Mat's BX Blog

[mat_fenwick]

Managed to find a campsite with Wi-Fi, and this is the view from the van tonight - Mont Blanc in the distance.



Been doing a lot of cycling:



And here is a shot of some vintage machinery...



...with an old tractor in the background!

[themildbunch]

nice -
nice vintage MTB too - what is it?

[mat_fenwick]

It's a custom built frame from '93 (Dave Yates) with bits fitted by me over the years. My Grandad used to be very keen on cycling, so when he died I thought it fitting to invest what he left me on my (at the time) dream bike. It's served me well for many years now.
Pretty much got it spot on for me by the late 90s, so any bits after then are merely replacements rather than upgrades. No suspension means I have an excuse for not being quick, although I've managed to overtake a few full suspension bikers downhill and surprise them somewhat!

[mds141]

Good on ya Mat, full suspension is for wimps!! I've got a Marin Muirwoods that i really need to go for a blast on.

[mds141]

Is that campsite any where near Passy?

[Dollywobbler]

Dave Yates? As in the Citroen-loving, nutty bike-building Dave Yates? If so, I went to his house not long back. He's one of those brilliant engineering eccentrics.

[MULLEY]

I've got an Orange Clockwork, not the original version though, mine's the later one which has triple butted cromo tubes i believe No suspension, that's for masochists, haha..

[mat_fenwick]

On the ferry back now, so got internet access for a while...

Dave Yates? As in the Citroen-loving, nutty bike-building Dave Yates? If so, I went to his house not long back. He's one of those brilliant engineering eccentrics.

Sounds like the same guy - is he still up in Newcastle? Didn't realise he liked Citroens though; might have to let him know his frame is still going strong!

Back in 1995 I ran into a tree with the bike, and snapped the whole front end off. As it was brazed together it was repairable so I sent it back for repair. I'd caught the crash on video, and sent a copy up to him - he laughed so much (his words) that I got the repair for almost half price!

Check out the long hair I had....sadly no sound though.

http://www.myspace.com/v8madmat/videos/video/5038332

[MULLEY]

That video is ace, especially at the end with that person pulling that face, i really laughed at that one, so not surprised that Yatesy did as well

[Dollywobbler]

Maybe a different David Yates who builds bikes then. This one lives near Lampeter and has for some time.

[hilarystone]

The Dave that build bikes near Lampeter is Dave Wrath-Sherman; Dave Yates now lives and works near Market Rasen, he moved from Newcastle about ten years ago…

[Dollywobbler]

Right you are Hilary! My memory is bloody appalling at times...

[mat_fenwick]

I'll post up some holiday pictures later, but tonight was spent fitting the new genuine drop links.



While I was fitting them I noticed a slight amount of play in the O/S track rod end; fortunately I had a decent Lemforder unit in stock:



No problems to remove the old one and fit it, but I'll try and get the tracking checked tomorrow.



I also noticed that the rear height corrector linkage was missing - must have dropped off in the last couple of hundred miles as that's the last time I changed the suspension height. Raided the one from the silver BX for now, but on the look out for a replacement if anyone has one knocking around?

[MULLEY]

Just noticed that you have vented discs, i presume you've got valver front calipers fitted? Does it make that much of a difference over the standard solid discs?

[mds141]

I'd have thought you'd have noticed the valvers stopping power after the brief demo I gave you at Wetherby Matthew.