Additional to yesterday’s put up, I notice one or two of you may need gotten the impression I wasn’t happy to obtain a Shock Marinoni:

Nothing might be farther from the reality. Nothing is extra thrilling than a brand new bike–even when it’s an previous bike that wants loads of work–and this morning I instantly set about making ready it for its maiden voyage (with me anyway):

Since this was only a “attending to know you” experience, and my time was restricted, and it was raining out, I did absolutely the naked minimal of prep to get it rideable, although I did after all change the saddle. As you may think about, the arrival of one other lugged metal highway bike with an Italian title (even when it was inbuilt America’s cardboard Burger King crown) made you-know-who extraordinarily uncomfortable, and I in all probability shouldn’t retailer them collectively as a result of I wouldn’t be shocked if the Marinoni met with an “accident” within the very close to future:

By the way in which, after I wheeled out the Faggin for that picture, I found the rear tire was flat; heroically it carried me 70 miles simply the opposite day, and had the decency to attend till I bought dwelling to deflate itself.

In the meantime, after giving the Marinoni its cursory tune-up, I used to be possibly two or three miles into my wet experience when this occurred:

As I stood there listening to the dying rattle I knew precisely who accountable:

I’m not going to call names, however she’s pink, she’s Italian, and he or she must fucking recover from it already:

Right here’s the homicide weapon:

So I set about repairing the flat:

Which afforded me the chance to snap a fast crotch shot:

One thing, ovalized chainstays, one thing energy switch, one thing one thing.

After fixing the flat I thought of simply heading again dwelling, however I figured I’d gotten my unhealthy luck out of the way in which and I ought to proceed quite than being a “woosie.” So what do you study driving a motorcycle within the rain for an hour and a half?

Nicely it actually feels prefer it might be an important bike, although I used to be distracted by the drivetrain:

Whereas I’d taken a little bit time to regulate it, shifting was nonetheless hit and miss, and given the age and situation of the elements this might be on account of any variety of causes: worn chain, worn cables, worn cassette, or any mixture thereof. I additionally assume the derailleur could also be a little bit tweaked:

So clearly that complete state of affairs goes to require consideration.

Experiencing the bike within the mild of day (comparatively talking given the climate) additionally gave me an opportunity to take a greater have a look at the situation of the end:

There are numerous scrapes, and in addition a ding within the prime tube:

However total it’s in higher situation aesthetically than you-know-who, which suggests the vendetta is just going to accentuate:

I’m not even going to try to parse its experience high quality, dealing with, blah blah blah, as a result of come on:

However it’s completely a motorcycle I need to proceed driving, and I’m keen to handle the drivetrain points so I can achieve this free from distraction:

As for what that may entail, I’ll have to verify my elements stock and make part compatibility spreadsheets and maintain a bunch of conferences with the board of administrators, however within the meantime after an hour and a half within the rain (to not point out getting stabbed within the rear tire) the ‘Noner has formally been baptized:

Spring is certainly the season of rebirth.