a midway bikelog

You can tell Spring has finally arrive here – not because the snow disappeared, or because it’s warmer out, or because of the bulbs sending spikes up, but because the streets have finally been swept. Thanks, city of St. Paul! At least a few days respite from dodging 5 months worth of broken glass and roofing nails.

Spring makes me want to start tinkering again, as i move the bike shop back out to the garage (instead of the basement), and the weather gets warm enough to work out there at night. My latest idea is to try to build a couple of bike racks, filet-brazed, from steel tubing.

I’ve been watching the racks that Alistair Spence (pictured) and CETMA have been making, and watching Curt Goodrich do some brazing was the final inspiration to start something myself. Watching Curt braze is deceptive, because he makes it look really easy, and i know enough to know it’s not THAT easy. Mainly, he’s just very calm and patient; it’s obvious that he’s spend a LOT of hours with a torch in hand.

I don’t think i’ll start with the sort of porteur racks that a lot of people are building, because i’m not sure any of my bikes will work well with that sort of front load. First up will probably be a rear rack with good side support, for carrying my Pa Panniers (which have no structure, really, and can get into the spokes with the Blackburn racks i have now).

I don’t plan to make this a big sideline or anything, just a couple for my own bikes, maybe some other things. I haven’t welded or brazed anything since high school metal shop, but a little copper plumbing work here and there. I’m looking forward to giving it a try, pics to come, if there’s anything worth showing.