Sunday, April 28, 2013

Project Yokota - Yokota Legend K

And it is done! Say hello to the 2013 Yokota Legend K: 2013 Yokota Legend K
There are lots of pictures of the build components and closeups of the components on the final build in the Yokota Legend Gallery. You can also read the full adventure here: Total cost of this project:
  • Yakota Legend Frame - $113
  • Sandblasting and Powdercoating - $150
  • FSA Orbit X Theadless Headset - $40
  • Most Ocelot Saddle - $30
  • Look HSC Carbon Fork - $139
  • Marin 1-1/8” Handlebar Stem - $21
  • 1” to 1-1/8” Stem Adapter - $7
  • 1-1/8” Carbon Fiber Stem Cap - $7
  • SRAM Rival Brake/Shift Levers - $203
  • SRAM Rival Crankset - $185
  • DT Swiss R1850 Wheelset (w/Continental Gatorskin tires) - $300
  • SRAM Force Rear Derailleur - $69
  • SRAM Rival Brakeset - $85
  • Carbon Headtube spacers - $12
  • FSA Wing Compact Handlebars - $38
  • SRAM PG1070 Cassette - $44
  • SRAM GXP Bottom Bracket - $8
  • KMC x10 Chain - $22
  • Profile Design Carbon Stryke Aerobars -$81
  • Shimano Downtube Cable Bosses - $15
  • 4 feet of Black Lined Brake Cable Housing - $5
  • 2 feet of Black Shifter Cable Housing - $6
  • Jagwire Shifter Cable -$5
  • MSC Seat Post - $32
  • SRAM Supercork Handlebar Tape - $12
  • SRAM Rival Front Derailleur - $23
  • Derailleur Clamp - $17
  • Carbon Bottle Cages - $17
  • Look Keo2 Pedals - $100 (est.)
  • Profile Design Forged Flipup Bracket Kit - $28 (est.)
  • Sigma Computer Interface - $25
  • Custom Vinyl Lettering - $27
  • Total Cost: $1881
April 28, 2013 @ 07:20 pm | Category:
Sunday, April 21, 2013

Project Yokota - Update 4

This is the final pre-build Project Yokota update as I’ve now accumulated the final batch of parts for its build. We start with three small parts, the first of these being 4 feet of Black Lined Brake Cable Housing: Black Lined Brake Cable Housing The brake/shifter set I bought came with a cable set, but the rear brake housing was too short, thus this purchase.

Similarly, the shifter cable housing for the rear derailleur loop was too short so I bought 2 feet of Black Shifter Cable Housing: Black Shifter Cable Housing This cable was actually used from the shifter to the downtube boss. The one that came with the shifter had an inline adjuster that I didn’t need because I have adjusters on the boss. So I removed the two pieces of housing and the inline adjuster and replaced it with this housing. I then took the longer of the two removed housings and used it for the rear derailleur loop.

The rear shift cable was too short so I replaced it with a new Jagwire Shifter Cable: Jagwire Shifter Cable

The Most Ocelot saddle I bought a while back can now be installed as I purchased an MCS 26.8mm Seat Post: MCS 26.8mm Seat Post

Once the cabling is installed, the handlebars will be covered with SRAM Super Cork Handlebar Tape: SRAM Super Cork Handlebar Tape

Shifting between the chainrings will be done with a SRAM Rival Front Derailleur: SRAM Rival Front Derailleur

Holding the front derailleur will be a Derailleur Adapter Clamp: Derailleur Adapter Clamp

Needing to carry water, I’ve acquired two Carbon Bottle Cages: Carbon Bottle Cage These actually are the cages I’ve been using on the behind the seat bottle holder on my Pinarello Quattro. Unfortunately they don’t hold securely enough so I’m replacing them with a set of Profile Design Nylon Kage Water Bottle Cages. I’m using the cost of those, $17 here instead of the roughly $23 the carbon cages originally cost me.

My Sigma ROX 9.1 bike computer supports two bike usage, so I bought a Sigma ROX Computer Interface to use here: Sigma ROX Computer Interface This was actually a tremendous deal as I got a great price on it. Not only did I get the second bike kit, I got a complete first bike kit minus the computer. This should allow me to hopefully setup my indoor trainer as well and use this there in the winter.

I love having aerobars on my bikes, but only if I can have Profile Design Flip-up Brackets: Profile Design Flip-up Brackets I won’t actually be purchasing these until next month. Suffice to say the household accountant is less than thrilled with my expenditures of late. :) I can live without them for right now, but having them gives you the top of your handlebars back that the stationary brackets hang over and make them unusable.

And the final item to complete this build, a set of Look Keo2 Max Pedals: Look Keo2 Max Pedals I won’t actually be purchasing these until next month. Suffice to say the household accountant is less than thrilled with my expenditures of late. :) Until I can purchase them I have a set of Look Keo petals that I can take off my Trek 2120 for the time being. The cost here should be $75-$100 which I’m using here and will put the actual cost in my final post, the completed build.

And the finishing touch to complete this build, Vinyl Lettering to replace the logo work which can’t readily be replaced. No picture for this one because it wouldn’t really look right anyway.

So the final estimated total cost of this project:
  • Yakota Legend Frame - $113
  • Sandblasting and Powdercoating - $150
  • FSA Orbit X Theadless Headset - $40
  • Most Ocelot Saddle - $30
  • Look HSC Carbon Fork - $139
  • Marin 1-1/8” Handlebar Stem - $21
  • 1” to 1-1/8” Stem Adapter - $7
  • 1-1/8” Carbon Fiber Stem Cap - $7
  • SRAM Rival Brake/Shift Levers - $203
  • SRAM Rival Crankset - $185 (The cost of the Force Crankset as this wouldn’t have been much cheaper.)
  • DT Swiss R1850 Wheelset (w/Continental Gatorskin tires) - $300 (Estimate of what these would cost had I bought them.)
  • SRAM Force Rear Derailleur - $69
  • SRAM Rival Brakeset - $85
  • Carbon Headtube spacers - $12
  • FSA Wing Compact Handlebars - $38
  • SRAM PG1070 Cassette - $44
  • SRAM GXP Bottom Bracket - $8
  • KMC x10 Chain - $22
  • Profile Design Carbon Stryke Aerobars -$81
  • Shimano Downtube Cable Bosses - $15
  • 4 feet of Black Lined Brake Cable Housing - $5
  • 2 feet of Black Shifter Cable Housing - $6
  • Jagwire Shifter Cable -$5
  • MSC Seat Post - $32
  • SRAM Supercork Handlebar Tape - $12
  • SRAM Rival Front Derailleur - $23
  • Derailleur Clamp - $17
  • Carbon Bottle Cages - $17
  • Look Keo2 Pedals - $100
  • Profile Design Forged Flipup Bracket Kit - $28
  • Sigma Computer Interface - $25
  • Custom Vinyl Lettering - $27
  • Current Cost: $1881
This update was a bit of a spending frenzy except as noted in order to get everything to complete it. The build build is well under way and it’s looking almost like a complete bike. I expect that I can be road ready within the next week…YAY! After that there’s the last couple of things I need to acquire to finish it out as I would like. So it’s nearly time to ride, so close, but not quite.

Previous installments in this series:
Monday, April 15, 2013

Project Yokota - Update 3

It’s now been six months since I started with Project Yokota and have acquired the next batch of parts towards its build. The first item would be a SRAM Force Rear Derailleur: SRAM Force Rear Derailleur

Followed by a SRAM Rival Brakeset: SRAM Rival Brakeset

To install the handlebar stem and set the stack height on the fork, I needed some 1” Carbon Headtube Spacers: 1 inch Carbon Headtube Spacers

And then connected to the stem will be a set of FSA Wing Compact Handlebars: FSA Wing Compact Handlebars

The drivetrain connection to the rear wheel will be a SRAM PG1070 Cassette: SRAM PG1070 Cassette

Holding the crankset will be a SRAM GXP Bottom Bracket: SRAM GXP Bottom Bracket There’s a lot of old grease on it in this picture, but it’s actually in very good condition. Related, I had to buy a Park Tool BBT-9 Bottom Bracket Tool ($16) in order to install it. This is a tool I can use in the future so I’m not considering its cost a part of this build.

Connecting the crankset to the cassette will be a KMC X10 Chain: KMC X10 Chain

If I’m going to ride this bike much at all, I can’t imagine doing it without a set of Profile Design Carbon Stryke Aerobars: Profile Design Carbon Stryke Aerobars

A small but important part, Shimano Cable Boss Adjusters: Shimano Cable Boss Adjusters

So at this point the cost of this project has been:
  • Yakota Legend Frame - $113
  • Sandblasting and Powdercoating - $150
  • FSA Orbit X Theadless Headset - $40
  • Most Ocelot Saddle - $30
  • Look HSC Carbon Fork - $139
  • Marin 1-1/8” Handlebar Stem - $21
  • 1” to 1-1/8” Stem Adapter - $7
  • 1-1/8” Carbon Fiber Stem Cap - $7
  • SRAM Rival Brake/Shift Levers - $203
  • SRAM Rival Crankset - $185 (The cost of the Force Crankset as this wouldn’t have been much cheaper.)
  • DT Swiss R1850 Wheelset (w/Continental Gatorskin tires) - $300 (Estimate of what these would cost had I bought them.)
  • SRAM Force Rear Derailleur - $69
  • SRAM Rival Brakeset - $85
  • Carbon Headtube spacers - $12
  • FSA Wing Compact Handlebars - $38
  • SRAM PG1070 Cassette - $44
  • SRAM GXP Bottom Bracket - $8
  • KMC x10 Chain - $22
  • Profile Design Carbon Stryke Aerobars -$81
  • Shimano Downtube Cable Bosses - $15
  • Current Cost: $1584
This update brings a number of the moderately pricey drivetrain components and the big ticket aerobars that probably could have waited. But as much as those cost, that’s about 50% of what a brand new set would cost. And these ones are pretty close to being like new. So those were a “bargain” purchase at the time. With the parts I now have I’ve actually started the build and it’s now looking like a bike and not a pile of money er, parts sitting in a box. Within the next couple of weeks or so I should have everything I need to complete this project. So there should be one more update coming before the final build. I anticipate that it should be road ready by the beginning of May. Can’t wait!

Previous installments in this series:
Sunday, March 17, 2013

PolarLava CycleLog V2.6.0 & V2.7.0

It’s been quite a while since I recorded the most recent changes to my CycleLog. I hadn’t documented it previously, but what I would now call v2.6.0 updated the ride display page. When I bought the Quattro last year I needed to update this page to record the litany of new data points it provided over some of my other computers. While working on this I also integrated Google Maps of my recorded route. This is something I started a couple 2-3 years ago being I could record them on my phone using Google’s nifty My Tracks Android application. Once recorded I could easily create an external link to the map, but I’ve finally embedded them into my CycleLog data. I now just pull the map embed code to include with my logged ride data. Presto, maps right on the ride page!

For v2.7.0 I’ve updated the Cycling Yearly Summary page. The quick and simple change was another that I’ve been wanting to do for quite some time. That being, reverse the order from first to newest year (1995-2013) to now be newest to oldest year (2013-1995). The accumulated “Lifetime” section still appears at the end as it always did. The other more significant task was adding a “Rides Table” that lists all rides for that year in tabular form. And being this can be pretty long, it’s initially collapsed, but can be toggled open for viewing. Each entry date links to the actual ride if one wants to drill into any particular ride being this table only contains the basic ride data. In any case, it provides yet another way of looking at the large amount of data that I’ve accumulated over the years.
March 17, 2013 @ 06:12 pm | Category:
Saturday, March 16, 2013

Project Yokota - Update 2

I’m now 5 months in with Project Yokota and have acquired a number of additional parts towards its build. First up would be the “good as new” Look HSC Carbon Fiber Fork: Look HSC Carbon Fiber Fork

Next up would be a Marin 1-1/8” 90mm Handlebar Stem: Marin 1-1/8

Being the headtube, headset and fork are all 1", I need a 1" to 1-1/8" Stem Adapter for the above stem: 1 in. to 1-1/8 in. Stem Adapter

Also to deal with this same issue, instead of the 1” stem cap that came with the headset I bought, I need this new 1-1/8” Carbon Fiber Stem Cap: 1-1/8 in. Carbon Fiber Stem Cap

Digging deep into my pocket I bought the most expensive thing I’ve had to purchase yet, a set of SRAM Rival Brake/Shift Levers: SRAM Rival Brake/Shift Levers

And digging almost as deep I bought a SRAM Force Carbon Fiber Crankset. But that’s for my Pinarello Quattro, but the purpose was to take the SRAM Rival Crankset for this project: SRAM Rival Crankset

Similarly I bought a SRAM S60 wheelset for the Quattro so I could repurpose the DT Swiss R1850 Wheelset for this project as well: DT Swiss R1850 Wheelset

So at this point the cost of this project has been:
  • Yakota Legend Frame - $113
  • Sandblasting and Powdercoating - $150
  • FSA Orbit X Theadless Headset - $40
  • Most Ocelot Saddle - $30
  • Look HSC Carbon Fork - $139
  • Marin 1-1/8” Handlebar Stem - $21
  • 1” to 1-1/8” Stem Adapter - $7
  • 1-1/8” Carbon Fiber Stem Cap - $7
  • SRAM Rival Brake/Shift Levers - $203
  • SRAM Rival Crankset - $185 (The cost of the Force Crankset as this wouldn’t have been much cheaper.)
  • DT Swiss R1850 Wheelset (w/Continental Gatorskin tires) - $300 (Estimate of what these would cost had I bought them.)
  • Current Cost: $1210
This round I got a number of the most expensive parts purchased which really pushed up the cost of this build. That being done I now have a litany of smaller cost items and only a couple of roughly $100 items to go. At this time these items are all sitting around waiting for some other critical components so the actual build can start. Hopefully within another month or so I’ll have acquired enough of them to get started with that.

Previous installments in this series:
Saturday, February 02, 2013

Project Yokota - Update 1

So here’s where I am after 4 months with Project Yokota. I had to buy a Park Tool BBT-22 ($22) to remove the bottom bracket that came with the frame. Being a tool this is something I can reuse, so I am not considering it a cost of this build. Removing the handlebar stem, the front fork and the headset was relatively easy and didn’t require any new tools. Once I was down to just the frame I took it to be sandblasted and then powder coated…bright yellow: Yokota Legend, Yellow Powder Coat

I had the fork done as well being it was only about $10 even though I don’t plan on using it.

Next up I bought a new headset. I’m switching from the old style threaded headset to an FSA Orbit X Threadless Headset: Yokota Legend FSA Orbit X Threadless Headset

And most recently I got a steal of a deal -less than half the price I’ve ever seen it for, on a Most Ocelot Saddle: Yokota Legend, Most Ocelot Saddle

So at this point the cost of this project has been:
  • Yakota Legend Frame - $113
  • Sandblasting and Powdercoating - $150
  • FSA Orbit X Theadless Headset - $40
  • Most Ocelot Saddle - $30
  • Current Cost: $348
Not too bad as the expensive parts are yet to come with the fork, wheels and drivetrain. That’s when the cost will really start go up, so let’s keep that between us and not tell my wife. :)

Previous installments in this series:
Saturday, October 06, 2012

Project Yokota

Because I don’t have enough bikes, I bought another one! Well, actually just a frame. More specifically a 54cm, 1989 (I think) Yokota Legend steel frame. And it looks like this right now: Yokota Legend
If you click on the image it will take you to the gallery with a few more pictures from the Ebay auction. I paid $113 for it with shipping, so a reasonable sum. That’s only the beginning because my intent is to build it up with and 8 or 9 speed cluster. (That’s a 16 or 18 speed for the non-cyclist.) So in order to finance this I’m planning on stripping my Centurion Ironman Expert that I bought from a friend in 2008 and selling just the frame. The details of that project can be found in the Rehab: Centurion Ironman Expert post.

Anyhow, I’m doing this for a number of reasons. The Centurion is an awesome bike, but it’s a 57cm which is just too big for me. After rebuilding it I put it on the road once and it now is my indoor trainer bike. It just doesn’t fit me so I’ve decided to sacrifice it for the sake of this project. I’m going to strip the parts and sell the frame for the cash. Depending on how much that brings in —more than I paid for the Yokota, should help finance the parts I want for this bike. I can also use the parts from it to rebuild this in the meantime or if I get enough for the frame, sell these parts as well. I’d sell the whole bike, but I believe I’ll get more for it by parting it out. Plus selling a complete bike is a hassle, at least shipping it is. And I don’t know how long it’s going to take to accumulate the cash and in turn parts to build this out the way I want it.

Another issue is the condition of the paint. As much as I’d like to restore this bike now, after receiving it the finish isn’t in as good of condition as I had hoped. Thus I’m thinking about having it stripped and repainted. Obviously an additional expense, but one that in the long run should be worth it. I’m looking forward to this new adventure and will post more on it’s progress in the future. But right now it’s all just a dream!

You can read each of the installments in this series:
Monday, May 11, 2009

Down, Out & Back

In a case of unfortunate timing with little control over the situation, last week I started riding again after a 3 week layoff.  This was most unfortunate as I was really starting to feel I was hitting my stride.  I was moving from the drudgery of getting in shape, to the fun of enjoying riding.  So where did it all go wrong?

Things were great, but then I got up early that Monday morning to take care of our dog and noticed my upper respiratory system felt searing.  This is a clear sign that you shouldn't ride as it's only going to aggravate the situation and make it worse.  Thus I didn't ride, but things quickly went from bad to worse.  I went to work that morning and promptly left after my first meeting of the day.  I was out that day and worked from home the next.  On Wednesday I was feeling better and went to work.  Apparently things weren't in full recovery, because by late afternoon I was back home in bed.  I stayed in this largely dysfunctional state until Friday when I trudged off to the doctor.  Having a history of these sort of issues I had no desire to get pneumonia again.  I seemed to be on the mend, but they sent me for a chest X-ray that was clear.  Unfortunately I still had a lingering runny nose and chest congestion that continued into the next week.  They put me on a course of Z-pak Thursday and after two doses I broke out in hives and quit taking it.  I continued to feel better nonetheless and just ended up resting for the third week and taking the usual array of meds that I have from my allergist.

I actually dealt with the situation rationally, but felt last week I could start working out again.  On Tuesday I was still wondering if it was going to really pass or whether I was going to backslide yet again.  (This is a common problem for me when I get sick.)  But fortunately things did get better.  Unfortunately, I sort of in a mini getting restarted mode.  I'm remaining positive about it and other that an occasional lingering cough I'm generally over it.  The biggest issue at the moment is during one of my coughing fits during the second week I popped something in my sternum.  This only hurts when I take really deep breaths, cough and/or sneeze…particularly sneezing.  OUCH!  This is probably going to take some time, but I refuse to let it get the best of me.  Onward and upward.
May 11, 2009 @ 12:58 pm | Category:
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