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.

RIDING HIGH

Is there anything that has not already been done? Maybe we need to just do it anyway and not be concerned about being first.

ALL STEAMED UP

This past Friday evening found us excitedly entering a very impressive old factory building in Waltham, Massachusetts which is now the home of The Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation www.crmi.org. We were there to check out a Steampunk themed show in which two of our crew members had gotten involved. The Orienteer and Straat, aka Fendabenda, were quickly found flying in formation by means of that anti-gravity thing that they do. They were hovering in one of the three gallery areas accompanied by a six-pack of the most interesting and mysterious machines we have seen in quite some time. We had no idea that the usually reclusive twosome had made so many new friends from obviously good tribes. The atmosphere created by so many machines and their creators in such close proximity was so intoxicating we found our heads swooning.

We took our leave, shortly after the announcements, acknowledgments, and awards had been made, comfortable in the belief that our mates would be safe and happy during the six-month cruise they have embarked upon. They do really love having visitors and can be seen at the Museum from now until the end of May 2011. Check out the museum site for hours of operation.

NEW MEMBER JOINS TEAM

In 1898 the Columbia Bicycle Company was apparently living large on profits from tapping the bottomless reserves of pleasure seeking cyclists. Included in their line was offered a wheel known as The Model 49 Racer. This machine was light, fast, affordable and very fixed.
We are delighted to announce that one of these machines has come to reside at our headquarters and has already undergone the initial "What are you going to do with that?" intake process.
Below are some initial contact photographs in all of their usual crappy cell-phone splendor. We will be adding more as the additional preening progresses.

DAAWN

As you gaze detachedly at the array of pieces to your puzzle, an image of the final solution begins to take shape.

Your vision clarifies and an emotional response builds towards it.

The satisfaction created by such an experience is fully embraced until it slowly becomes absorbed into to sub-conscious where it will remain until called upon again by its creator.

This is the moment when you take ownership of the work.

EVERLAASTELODION Breakdown

After marinating in Marvel Mystery Oil for about a month, the crew was finally able to take advantage of the long week-end to break down the "Beast" and remove a mountain of rust and flakey paint.

Once broken down, assessment of conditions were positive save for the fact that the handlebar and stem are still frozen in place by years of exposure.

Next: Stem and bars must be removed.