Death of a bicycle shop
02-07-20, 12:26 PM
#151
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I'm happy enough with this guy that it doesn't bother me to hear Rush Limbaugh blaring over my back yard for the past five weeks. And if there are things in life that I hate . . . . .
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
02-07-20, 12:39 PM
#152
PM me your cotters
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02-07-20, 12:50 PM
#153
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Periodic update: WE'RE IN THE HOMESTRETCH!!!!
As I'm writing this, the main contractor is finishing the last of the siding, and the two electricians moved in this morning to start wiring the garage. Repairs to the fire damage on the house are 98% complete. Repairs to the motorcycle garage were done about a month ago. Only question mark on the job is when the crew to install the garage door will be showing up. Expectations are the middle of next week, with the buildings completed by next Friday.
So far only one thing has gone wrong: One of the past owners of this place was a committed do-it-yourselfer, with wildly variable results on his work (this is why I had a main breakers upgraded the week we moved in). One of this guy's *****s was to replace the original water heater down in the crawl space with on standing one, which he put in the downstairs closet right in front of the breaker box! Of course this won't pass inspection, so the insurance company agreed to giving us a new water heater back under the crawl space. Which was installed on Wednesday. Only to have the main water line break loose about three hours later, probably from the shocks of getting the air out of lines. Seems Mr. Do-It-Yourselfer didn't bother gluing the PVC lines properly and I've had this little time bomb down in the crawl space for Lord knows how many years. Got the plumber back that evening to fix it (my PVC file tubes for spokes were better glued, and I don't do plumbing), and the recovery company sent their initial response guys back yesterday morning to pump the water out of the crawl space. Now just working on getting the crawl space dried out.
Overall, then end result I'm getting here has been a surprisingly positive experience. The original garage must have been a Mr. D-I-Y project, because the quality of the construction of the new building is incredible by comparison. One guy has stick-built the entire structure solo, and his work is meticulous as hell. The wife and I have already figured on having him back over the next couple of years for a few other long-term projects.
Hopefully, I'll start finishing the interior in about two weeks, with plans to have the shop up and running around 1 April. All in all, other than the irreplaceable loss of the Armstrong and my parts collection, I'm going to come out ahead on this. And the only out-of-pocket expenses will be finishing the stocking the interior of the garage.
As I'm writing this, the main contractor is finishing the last of the siding, and the two electricians moved in this morning to start wiring the garage. Repairs to the fire damage on the house are 98% complete. Repairs to the motorcycle garage were done about a month ago. Only question mark on the job is when the crew to install the garage door will be showing up. Expectations are the middle of next week, with the buildings completed by next Friday.
So far only one thing has gone wrong: One of the past owners of this place was a committed do-it-yourselfer, with wildly variable results on his work (this is why I had a main breakers upgraded the week we moved in). One of this guy's *****s was to replace the original water heater down in the crawl space with on standing one, which he put in the downstairs closet right in front of the breaker box! Of course this won't pass inspection, so the insurance company agreed to giving us a new water heater back under the crawl space. Which was installed on Wednesday. Only to have the main water line break loose about three hours later, probably from the shocks of getting the air out of lines. Seems Mr. Do-It-Yourselfer didn't bother gluing the PVC lines properly and I've had this little time bomb down in the crawl space for Lord knows how many years. Got the plumber back that evening to fix it (my PVC file tubes for spokes were better glued, and I don't do plumbing), and the recovery company sent their initial response guys back yesterday morning to pump the water out of the crawl space. Now just working on getting the crawl space dried out.
Overall, then end result I'm getting here has been a surprisingly positive experience. The original garage must have been a Mr. D-I-Y project, because the quality of the construction of the new building is incredible by comparison. One guy has stick-built the entire structure solo, and his work is meticulous as hell. The wife and I have already figured on having him back over the next couple of years for a few other long-term projects.
Hopefully, I'll start finishing the interior in about two weeks, with plans to have the shop up and running around 1 April. All in all, other than the irreplaceable loss of the Armstrong and my parts collection, I'm going to come out ahead on this. And the only out-of-pocket expenses will be finishing the stocking the interior of the garage.
The two home inspectors I have used were really aware.
And were happy I was interested in crawling around with them under the house or on the roof.
02-07-20, 01:09 PM
#154
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Then . . . . . the week after we moved in, we hired a professional electrical contracting firm to update the breaker box. They grumbled about having to work around (over, actually) the water heater but at no time did any of them mention "not up to code". So, when the recovery firm came in and had the first look around, and immediately brought up the illegality . . . . . five years after we moved in . . . . . our jaws hit the floor.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
02-18-20, 06:36 PM
#155
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Syke,
Haven't heard much from ya lately, Didja get the tools and were they OK for yer bike shop? As I noted the Blackhawk are shop worthy as much as Blue Point. I know you said you were going to get a bunch of Craftsman tools at Christmas sales. So on the Snap-On truck today the guys at the highway garage traded all of their Craftsman ratchets in. I paid $12 for each of these and after pulling them apart and lubricating them they are safe to use. Lemme know if you want any of them for the $12 price (plus shipping). Smiles, MH
Haven't heard much from ya lately, Didja get the tools and were they OK for yer bike shop? As I noted the Blackhawk are shop worthy as much as Blue Point. I know you said you were going to get a bunch of Craftsman tools at Christmas sales. So on the Snap-On truck today the guys at the highway garage traded all of their Craftsman ratchets in. I paid $12 for each of these and after pulling them apart and lubricating them they are safe to use. Lemme know if you want any of them for the $12 price (plus shipping). Smiles, MH
02-18-20, 09:12 PM
#156
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Sad to see . A family members house just was lost due to a car fire in the garage .Loss like this is painful ,wishing you the best !
02-27-20, 08:36 PM
#157
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Sorry I've been gone for a few weeks, been busy as hell since the Westminster show since the reconstruction of the garage flipped into high gear. The good news is . . . . . . we're done!
OK, the insurance covered, rebuilding of the building and damage repair on the house and other garage are done. Final inspection was today, everything signed off. There's a minor item or two to finish on the part of the electricians on the outside of the house, but I now have a functioning, complete garage. Once the piddling stuff is done, I cut the contractor the final check and we're settled.
Garage and new patio fence
Now, it's my turn. Time to start turning the garage into a workshop. I need the return of the gentleman who built the garage to cut a couple of the rafters and install a pulldown staircase, then I tear into it paneling the walls and creating a loft with OSB sheets. Then install air lines, workbench and set up everything else.
I'm embarrassed that I fell behind on keeping in touch with those kind members who fronted me tools. Everything arrived safely, and have been incredibly helpful in keeping my temporary shop functioning. Especially after picking up that Flying Pigeon at Westminster (a tale unto itself). Thank God for the donations of cone wrenches. This bike was assembled loosely at best - except for the hub cones, which we tightened to the point that it almost felt they were welded on to the axles.
Spending this weekend finishing the outside work, that parking pad with the white Honda on it didn't exist with the old garage, and I've got a little refilling to do on the power line trench from the main breaker at the house after the last couple of rains, plus replace a few concrete squares in front of the car. The game plan is to have the shop, if not up and running, at least being stocked by 1 April.
OK, the insurance covered, rebuilding of the building and damage repair on the house and other garage are done. Final inspection was today, everything signed off. There's a minor item or two to finish on the part of the electricians on the outside of the house, but I now have a functioning, complete garage. Once the piddling stuff is done, I cut the contractor the final check and we're settled.
Garage and new patio fence
Now, it's my turn. Time to start turning the garage into a workshop. I need the return of the gentleman who built the garage to cut a couple of the rafters and install a pulldown staircase, then I tear into it paneling the walls and creating a loft with OSB sheets. Then install air lines, workbench and set up everything else.
I'm embarrassed that I fell behind on keeping in touch with those kind members who fronted me tools. Everything arrived safely, and have been incredibly helpful in keeping my temporary shop functioning. Especially after picking up that Flying Pigeon at Westminster (a tale unto itself). Thank God for the donations of cone wrenches. This bike was assembled loosely at best - except for the hub cones, which we tightened to the point that it almost felt they were welded on to the axles.
Spending this weekend finishing the outside work, that parking pad with the white Honda on it didn't exist with the old garage, and I've got a little refilling to do on the power line trench from the main breaker at the house after the last couple of rains, plus replace a few concrete squares in front of the car. The game plan is to have the shop, if not up and running, at least being stocked by 1 April.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
02-27-20, 08:38 PM
#158
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Syke,
Haven't heard much from ya lately, Didja get the tools and were they OK for yer bike shop? As I noted the Blackhawk are shop worthy as much as Blue Point. I know you said you were going to get a bunch of Craftsman tools at Christmas sales. So on the Snap-On truck today the guys at the highway garage traded all of their Craftsman ratchets in. I paid $12 for each of these and after pulling them apart and lubricating them they are safe to use. Lemme know if you want any of them for the $12 price (plus shipping). Smiles, MH
Haven't heard much from ya lately, Didja get the tools and were they OK for yer bike shop? As I noted the Blackhawk are shop worthy as much as Blue Point. I know you said you were going to get a bunch of Craftsman tools at Christmas sales. So on the Snap-On truck today the guys at the highway garage traded all of their Craftsman ratchets in. I paid $12 for each of these and after pulling them apart and lubricating them they are safe to use. Lemme know if you want any of them for the $12 price (plus shipping). Smiles, MH
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
02-27-20, 09:28 PM
#159
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02-27-20, 10:08 PM
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Sykerocker,
Im wishing you much success and a happy ending.
Im wishing you much success and a happy ending.
02-28-20, 07:32 AM
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...
Garage and new patio fence
...
Spending this weekend finishing the outside work, that parking pad with the white Honda on it didn't exist with the old garage, and I've got a little refilling to do on the power line trench from the main breaker at the house after the last couple of rains, plus replace a few concrete squares in front of the car. The game plan is to have the shop, if not up and running, at least being stocked by 1 April.
Garage and new patio fence
...
Spending this weekend finishing the outside work, that parking pad with the white Honda on it didn't exist with the old garage, and I've got a little refilling to do on the power line trench from the main breaker at the house after the last couple of rains, plus replace a few concrete squares in front of the car. The game plan is to have the shop, if not up and running, at least being stocked by 1 April.
I'll be the well-intentioned bloke who suggests the color of bar-tape you finish this off with. A few months down the line, when the wood has passed the point when resins and such have finished oozing out of the wood on the fence, it would look quite sharp in either white, or a yellow that matches (or compliments) the siding on the garage.
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02-28-20, 11:04 AM
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I missed this originally thinking it was another of those don't buy thinks on the internet threads. Glad it all came out with a mostly happy ending.
What percent of your parts were you able to salvage?
And your wife is an Angel for allowing you to do so many great hobbies.
What percent of your parts were you able to salvage?
And your wife is an Angel for allowing you to do so many great hobbies.
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02-28-20, 11:18 AM
#165
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02-28-20, 02:37 PM
#166
PM me your cotters
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From my side, I honestly believe in karma; you ultimately get what you give. User your voice to push negativity, fear, and hate into the world, don't be surprised if your voice gets taken away.
(But note I'm not confusing "voice" with "death", there's very few I'd wish death upon in this world)
I dunno, humor is in everything, even when offered in the form of a smack or suffers from timing or appropriateness.
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02-28-20, 04:07 PM
#167
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Looks great and glad to hear you're on the right track!
02-28-20, 05:29 PM
#168
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02-28-20, 08:56 PM
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Amazing to see the fast progress and the nearly finished project. Sounds like it's been a lot of work, and you've done an outstanding job.
I'll be the well-intentioned bloke who suggests the color of bar-tape you finish this off with. A few months down the line, when the wood has passed the point when resins and such have finished oozing out of the wood on the fence, it would look quite sharp in either white, or a yellow that matches (or compliments) the siding on the garage.
I'll be the well-intentioned bloke who suggests the color of bar-tape you finish this off with. A few months down the line, when the wood has passed the point when resins and such have finished oozing out of the wood on the fence, it would look quite sharp in either white, or a yellow that matches (or compliments) the siding on the garage.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
02-28-20, 08:58 PM
#170
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Oh, I'm definitely going to do a full photo layout once I've got the inside done. If I can stick to close to my planned schedule (inside walls and floor done by 1 April) I'd say something will be forthcoming by roughly 1 July. If I really get rolling (and the money holds up) that'll be consecutively done with evidence of work on that '77 PX-10 I've had as a restored frame for five years now.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
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02-28-20, 09:01 PM
#171
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Probably going to go with 'The Thread Formerly Known as "Death of a Bicycle Shop"'. Other than discussion of small items, this will probably be the winding down of this thread. I'm not going to be posting any more pictures until I have a lot of progress made on the interior.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
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02-28-20, 09:14 PM
#172
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Then Kamala Harris, Ohmar, Tlaib, "The View," CNN & MSNBC will be mute soon. Goes both ways. Nothing has matched the violence and vitriol of the last 4 years of sour grapes from the left, expressed as if a badge of honor, and much more malevolent than the 8 years prior, which simply followed the 8 years before that. Pendulum swings are broader. The change now is the level, and the means being used to try and undo the process by which our leaders are chosen. Each step begets a more drastic one. The pattern is clear, and a continuance of same will lead to tossing the process out in favor of firepower. Hope is that doesn't happen. Likely will.
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02-28-20, 09:26 PM
#173
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As to my wife . . . . . . we're a unique pair. To start, anytime someone well-meaningly asks, "How did the two of you meet?"; my immediate answer, said with a straight face, is, "Over my wife's deathbed." Maggie was the first shift nursing aide for my late wife in the final year of her life. After Patti was gone, she stayed.
She is far and away the easiest relationship I've ever been in, primarily because of her past. She's a country and western song come to life, and her past is filled with such *******s that I look saintly by comparison. Without trying. All I've ever had to do is be honest to her and treat her like I'd want her to treat me. (I've never been able to figure out why that's so difficult for a lot of people.)
In three marriages and fifty years of relationships, she's the first and only person I've been involved with that has never had anything to do with the science fiction convention (and, more specifically, science fiction costuming - what they're now calling cosplay) scene. And she's gotten to me late enough in life that I'm finally down to three serious interests: Motorcycles, bicycles, and historical reenactment, and probably won't be adding any new ones. She missed all the years of glam rock backstage denizen, photographer, ham radio operator, sports car racer, antique car enthusiast, small business owner and professional costumer, patch-wearing biker, wargamer, fencer, medieval tournament combatant, student radical and anti-war activist . . . . and probably one of two other passions gained and dropped over the years that isn't coming back to memory as I write this.
I've got it damned good. And I've become a firm believer in karma, as I've always felt that Maggie was my reward for the eight years I spent taking care of Patti as her health deteriorated.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
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03-01-20, 07:20 PM
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Earlier in this thread I'd mentioned about bicycle storage, using the Whirlpool Gladiator (horrible name!) product to hang bikes up, in case it was interesting once you get there. Here's an example of what my setup. I'm using 4 x 48" pieces separated by about 10" horizontally, and I could fit 9 bikes up here if it weren't for some HVAC lines in the way. All bikes hanging bars-up / bars-down / bars-up / bars-down to pack in, and if your bikes are under 35lbs/ea, you won't exceed the maximum load. Total cost was $117 shipped ordering through Lowes.com (which I rarely shop at, Ace Hardware is my go-to). Specifically:
8 x GAWEXXVBSH (bike hooks): $59.92
2 x GAACGE4PPM (grey end caps): $11.98
4 x GAWC041PZY (48" gear-track plates): $35.92
Subtotal: $107.82 + free ship + tax and I was out the door around $117.
Hanging it took 20 minutes, it's a breeze. Any given day you can find Lowes 10% off digital coupons on eBay for $3 if you planned on ordering more than what I did - those coupons are legit - or if you're ex-mil like my dad you'll get 10% too. I'll buy the digital coupons for $3 any time I'm buying over $150 worth of merch, anything less and you're basically shaving off the tax.
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