Harry P.

Remember, don't post any hints or answers here. PM me with year, make, and model. The answer: 2009-present Lifan 620

We think the same way.

I bought the bike at Morrie Mages Sports on LaSalle Street, downtown. Any of you Chicago guys remember that store? From ESPN.com... 620 N. LaSalle. That's all you had to say. It was a Chicago landmark, just as famous as the John Hancock Building and Buckingham Fountain. Seven floors of sports. Plus a basement. Bears gear, Blackhawks gear, Cubs, Bulls, Sox, Sting! There was no place in the country like it. It was more than a shopping experience. Bought out by MC Sports in 1987 and now a Sports Authority with a huge Nike ad on the side of building, the apparel cathedral with the hand prints of all Chicago sports heroes on the front of the store was once a must-see destination for anyone living or visiting the city. You either did one or all three things when you went downtown: Walk down State Street, go to Uno's or Gino's Pizzeria, and buy something from Morrie Mages. And if you missed the last one, your trip to Chicago was incomplete.

Oh well. Guess I'll keep it!

I've seen their stuff on ebay... very nice.

But what isn't made in China these days?

The partially open rear windows are a nice touch.

Boy, ain't that the truth...

It's hanging upside down from one of the garage roof trusses... but I found this photo online which is the exact same make and model... even the color is exactly the same...

Far out, man...

Yeah, but that's what they're called. I have the box!

I bought a 10-speed Motobecane Mirage way, waaaaaaaay back in the 70s. I still have it, and it's in perfect condition... metallic blue paint–it's really a nice looking bike. I wonder if it has any value as a collectible bike? Anyone into vintage bicycles who might know if the old 10-speed is worth anything?

That's what scares me... that it still might snow!

There's another thing I keep putting off. I have not ridden my bike in literally several years. It's way past time to get back on the thing and put some miles on it. I used to bike pretty good... 20-30 miles a ride, but haven't done it for years. Time to get back on the horse. It's a real nice Trek 21 speed... too nice a bike to just sit gathering dust in the garage.

No, my "workbench" is the dining room table. Leaving all that stuff out is just too tempting... I'd rather build models than clean gutters... so putting it all away tends to make me focus on the boring but necessary homeowner chores. If I left it all out, I'd never get any house stuff done!

Well, it looks like spring has finally sprung, which means time to get at that long list of household chores I've been putting off. A lot of landscape work, some minor home maintenance stuff, cleaning out the garage, and general spring cleaning overall. Which means my weekends will be taken over with homeowner type chores... no time to build anymore... not for the foreseeable future, at least. I packed up all the model stuff–took me almost a whole day, so chances are it's not coming back out until the fall, when I can devote more time to it. For now, it's homeowner chores. Just today I replaced all the broken Malibu lights along the front walk, and installed a new master bath sink and faucet. A good day's work... but that's just the tip of the iceberg! Happy spring!

Not my cup of tea, but very well done! I like the design overall, it's well thought out and very nicely executed. I see craftsmanship everywhere, and that's cool.

It depends on your definition of "satisfying." For me, it's overcoming the flaws inherent in just about every Pocher kit... figuring out the fixes and making things work despite Pocher's best efforts to put up roadblocks. But I admit that building a Pocher is not for everyone. Most people will give up in frustration at some point. Assembling the wire wheels alone will drive most builders nuts. It does take a certain mindset to stick it out to the bitter end... but if you can do that, you wind up with a real showpiece, and the satisfaction that you actually made it to the end without being committed to an asylum!

No need to apologize for the photos, they're fine.

That's a truck???

Welcome aboard, Nigel. Glad to have you.

DM models were manufactured in China. The story is that the Chinese government seized DM's assets, including tooling. That's the story, at least... I can't confirm it. But if that is what actually happened, then it makes sense that "DM" models are now appearing on eBay from Chinese sellers.

Nice work, Ray. The bike in the ravine is a nice touch.

Very nice, Alan! Tom's right... if that was a Galaxie trailer, you would have had a great entry in the MCM/Galaxie contest.

Those springs look fantastic. No wonder you want to show them off!