The Brommie 2!!! - 2008 Brompton M3L - Tempest Blue/Grey
Yes I've done it again! I decided I could not live without the Brompton. I’m getting older now (41) and am going
through a minimalist phase with all my things. Sold my 2009 Subaru Outback and bought a 2016 Yaris. Got rid of
most of my radio gear and only kept the one Yaesu all mode radio. I also recently re-discovered an old video
camera we had stored in the cupboard for years and it had videos dating back to 2005! I saw our house before
the renovations, my kids when they were little and also me and my wife both in shape and a lot healthier! I was
only about 80kgs. Now I am like 100kg! That was a wake up call. I need to lose weight, de-clutter and start living
life properly, and healthily.
So as a result, as part of the de-cluttering, I am looking to get rid of all things cycling and just have the one bike,
a Brompton. I really regret getting rid of my previous one but I also had dreams of going bike touring with it,
which is why I settled on the M6L (6-speed) at the time. But that will never happen so I need to be realistic.
My brother-in-law has my mountain bike and I can use that to tour if I ever get the urge.
My wife has her Brown jersey 3-speed mixte which seems to work great on all levels, so I have gone down the
3-speed route also. Hence the Brommie M3L. Plus it does not take up much space and is slightly lighter than
my previous one.
I previously had an M6L in the Raw Laquer colour. Also had 2-3 bag attachments, Brompton tool, dvd, handlebar bag, book etc. Got rid of it altogether. This M3L though I bought used from Gumtree from a guy in Chelsea, Victoria. Painted in Tempest Blue with Grey sections. It has 3 less speeds than my old one, comes with a front basket/bag, and also comes with the Brompton B Bag for transporting it.
I have paid for half of it so far and these pics were taken by the current owner. The rest is getting paid tomorrow and then it will be sent the day after. I am so looking forward to reuniting with a Brommie again!
through a minimalist phase with all my things. Sold my 2009 Subaru Outback and bought a 2016 Yaris. Got rid of
most of my radio gear and only kept the one Yaesu all mode radio. I also recently re-discovered an old video
camera we had stored in the cupboard for years and it had videos dating back to 2005! I saw our house before
the renovations, my kids when they were little and also me and my wife both in shape and a lot healthier! I was
only about 80kgs. Now I am like 100kg! That was a wake up call. I need to lose weight, de-clutter and start living
life properly, and healthily.
So as a result, as part of the de-cluttering, I am looking to get rid of all things cycling and just have the one bike,
a Brompton. I really regret getting rid of my previous one but I also had dreams of going bike touring with it,
which is why I settled on the M6L (6-speed) at the time. But that will never happen so I need to be realistic.
My brother-in-law has my mountain bike and I can use that to tour if I ever get the urge.
My wife has her Brown jersey 3-speed mixte which seems to work great on all levels, so I have gone down the
3-speed route also. Hence the Brommie M3L. Plus it does not take up much space and is slightly lighter than
my previous one.
I previously had an M6L in the Raw Laquer colour. Also had 2-3 bag attachments, Brompton tool, dvd, handlebar bag, book etc. Got rid of it altogether. This M3L though I bought used from Gumtree from a guy in Chelsea, Victoria. Painted in Tempest Blue with Grey sections. It has 3 less speeds than my old one, comes with a front basket/bag, and also comes with the Brompton B Bag for transporting it.
I have paid for half of it so far and these pics were taken by the current owner. The rest is getting paid tomorrow and then it will be sent the day after. I am so looking forward to reuniting with a Brommie again!
6/11/2021 – First proper inspection and a few personal tweaks
Well I finally got the Brommie home and had a chance to open up the bag and get it out for a proper inspection. I do like the colour of it and there are a few spots of surface rust here and there but over all it looks good and works well. I have changed the handlebar to a flatter one with only a small rise to it. Bought from a friend and fellow Brompton nut in WA. The handlebar grips are Oury’s and I’ll have to clean them up abit or change them completely but they work fine for now. Thinking about putting on some short bar ends that I have on the ends of the handlebar. Just for more grip options, especially when climbing. Also the right non-folding standard pedal is a cheapie plastic Wellgo but it seems to work fine so I’ll leave that there until I break it! I also picked up some hardly used Schwalbe tyres with tubes from another Brompton owner who decided to go with solid tyres instead. The only parts that are damaged are the fenders. I’ll be picking up a new set from yet another Brompton owner who removed them from a brand new bike, in a few days time. I was going to try rig up some sort of water bottle holder for the bike but then when going through my parts bin I stumbled across an old Minoura tribar bottle cage mount. Mounts to the handlebars and I’ll get the cage on there soon. I also added my knog bell and lights which I have had on all my bikes for years. The only thing left to do is change the tyres/tubes over. I’ll do that in the morning then will go for my first ride!
Update: 8/11/2021 - Bottle cage and newer tyres / tubes
Added a BBB cage to the Minoura mount and also fitted the near new Schwalbe tyres. Never replaced tyres on a Brompton before so it was a learning process, especially with the 3 speed hub on the back wheel! All that is left is replacement fenders and that will be getting sorted out this week. Then it will be ready for it's first outing. I am already loving the fact that I have a brommie. I have also ordered a firm suspension block and a proper genuine right pedal as the one on there is a cheapy wellgo one. Yeah I changed my mind about the pedal, going genuine!
Update:11/11/2021 - Old fenders and guards removed
The existing fenders on the bike were still functional but in a pretty poor state. The fender stays had gone out of alignment and as a result it started to warp the plastic. I removed these and may try to fix them down the track with a hot air gun and possible clean up and repaint them to keep as spares. They were also both cracked and overall pretty disgusting as I don't believe they have ever been cleaned, re-aligned or replaced since new.
Updated: 11/11/2021 - New fenders and mud guards installed!
NNew guards look great! Finish off the bike nicely. Bolt straight on and change the tired look that the bike had before. I was lucky to find these locally otherwise would have to order them and wait. I was in no hurry but there is nothing like putting on a new component to brighten up your ride! This is now a mean looking machine ready for the open road! Now just waiting for my right pedal and firm suspension block to arrive and I'll be set. Then again you never know. Brompton Nut up in WA has now enlightened/educated me about the p stem which is not made anymore. I want one now, so have tasked him to find me one! Will give me better reach and a more comfortable ride. The pic of one below is a titanium one which I really don't think I could fork out for. A bit ridiculous, but a steel/normal one will do nicely!