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Cool ideas to re-use old bike parts

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Old 07-23-18, 04:13 PM
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toast3d
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Cool ideas to re-use old bike parts

So most of us already know there a million and one ways to re-use old inner tubes. They make great shims, by the way. I'm just curious what other cool ideas out there. For example, I'm trying to think of a use for all these used bearings I have left over. The best idea I could come up with was to make a little plinko board for them, but it would probably only work for one size of bearing.

Please share your cool ideas for whatever old bike parts. They don't even have to be your own ideas.
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Old 07-23-18, 05:38 PM
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DanBraden
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I took an old spoke, bent one end to an acute angle and use it to clean hair out of the traps in the sinks around here...

The wife gets grossed out by cleaning the sink traps, but it's got to be done. Nothing like pulling a big ol' honking hair clog out of a poorly draining sink!

I've also used the rollers from old chains as washers and spacers on some quick fixes here and there. I like to think that when we sell this place, someone's gonna find these bits of pieces incorporated in small places and be like "What the heck?..."

That's about it, I look forward to some cool ideas from this thread!
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Old 07-23-18, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by DanBraden
I've also used the rollers from old chains as washers and spacers
That's brilliant! I've used presta valve nuts as spacers when installing a front rack before, but using the outside of a chain roller never even occurred to me. I wonder if they're big enough to fit your standard size braze-on screw.

Nice!
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Old 07-23-18, 07:17 PM
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Used an old chain, seat post, seat collar bolt & nut to serve as a chain whip to remove cassette cogs.
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Old 07-23-18, 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by toast3d
That's brilliant! I've used presta valve nuts as spacers when installing a front rack before, but using the outside of a chain roller never even occurred to me. I wonder if they're big enough to fit your standard size braze-on screw.

Nice!
That's how I started appreciating their usefulness. I had a bolt just a BIT too long for the rack I was installing, threw a couple of those in the mix and it worked.

Should've gotten the correct sized bolt (I'm sure i intended to...), but it was probably late and it worked so I never bothered!

Edit: wasn't the braze-ons, they are too wide on Fritz, it was the lower rack mounts.

Last edited by DanBraden; 07-23-18 at 09:20 PM.
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Old 07-24-18, 01:06 AM
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I happened to collect a lot of pictures, I hope that one day will come in handy.
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Old 07-24-18, 05:49 AM
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People in the third world use bicycle parts in lots of ingenious ways; such as using cranks and chains to hand power a grain grinder, or pump water.
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Old 07-24-18, 06:06 AM
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Bicycle chain sculpture:



https://www.thisiscolossal.com/wp-con.../04/bike-1.jpg
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Old 07-24-18, 06:11 AM
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Mini Crack Pipe:

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Old 07-24-18, 06:16 AM
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I toss old bike parts.
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Old 07-24-18, 06:21 AM
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If you have a spare rubber c-ring that is usually supplied with handlebar accessories to go on the inside of the accessory handlebar clamp to a provide grip and/or spacing for narrower bars, you can use it as a marker for setting your sag if you don't have one as standard on your shocks. Easy on, easy off and no messing around with zip ties.
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Old 07-24-18, 06:30 AM
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In my other hobby- radio control model boats and helicopters, I use leftover stainless steel bike spokes for pushrods, guy wires, etc.

Empty co2 cartridges make great handles for small files.

I used a quick release skewer to make a quick release rip fence for my band saw.

I attached a blinky bike tail light to the end of a load of long lumber sticking out of the pickup truck coming home from Lowe’s.
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Old 07-24-18, 06:57 AM
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https://www.pinterest.com/pin/495396027732063294/
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Old 07-24-18, 07:05 AM
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I've turned old chains into flails for use against attacking dogs. Much easier to use than a bullwhip.
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Old 07-24-18, 07:27 AM
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I've seen a flea market which used entire old bikes to make a decorative fence around the front of the property.
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Old 07-24-18, 08:09 AM
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We used to have a big central square christmas tree made out of old bicycle frames here. I met the artist once, years before, and he also had plans to make festival tents out of bicycle frames.
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Old 07-24-18, 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Milton Keynes
I've seen a flea market which used entire old bikes to make a decorative fence around the front of the property.
Originally Posted by Stadjer
We used to have a big central square christmas tree made out of old bicycle frames here. I met the artist once, years before, and he also had plans to make festival tents out of bicycle frames.
there's a similar sculpture downtown here (louisville, ky). i think. thinking on it now i don't remember if i saw it recently. either i didn't notice it or it rusted away. the local co-op hangs old frames and parts around the shop. they also have a few art pieces from bike parts, like antelope looking heads from racing saddles and handlebars.
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Old 07-24-18, 08:31 AM
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@Philphine That's cool too, those are the parts that really have a beautiful shape outside their function.

And I use battery bicycle front lights to light the wardrobe, that's not really cool but quite practical.
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Old 07-24-18, 02:23 PM
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There's a pub where my son goes to college that has several of these bull's head looking affairs hanging up made from a saddle and handle bars. Might make one for my man cave.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/500532...76172/?lp=true
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Old 07-24-18, 02:59 PM
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I have a wall clock made out of a used chainring, and a sprocket with a short length of chain as a pendulum.
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Old 07-25-18, 01:44 AM
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Nice ideas!!!
Thanks
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Old 07-25-18, 02:05 AM
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There was a recent episode on Forged in Fire where they made knives out of bicycles.

https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...ast-night.html

And they parts they didn't make knives out of were used for chipping blocks.

I might have to try a chain knife.
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