Accepting applications...

The apprentice position has been filled, thank you.

DW

What the heck is he making????

guesses?

DW

Oh yeah...

Best Christmas presents by far!

A book about The Clash and a bottle of Clynelish Single Malt Scotch!

Thanks, and Merry Christmas!

DW

Schickels in raw state

I just finished Nate's bike. I need to chase and face, ream and slot the seattube and pack it up for the painter. Its outta here Monday. Theres still a bit of flux and a few boogers of silver that need to be removed, but for the most part, this is it. Enjoy!

DW

Some pics of "Schick's"

Before and after's of Downtube lug and seat lug.

Brazing and keeping my bald head warm.

A little flame on lug action....

A few in process pic's of Shickel's Max tubed fixie. The lugs are only slightly modified...

I still have 4 sets of MAX left.

DW

T shirts!

yaaay! They are finally here!

Small - XL only 12 bucks plus 5 shipping in the USA, XXL are 15 plus 5 shipping.

better pics tomorrow.

DW

Look!

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/nahbs-honours-original-six-framebuilders-19246

coverage of NAHBS on Bikeradar! Woooohooo, we're rolling now!

DW

The "Gold Watch"

So, there I was working on the lathe yesterday when I hear a "Hiiiiiii, lets go for half priced Martini's!"
Ok, Dawsons is 3 doors down from the shop. Yes, I have been known to get a drink after work, why not? It was 5:30. I could close the shop down 30 minutes early... Ok, why not? I hadn't spent hardly any time with my friend. 2 Martinis later for her and a couple Sailor Jerry's and Diet Coke ( I am trying to lose weight, remember?) I am hearing all manner of things I didn't expect.

See, my friend is somewhat a legacy in the "industry" as we who are in it like to say. She is uber smart, talented and seems to damn near be a master of all trades. Off the charts smart, I think. Anyhow, I am hearing how she grew up, how the family lost the "fortune" and how she is lucky she isnt her brother, because there is going to be waaay more pressure on him in a few years.

Anyhow, because the family lost its "fortune", I was joking about the scene from Pulp Fiction with her that this time in her life is her "Gold Watch" and basically her "birthright" after she told me the story of some corporate guys were trying to talk her into dropping her last name. This really perplexed me. Why on earth would someone want you to drop your last name unless they fear you? And fear they must, and fear they shall. My friend is driven, really driven. She has "that attitude" that makes people really take notice of her and they can tell she is going places.

One place she is going is to my shop. I have opened up my framebuilding shop, for the first time ever, to allow someone other than myself to build frames. Why? For her "Gold Watch". Now, my name ain't Quasimoto, but I got a hunch here, I think this is one woman who can and will change the "industry" and I am happy to call her my friend. Go get your "Gold Watch"! You deserve it.

In training....

Yep, the "fat" Don is leaving soon.... stay tuned for pics of my progress....

uuggghhh

Ok, so my hosting company informs me AFTER THE FACT that my account is suspended for donwalkercycles.com so... my website was down for about 24 hours. They never changed over my credit card for that particular account, even though they did with all my other accounts (4). Its just a minor issue in updating my billing with the host. But, it was annoying enough for me to want to scold them on my blog.... get it right, doofuses! There.....much better. I think I can get back to doing more bike stuff and less worrying about hosting stuff. DW

Schickel fork

Max blades and crown... needs a bit of a sandblast but you get the idea.... DW

Here we go....

Big, Fat WHAT, exactly?????

Main triangle in the fixture

Smoking lube on a tube...

Seat lugs are cool.....

Enjoy!

DW

Impending builds

Kart's road bike
Nate's Fixie

James Road bike

Brookes Track bike

Michelles track bike
Nates Track Bike

Laura's track bike
Heyyyyy, its my next track bike....So, thats the build list and associated drawings. Pics of progress as soon as tomorrow plus a whole new batch of drawings coming soon.

DW

Builds in Progress....

Up now we have James, Nathan, James, Nathan, Brooke and Laura. This is only a short list of whats in store for October. It will be my busiest month for like, ever.... . Below is Brooke's seattube cut to length and below that is Karts crown brazed to the steer column. Fun stuff!

DW

More Interbike Pics

I'm slow. Not the kind of slow where it takes me 10 minutes to get a joke, or te kind of slow where it takes me an hour to make minute rice, but just the behind in my duties kind of slow. I'll admit to that. I am. Slow. Really.

So, Paul at 02 Sports Media, the official PR firm of NAHBS, took a couple pics at Interbike. Here they are.

In order, they are of Josh Reddoch of Cane Creek and I and his bike.

Another shot of me with his bike.

Mark Norstad from Paragon Machine Works, Drew Guldalian from Engin Cycles and yours truly.

It really was nice seeing some pals there. I cant wait for NAHBS in Indy!

Interbike Pics

Sooooo, the bike was all built up in the Cane Creek booth. It was pretty sharp looking, thanks to Josh's build. Deda bars, Thomson stem and Cane Creek headset up front with a Ritchey seat clamp and Fizik Arione in the back. Sugino 75 cranks and BB on the bottom and Cane Creek Endurance 85 track wheels with Conti Sprinters rounded out the bike. Thanks again to Josh and the uber cool dudes at Cane Creek for the opportunity!

DW

I'm going to Interbike, in the buff!

Noooo, not a naked framebuilder wandering the aisles at Interbike, but a frame thats in the raw at the Cane Creek booth.

Enjoy!

DW

Meet Dumplyn!

I have a new apprentice. Jennifer "Dumplyn" Dunn is coming in 3-5 days a week to learn about framebuilding, metalworking and all things bicycle business related. She has a great sense of humor and makes me laugh almost all day long. If she picks up the phone when you call, make sure you say "Hi".

hmmmmm, could it be new steel?

It looks like I might actually be up and running now.... heres some evidence. More to follow.

singin along with The Clash while prepping tubes.... or maybe I am pooping my pants... or both?

Flux is a beautiful thing..... More soon!

DW

Track and Fixie For Sale

Howdy!

I have two bikes for sale currently. They may be purchased as Frame/fork or complete bikes with all parts that are hanging on them.

Bike #1 is a Fillet brazed Track "mass start" type bike. 55CM x 2, custom blend of Reynolds and Columbus tubes with a Reynolds Carbon track fork included. Bike has 2 small scratches/chips in the right seatstay. My loss is your gain. This bike is lightly used, but in absolutely great racing shape.

Frame/Fork for $1200 USD (with King HS)

Complete bike with Stella Azzurra Carbon bars and alloy stem, Truvativ Track crank, Bontrager post, FSA carbon saddle, 32h Velocity Escape rims laced 3x to Paul Comp Track hubs with Challenge tubular tires, low miles. $1900

Bike #2 is the Fixedgeargallery.com test bike. (read about it here http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/framebuilders/donwalker/blue/ ) While I wasnt thrilled with the review, that is not the reason I am selling this bike. Its a great sample of what I can do and its just hangin around the shop. Its too small for me, or I would ride it. It has some chips on various areas of the bike, but that doesnt stop it from being a great riding bike. The top tube is 56cm, and the bike was designed with "Fixie" geometry . Cane Creek HS, Reynolds Alloy Bar/Stem, Cane Creek front brake and lever. The cockpit is complete with a Thomson post and Gorgeous Brooks "virgin" saddle. Truvativ track cranks and Cane Creek wheels round out this beauty. Tig Welded Columbus Zona tubing with a Reynolds Criterium fork. Frame and fork only $975 Complete bike $1500

For any further information, please contact me at 317-731-4040 between 10-6 Eastern time or email at donwalkercycles at aol dot com. Thanks for looking. DW