31:47:59

Handlebar attachment design modified and ready for testing.

PICTURE WHEEL BRACE MODIFICATIONS

Braces were modified to accomodate different dimensions between mounting locations on fork legs and those of picture wheel drive.

438 John Doe

45:24:00

FSS 438 "ATILLA" is docked and secured to assigned home port.

499 Harvard Tricycle

2:02:00

0:00:00

24:14:00 Everlaastelodeon

1/2" threaded rod has been brazed to frame to secure handlebar assembly.

Handlebar assembly comprised of two automobile engine connecting rods which have been brazed together.

Bars mounted on frame.

32:08:00

The Morrow Coaster Brake No. 27619 (bottom right) was selected for its unusual design features which include a brake arm on the drive side and a very clever clamping mechanism locking the arm to the chain stay.

The cleaned and polished hub is right at home in track style rear dropouts and hooks up perfectly with the equally well manicured one inch block chain to create the unmistakeable mechanical melodie that only this combination of instruments can produce when set to work. Stainless 10/32 tpi chain adjusters, brass washers, and chromed acorn nuts finish off the primary drive train.

With these positions (438-07, 08) filled, the Captain now must turn his attention to the selection of some very specialized crew members. The duties that The 438 will be expected to perform are of a highly sensitive and grave nature and must be carried out with the utmost of delicacy. 

28:10:59

Mr. Doe (438) has healed beyond expectation in record time and he is most delighted to be reunited with the four other crew members who had also survived those horrific events and were still with him when he was rescued.

With news of the miraculous recovery of 438 and that he had been regrouped with four of his original crew, a long line of applicants hoping to be selected as crew members, not too surprisingly, has formed at the door of The Captain.

A ship such as 438 requires a minimum of 20 crew members. Each crew member chosen will be highly skilled in performing the specialized tasks presented by their individual positions. Some ships maintain crews of 35 or more depending on their mission statements.

Each candidate must not only demonstrate the very highest level of skill for the task at hand, he must also meet vigorous assessments of his compatibility with the other crew members.

The Captain alone must select each candidate as the success or failure of the finished ship is his responsibility. This is a critical point in the full recovery of 438 and there is no room for error.

Two potential candidates for positions 438.08 and 438.18.

22:44:00

Although recovery may have seemed slow, the improvement, considering the extent of the damage, has been very encouraging. The fork is now 100 percent and frame is eighty percent cured. The team anticipates that they will be able to re-install Johns possessions to their rightful locations very soon.

We are confident that he will be up and around in time to be reunited with many of his companions later this month.
See you all at The Larz Anderson Show on August 20.

Continued Recovery and More Clues

During what was a very encouraging examination of the progress of his surface healing after only four treatment applications, another anatomical characteristic was noted as being significant information for our inquiry into the identity of the subject.
1. The Bottom Bracket Shell is offset from the centerline of the frame. The right side measures 44mm from center, while the left side is only 41mm. The overall width of the shell being 85mm, this is certainly too great a difference to be considered an oversight by his creator.

2. Also found during said examination were the faintly visable numbers 2-6-2 stamped into the right side of the seat pin lug.

More questions and still no answers.

While treatments are taking place, some of the few posessions the victim still had were being cleaned, restored, and readied to be reunited with their owner when he is well enough to accomodate them.

This humble writer cannot help but wonder at the tenacity with which our chief inspector has attacked this most mystifying problem. What unusual character makeup would drive one so?

Is he just curious? There must be more to it than that.

John Doe No. 438

The fork has been carefully de-grunged leaving the remains of Nickel plating and spot covering of what appears to be aluminum enamel which very often was a quick remedy to cover plated components that had lost their lustre over time.

John Doe No. 438

The Road to Recovery.
Step One.
Wash - Rinse - Repeat
All jewelry, personal effects and accessories have been sucessfully removed from subject.

Close inspection of the epidermus shows that not only has it suffered the ravages of time but it clearly suffered devastating injuries during whatever events transpired to bring about the ultimate demise of the subject.

Apply liberal coating with a shop rag. Allow to stand for 24 - 72 hours. Repeat.

Although the epidermus is nearly non-existant in most areas, there are a number of locations that have been protected by layers of dried lubricants. The first step toward reviving what is left of the skin is to allow to soak in the above mentioned potion. This will soften the unwanted substances allowing their removal with much less risk of damaging the underlying surface.