Am I CrazY? Please tell me...

[BrigmasterA]

So since I got into this whole ratbike thing(roughly a month) my mother has asked me if I could refurbish a bike of hers that has been "yard-art" for as long as I can remember... And my sister-in-law has asked if I'd build her a bike... Is it selling out if I do this? Am I crazy to think about it? Also... I have, as of late, been buying bikes at wallmart to strip down and use their parts. I find this far more affordable to get rims/tires/seats/chains/bars/etc than on that popular (sometimes)overpriced auction site plus the rims I bought there were crappy chrome, and I didn't like how the tires fit on them, and my walmart schwinn came with nice aluminum rims(at least they felt nice and ride nice)... Just looking for feedback here... Am I stupid? Crazy? Is there a better way? And unfortunately(I live in a small town) my LBS doesn't really wanna give me the time of day becasue I don't have a supersweet mountain bike or I didn't buy my bike from them... And the next closest bike shops are in olympia which is a halfhour away and I hvaen't dealt with them yet... Maybe it's about time...

 

[Gold Street Customs]

Yes you are crazy, now who do you know thats normal ? but as far as getting complete bikes for parts I've thought about it but I usually find discarded wallybikes for nothing, stripem & crushem but I also have recieved many bike orders for some reason from family.

 

[BrigmasterA]

Also if I'm gonna get serious about this stuff, I should probably learn how to true up wheels or at least make shure all the spoke tensions are correct... ANy ideas where I can look for how-to guides or whatever? I'm pretty savvy with a wrench and stuff, having built my fair share of old vws and other german cars and various motorcycles... I just need a rough course in theory...

 

[ArtGeco]

Is it selling out if I do this? Am I crazy to think about it?

I don't know how saving bikes from sure death in the elements could be crazy or selling out.

 

[Boardtrack fan]

I've done the very same thing. I have purchased 2 wally bikes for parts. My sister has asked for a bike and my wife started "building" a bike from pictures and catalogs that I showed her. Of course it would be up to me to execute her plan. As far as truing rims I would suggest looking at Sheldon Browns web site for guidance. Good luck with your addiction!

 

[Lightfoot]

Also if I'm gonna get serious about this stuff, I should probably learn how to true up wheels or at least make shure all the spoke tensions are correct... ANy ideas where I can look for how-to guides or whatever? I'm pretty savvy with a wrench and stuff, having built my fair share of old vws and other german cars and various motorcycles... I just need a rough course in theory...

It's hard to beat this site as a how to guide: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/home.html

Sheldon Brown passed away earlier this year. He'll be sorely missed. Hopefully this treasure trove won't disappear from the web.

 

[tikiharl]

I would scour the local CL before buying whole new bikes. Many times when you go to buy an old cruiser for 20.00 or so they have other parts, frames or wheels that they want to get rid of also. As far as rebuilding bikes for family, do it!! Its a plus plus all the way around, they are happy and you get the practice. The reference to Sheldon Brown is a valuable tip, put his website in your favs. 8)

 

[Mr. Farrell]

if you're crazy, then I'm stark raving mad! i've thought about talking friends into getting bikes just so i can rebuild them. :mrgreen:

 

[ArtGeco]

i've thought about talking friends into getting bikes just so i can rebuild them. :mrgreen:

I did that to a freind of mine but with a car.
I talked him into spending $800 on a 38 Plymouth
2 years ago. He had never even changed oil before. He
has now spent over $5000 on that car. Here's the build:
http://forum.olskoolrodz.com/showthread.php?t=28597

 

[Mr. Farrell]

oooo weeee. that's a sweet ride. we're currently scoping out a 70 cadillac superior hearse. i'll be busy for a long time if we get it.

 

[slacker]

oooo weeee. that's a sweet ride. we're currently scoping out a 70 cadillac superior hearse. i'll be busy for a long time if we get it.

Wow. We should hang some time. Too much in common. I love old hearses. I've been dying to own a '68 for many years. '68 was the first year they had the 472, and last year they had the cat eye headlights. I rebuilt one of these engines and a 429 when I was in school. If you really look around, you can find a handful of hop-up parts for the old Caddies.

Back to the subject at hand. Yes, you are crazy, and making a couple of bucks on a hobby you love makes you an evil sellout. Especially if you make some one happy in the process.

 

[Mr. Farrell]

word. give us a hollar anytime your in oklahoma city.

 

[sensor]

oooo weeee. that's a sweet ride. we're currently scoping out a 70 cadillac superior hearse. i'll be busy for a long time if we get it.

Wow. We should hang some time. Too much in common. I love old hearses. I've been dying to own a '68 for many years. '68 was the first year they had the 472, and last year they had the cat eye headlights. I rebuilt one of these engines and a 429 when I was in school. If you really look around, you can find a handful of hop-up parts for the old Caddies.

Back to the subject at hand. Yes, you are crazy, and making a couple of bucks on a hobby you love makes you an evil sellout. Especially if you make some one happy in the process.

mr.farrell good luck!just be aware parts are hard to come by and pricey
and slacker ive got a 68 coupe de(here..... viewtopic.php?f=11&t=101&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=120 )

 

[Mr. Farrell]

thanx for the heads up. are we talkin engine parts, exterior or all of the above?

 

[sensor]

if its a 472 or 500 theyre harder to find and if you want go fast parts it get really expensive......the body parts i cant picture what it looks like so i cant say for sure but some of the front end sheet metal might be interchangeable with like the buicks and olds from the same year(if not...again near impossible to get and expensive)
got a picture? i could tell you a little better if i could see it