Daccordi, the true blue Italian Stallion

2 days ago, I was in for some luck. Someone actually threw away a bike at my dumpster. I took a glance at it and it's a road bike. But the 'Mrs' caught me glancing and snorted.."Don't you take it! So many bikes, no more space!" I left the place dejected...than I told myself, "If the bike is still around around after my dinner, than it's fated to be MINE! lol...
True enough, after 3 hours, the bike is still around. Guess, nowadays, people no longer are interested in vintage steel bikes....

It wasn't like this when I found it. The front wheel was taken off, maybe for storage reasons. I tried to put it through the fork but it got stuck. Checked the brakes and found the cable kind of rusty. No worries. Abit of lubricate did the trick. Next, both the tires are flat. And feels hard. Tried my luck with a hand pump...it still inflates! The rest, like the saying goes, is history....more elbow grease and lubricant to bring the bike back to life.

Vintage Japanese 26 inch spotted!!

I was shopping at Giant Plentong and lo~and~behold! A vintage Nitto Japanese make 26 inch is up for sale! And of all places, Cash Converter. Yes. Cash Converter. I'd never thought of it either but well, I immediately home in for a closer inspection. In my sputtering Baharsa Melayu, I chatted with the sales guy. Told me this is a real antique. Correct me if I'm wrong. The bike lookd kind of modern. The decals have Chinese words and not a single Japanese writing and I was told it's a Japanese bike, brand name 'Nitto'.
However, I do love the accessories. The front carrier looks good. So does the big bell. The leather saddle looks well seasoned but no brand. The sales guy keep saying the rear carrier is good and can 'tonpang' another person. Whatever.
Given that the selling price is RM$699 and the day's exchange rate is SGD$244.00, I reckon that I will dump in SGD$286 for this bike.

Apache Pinto head badge

Apache Pinto head badge, originally uploaded by the_meadows21.

Bought the cool looking head badge sometime back and finally got the time to post it online. The brand is Apache Pinto. Any idea which bike it belongs to? It's NOS.

Raleigh Chopper, 1977 MKII

Score this original Raleigh Chopper several months back. It was stripped down and stored and away as I've run out of storage. Finally managed to squeeze in some free time and decided to do it up. My intention is not to spent a bomb in the restoration. Just enough to make it road worthy, that's all.

End caps with the 'R'
These hooks, does it really helps in braking power?

Yes, without 'it', this bike is just another 'KRIS' or it is?

Luvs the handlebars..

"Sir, there's a rip on your a@#!"

SA 3 speed hubs, dated 77

The original bike's linkage was missing when I bought it from a LBS. So, no choice but to have it ordered from UK. Lucky for me, I have an aunt residing there and she's my main source for helping the get those darn "Made-in-England" spare parts.

The condition of the chrome on this bike is rather pitiful. The previous owner must have left to face the elements alone. There are plenty of pitting. Thus restoration work can really be a challenge and also costly. Given my tight budget, I decided to let it go.

Got this Sturmey Archer 3 speed stick shifter from a fellow collector in exchange for my original Kuwahara Owners Manual. It needed repair. The indicator's not working. Upon stripping it, i discovered that one of the tiny parts in connecting the moving armature was damaged. Well, guess it's time for some DIY. Atleast I got it working fine again...

Well, this is the last time I'm going to ride a Raleigh Chopper again as this one has since been sold to a local collector.

Kuwahara Owner's Manual

front, originally uploaded by the_meadows21.

Found this NOS Kuwahara Owner's Manual at the local Salvation Army. It was actually sandwiched together with some DC comic magazines which I had bought earlier. As I was flipping through the pages, this booklet dropped out. As I don't have a Kuwie with me, I think it should belong to someone who owns one and who could that person be? None other than 'Ketchup', who bought the Laserlite from me earleir on....

Vintage Diamond Back sticker

LGIM0824_2, originally uploaded by the_meadows21.

As I was searching through the tonnes of vintage BMX parts lying around the shop, something shimmering caught my attention. Went for a closer look. Woa! Original NOS Diamond Back sticker! Complete set! Without asking for any discount, I immediately paid the boss and left the shop a happy man. Missin accomplished for the day.
Anyway, the sticker has since been sold to an avid collector of vintage BMX stuff up North.

Old school BMX parts, photos intensive!

Tange grips, blue (sold)

Shimano 600 crank, gold

Shimano 600 crank, blue with front and back hubs.

Number plate

Promax Aero Turbo seat (sold)

More number plates..

Mesh number plate

Kiddy looking number plate

KALIN seat post

Kuwahara grips

E.T pad set with number plate (sold)

Cobra grips, KO.

BMX racing goggles

Fluted seat post, blue

These are some of the old school BMX parts I've amassed over the years. Some sold, some still in storage.

A vintage, colonial times cyclist hat!

Finally, after months of scouting around and interviewing those old trishaw folks resting along Waterloo Street, I manged to track down one of their comrades who still wears a vintage, colonial times cyclist hat.
As I can recall, I remembered when I was a little kid, I always see this gentleman who comes by my house selling bottled soya sauce. Yes. Door to door service. Back then, plastic bottles are still in the infancy. So, alot of recycling works back then, I should say so. My mum would wash the empty beer bottles and used it to contain dark/light soya sauce. So, when the 'soya sauce man' comes round, we'll just bring our empty bottles to him for refill. Very environment friendly, don't you think so?

I also recalled seeing the 'Soya Sauce Man' wearing a beige colored hat, similar to the ones shown. So the suddenly recollection jolted me to seek out one of this hat for that nostalgic feel...

This type of hat used to worn by colonial times British government officials. They would wear their white uniforms, complete with knee length socks and white bermudas. There are actually several versions of this type of hat. Some have a longer and broader back portion, which is like the ones used by hunters on the African plains. There are also french versions. Infact, I'm comtemplating of getting a Vietnamese version too. :P

The material of this hat is rather unique. It's made of cock, which makes it light and yet absorbent. I remembered reading about it on the internet that BITDs, the wearer will soak it in water and wears it. It'll keep the head cool as also acts as an insulator from the tropical heat. I've yet to test it out on my rides, but soon. I hope. Just got to find the time as there're some many new projects up and coming. So many bikes to sell with so little time to enjoy them.

NOS Apollo Kuwahara, Blue....FOUND!! (again) :P

As I've promised the buyer of my Red Apollo, I'll try my best to find another Apollo for him. Guess he is one lucky fellow. Lo-and-behold; Blue Apollo, NOS of course.

Original Promax seat

Original OGK grips from Japan

Serial number at the BB

Well crafted rear drop outs

This is the only part about this bike that I don't like; the seat post and clamp. Cheap material. Maybe to keep cost of production to a minimal?

UKAI rims

Original Dia Compe brake caliper

Bike all tied up and ready for a new home...bye~bye
Bike have since been sold to an avid collector of vintage/old school BMX up North.