.



Rides like steel, doesn't corrode and the best of all worlds. It seemed like an awful lot of money but I did not realise that frame cost 1799 pounds plus VAT when it launched in 2017. It's new, unridden and unused. So I got it.

I knew that a lot of the parts would not fit. The steerer tube is also taller, and I had a lot of orange parts that I no longer want to use with it. I had started adding in splashes of red last year (chain, pads which I will no longer use as the frame has cable guides that won't rip your shorts) and etc. So, I bought this kit for the rear wheel as I am changing the gearing back to where it was before last summer.



44t and a new conversion kit for the 7 speed freehub. It's a 16t cro mo by Box.

Another part I wanted to use (finally after 18 months) was the BB I bought that I could not find the bolts for. It's Ti (axle and body). Problem is when I went to see how it fitted it didn't. Turns out the threads are Italian (weird, never used) and yeah.



Thankfully the threaded ends come bearing holders are removable, and 31mm ID. So I just bought another ISIS BB to use for the ends.



The seat post and clamp I had on the SE are no good. New frame is 31.6mm post (not 27.2) so I got a new post.



And then all of the same Hope stuff I had already in orange, but in red 





A seat clamp that will fit the frame.



And a red replacement top cap for the Hed Doctor. It replaces the star nut. This was a relief, 'cause it was about 25 quid. A new cap in red was 6.



I then began stripping the bike with the very limited tools I had.



Seat and cables off.



A new replacement stem in red. This was tricky, as the bars are like a BMX (22.2) with a 1-1/8 steerer. Turns out Box do a race stem that fits the bill.







I then needed some carbon gripper paste.



And copper anti seize.

[Midschoolfool]

OK so with the BB issue somewhat resolved I ran into another issue. The frame has vertical single position dropouts. This means I will never get the chain right. After some research I found this.



Now what I need to do is remove the upper part and just use the lower arm, spring and bolt (frame has a hanger).

Then another issue. I forgot I respaced the axle on the rear wheel to fit 110. It should be 130. So I grabbed the cheapest axle I could find for parts.



Thankfully I did not cut the axle down or alter it in any way. I ordered two chainstay pads as the bike takes a battering bringing it up the stairs. I got around this on the SE with PPF and some stickers, but yeah it has taken a smacking.



New grips. I prefer lock on now due to carbon bars.



Talking of which. Remove, remove old grips, clean and weigh 



They weigh SFA !



New chainring bolts in red.



New bottle cage (the most expensive one I could find lol)





And a new bottle. Ketchup any one ? 



So last night I got the stem and fork off (finally) and ran into another snag. When I attempted to fit the headset bearings I realised they were too big. FFS. Turns out FSA make 41mm bearings (not 41.. Why the F do companies do this sheet? So after more head scratching and research I ordered a pair of 41mm bearings.



And this is where I am at.

[Midschoolfool]

I decided a few days ago I was going to redo the clear on the rear wheel. Maybe glossy, but deffo real 2k. We will see. The rear decals will be cut from this, on a black background (so edges)



I think that will look pure mean. I also got some PPF in satin. Ti does mark, there are a few tiny marks on it already.



I also realised I could reuse all of the nice parts of the Jagwire cables (these noodles in the pic in the box here)



So bought a cheaper cable kit.



I only need the outer and one inner.

[Mikku]

A new build? I'm in!! Aloha indeed!

[brettypeeps]

Very interesting

Looking forward to see this.

[Midschoolfool]

Very interesting

Looking forward to see this.

It's my sports car. I don't have a license (long story. I didn't do anything bad, I have just never had one in the UK) so yeah. I get it out a lot in warm weather, fly up and down on it and smile.

Back in the late 70s and early 80s we had these things (at least that is what we called them in London) Track Bikes. All they were was a racer with thin knobby tyres on and a set of motocross bars. Pearsons in Sutton used to make and sell all of the bits for them. It was what the Bomber was based on. Sadly if you search track bike you find some mental carbon thing with full aero 

My brother had one, because I was far too small to ride one. He loved it. So it's sorta one of those. Nice and simple, easy to work on and maintain, and fookin fast 

I got some of the parts in today. Will update with pics later. The bearing shells on the BB are a perfect fit so I am absolutely overjoyed about that. What it did do was show me just how heavy a non Ti ISIS BB is. Holy crap.

[Midschoolfool]

OK so some parts arrived.



Before I could enjoy them though I had a big black cloud over my head. The BB. All of the methods to put an ISIS BB back together required a vice. Which I don't have, and nowhere to put one if I did. So this is the BB with the Italian ends whacked off.



The small side is just a hand press fit. The larger (big bearing, or double bearing on cheap BBs) is not. It is a press fit. In the end I dug out some headset spacers, used one large one and several small ones taped together and an old piece of wood, and.



Hit with hammer. Resulting in a BB that can actually be used. PHEW.



Obviously I will keep that for parts (most notably the bearings, they are the same only one is a double).

I was also deliberating actually rebuilding the PK. The only thing I do not have (aside from the crap BMX 48 spline steel cranks) is wheels. I have all of the other original parts. Then I remembered I bought a white front wheel (NOS, Shimano, spoked) that I didn't use because it was kinda heavy. I just found it under my bed 

So I am a back wheel short. Cheap AF for 700c. I still have the knobby tyres too, and plenty of tubes. So yeah, that is going back together. For cranks? I will use these.



Which are also ISIS, so I can leave the BB in the PK. They are British made CNC (by Tensile, same as Onza etc etc).

[Midschoolfool]

The benefits of being a hoarder 

Just looked under my bed and I wasn't dreaming.



IIRC I weighed it and she was a little heavy so I got the Campagnolo Calima cheap that is on the bike now. That's it then, PK shall be going back together. At least I know it fits in the closet 

[Midschoolfool]

Custom rear wheel decals.

[Midschoolfool]

The bottle cage arrived yesterday but that was it. I didn't realise that several of the items were in China. It takes about 5 days for the parcel to arrive with Yodel and it then comes pretty fast. Seat post coming today I think.

That said I have been stupid busy putting mum's house back together after the decorator came, so yeah.

I ordered mum some picture frames yesterday (unrelated to this, obs) but they were ?36. She can't do bank transfer and I already sent her 60 quid for easter so she said to go on Amazon and buy something on her card. After thinking about how sore my ahole was lat year with the 23c tyres I got a new front 28.



Instead of being the cheapest like last time this one is more mid range. I want to put a 28c on the rear too, but not only will it be expensive (tubular) it is also really hard to change them. I will deffo do it this summer though.

I also got a second bottle. Cheap at 6 quid and the same as the other. So if the red one looks gaudy it won't matter because I want one on the frame and one in the backpack to switch out when the one on the frame gets emptied. I can keep it in a cooler wrap in my bag too for when it is really hot out.



Right, back to waiting for deliveries I will see you all very soon.

[Midschoolfool]

*sigh*.

It seems Mr Chong who I bought the grips from is colourblind.

What I ordered.



VS what I got. Cherry on the cake? they are fake and rock hard.  I have to laugh. If I didn't I would effing cry.



So I did what any one else would do when building your dream bike. Put the lil fukka on ignore, as nutting him on the bridge of the nose is not an option (sadly) and stumped up and paid out of the arse for these.



To be honest I was having doubts about them any way, due to the white bits. One can only imagine the filth they would become after merely one ride.



Not that they will fare that much better, but hey at least they have skulls on. 

[Midschoolfool]

Yeah I thought so.



Refund got.

[Midschoolfool]

Cinelli grips came in today. This is all starting to get a bit stressful tbh. Things being delayed, RM not even bothering to show up and then counterfeit grips. They are fake, btw. Seems there are a lot of them out there atm so be careful.

Going to chill now. Between putting mum's house back into one piece after the decorator came (never again) and chasing crap around it's been a stressful week.

Happy Easter all. Eat plenty of lamb and stay dry.

[Midschoolfool]

Right so after a deep breath and a fantastic night's sleep I am now more relaxed. I have decided not to rush, as I will only ever build a bike like this once.

As such I am not happy with the white brake levers. These were 21 quid and I know they are very well received (made by Litepro, CNC)



What was not cheap however, were these.



Like I said, I will never ever do this again so I want to do it once and do it right.

[Midschoolfool]

OK amazing more things came today



And so did this thank god.

[Midschoolfool]

And 41mm bearings too. Brakes are coming tomorrow, I am proper excited !

[Midschoolfool]

I see light at the end of the tunnel. Two things left to arrive now.

[Midschoolfool]

Quick Monday update. The jockey wheel tensioner has arrived into the UK from China and is now with Yodel. I can't return home without that, so fingers crossed it will arrive tomorrow. The other assorted bits are not critical to the bike working, and I will need to go through all of the hoops with the insurance company before it goes outside any way.

[Midschoolfool]

Fookinell. Ordered 

[Midschoolfool]

Seat should arrive tomorrow. I came home yesterday having given up on Yodel who were beginning to annoy me with their constant "It's out for delivery, no it's not". I am still missing the tensioner, but it can wait now.

So the first and one of the hardest things to do was respace the wheel back to 130. This required redoing about 5 times until the axle was finally centered enough to satiate my OCD.

This was before I did that (four more times) but it works.



What's important here is cog position.



Which is great. Remove wheel and replace decals. Not redoing the clear yet. It's functional but a tiny bit misty. I can live with that.





I think a brillo pad would sort it tbh. Gotta be worth a go. Build front end.



And then finally, FINALLY fit that elusive Ti BB. And then fit the cranks.





Then put the PK away and get some sleep. Wake up, fit more parts. Destroy rear inner, have to order another. I also destroyed that 120 quid chain so ordered a YBN.

Change front tyre from 25c to 28c for a softer ride.



Cut hand mysteriously.



Fit wheel.



I've done some small PPF and the bottom pic, I will get some more pics later. This is the chain I ordered.



I'm over expensive and flimsy chains. And very expensive chain tools that snap (F U Shadow and your supposedly indestructible crap). I've also ordered a new brake cable inner for the rear.

[Midschoolfool]

16.6lb with just the chain and tensioner to fit.

[SDF]

Cool looking bike. Top job👍

[Midschoolfool]

I can repair the chain. I have ordered what KMC call 'the missing links? which with the correct tool yeah, will fix that very expensive chain that I only rode twice.

I'll keep the YBN as a backup but I'm determined now to keep it under 17lb.

The life of a weight weenie lmao.

[Mikku]

Cool looking bike. Top job👍

+1 on that! Came out great!!

[Midschoolfool]

It wasn't quite finished. It is now.







I definitely need to redo the clear on the rear wheel. I swear it is getting worse. The other side? is perfect ffs. I think I am going to go satin, not full matt. I think matt is far too prone to misting like that. I will still try a brillo pad and see what happens (it may just be the top layer) but if that fails yeah, I will get some proper 2k satin clearcoat.

It's just cosmetic but it is far more annoying now than it was.