peabodypride

powerband used auto paints that need a air compressor and gun but Dupli-Color makes a self-etching in army green and gray that functions the same and works well.

cavit8

A great artist. She needs to do a spoke card.

rbn14

That would be a great fund raiser if they need to do one! Either way, that bike needs one, great idea!

kevinngeorgia

I found this thread last night when looking for something in C&V and almost cried..

I don't know how but I wish we could set up a way to donate and find a bike this girl could have as her own and paint up. Something like this: https://www.terrybicycles.com/cycling_savvy/susanb.html


Any Ideas?

SingleSpeeDemon

I know people who can make this happen. PM me if you're interested in letting me join in doing something good for her.

powerband

I picked up the frame last Friday afternoon from Brian at the auto-paint shop, and left him a six-pack of Sierra Nevada and a gift certificate to Armadillo Willy's. I haven't much time in the past several days to build up the frame, though, but this afternoon I threw on some random wheels and the original stem so that I can take some pictures to give you guys some idea.





Velocity has not seen the bike yet because, first of all, I was away for most of the weekend, and, second, she was in treatment all of Monday and just returned home late yesterday afternoon. This past round was especially hard on her body and movement was challenging because she said that the room wouldn't stop spinning and her stomach felt like it kept vibrating. There was not much joy in her eyes and she didn't want to speak too much, and from a few feet away I can tell that her respiratory rate was higher than normal. So it was an early night for her. I hope to see her after dinner tonight, and that her color will come back soon.

Her mother is very protective of her being outdoors or around too many people, being that the doctor said her immune system is compromised and she can easily develop infections.





The rims you see here will not be the same ones I'll put on this bike. (These are just random ones that I could get to in the garage.)


Only the small hands of a 12-year-old girl can reach in to sign the inside of the chainstay.



I will build up the bike when I get more time. I will buy a bottom bracket and maybe a new handlebar. Oh, and some tires.




.

Jabba Degrassi

Stunning.

nepg

Very nice looking bike. Original stem looks to be in great condition.

Mr. Nobody

Beautiful.

SingleSpeeDemon

The clearcoat really makes the finish a masterpiece. I'm sure you'll ride it proudly.

Bill Kapaun

Great story!
Definitely have her sign it! Think how good she'd feel knowing that you thought so highly of her work!

Gotta love the name too! I know I'd ask-

EDIT OOPS- didn't see the last page-

BCRider

I'm having a really tough time reading this thread from about post #5 since I'm looking through so much water leaking from my eyes.

I spent 3 weeks in a hospital getting my own cancer removed. I remember walking to the other end of the ward where they kept all the kids with cancer. My eyes leaked then too.....


That is the most beautiful paint job I've ever seen....

mazdaspeed

Thanks for sharing this, it made my day. I really hope the girl gets better.

drafters65

hmm make it a fixed or ss so the chainstay with her signature wont get messed up....beautiful bike...

mo_feezy

A very touching story. Beautiful artwork, and a thread where everyone agrees on something.

fthomas

Share with her that there are people all over the world that are now praying for her and her recovery!
With Love! A Beautiful Testament to the Heart of a Innocent Child!

Thanks for allowing it to be expressed!

Yen

The bike, the names, the story..... I'm at a loss for words. Please keep us posted on the progress of this bike but especially of Velocity.

tulip

Wonderful updates. Keep them coming.

Pax

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing the joy.

ottoMesh

be sure to take it down to your local auto-body shop, and have them put a decent clear coat on it. If you can catch them while they're clearing a car, they wont mind spraying your frame, probably for free.

Gordo789

really awesome. The little fish on the top tube is rad.

DanielCoffey

ottoMesh - it's been clear-coated already

Red Rider

This is one of the most bittersweet stories I've read in years. OP, you are beyond kind and compassionate. The bike is indeed a work of art.

My best to you and young Velocity. I hope she kicks cancer's butt.

powerband

To everyone:

Your replies have been incredibly kind.

There have been so many people sending me messages of what they want to do for Velocity -- buy her a bike, donate a brand new frame and parts for her to paint and have her own bike, sell or buy her art as fund raising, etc. The reality is that her mother wishes to retain complete privacy as they battle through the disease (they don't even know this thread exists). So regrettably I had to decline these generous offers, and told them that I'd get her something nice when enough time passes this disease and all has been left behind, and present it to her on behalf of BF.

However, a member of this forum gave me an idea that I'm confident to say will be well-received by both Velocity and her mother. It is not charity (which Velocity's mother has difficulty coming to terms with) and costs next to nothing, but in my opinion may have a very positive impact to Velocity.

This is what I will do: I will tell Velocity that I shall take care of this bike because I plan to give this bike back to her when she turns 18.

It will be hard to part with the frame, but, as I had written in my very first post in the thread: "There are things in this world that we do that are bigger and more permanent than us."

cavit8

And I think you deserve a big thumbs up for helping her out in such a personal and meaningful way as well as respecting the wishes of her mom.