Model Updates and Info -

Although listed as a 27 1/4" wheel, this bicycle was found with what appear to be 700c wheels. They are Mavic "EE2" rims with Shimano hubs. The 5-speed freewheel is a Suntour.

There are a couple other references to this model here and here.

A kind i-bob sent me a copy of the Bicycling Magazine road test for what is listed as the Dawes "Double Blue". Curiously enough, the article was written by a certain Mr. Gary Fisher... You can see a larger image by clicking on these small ones.
larger version - hi-rez version	larger version - hi-rez version

Restoration Notes -

5/13/04 - As I dug into the bottom bracket, it struck me that there's nothing nastier than big spoonfulls of old grease. Almost every internal bearing race had a sizeable dollop of yellowed, circa 70's grease, or the grease had turned into a harndened coating of varnish. Everything came off except for two bits: the fixed cup on the bottom bracket, which was very stuck and confounded efforts even with a sharp-jawed bench vise, and strangely enough, the saddle, which owing to the design of the seatpost remained firmly attached. The seatpost - a TTT with a tilt adjustment similar to the Salsa "Shaft" - the daffy aspect is that the bolt which attaches the saddle comes down from the top, leaving little space for a spanner (sorry, I liked the alliteration...). Everything else is currently soaking.

5/24/04 - A phone call to a local shop serendipitously followed the exit of a customer who just decided not to buy the Surly/MA3 wheel he had special ordered. Looks like we gots us another fixed gear....

I decide that since this bike will probably do more errands, the 14T cog I have lying around probaly won't be the best gearing, so I mosey on over to Harris Cyclery and pick up cogs, a couple of lockrings and a set of single chainring bolts (so that I have extras)

6/6/04 - Things come together reasonably quickly - chainline works well with the chainring on the inside of the crankset - no shimming necessary. This time, I had already dispensed with the rear dropout adjusters (one was pretty bent anyway) before trying to come up with the right chain length. The rear dropouts on this bike are so long that they will allow a tremendous amount of movement - looks like I could run a pretty wide gear range if I set it up as a true flip-flop.

7/04 - Works great! Good errand bike. And it tows a trailer full of Tashi with the greatest of ease. This has nothing to do with the restoration.

9/04 - Added a set of Christophe metal toeclips and blue ALE straps. Also found a set of gum hoods to replace the deteriorated set that I removed. Taped with grey cotton bar tape and added blinky/LED barend plugs. I've been stymied in mounting the fender kit I got, as the threading doesn't seem to match. It could be that the touch-up paint got into the eyelets - I'll need to examine them under better light. And indeed, the Dawes seems to be a keeper...

10/04 - After using the Dawes as my commuter for the past month, I thought it should at least be honored with a photo. The threads for the fenders (plastic Esge-type) turned out to be just a little gummed from the touch-up paint. A bit of judicious pressure worked to chase them. I still need to find a semi-appropriate rack, the tires are a mismatched set from the slag-heap, and the torn up Selle Italia Flite saddle needs to be replaced with a Brooks or similar. Still, it behaves well, has dealt with a wet-weather commute or two and generally has a new lease on life.

02/05 - Received a Riv Hobo Bag for Christmas, and snapped up a honey-colored Brooks with copper rivets and rails. I've ended up using the original TTT seatpost, which works just fine with saddles that actually have clearance above the rails. So, that means the above photo is a touch out of date. If it'd just stop raining here, I'll clean the commute-grime off of the bike and get a new photo posted. You'll just have to take my word for it that it looks a touch more classic these days.

05/14/05 - Finally scrubbed up the Dawes and took it out for it's "fully dressed" (until I find the rack i want...) photo session. This is fully rigged with front and rear fenders, blinky lights, the actual Brooks saddle and the Rivendell Baggins Hobo bag. Also sent this bike in a submission to Fixed Gear Gallery, and it has landed at the auspicous location of #2000!

9/20/05 -Added a rear rack. Decided that I really liked the small yet sturdy Nitto R-15. Luckily, someone listened to my rack dialogue and I received it for my birthday. Mounting was extremely straight-forward. This rack mounts on the seatstays, which keeps it separate from the fender struts. Put it on and unearthed the old Jandd expandable trunk rack from years past. This lets me carry clothing and U-Lock on my commute, lightening the load in my bag. Ended up moving the VistaLite blinkie to the rear of the rack.

12/07 - The non-driveside crank arm broke under load, whilst climbing - photos over yonder on flickr.

Some calculations which get my attention while riding fixed gear bicycles.