behavioral activation therapy

I received a few replies to my CL ad seeking a mixte bicycle or frame. One fellow had an old Peugeot (complete minus two brake pads -- oh, dear!) he would let go for $25. My expectations were exceeded by a wide margin, and I took the bike immediately. Here's what it looked like after I took off the front wheel, fender, and brake:

(I was too excited about the bike to remember to shoot it as-bought.) Check out that all-chrome fork. It looks wwicked shaahp IRL.

I stripped the bike down to the frame, fork, and crankset, which was more work than one might think: This thing was covered in neatly-integrated accessories, I didn't want to damage any parts, and I have no idea what I'm doing.

I documented the disassembly with photos, in case I decided to transfer the parts to another frame someday. For example, here's how the super-cool Soubitez generator was installed:

This past Monday, I went to Harris Cyclery and asked a skilled and friendly technician to remove the cottered cranks and bottom bracket using exotic tools, such as a five-foot length of steel pipe (for leverage!). Then I picked up a bunch of inexpensive parts. This guy was so helpful, I bought the friggin' shop tee. I'm not allowed to wear it until I finish the build, and I'm not allowed to wear it out of the house until I've put 100 miles on the bike. ;P

Professional metalworker industrialsteve has generously offered help removing the braze-ons from this frame. Might do that this coming Wednesday.

Ordered up some MKS Lambda platform pedals, and snagged a Shimano 42-tooth chainring for a pittance on eBay. Now I'm circling auctions for just the right crankset.

Today I test-fitted the new front wheel/tire on there. The Shimano single-pivot side-pull caliper brake I'd hoped to swap in doesn't have enough reach, but the original center-pull Weinmann Vainqeur does, and it'll do.

A million thanks to rojagato for the bike stand loan. It has been an invaluable asset in this behavioral activation therapy endeavor.