Personal Purple Platypus Project Progress

[John Williams]

By taking inspiration from so many members in this group, (looking at you, Leah!), and searching for a LOOONG time, I was able to find the 60 frame of my dreams from Ben @ Happy Go Bikes in DC. I agree with the silver aesthetic of so many of you, so, sorting through my parts bins, bicycle recyclers places and other parts hoarders, The winter Purple Prince Project seems completed. The finishing touch was having Cody @ Woody's Fenders fabricate a set of custom designed flats made of Purple Heart wood with a Maple insert.

My color way was minimal, purple, chrome and brown/tan.

It was fun finding old purple anodized parts that I had collected, never thinking I'd use them this way. I still have more bits unused. I'm not a fan of the wide 90 degree Nitto's so many are using. I found an alloy set that mimics 1970's Schwinn upright bikes. The standard for ergonomic comfort, IMHO.

Cranks and derailleur are first generation M900 XTR's. 8 speed rear cassette. Shimano Hubs. Shimano friction shifter from the stone age. Stem is a no name lump from my parts box, polished back to a gem.The Brooks Flyer has been a few of my bikes in the past. The Paul Motolites and Love Levers are a dream match. A better system cannot be imagined...and they are purple! The front rack is the VO porteur rack and the rear is a 35 year old Blackburn, straightened and polished. The purple beartraps had to come from Blue Lug. A few small bits, (skewers, grips, valve caps, bell) were sourced online, as no bike shop had anything in Purple, BUT, the brake and shift cable housings was sourced locally from Dan @ Wild Card Bike Shop, here in Traverse City. (MI) The RH Antelope Hill 700x55's had already had one life on another of my bikes. I really wanted to build a bike around these extralight tires, as, they ARE the MAGIC CARPET of tires. There's just nothing like them. I have RH tires on many of my bikes. (I'm using tubes this time).

I'm hoping to join other Riv riders in upcoming jaunts. It's been a fun winter project shoehorning all of this together into a bike like none other that I have.

(snapshots from a late winter morning attached below)

Happy Trails!

JohnRobertWilliams

Traverse City, MI

https://share.icloud.com/photos/04egJaRgjFmTDOoVj6sJW__6w

[Christopher Young]

OMG is that a beautiful bike! Everything about it, but especially those fenders. Well done!!!

Chris Young

[Steve]

Nicely built  Platypus John!   I've been riding one for going on two years now and I'm still amazed by how versatile it is. Love seeing it with those big 55s and the woodies. 

I've done some riding in your neighborhood on the TART and up into the Lelanau Peninsula. You're living in a beautiful area !!!

Steve in AVL