Creative & clever uses of old parts...
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,619
Bikes: '38 Schwinn New World, ’69 Peugeot PX-10, '72 Peugeot PX-10, ‘7? Valgan, ’79 Holdsworth Pro, ’80 Peugeot TH-8 tandem, '87 Trek 400T, ‘7? Raleigh Sports, ‘7? Raleigh Superbe, ‘6? Hercules
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 1,351 Times
in
659 Posts
Creative & clever uses of old parts...
Not exactly C&V-specific, but folks in this forum seem a cut-above when it comes to resourcefulness & creativity, so... The recent thread on component display had me wondering about clever uses for old bike parts. I'm working on an idea using an old rim and some hemp rope to make some 'hanging chairs' for my porch. Anyone care to share some other ideas for 'retired' parts? I seem to have accumulated a fair number of old chains, rims and spokes in particular and trying to come up for things to do with 'em!
Likes For ehcoplex:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 3,297
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 2011 Jamis Quest, 1980 Peugeot TH8 Tandem, 1992 Performance Parabola, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-S LTD, 197? FW Evans
Mentioned: 23 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 471 Post(s)
Liked 733 Times
in
411 Posts
This was a few years ago. A bottle opener from a coaster brake arm.

Likes For Pompiere:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 4,437
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2654 Post(s)
Liked 2,191 Times
in
1,330 Posts
People use sharpened spokes to open up the lining on cable housing after cutting.
Likes For smd4:
#4
Full Member
I put old cable in housing before I cut it, making the step above unnecessary.
cheers -mathias
cheers -mathias
Likes For steine13:
#5
I don't know.
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 1,725
Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 228 Post(s)
Liked 554 Times
in
302 Posts
I don't have any pictures. I used to make bracelets from spokes and chain links.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 4,437
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2654 Post(s)
Liked 2,191 Times
in
1,330 Posts
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 764
Bikes: 1964(?) Frejus Tour de France, 1967(?) Dawes Double Blue, 1982 Claud Butler Dalesman, 1982 Peugeot Competition, 1983 Schwinn Paramount Elite, 2014 Brompton, maybe a couple more
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 253 Post(s)
Liked 505 Times
in
253 Posts
I made a coaster brake strap out of a rusty spoke this evening. Advised the owner to get a real strap. Funny how we never have a strap when people bring in a bike without one.
I bet one of you has all the coaster brake straps in a bucket next to the oil hole spring clips.
I bet one of you has all the coaster brake straps in a bucket next to the oil hole spring clips.
Likes For albrt:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 1,366
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 162 Post(s)
Liked 221 Times
in
99 Posts
Old, failed hubs apparently make fine conversions as pen holders. I made this one that sits on my desk at work.



__________________
The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
The Simplicity of Vintage Cycles
#10
Abuse Magnet
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,869
Bikes: '91 Mtn Tek Vertical, '74 Raleigh Sports, '72 Raleigh Twenty, '84 Univega Gran Turismo, '09 Surly Karate Monkey, '92 Burley Rock-n-Roll, '86 Miyata 310, '76 Raleigh Shopper
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 144 Post(s)
Liked 148 Times
in
76 Posts
At the Hot Tomato restaurant in Fruita CO.

Likes For arex:
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,019
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 255 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4119 Post(s)
Liked 5,369 Times
in
3,121 Posts
Likes For bboy314:
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,480
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Mentioned: 149 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2208 Post(s)
Liked 4,036 Times
in
1,512 Posts
I've shared this before but this is how I've repurposed some old, mis-sized stems and handlebars.



__________________
Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
Last edited by jamesdak; 02-01-23 at 04:19 PM.
Likes For jamesdak:
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,619
Bikes: '38 Schwinn New World, ’69 Peugeot PX-10, '72 Peugeot PX-10, ‘7? Valgan, ’79 Holdsworth Pro, ’80 Peugeot TH-8 tandem, '87 Trek 400T, ‘7? Raleigh Sports, ‘7? Raleigh Superbe, ‘6? Hercules
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 1,351 Times
in
659 Posts
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,619
Bikes: '38 Schwinn New World, ’69 Peugeot PX-10, '72 Peugeot PX-10, ‘7? Valgan, ’79 Holdsworth Pro, ’80 Peugeot TH-8 tandem, '87 Trek 400T, ‘7? Raleigh Sports, ‘7? Raleigh Superbe, ‘6? Hercules
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 1,351 Times
in
659 Posts
#16
I don't know.
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 1,725
Bikes: '90 B'stone RB-1, '92 B'stone RB-2, '89 SuperGo Access Comp, '03 Access 69er, '23 Trek 520, '14 Ritchey Road Logic, '09 Kestrel Evoke, '17 Surly Wednesday, '89 Centurion Accordo, '15 CruX, '17 Ridley X-Night
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 228 Post(s)
Liked 554 Times
in
302 Posts
old silverware handles make nice straps.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,963
Bikes: ‘87 Marinoni SLX Sports Tourer, ‘79 Miyata 912 by Gugificazione
Mentioned: 163 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 493 Post(s)
Liked 417 Times
in
242 Posts
The Seattle Space Needle, modeled in old bike parts. These were made by a very clever mechanic at Bike Works (https://bikeworks.org) as table centerpieces for their annual big fundraiser dinner and auction. Yup, I paid $$ for it, despite being a long-time volunteer.

I’ll keep this thread in mind for uses of the plentiful scrap bike parts that we “generate”.

I’ll keep this thread in mind for uses of the plentiful scrap bike parts that we “generate”.
Likes For Dfrost:
#18
Junior Member
I've done clocks from old chainrings, lamp from old CF forks, key chains from QR levers & down tube shifters, and small picture frames from cassette/freewheel cogs. I have seen old hubs used for candlestick holders and some really cool salt & pepper shakers. Also have seen a nice table made with old rims (whole rims and half rims for legs); wish I could weld to do this one.
Last edited by jolly_codger; 02-01-23 at 03:31 PM. Reason: forgot something
#19
blahblahblah chrome moly
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,631
Mentioned: 78 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 953 Post(s)
Liked 2,008 Times
in
856 Posts
Yet another toilet roll holder:

The hub was cracked at a spoke hole, the frame crashed/buckled at the headtube. What else you gonna do?
Mark B

The hub was cracked at a spoke hole, the frame crashed/buckled at the headtube. What else you gonna do?
Mark B
#20
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,619
Bikes: '38 Schwinn New World, ’69 Peugeot PX-10, '72 Peugeot PX-10, ‘7? Valgan, ’79 Holdsworth Pro, ’80 Peugeot TH-8 tandem, '87 Trek 400T, ‘7? Raleigh Sports, ‘7? Raleigh Superbe, ‘6? Hercules
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 672 Post(s)
Liked 1,351 Times
in
659 Posts
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 4,437
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2654 Post(s)
Liked 2,191 Times
in
1,330 Posts
You guys are super creative!
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 970
Bikes: 1963? Anquetil , 1973 PX10,1979 PX10,1984 PX10, VITUS 979 PX10DU,1970S ALAN,1985 PSV10,1980s PY10FC,1978 bERTIN,ALAN carbon
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 256 Post(s)
Liked 527 Times
in
245 Posts
Picture is not my creation , but is inspiration for making some sun loungers for out by the pool . ( work in progress ,no pics )

#24
Not lost wanderer.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Kampong Cham, Cambodia but I have quite a few in Lancaster, PA
Posts: 3,278
Bikes: In USA; 73 Raleigh Super Course dingle speed, 72 Raleigh Gran Sport SS, 72 Geoffry Butler, 81 Centurion Pro-Tour, 74 Gugie Grandier Sportier
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 864 Post(s)
Liked 901 Times
in
479 Posts

__________________
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
#25
Senior Member



I find that the "push down" openers work better with fork/dropout ends. I was unhappy with the pull-up version that I made from the bike I was riding when I was hit.


One of my pen-holders. The screws are from SPDs, natch. I like the six-bolt disc stuff, since you can just zip down/polish a destroyed rotor as a base. This one lives at the shop I work at part-time. I've got one on my piano made from a destroyed 3-speed hub; the wide mouth on those is nice, as it doesn't really need anything else for stability.
Likes For wschruba: