Repainting my Japanese Cruiser Bike Part 1 Updated

Hanging the bike frame to dry after spraying the third coating of primer.

I'm taking a holiday for myself and won't be doing any work for a while. My artworks would have to wait just a bit and writing too as I have decided to just restore a rather beat up Jitensha vintage cruiser bike.

One of the reasons why I preferred buying a used bike is that I can customize it the way I want to and I started with stripping the old paint that has been chipping away and thankfully, the frame has no rust despite being decades old.
The main reason why I bought a used one is that I don't have much of a budget and it's definitely a steal for its price.

I'm rather becoming obsessed with my new cruiser bike which I take as a healthy and fun obsession.
I started repainting today while yesterday was spent stripping paint and cleaning out old rusted parts with a solution that removes rusts. I also bought new bike parts to replace the old ones.

Decided to paint this one too.

Having a cruiser bike is not very popular for young people around here and I only seem to see them being used by laborers and working mom's in my area, I didn't see much of this in Metro Manila but people don't understand the elegance and nostalgia that this type of bike has. Everyone seems to clamor over mountain bikes with brand names all over them or bikes that cost for at least P50,000.

Audrey Hepburn riding a cruiser bike with a straight
step-through

These bikes are considered romantic and has that style and charm that not all bikes possess, it provides a lot of space for customization but still retain flair with its simple design. Perfect for casual bikers like me.

After the primer, the color is added. Now it's just waiting
for the top coat.

Unfortunately it started raining and I was not able to finish painting important parts of the bike like the frame because it takes at least 24 hours for the primer to dry. I had to stop and wait and hope for a sunny tomorrow.
Nonetheless, I certainly enjoyed painting the bike, it's rather expensive to have them repainted in bike shops s0 I'm happy that I bought a compressor a year ago. It's various uses never cease to impress me. Now I'm able to do it on my own.
Repainting the bike is also a good recreational activity for me as it took my mind off a lot of things.
Hopefully tomorrow, I'll be able to finish painting everything and can start making the wooden handlebar grips, boxes, and box carrier.

Updates:

Repairing the nicks of the fenders with automotive putty

Even the smallest parts were air brushed with the color I
chose. After spraying the color it is then followed by
several layers of the top and final coating.

I decided to repaint the bike the way they repaint cars, a complete and meticulous process that I won't compromise. The weather wasn't as cooperative as I wanted it to be so up to now, everything is hanging to dry and would wait for three days to make sure the paint has dried properly. The next activity on my list is to start bushing the frame of the bike.

Hanged the bike parts on our clothes rack

Nakakatamad na Wala Pang Pera

Walang Magawa, Ngiti na lang

What is this affliction? There are so many things that should be done like start creating and finishing artworks, cleaning up the studio, cleaning up my newly bought bike, clean up the house, and yet I couldn't find the energy to move and it's the same with my friend who needs to finish illustrating and submitting artworks as well. Not really to make matters worse, I have spent all my cash as I bought a new bike and spent it on buying materials for projects. Pretty much I'm grounded in Laguna at my own accord.

I have food and all my needs it's just that I can't seem to know which one to do or what to do at all.

Me: Anong tawag dito? Sa pakiramdam na ayaw mong gumawa at higit sa lahat wala ka pang pera?
Zeus: Bwiset! Bwiset and tawag dyan!

Got for a good price, just need to change the V-brakes and spruce up a few
accessories.

Finally bought a new bike without breaking the bank. A vintage ladies bike that still seems pretty good and will give me a few more years of pleasure riding. Will do some repainting since I'm getting tired of red, perhaps bronze or copper. 

Another great project for a bike. Wooden handlebars! I've always wanted to do a project like this.

Sunday Sweet Solitude

Second breakfast. Matcha Green Tea, Water, French Toast & Pandesal
and Suman

Sunday is my favorite day, it has that sort of tranquility that I can’t achieve anywhere else. Ever since I went back to Laguna I’ve always wanted to stay there on Sundays.

It’s just not the same when I spend it somewhere else.

I try to visit my grandmother on Sunday mornings, walking to her place and have a quick breakfast there around 6am. My grandmother wakes up at 2-3am and does her lifetime work of cooking, at 78 she seems rather strong.

Walking back makes me hungry again so I eat a second breakfast. Eating a lot in the morning makes me eat less in the evening.

There is bliss in staying at home on a Sunday, while opening a can of cat food for 6 meowing cats, washing clothes, and sweeping the front yard of dried fallen leaves to feeding the chickens roaming around the house.

 

The dried roses are looking good after a week of hanging.

If things go well and I feel like interacting with people I simply walk to friends’ houses and have coffee with them in the afternoon, to talk about things that makes sense and things that doesn't, otherwise I just call friends on the phone. If I don’t feel like seeing a living soul I watch the Hannibal TV series or Dexter or some movie or read a book. 

I've come to realize that as I grow old, routine seems very important and I tend to hate it when my schedule is a bit disturbed. Nonetheless, it's a good Sunday to do some house chores and to relax in the triumph when all of it were done in the afternoon.

Investing on Two Wheels

An artist must live a frugal life, something that I have had no complaints about. I eat, get to spend time with friends, eat out with them and drink, and so on without spending so much. I have embraced destitution a long time ago, also one reason why I don’t really go out on dates – it’s too expensive so I prefer less-expensive and modest activities like biking around.

Since my fold-able bike was stolen over a month ago, I have been meaning to buy a new one. This time I’m not getting a fold-able one, I’m getting a Ladies Bike.

As a casual biker roaming around town, I thought it would be perfect. A used one would suffice since I don’t have much of a budget and I'm excited to setting it up the way I want to. Creating boxes on the back and a small wooden basket in front. Something to hold wine at the back and a place I can put my Picnic basket.

I'm rather excited to go around with this sort of bike because I haven't really bought any huge bikes lately as I have settled with practicality and portability. It's nice to see lesbians in this sort of bike talking while riding in nice places like Nuvali, which reminded me that it's a nice date activity.
There are also bikes for rent in Nuvali, I went out with someone way-way back and we rode bikes, hanged out on the pier when there were several of them still despite being inaccessible to people. It was a cheap way to go out because rentals only cost about P60 an hour and that's enough to bike around the place. Picnicking afterwards is also inexpensive and relaxing. It's possible to drink wine without paying corkage or have tea or coffee. Several sandwiches, salad, fruits, and cheese and that should be enough.

It also means that whenever I'm stressed out with work, I can easily just go to Nuvali and go take a round then have milk tea at a friend's tea house. :) Going around with a foldable bike is rather difficult.
I'm looking forward to this as I'm very thrilled.

Better this than Injured Dignity

Si Mynx! Ang munting kuting!

Over the weekend I injured my right wrist, it was due to the fact that I have been carrying too many heavy things and doing too many things. It doesn't hurt much but I know something is wrong and it's not going away... It doesn't hurt so bad maybe the pain is a 1.7 out of 10 which is practically nothing. Can't count how many times I've injured this hand... Football, carpentry, carrying things, etc.

I always say, better an injured body part than injured dignity.

It's a good thing I still know how to wrap my hand. Although it makes work a little bit difficult, it doesn't exactly prevent me from working. This week I shall focus on my articles then move on mid week to commissions and making more books to sell.