Legnano - for when a Malvern Star is too good

[morini]

I notice the front lamp is made by Aprilia. Is that the Aprilia who make the motorcycles?

Fantastic restoration btw

Some Aprilia motorcycle headlights, particularly JOD Duplo models used on 70's bevel Ducatis, have traded hands for about the equivalent you'd pay for a nice Columbus SLX Campag Super Record 80's roadie.

[Clydesdale Scot]

I was quietly occupying myself at the dining table.
Liz: what are you doing?
Me: I am making skirt guard clips
Liz: what for?
Me: for a bike.
[Liz walks away]


the background
so rather than buy the standard ones, I decided to make a a set [the road less travelled]
skirt guard cord by philip.knight, on Flickr
two blues to match the colour scheme. 3mm elastic cord, from USA.
two packets of large fishing tackle sleeves.
a modified paper clip.
cut the cord to length
poke the thin end of the clip through the sleeve and pull the looped end of the cord through the sleeve.
crimp the sleeves.

I scanned an existing wire clip and made a template. The template was transferred to wood and appropriate diameter screws and nails were fixed to make up the jig.
A dremel was used to cut the tops off the fittings

skirt guard fixtures by philip.knight, on Flickr
a fine diameter wire was used.
0.8mm mig wire is good, but my brother-in-law had exhausted his stock. I baulked at buying a kilograms worth.
I approached the local spring maker (2 suburbs away) and he gave me 3 metres of 0.9mm.

wind the wire around the pegs, remove and snip the end, and repeat. For another 59 times.

then stand back and admire your work. Knowing you have made a hand crafted item.

[Clydesdale Scot]

with skirt guard by philip.knight, on Flickr

so that is done, now onto another two for me.
1. a 1987 custom lightweight designed by and built for Bob Ritter, a friend, and
2. a 1952 EA Boult, also a single owner until a fortnight ago.

my script for a future conversation
Me: Liz, did you want to go shopping?
Liz: what for?
Me: remember those skirt guard clips I was making?
Liz: you want to buy a skirt?
Me: ummm, no, I want to get you a helmet.

[Derny Driver]

Phillip, you are incredible the stuff you fabricate.
Bike looks AMAZING

[Clydesdale Scot]

my script for a future conversation
Me: Liz, did you want to go shopping?
Liz: what for?
Me: remember those skirt guard clips I was making?
Liz: you want to buy a skirt?
Me: ummm, no, I want to get you a helmet.

well that conversation didn't happen.
What actually happened was the family was around on Thursday night after we all went out for dinner for my eldest son's birthday.
My eldest son and his partner are moving from their unit to a house this weekend, and we were discussing how to get around rather than use their cars.
I suggested to my son's partner that I had a bike she could use on the nearby bike paths. She seemed interested.
I showed her the photo and explained to all the background. Liz was again adamant that she would not be riding any bike because of the traffic.
Now if I can get Marisa to ride the Legnano on the bike paths, and we rehearse our lines well beforehand as to how safe, and enjoyable riding can be...

There may be a ever so remote chance the Malvern Star may get ridden.