Stuff coming back from paint....

Ok, its time to start getting some stuff back. This is Hebert's bike.
Pacenti pro lugs, Pacenti rear drops and Artisan BB shell. Painted by Spectum in Co., this frame is dead sexy! Sachs crown. More coming soon as these were from the painter! DW

Coming soon....

The shop is almost totally set up. I am looking to get one or two more pieces of machinery, like a drill press and another mini mill and we'll be off to the races! This doesnt mean I am not building frames now, it just means I want to build them more efficiently.
The Tig welder is back now. I have to get the shop wired for 220 and hopefully insulated, cause damn, its cold out there!
Up next is James stainless lugged beauty, Nate's fixie training bike, Josh's road bike. Feels pretty good actually getting stuff done again.
Heberts bike should be back from paint anytime now. Pics coming soon!

DW

Ok, lets talk about TIG

Nope, not "Tigger" from Winnie the Pooh. A new Tig rig is "in the hizzle."
Well, its new to me. Much thanks to Dave Bohm for sending me his old machine. It needs some work, but once its running at 100%, theres going to be a few changes happening here at Don Walker Cycles.
I am going to be practicing for a while, but once the practice is over, I'm going to start offering Titanium frames. Yep, you read it here first.
I have been buying up some more machinery and tools to make my shop a more efficient place to work. I will be posting some pics here shortly when the shop is completely set up, but trust me, its going to rock!

DW

Owww, my back!

Ok, so in my efforts to make my shop a more efficient workplace, I bought a new tool. I took advantage of a tabletop mill, made by Atlas, that was for sale locally. The idea was a good one and I think I got a good deal. This was the highlight of the entire deal. Fast foward to when I get home and have to unload it from Bertha, my Ford Expedition. As usual, I was thinking I am still as strong as I was at 21 and tried lifting the mill from Bertha. That 21 year old back ain't 21 anymore (really, its 41 now) and even though I feel strong, it was really way too heavy for one person to lift. I passed the point of no return and had to set it down without dropping it and breaking it. Mission accomplished, however, I am now seeing the chiropractor 2 times per day, every other day. Prognosis; Bulged disc in lower back.
I am icing and taking anti inflamatories quite often. I am laying down for most of the day and have to relax, doctors orders.
I hope to make it back into the shop within a week and even better (depending on how you look at it), back on the skates for hockey in 2 weeks . Anyhow, I will post some pics when I get back out to the shop of the new acquisition.

DW

Best Day EVER!!!!

Ok, this actually hapened yesterday, but its still a great story.
For those that know me, know about my family. I am none too shy about chatting about my kids. Proud of them. I am probably too boastful, but, hey, thats me.My 6 year old, Julianna has had this aversion to riding her bike. Its got training wheels and everything. We've tried it a few times this summer, with her mosty being scared of falling over and it always ends in her just walking/pushing her bike around.
Yesterday, I took her to the lbs and was considering getting her the "peddle trailer" so she would use me and my bike for the balance. The owner of the shop and I were talking about how to solve this non riding issue and sure enough, he just simply asked her "what are you afraid of, whats the worst thing that can happen?" to which she replied "I will fall over and get hurt" and when she said that, he says "well, put your foot down and that will stop you from falling over" (Duh!, why she didnt listen to me the hundreds of times I told her the same thing is beyond me...)
Ok, so we get home and she see's the younger girl across the street riding her bike and decides "If she can do it, I can do it"Out comes the bike, the helmet and the positive attitude. I walked next to her (she still has training wheels) up and down the block about 4 times and then she "gets it". She starts to peddle a bit faster and not use the training wheels for balance as much.
Another hour goes by and she is doing really well and this right here is what makes it the best day....
She says to me, "Daddy, I want to be a bicycle racer!"
My heart fluttered and I might have even had a tear or two develop...tears of joy.
Its not like I havent taken her to Major Taylor Velodrome (5 miles away) so I know she knows what she is talking about.

2028 US Olympic team, watch for her. Her bike will still have "Walker" on the tubes....
DW

Open House? (plus other stuff)

Ok, so it didnt happen. I got pre-occupied with a million other things.
Its been crazy here. The shop is nearly complete, even though its operational. I am doing final clean up and such. The good news is, I should be the most efficient I have ever been. Period.
I will be doing more frequent blog postings as I have a buttload of frames to build. I will do my best to document them all. Plus, I have frames coming back from paint anytime...so I will be posting them as well.
As it stands now, the list of clients is as follows;
Jacob, James, Joshua 1 and 2, Nathan, Les, Frank, Brooke, Jimbo, DW (Yes, myself), Cliff, Steve and Paul. Show bikes will follow.
In case anyone wants their frame made from Columbus Max, I still have 2 sets plus the lugs and matching BB shells. These are the real thing and rare. Made from Nivacrome steel, I am not selling these two remaining kits to anyone, unless its a complete frame. Price is $1,900.00 and includes a matching steel fork.
The garage sale is still happening. All of the bikes listed below are still available. heck, just make an offer.

If you get a chance, hit up urbanvelo.org and check out the article on track bike geometry I had written ( http://urbanvelo.org/category/issue-3/ )on page 44. Happy reading!

Other noteworthy news...I am working with a new graphic designer on a brand new DW logo and font. I will be posting it when I have a proof and put it to a vote for yay or nay.
Thats it for now...

DW

OPEN HOUSE!!!!

Howdy! In case you didnt figure it out by now, I am living in Speedway, Indiana. I am pleased to announce that I am having an Open House for Don Walker Cycles on Saturday, September 8th. I will be having a BBQ (Rain or Shine) and possibly even a bit of liquid refreshment.
I will be posting directions on my blog soon, so mark your calendar and plan to be here!

DW

GARAGE SALE

For Sale 56 CM road bike, Reynolds 731OS tubing, Carbon fork, 1 inch threadless.

Should work with 10 Speed group.

Never built, only used as sample frame.

Fillet brazed with Nickel Silver with ultra small fillets.

Asking $700

email me at donwalkercycles at aol dot com

Garage Sale Part 2

55 cm road frame. Reynolds 525, fillet brazed throughout. Never ridden, built for show only. Its not going to work with modern 10 speed groups, but should with 8 speed. Asking $850

Email me at donwalkercycles at aol dot com

For sale and other stuff

Howdy. In case you dont know me or talk to me on a regular basis, I have been pretty ill for the last 3 weeks. Lost about 11 pounds total and have had zero energy along with some other symptoms we wont get into. To make a long story short, I'm gonna be ok. Its just a virus (according to the doctors) because all of the bloodwork has come back negative. So, I dont have Mono, Anemia, thyroid issues, Gall stones, Apendicitis, an infection or the BIG C (Least thats what the Doc said, but it sure feels like something is going on inside). I should be back to normal in a week or two more, but we'll see how I feel. I should be back in the shop getting bikes cranked out here shortly, FYI. Now, on to another subject. This here bicycle is for sale. I am asking 1650 and it includes professional packing and shipping to the lower 48. Its a 53CM True Temper Velo kit with Columbus S bend Chainstays and 1 inch threaded Max Fork. This bike will accelerate faster than a mouse on crack and handle like a dream. email me at donwalkercycles at aol dot com for details and questions.

Kids and the Indy Zoo!

Gorgeous day at the zoo with the kids. Had a blast! A tank where you can actually pet baby sharks. No worries, they dont have teeth yet....

Aereogramme pics, finally!

Beautiful waterfall, or a thunderstorm/tornado in CenTex?

Fun fun fun....the tornado sirens went off today....been a while since I heard those. They dont scare me though...heard them way more when I lived in Kansas!

DW

Bald Heads and bike frames, or vice versa

Hebert's fixie in progress

Hebert, in the jig!

In the jig for a last fit. I will now prep the tube ends and lugs for braze.

DW

Went to town with "Heritage" and my camera...

Clean lug shoreline

clean, smooth dropout

more clean shoreline

only looks bad because of the reflection, but i assure you, the shorline is clean

yowza!

More of my 15 minutes, courtesy of FGG!

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/reports/nahbs2007/exhibitors/donwalkercycles/

Coming up later today, Hebert fixie build pics.

DW

my 15 minutes starts now!

just got coverage on frameforum.net
click link to view!
http://www.frameforum.net/forum2/index.php?act=ST&f=27&t=3153

thanks fo Neil at frameforum.net for the article!

DW

NAHBS, a few pix

A behind the scene look at my booth.

A pic with Paul Villiers of the UK. He was the man that brought over the newly created "Framebuilder of the Year" award from Neil Hassan of frameforum.net, since Neil couldnt make it in person.

NAHBS is over, time to plan next year!

Got a new car. 01 Expedition. Perfect car for hauling the kids and bikes around. It was a very clean car for 01. The provious owners babied it.

NAHBS teasers....

no names but these are a few of my show bikes...enjoy! DW

Nicks is done

my 3rd lugged bike, ever. for my little brother.

Richie-issimo lugs, Columbus Zona tubing.

DW

chainstays on!

just like it says above....chainstays on. Fun fun fun.

DW