BSA Wayfarer turns Orange Guv'nor / Path Racer part 2

Oh I say, had the call from Pauls Bikes on wednesday. He's finished building the wheels and putting the old bottom bracket together. First thing this morning I popped off, got my hair cut and then picked up the frame and wheels. All looking quite good once thrown together (the bike not my hair-cut).

Front Wheel built around a Strumey Archer X-FD hub, an ebay item for about £30 ages ago.

Rear wheel built around a Sturmey Archer SC2 Duomatic hub giving two gears and a brake all controllable by the power of ones mind the back pedal, another ebay item for around £79 delivered.

Frame and wheel build set me back £127 for spokes and labour...again another good job from Pauls Bikes.

Assembly Time!!!..."The 2p trick" posted by David B suggested a good scratch free way to get the North Road Handlebars  set in the stem, worked a treat, cheers David B. Another £29 blown on the bars tho...

The wheels and crank added...starting to get somewhere, hopefully a ride today then!

A few cracked knuckles later and she's ridable, using a temp saddle, I'm thinking of going with the Honey B17 Brooks saddle and grips or bar tape like my Guv'nor Plus Four. Warning, an original part was used; the original seat post was polished and used for demonstration purposes only. Normal blogging to resume!

Mind you it works just as well as a roadster, probably even more comfy too.

I had to take it for a ride, thankfully I live on a quiet street so if there was any drama I'd be fine especially as I haven't fitted the front brake and I'm relying on the duomatic for braking. How did she ride, quite well actually, lots of rubber so comfy and the 46T crank and hub gave some fair gearing too. I'm still not sure whether to go path racer or roadster but that's a quick flip of the handlebar and I'm done.

As for the duomatic she'll take some time to get used to on her own, its not natural for me to brake with a back pedal but I did enjoy the gearing, a simple deliberate kick back and I got a higher gear that felt solid and reliable, I'd happily stand up and give it some...what more could you ask for, I'd recommend!

A few jobs to do and a few bits to source but finally getting there...and she does look lovely in the sunlight.

Time for a quick beer and the maths...extras not mentioned, MKS pedals (ebay £24,70 delivered), cotter pins (ebay £2.45) and SRAM chain (included in the £127). Total spend now a heady £547.17, would have been cheaper to buy a new Guv'nor by the time I'm finished, but how many orange ones are there...thankfully non I hear you cry!