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Never Thought I'd ride a trike

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Never Thought I'd ride a trike

Old 02-04-18, 10:28 PM
  #26  
bkentr
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What kind of a bike are you looking for?

Road? Anything?

Small frame size?

low price?

Solid and safe ride?

kentr
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Old 02-04-18, 10:35 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by bkentr
What kind of a bike are you looking for?

Road? Anything?

Small frame size?

low price?

Solid and safe ride?

kentr
Well...it's kind of a long story! I don't want to derail your thread too badly. In short, we're trying to find or build something with a step-through or mixte frame that she can use for casual rides, but with decent build quality, and within a modest budget. I thought we had a line on a Schwinn Le Tour Tourist that would have done the trick after a few discreet upgrades, but it was the classic Craigslist scenario - ad still up, item long gone. I have a thread going about it here in case you want to read more:
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-c...buy-build.html

Thanks for the interest!
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Old 02-05-18, 07:32 PM
  #28  
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While some of you have made some kind comments about my projects, and I thank you for them,
I want to go on record as saying that I know that my work is a bit crude, and or messy sometimes.

What I do is not that hard to do with some basic fabrication skills and tools. A vivid imagination helps.

I have not made any attempt to produce show quality work, and when I get around to painting, I use rattle cans.

I have and will continue to build things strong enough to hold together, and stand up to hard use.

Thanks again for your replies, and thanks to the Bike forum for a place to share bike stuff with others who
have the interest .

kentr
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Old 02-20-18, 10:55 AM
  #29  
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I had posted that the trike was built from recycled parts.
I think I have also posted that once some of the folks that know me find out that "Kents playing with bikes again",
that they start to see me as a place to "donate" good used bikes, some with tires.

It happened again yesterday. This is an example of why I can "Assemble" a trike from recycled bikes.

The next door neighbor says, "My brother needs to move. He has a couple of bikes he needs gone. Can you help him?
Can you pick them up?"
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Old 02-20-18, 11:39 AM
  #30  
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You are a lucky, lucky man.
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Old 02-20-18, 12:15 PM
  #31  
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While I am glad to be able to help a neighbor, and grateful for some more bike parts, it can become overwhelming
and just "more work" very fast.

Have already gone through that pile and will keep around 10%, the rest going to the metal recycling bin
at the local transfer station.

There were a few "finds" mixed in with the pile of junk.

The transfer station is only a few miles away, free to dump recycled metal, and I have the truck to take them.

my opinion is that that's better than just luck.

One side note: Yesterdays "Hi Tech" becomes todays discards. Bike parts that took years to develop, and produce,
are available and sometimes free.
When I say that I'm thinking back to the time in history when 'safety" bikes were being developed and a mechanic
needed to plan and build their own chain, let alone tires, tubes and such.

For a while at least, this is a good time in history to be a bike basher.
( reference to bike basher as in "kit basher" , when taking several model kits and building one custom model)
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Old 02-20-18, 03:19 PM
  #32  
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"Have torch, will build."
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Old 02-20-18, 05:32 PM
  #33  
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Hacksaw,welder,files,coffee.
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Old 02-24-18, 03:19 PM
  #34  
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If you were local I might see if you could put me together a trike, but since you're not I'll stick with buying the Sun through the LBS I was already planning on! looks like you are having fun though.
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Old 02-24-18, 05:05 PM
  #35  
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I have made some bikes, trailers and such for others, but not often.
Also have sold or bartered a few, but not often. Some have been given away, if there is a real need.

When making things for others, bikes included, the standard of finish is naturally much higher.
The customer is right even if he/she is wrong. The devil is the details, and the time needed for a quality
finish eats away at any profit there might be.
Selling or bartering something that is already made is a bit different. Then the potential customer can see what
is there and make a choice.

I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that any work is strong, and safe.
When it comes to finish work, i'm aiming at around 90% of a big box bike factory finish. Works fine for me, and family, not so sure about others.

Another thing to consider is liability. And I do have a story about that.
Quick version:
A friend at work just Had to have one of the "fun bikes" i like to build. Then he wanted 4 more, for his kids.

I made five, and was careful to assemble each one with parts that worked well on that bike. Test road each one.

A week later he was fumin' mad, what's wrong with me, said he nearly died, my fault.

Then found out he took all 5 bikes apart, took the parts he liked, put them back together his way, and then
went to the top of a very steep city street in Eugene, and, being on old motorcycle rider, he let it rip.
He was then surprised when the rear wheel bearing gave out, at about 45 or 50 mph.
These were all used bikes assembled with used parts, and only cost him $50 each. Never meant to be race bikes.

I had told him they were meant for about 5 to 10 mph, and no jumps or thrashing before he bought them.

i am sure you will love the Sun, when you have it. And their finish will be consumer ready.

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Old 02-25-18, 08:46 PM
  #36  
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I am too, and heh.... I know quickbuilt isn't the same- we used to junk bikes when I was a teen (so 30 or so years ago), and it was fun to put them together from spare parts.. but the bike I rode in the MA mountains when I got the speeeding warning wasn't oneof them.
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Old 02-25-18, 09:46 PM
  #37  
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Junk is still junk even it looks and rides like a bicycle.
However the quickbuilt, as you called them, work great for the intended purpose, slow and just for fun.
Good riding, comfortable, and strong bikes can be made from used parts,and are safe when used as intended.
And low cost. I've said it, but will repeat it, I have more fun playing around with bikes, than on them.

i am truly amazed at the speeds the Tour riders were hitting last year.
But those bikes are new, designed to hold up at speed, and cost plenty.
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