Retro Bicycle Thread

[GT Jimmy]

So these are the brake I have - minus the hoods obviously.

Not a picture of the one I have, but they are exactly the same.

[DJR]

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/160585-chris-willemses-vintage-collection/page-4?do=findComment&comment=2905486

 

Chris Willemse Sr is looking for info on this very unusual track bike. Anyone has an idea what it is?

Edited June 14, 2016 by DJR

[HeyYou]

I certainly had a great Youth Day, finishing off one of the memories from my RELATIVE youth.

 

Although the 'unofficial' Kirk history site

http://www.kirk-bicycles.co.uk/Kirk-History.htm

suggests Kirk's were first sold, marketed, around 88/89, I'm sure I remember seeing 1 or 2 in the mid 80s. Whatever, mine is an early one, it has the steel forks and weighs in at 10.68 kg as you see her.

 

Not too bad really, lighter than some other bikes, but certainly not a weight weenie's bike.

 

She's dressed in '88 Shimano 105 (1050), with Pelisiser hubs and Mavic Open 4CDs. The spokes were originally  galvanised, but quite badly corroded, so I rebuilt with stainless spokes - probably a no-no, but sourcing good condition galvanised spokes is not easy. Seatpost and stem are Kalloy and bars are Hsinlung.

 

The front derailleur is not 105 (0550), the 105 FD did not fit, it's too wide!!! If I put spacers between the FD mount and the frame, the 105 FD protruded too far, so changing to the 39 tooth biopace was not possible.

 

The saddle is temporary. I have a Mundialita that needs recovering ---- one day when I've developed that skill!!!!

 

I thought quite long and hard about how to dress her. Most of the Kirk's I remember seeing had Shimano 105, perhaps 600. So I decided 105 would be about right.

 

I also thought about painting her, the white is quite oxidised, but I polished instead. I might replace the decals at some stage.

Edited June 16, 2016 by HeyYou

[HeyYou]

Pics

 

 

 

[Loose cog]

Nice ride HeyYou!

[DJR]

That sure is unusual!

[Sepia]

Seriously nice bike HeyYou.  Well done.  (Jealous is not the word)

[SuperStokedCycles]

KIRK Magnesium!! Very nice. So futuristic in the 90's!!

[HeyYou]

My farm on the very right of the pic!!!!!!!!

https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/news/mtb/sa-mtb/rebello-and-neethling-victorious-on-stage-1-of-the-recm-knysna-200-r4994?source=topic

 

 

[DJR]

My farm on the very right of the pic!!!!!!!!

https://www.bikehub.co.za/features/_/news/mtb/sa-mtb/rebello-and-neethling-victorious-on-stage-1-of-the-recm-knysna-200-r4994?source=topic

 

 

I gather the elephants belong to your neighbour then? Ice cold cool! That fence doesn't look too sturdy, does it?

[HeyYou]

I gather the elephants belong to your neighbour then? Ice cold cool! That fence doesn't look too sturdy, does it?

 

You're right!!!!

 

Elies are not mine. They're slaves to tourism, make money for the owners, but they're nice to watch, even if I don't like the 'slavery'.

 

Fence is none too sturdy and elies have been known to come through and eat my flowers, but they've apparently changed the zapper, more volts, so I've not had an incursion for some time now.

[DJR]

You're right!!!!

 

Elies are not mine. They're slaves to tourism, make money for the owners, but they're nice to watch, even if I don't like the 'slavery'.

 

Fence is none too sturdy and elies have been known to come through and eat my flowers, but they've apparently changed the zapper, more volts, so I've not had an incursion for some time now.

Are they the elephant back safari ones? I'm also in two minds about that.

[HeyYou]

Yes, people pay shite loads, i think R1200, or something, to ride them around the 50 hectare plot!!!!!!

 

I don't like it, slaves to tourism!

 

Sent from my IdeaTab S6000-H using Tapatalk

[DJR]

Yes, people pay shite loads, i think R1200, or something, to ride them around the 50 hectare plot!!!!!!

 

I don't like it, slaves to tourism!

 

Sent from my IdeaTab S6000-H using Tapatalk

I'll pay you R1200 for riding some of your bikes!

Edited June 22, 2016 by DJR

[HeyYou]

I'll pay you R1200 for riding some of your bikes!

 

Still need to finish my bititan so we can ride together.

[HeyYou]

Actually my property is top background, my daughters WendyHouse is the white roofed thingy top. middle.