don't overlook your local recycler/ scrap yard

[thom]

A new scrapyard opened recently near my house. I pass it every day going to and from work.I stopped in yesterday. I asked if they had any bicycles and was escorted to the bicycle and lawn mower area.There were several little kids bikes and this one ten speed.

I know it's not much but at .30 per pound I paid $12.00 and change. I believe it will clean up well. The tires are flat , but look good. I will put in some new tubes during the cleanup.At the current rate they would pay about $5.00 for a bike like this. This one weighs 41 pounds and I figure that is about what the bikes that I would be interested in would average. I will be looking for ten speed and three speed bikes as well as anything with skinny 26 or 27 inch tires.I plan to check back regularly.

 

[deven_science]

Oh man, I keep telling myself that I need to start checking the scrap yards.

 

[kickback]

I have bought a couple of bikes from the local recycler, in the past, including a 1941 Elgin with it's tank for four dollars, the weight of the metal. Last week I saw a guy take 3 Schwinn OCC choppers in to the recycler so I went in to try to buy them And they told me that they can't sell out of the yard any more. Ed

 

[ozzmonaut]

We only have one left that will sell from the yard. Luckily it is all kind of done under the table, and the owner just pockets the cash when you buy stuff, so I hope he will continue letting us rummage through it. I have found some cool bikes, and I have found a lot of bits and pieces to use on bikes or to weld. I got the 2x2 steel tubing used to make the tank on my bare metal build there. I got it and some sprockets and other small parts for $3. Normally that square tubing would have cost me $15 or more.

 

[thom]

There are actually 3 recyclers within about 5 miles of the one I bought the Murray from. All 3 just opened in the last few months. Although I have not been to the other 2 , I have heard that they will not sell anything once it enters the gate.I had a good chat with the owner/operator of the 1 I went to and hope to keep a good relationship there. I have advertised in the past on the local radio stations "trading post" saying that bikes only bring $4 - $5 for scrap but I will pay more , but have found only 2 or 3 that way. 8)

 

[oddified]

...our local "dump" is now a recycling station, and they have a shed that you can leave unwanted goods that are too good to throw out for someone else that may want them to take...the town cleans out the shed once a week so the pile doesn't build up, but it is a GREAT place to get parts bikes for no cost...you just have to stop by often enough to not miss out :wink:

 

[outskirtscustoms]

I been saying that for years. I have found lots of nice bikes at my local scrapyard. Anything from Fuji road bikes to Redline and Hoffman BMX bikes, few older Schwinns, a Hawthorne. Loads of fun and they are cheap... :mrgreen: