The new website and blog are giving me inspiration and I’m going to try something different . Occasionally, when I think about it, I also take pictures of projects in the making, meaning before they are finished.
Project #019 has begun and it’s something a bit unusual for me as it’s not a steel frame! Yes, I know “steel is real” and normally I would agree, but when this customer told me about how she hated her current bike because it was too heavy, I couldn’t resist offering her this unique aluminum frame.
The frame is branded Kettler and she’s called Julia. Kettler is known for making tents and recreational things, but they also made bikes. The more recent ones are clunky and ugly, but sometime in the 80s they also made some very interesting lugged aluminum frames which look incredibly similar to Alan from Italy. To be honest, I don’t think Kettler made these frames themselves, but rather outsourced the production to another company. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
Amongst the Kettler ALU bikes were a handful of higher end models, which were complete with a Shimano 600 AX group. This one was not quite so high end, but it did have some Shimano Dura-ace and 600 Arabesque parts. It also was built for 27″ wheels , so when we exchange them for 700c there will be ample clearence for wider tires, giving a more comfortable ride. More than anything though, I especially like the triangle seat and downtube.
Julia was stripped and sent off for powder coating last week. She going to be painted pearl mouse gray (RAL 7048). I removed the front derailleur braze on because she’ll be a 5 or 6 speed.
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