So it continues...

Another big push today to get the build complete - it was needed after 2 weeks off the job, and a random blog in between to fill the void for you blog happy lot.

I went for a ride today. Ourimbah. Damn that is one great track. They have done a large amount of work on it - 3 laps and 25kms later, I was one very happy little vegemite. Irony seems to strike in "ironic" ways... It seems ye ol' faithful Giant is injured, and bleeding - literally. What was a small oil leak in one of the front fork stanchion has turned into a something that I really should do something about - a worn rubber seal I assume. On top of that, there is a lot of movement on the rear shock - which I think is the bolt and wear around the eye of the shock. Mr Giant needs fixing, badly. The heckler needs to make its debut, quickly...

So today saw a rapid reduction in the boxes of "bits" as they all find there way onto the heckler. Short of the chain and cabling for the gears (which alas I need to get cable housing for to complete) I have something that looks like the final product.

Job 1 - Remote lock out cable for the front forks attached.
Lesson 893 - Never throw out instructions.

I had to find an online manual to double check how it attached. Here it is attached, cable yet to be cut.

The lock out button attaches of course to the handlebar. Small real estate problem pending - the remote lockout for the forks is left handed, as is my gravity dropper. I am fairly sure it will all fit on. Though I am worried about my cranial capacity to steer, brake, change gears, lock and unlock the front forks AND operate the seat gravity dropper with my left hand. I'm not even left handed!

Lock out button, with grip, brake & shifter attached....

Now I bought the blue grips to go with blue steel. It is slightly lighter than the blue of the bike but still looks ok. I mainly bought them for the gold locks on either end (oh and yes, I actually do like the peaty grips - currently on the Giant and I am super happy with them).

 

And here is the cockpit of the rig, looking decidedly more bike-like....

 

 As you can see, I have put both shifters on. This was about all I could do with the shifters, notice the rolled up cables? Alas, the shifters did not come with cable housing, so I will have to pop into the shops to get some housing (a small addition to the total cost). The cabling is also slightly, "busy" as one of the brake cables is too long - alas I do not know how to bleed a SRAM braking system so will sneak it into the shop to sort it. I am liking how the front is looking with the gold, silver and decals on the handlebars.

Job 2 - Affix derailleurs. Very little to say here. Pick up said derailleurs, screw on. Jobs done. Front and rear derailleurs attached....

Pedals were also installed so I could roll around on the bike and get a feel for the ride height.

 

 

Final job of the day was cutting the steering and putting the rest of the head set together. Alas though, the Formula 1 starts in about 20mins, and every man needs priorities.

 

Stay tuned, if you know what is good for you...

Justin.