Monday, February 16, 2009

Maintenance Monday

Ever have one of those days where you basically spend all your time just getting ready for what comes next? Yeah, me too. Today was one of those days. All the little projects I've been putting off began to come to a head as I get ready for the last push before the show, so I banged them out to be able to move fluidly the next week.

Little project #1 - actually screw my bar queue for the paint booth to the wall. Seems like a simple enough job, but then ya gotta drag out the hammer drill, buy the longer tapcons, blah blah blah. I've made up all kinds of excuses the last year why I've not done it, but after having the rack full of product almost dislodged from it's semi-permanent stance, I figured it was time to get 'er done. Nice and tight now ;)
Little project #2 - replace the paint booth filters and clean the ceiling/walls. Yep, if it sounds glamorous, it must be! Nothing but good times here :) I have to replace my filterwall about 4 times a year. Not a hard job, just a pain as I typically wait too long to do the job and by the time I get around to it, the filters are LOADED with paint residue that is Nasty with a capital N. When the filters fill up, the air flow is reduced, so lot's of little nibs and dusties accumulate on the ceiling and walls ready to foul your perfect clear coat. So all the surfaces get brushed, wiped, vacuumed, and then misted so all is ready for a new onslaught of paint this week.

Here's some spanky new filters and shiny walls as a backdrop for Jay's frame, fresh out of the media cabinet and ready for some primer. Paint pics tomorrow night for ya.

Bigger project #3 - I ran up to United Titanium and picked up my Ti end caps for the Luv handles, one more piece of the puzzle to get and I'll be able to finish this months order. Seems that .875 x 035 Ti is very hard to get, as I've been backordered now for two months and my normal multiple sources are all claiming scarcity. I've got enough stock left for February's bars, but was hoping to make some for the show and send out March as well...we'll see.

Little project #4 - I'm doing a bit different color tone for one of the show bikes and prepped these 960's (my favorite XTR crank) for a new finish...a sexy pewter chrome.

Little project #5, 6, 7... slotted Jay's bb, reamed the seat tube, washed/degreased the frame, mounted the new bender and it's pedestal in the mechanics room, bent up a bunch of headbadges, polished dropout plates for the slider bikes, moved my demo rack to make room to move in some more machines, replaced the ballast and switch in my blast cabinet, and finalized the design I'm going to use for Steven's Klunker styled 29er.

So, not much progress today, but now I'm set to really hit it in the paint booth tomorrow right through show time.

Fiddly-bits of Knowledge -

I'm a few days behind on email, so if you have not heard back from me, don't despair. Gonna try and catch back up tomorrow night.

Answer to Emmy's artistic pic was... a LAVA LAMP that resides on my desk.

Out of curiosity, how many of you are going to make it to Indy for at least one day of the show?

cheers,

rody

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rody

I will be at the show...it's too close to home not to go. My plan is to attend some of the siminars and make my rounds. Good luck at the show and hopefully it's good for you.

Larry

Anonymous said...

"Out of curiosity, how many of you are going to make it to Indy for at least one day of the show?"

If you / Bill have my two sets of Hot Rod cranks at the show, I WILL drive to Indy from Chattanooga, TN !! :)

Best of luck at the show.

- Matt the wingsuiter

Roy said...

NAHBS?.... not this year :-(.. but will have the Bigwheel all Rohloffed-up this coming week :-)
Wish youi guys all the best in Indy, pitty the little credit crunch in my wallet doesn't allow me to see you this year, have one (a hot chocolate ;-) )on me!
cheers Roy

CAHRIS said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
CAHRIS said...

I'm coming down Saturday night and hitting the show up on Sunday.

Anonymous said...

I'll be there.
I'm taking the Amtrak out from NYC.
I'll have my prototype hub on me as well.

I'll definitely stop by your booth a bit to nerd out and see your amazing welds up close in person

Unknown said...

trying to make the show work.

I am relatively close, but money/time may be too tight.
Going to see about a carpool from detroit though.

erik

Unknown said...

I'm going all three days! Taking lots of photos and learning a lot.
Craig

RGR said...

I'll be there on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning... maybe I'll pick up my ti luv handles from you there and save the shipping?

See you there -
Roger.

linger said...

Rody,

I will be there Sat. Can't wait to see everything! I'm a bike nerd, I gotta go, plus it's too clost not to go. See you there.
Darren

linger said...

Rody, I will be there, but just Sat. Looking forward to seeing everything. This will be my first handmade show, so I am sure I will be like a kid in a candy store! See you there, can't wait.

Darren Ling

Anonymous said...

Rody, You KNOW I'll be stopping by. And not just to pick up my parts, but to "nerd out" as Lyle said. Do you know anyone from Chicago who needs a ride? Paul Binder