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Inside ArgonautThe Making of a Custom Bicycle Frame

Photography by Amy Sakurai

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Inside ArgonautThe Making of a Custom Bicycle Frame

Photography by Amy Sakurai

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All photographs and text copyright © 2010 by Amy SakuraiAll rights reserved.

Book design by Amy Sakurai

Release 1.0, July 2010

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This book is for my crazy cycling friends:

Trisha, Jan-Reneé, Bernice, and Jenny

Because I know you each really wants a custom frame

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About This BookBen Farver, founder and bicycle framebuilder of Argonaut Cycles, graciously allowed me to photograph him working at his shop in SW Portland. I did this as my 2010 project for Solo Photo Book Month (http://sofobomo.org) – not as part of any Argonaut promotional or educational material – so complete documentation of Ben’s processes was not part of the mission. The photos are merely a few intimate moments in the day of a fine craftsman. Please accept this collection on that simple basis.

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Argonaut... and StrawberryBen opened his framebuilding shop in 2007 – the same year I decided to start taking photography seriously. Intense immersion into a craft brings about rapid growth and improvement. Three years seems like an eternity ago in terms of knowledge and experience.

In 2009 Ben and his tools moved into the Strawberry Cyclesport / Terra Nova Cycles workshop, owned by Portland framebuilding pioneer Andy Newlands. The photos in this book are in this shared facility, so many are of Andy’s tools and workspaces. However, this is the environment in which Argonaut bicycles are built.

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“I like working with Andy... he really helps me get a good perspective on what I do...

I can ask him about stuff because he’s done things hundreds of times... he’ll give me good insight and help me talk through problems.”

“But mostly it’s just fun to have somebody else around to shoot the breeze with.”

Ben Farver, July 28, 2010

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Building a FrameIt’s amazing to see a row of cut tubing become a very special bicycle frame. Ben works quietly and intently, paying serious attention to detail. So focused on his work, Ben did not seem to notice the photographer fluttering about.

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“(for the customer) overall the sense they get from the bike is that somebody took a lot of time and care and expertise in making it... they got this one-of-a-kind piece of craftsmanship that they’re proud of – and makes them happy – and makes them excited to ride a bike.”

Ben Farver, July 28, 2010

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“I’d like the Argonaut brand to be known as being a quality product – and known as being a representation of the craft that is framebuilding.”

Ben Farver, July 28, 2010

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Argonaut BicycleThe timeframe of this photo book project did not allow for me to follow construction from tubes to a fully-finished bicycle. To illustrate some of Ben’s attention to detail, I took a few photographs of his personal bicycle.

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Notes

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Andy Newlands in the ShopNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 28mm, 1/8s, f/8, ISO 200

Cover Photo: Fork DetailMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1.5s, f/16, ISO 200

Pedrazzoli Cold SawMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1.5s, f/16, ISO 200

Andy NewlandsNikkor AF 85mm f/1.4D@ 85mm, 1/125s, f/2, ISO 400

Argonaut / Strawberry ShopNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 17mm, 1/10s, f/5.6, ISO 200

Pedrazzoli Cold SawMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/8s, f/5.6, ISO 200

Emco Lathe ControlsMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1.5s, f/16, ISO 200

Argonaut / Strawberry ShopPortland, OregonNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 17mm, 1/500s, f/5.6, ISO 200

Emco LatheNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 19mm, 0.7s, f/8, ISO 200

Collets for the LatheNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 26mm, 1/6s, f/5.6, ISO 200

Argonaut / Strawberry ShopNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 38mm, 1/3s, f/8, ISO 200

Emco LatheMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/8s, f/5.6, ISO 200

Controls for EmcoCombination Milling MachineNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 38mm, 1/6s, f/5.6, ISO 200

Argonaut / Strawberry ShopNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 32mm, 1/4s, f/11, ISO 200

Acetylene Gas RegulatorsNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 40mm, 2s, f/16, ISO 200

Bridgeport Vertical MillNikkor AF 85mm f/1.4D@ 85mm, 1/125s, f/2.8, ISO 400

Strawberry Sign in the ShopNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 32mm, 1/4s, f/11, ISO 200

Brazing RodsMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 3s, f/16, ISO 200

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Operating the LatheNikkor AF 85mm f/1.4D@ 85mm, 1/90s, f/2, ISO 400

Hand ToolsNikkor AF 85mm f/1.4D@ 85mm, 1/90s, f/2, ISO 800

Head Tube with BadgeMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/6s, f/5.6, ISO 200

Working at the Belt GrinderMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/10s, f/4.8, ISO 800

Hand ToolsNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 20mm, 1/4s, f/8, ISO 200

Ben Farver at WorkNikkor AF 85mm f/1.4D@ 85mm, 1/90s, f/2, ISO 400

Working in the ShopNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 32mm, 1/10s, f/8, ISO 200

Brazing the FrameNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 28mm, 1/180s, f/2.8, ISO 400

Ben Working at the LatheNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 22mm, 1/60s, f/4, ISO 800

Working in the ShopNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 17mm, 1/45s, f/5.6, ISO 800

Tubes for the FrameNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 31mm, 0.7s, f/16, ISO 200

Ben Working at the LatheNikkor AF 85mm f/1.4D@ 85mm, 1/45s, f/4, ISO 400

Working in the ShopNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 17mm, 1/45s, f/5.6, ISO 800

Working on a LugNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 48mm, 1/90s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Ben’s WorkspaceNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 26mm, 1/45s, f/2.8, ISO 400

Argonaut BadgeMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 0.7s, f/8, ISO 200

Working on a LugNikkor AF 85mm f/1.4D@ 85mm, 1/90s, f/2, ISO 400

Checking FitNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 19mm, 1/90s, f/4, ISO 800

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Brazing the FrameNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 55mm, 1/125s, f/4, ISO 800

PrecisionNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 44mm, 1/45s, f/4, ISO 800

Seat Stay DetailMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/4s, f/8, ISO 200

Brazing the FrameNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 22mm, 1/250s, f/2.8, ISO 400

Hand-shapingNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 40mm, 1/125s, f/2.8, ISO 800

Working on the Rear DropoutsNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 30mm, 1/45s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Taking ShapeNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 24mm, 1/4s, f/8, ISO 200

Brazing the FrameNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 44mm, 1/350s, f/4, ISO 800

The Custom FrameNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 30mm, 1/10s, f/4, ISO 200

Frame DetailMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1.5s, f/16, ISO 200

Brazing the FrameNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 40mm, 1/180s, f/4, ISO 800

Head Tube / Argonaut BadgeBen’s Argonaut BicycleMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/3s, f/8, ISO 200

Bottom Bracket Shell DetailMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1.5s, f/13, ISO 200

Brazing the FrameNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 45mm, 1/125s, f/4, ISO 800

Down TubeBen’s Argonaut BicycleMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/3s, f/8, ISO 200

Rear DropoutsMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/10s, f/5.6, ISO 200

Brazing the FrameNikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G@ 26mm, 1/125s, f/4, ISO 800

Ben’s Argonaut BicycleMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/3s, f/11, ISO 200

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Saddle DetailBen’s Argonaut BicycleMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/3s, f/5.6, ISO 200

SaddleBen’s Argonaut BicycleMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/3s, f/11, ISO 200

Self-portraitAmy at Argonaut / StrawberryMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/60s, f/2.8, ISO 200

Ben’s Argonaut BicycleMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/6s, f/6.7, ISO 200

Rear Dropout DetailBen’s Argonaut BicycleMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/4s, f/5.6, ISO 200

Fork DetailBen’s Argonaut BicycleMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1.5s, f/16, ISO 200

Top TubeBen’s Argonaut BicycleMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/10s, f/3.3, ISO 200

Ben’s Argonaut BicycleMicro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G@ 60mm, 1/8s, f/4, ISO 200

All photos were captured using a Nikon D300 DSLR, saved in

NEF (Raw) format, and processed using Adobe Lightroom v2.2

and Adobe Photoshop CS3 on an Apple Power Mac G5 with 23"

Apple Cinema Display.

Lenses used:

This book was created using Adobe InDesign CS3, Adobe

Bridge CS3, and Microsoft Word 2008 under Mac OS 10.5 on

the Apple Power Mac G5.

An interview with Ben was recorded using the Griffin

Technology iTalk app on an iPhone 3GS.

The font Myriad Pro is used for all body text and book title text.

The font Alexa is used for section name text and Ben’s quotes.

Nikkor AF 85mm f/1.4D,

Nikkor AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G,

Micro-Nikkor AF-S 60mm f/2.8G

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PostscriptMy schedule had been horrific in June and July – and there was the strong possibility that I would not complete a SoFoBoMo project in 2010. Ben Farver came to my rescue by granting my strange and sudden request to allow me to photograph his operation. I made visits to his shop for photo sessions on July 15, 19, 21, 22, and 30 – averaging two hours per visit. Separately I did a brief interview with him over lunch on July 28.

Neither Ben nor I knew what to expect, but I’m happy with the photos that I came away with. This was a fun exercise. And I was able to get this book finished just in time to meet the SoFoBoMo deadline of July 31. Whew!

I hope in some way that Argonaut benefits from this little photo essay, too.

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CreditsI thank Ben Farver and Andy Newlands for their extensive hospitality and patience. They are both great guys with whom I enjoyed visiting and getting to know a bit. I wish them both great success in their endeavors.

The Argonaut Cycles website is: http://www.argonautcycles.com

The Strawberry Cyclesport website is : http://www.strawberrybicycles.com

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About MeI started exploring photography in 2007. I’m an artist in general – but also a technogeek, as I make my living as a software developer and IT analyst. I’m loving my excursion into photography. Perhaps it will be a big part of my retirement or second career.

I’m also a writer, although I don’t get the chance to write much for myself. I write a lot of technical documentation at work, and I maintain a personal blog, so my keyboards get a decent workout every day.

On the web, here’s how to find me:

http://lovelyangel.livejournal.com

http://lovelyangel.zenfolio.com

http://members.macconnect.com/~lovelyangel

Blog:

Photo Gallery:

Website:

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A book by Amy Sakurai / Kokoro Designworks