Why do we build them?

[GuitarlCarl]

I think its art. Feels that way to me. I do a lot of things artistic. I play guitar and sing in a praise band, and I write lyrics. I'm a model railroader, but I like building the scenery and detailing the cities and the rolling stock the most. I build awesome decks from my own designs. I also do masonry work, fireplaces and stonewalls with cultured stone. I build guitars and stompboxes. I approach it all from an artistic point of view. It's just the way I see it. I do electrical work too and I even lay it all out aesthetically. So yeah I'm building bikes just for me and it feels like art.


Carl

 

[rydr1]

I grew up liking lowrider bikes, but building one as a kid never came true. When I finally had the funds, my liking changed and now I build cruisers because I like the transformation, I think that is the major factor in my case.

I think I spend too much time with the bikes because my two year old thinks I fix bikes for a living. :mrgreen:
She likes to get my tools and helps me out when I work on the bikes at home, its a good time for her and me.

 

[kim_dude]

I've ways been into tinkering and bikes but rebuilding them started a few years ago. I live in an area with an extremely high theft rate for bikes and fixing up cheapos or alley finds was a good way to replace the ones that disappeared from my yard. Im new to the antique bike thing though. Turns out living in an area where everything turns to rust really quickly makes it a difficult hobby...that and fighting of the other forum members. Im always blown away when i browse CL for some random big city in the midwest and theres always several tank bikes there, and they're reasonably priced.

I also just recently bought 3 vintage mopeds that I'm gonna monkey with this winter.

 

[wheelbender6]

Much more fun than shopping with the wife.
-When I see two things laying around, I just have a tendancy to try to fit them together and assemble something.
-Definitely a retreat from the hight tech, hi cost realm.

 

[Stonie68]

Car hobby was getting way to expensive to the point people are wanting crazy money for a shell of a car that's not worth any more than scrap metal, always had a sickness for old things and bikes are another thing that fits the bill and keeps my mind busy and relaxed after a crazy day with my business.

 

[Danimal]

Much cheaper than cars.

Yeah, but I got one of those too.

 

[kingfish254]

Most of the bikes that I mess with are for the flip money.
But I build or work on the old and cool ones because it's fun!

I figured your answer would be "For the build off." :lol:

Surely you know there is more to this site than the build off. The build off is a blast and does provide added motivation and camaraderie, but most of us enjoy playing with bikes year round.