Time with a bike

[Uncle Stretch]

Today I was putting the finishing touches on my latest frame build and the realization.
that its just fun to mess with them, hit me. I like to work on bikes and dream about what they
will turn out like. It really doesn't matter whether your welding or just scraping paint off of one.
Its fun. Being in your shop or wherever you work. I really don't like bondo, but even that
is peaceful. Put some on and sand it down till it looks good. Maybe just adding some different parts
to one that is finished. Its no wonder messing with them is so addictive.

 

[CRASH]

I was riding with my kids today and realized that I was thinking about the NEXT projects, and getting excited. It's working on them that I like so much. And the culmination of the effort into a terrific looking product. Just wish I had a larger budget and garage!

 

[Uncle Stretch]

I think you just step up in the price of the parts you use. Probably sitting on a bucket in the back yard
working on any bike is relaxing. It can be done anywhere and you get the same smile while doing it.

 

[outsider13]

I know what you mean, Some time in the middle of a build and its bogging me down, I'll grab a part not going on the build and paint strip it or pull a set of rims and mount tires or switch handle bars on a finished bike ...you get the picture. The wifey thinks i'm all over the place, but there IS a method to the madness. Some times you just want to tinker. 8)

 

[Gdcast]

Today I was putting the finishing touches on my latest frame

You just made my day better!! I´m very happy to hear this news, I guess I´ll run to the built from scratch section and look for it!

The feeling of turning some old and unwanted rubbish into a cool and admired bike is priceless... when I think about all the skills I gained with this hobby it makes me proud, many times, when some tough situation comes up I just think to my self: "I taught my self how to weld, this can´t be worst than that, I can do it"

 

[Terry66]

I prefer riding to working on bikes, but I really enjoy both. I do 3-4 day weekend tours on my bike and you can't believe how amazing it is to be out with just your bike, some supplies and a tent. My friends and I call it cyclotherapy.

 

[Uncle Stretch]

Gdcast since I used the neck and downtube from an original Schwinn its not in the scratch built section.

I have forgotten a bunch with age creeping up on me, but the excitement I got the first time
I got my brothers 26'' schwinn to go was unbelievable. I felt like I had just conquered the world.
I could ride anywhere. Was a total freedom experience, that will never be forgotten.
Its always there as I build another bike. :lol:

 

[Rat Rod]

My problem of late has been finding the time to mess with stuff.

I seem to have two opportunities to work on bikes...evenings after 9:00pm when the kids are in bed, and on weekends....which is becoming more scarce now that they are getting older and the activities for them are ramping up.

The sad thing is that lately I'm so worn out after 9pm that I don't feel like working on a bike.

I guess when you're retired and have a really nice workshop and zero distractions it's a peaceful experience...ha ha! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[outsider13]

My problem of late has been finding the time to mess with stuff.

I seem to have two opportunities to work on bikes...evenings after 9:00pm when the kids are in bed, and on weekends....which is becoming more scarce now that they are getting older and the activities for them are ramping up.

The sad thing is that lately I'm so worn out after 9pm that I don't feel like working on a bike.

I guess when you're retired and have a really nice workshop and zero distractions it's a peaceful experience...ha ha! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Perfect! an opportunity to do both...time doing activities w/ the kids and learning time ....wrenching a bike
My dad did it with us, iff your'e going to hang with dad you are going to hold wrenches, lean to change oil, spark plugs etc. etc. etc. some time he would say, lets go make you a new bike.

 

[CCR]

Time is the biggest wall I hit too, anymore I like building wheels up more than anything. Gather the parts and lay them out, once I get started I can kind of space out, next thing I know they're laced and it's time to true them up. It's easily stopped and started though. My boy helped me hook up the cables / chain to my xtracycle. We did the chain first .. no biggie ... the shifter second ... had to find a longer cable housing that what was given ... then the brake ... went smooth. Eli seemed to have fun, handing me tools, turning the cranks, "tightening" the allen bolts. He even laid under the bike letting me know when the derailer was lined up right with the gears. Then I stick the bag on the drive side to finish up. Just about done and I look over, he has my cable cutters and is about half way through the exposed shifter cable on the chain stay, I stopped him and told him we needed that cable. He told me he didn't have enough work to do :lol:

He likes helping me but would rather be riding, I find myself trying to do more riding than tinkering at the moment. Don't mind a bit either :lol:

 

[Rat Rod]

Perfect! an opportunity to do both...time doing activities w/ the kids and learning time ....wrenching a bike
My dad did it with us, iff your'e going to hang with dad you are going to hold wrenches, lean to change oil, spark plugs etc. etc. etc. some time he would say, lets go make you a new bike.

Ideally this would be great, but for whatever reason, my girls tend to gravitate towards girly activities these days. :lol:

They do enjoy riding so we need to spend more time doing that.

 

[Uncle Stretch]

I loved when my Daughter was young. I would be building a street rod and drop
a bolt into one of those spots no grown human could reach. I would always tell
her to reach down in there with those little small arms and get it for me. Worked perfect.

 

[Rat Rod]

I've got a magnet on the end of a long stick for that. :lol:

 

[Rat Rod]

Also, BIG difference between one kid and having three kids.

One kid = they're my buddy and want to help out and be my pal.

Three kids = giant ball of incessant fighting, arguing and constant bickering. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[CCR]

Also, BIG difference between one kid and having three kids.

One kid = they're my buddy and want to help out and be my pal.

Three kids = giant ball of incessant fighting, arguing and constant bickering. :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'm starting to realize this ...

Especially at Church or at the park, when I'm trying to wrangle my kid, and then some other kids sibling comes in and wrangles another you start to think ... boy, wouldn't that be nice. Then you make general talk with the parents and they advise you 1 is plenty with this look of extreme seriousness in their eyes. :shock: :lol:

 

[Rat Rod]

Ha Ha! :lol:

Now don't get me wrong, it's not all fighting and bickering....it just seems to happen when you are trying to concentrate on something.

The good side to multiple kids is built in playmates and older kids helping out with younger kids.

It's not for the faint of heart though....understanding the concept of "giving up self" never seems so real. :lol: