Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic & Vintage
Reload this Page >

Creative & clever uses of old parts...

Notices
Classic & Vintage This forum is to discuss the many aspects of classic and vintage bicycles, including musclebikes, lightweights, middleweights, hi-wheelers, bone-shakers, safety bikes and much more.

Creative & clever uses of old parts...

Old 01-31-23, 08:32 AM
  #1  
ehcoplex 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,487

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: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 611 Post(s)
Liked 1,175 Times in 581 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!
ehcoplex is offline  
Likes For ehcoplex:
Old 01-31-23, 09:01 AM
  #2  
Pompiere
Senior Member
 
Pompiere's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 3,209

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: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 435 Post(s)
Liked 620 Times in 357 Posts
This was a few years ago. A bottle opener from a coaster brake arm.

Pompiere is offline  
Likes For Pompiere:
Old 01-31-23, 09:02 AM
  #3  
smd4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 3,452

Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2069 Post(s)
Liked 1,685 Times in 1,027 Posts
People use sharpened spokes to open up the lining on cable housing after cutting.
smd4 is offline  
Likes For smd4:
Old 01-31-23, 09:43 AM
  #4  
steine13
Full Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: East Lansing, MI
Posts: 303

Bikes: See my albums. I find that listing them here messes up searching.

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 122 Post(s)
Liked 238 Times in 110 Posts
I put old cable in housing before I cut it, making the step above unnecessary.

cheers -mathias
steine13 is offline  
Old 01-31-23, 09:58 AM
  #5  
RB1-luvr
I don't know.
 
RB1-luvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 1,578

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: 172 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times in 244 Posts
I don't have any pictures. I used to make bracelets from spokes and chain links.
RB1-luvr is offline  
Old 01-31-23, 08:44 PM
  #6  
smd4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 3,452

Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2069 Post(s)
Liked 1,685 Times in 1,027 Posts
Originally Posted by RB1-luvr
I don't have any pictures. I used to make bracelets from spokes and chain links.
I made a keychain out of leftover DA chain. Just get a key ring from the hardware store. One of my favorite keychains ever.
smd4 is offline  
Old 01-31-23, 10:58 PM
  #7  
1simplexnut
Senior Member
 
1simplexnut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 944

Bikes: 1963? Anquetil , 1973 PX10,1979 PX10,1984 PX10, VITUS 979 PX10DU,1970S ALAN,1985 PSV10,1980s PY10FC,1978 bERTIN,ALAN carbon

Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 249 Post(s)
Liked 481 Times in 220 Posts
1simplexnut is offline  
Likes For 1simplexnut:
Old 01-31-23, 11:25 PM
  #8  
albrt 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 586

Bikes: 1967(?) Dawes Double Blue, 1982 Claud Butler Dalesman, 1982 Nishiki International, 1983 Schwinn Paramount Elite, 1990s Hard Rock drop bar conversion, 2014 Brompton, maybe a couple more

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 188 Post(s)
Liked 377 Times in 181 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.
albrt is offline  
Likes For albrt:
Old 02-01-23, 12:16 AM
  #9  
The Thin Man 
Senior Member
 
The Thin Man's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 1,280
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 137 Post(s)
Liked 184 Times in 80 Posts
Old, failed hubs apparently make fine conversions as pen holders. I made this one that sits on my desk at work.




The Thin Man is offline  
Old 02-01-23, 04:36 AM
  #10  
arex
Abuse Magnet
 
arex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,836

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: 131 Post(s)
Liked 130 Times in 64 Posts
At the Hot Tomato restaurant in Fruita CO.

arex is offline  
Likes For arex:
Old 02-01-23, 04:49 AM
  #11  
merziac
Senior Member
 
merziac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 12,453

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: 245 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3920 Post(s)
Liked 4,831 Times in 2,838 Posts
Originally Posted by arex
At the Hot Tomato restaurant in Fruita CO.

Lawsuit in waiting right there.
merziac is offline  
Old 02-01-23, 06:30 AM
  #12  
bboy314
Full Member
 
bboy314's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Pioneer Valley
Posts: 498
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 135 Post(s)
Liked 261 Times in 141 Posts
A few old projects from the scrap pile:








bboy314 is offline  
Old 02-01-23, 07:03 AM
  #13  
jamesdak 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,229

Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super(2)Lemond Maillot Juane (2) & custom,PDG Paramount,Serotta CSI,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Prologue TT,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,Klein Quantum II

Mentioned: 144 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2145 Post(s)
Liked 3,401 Times in 1,355 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.

Last edited by jamesdak; 02-01-23 at 04:19 PM.
jamesdak is offline  
Old 02-01-23, 07:06 AM
  #14  
ehcoplex 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,487

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: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 611 Post(s)
Liked 1,175 Times in 581 Posts
Originally Posted by The Thin Man
Old, failed hubs apparently make fine conversions as pen holders. I made this one that sits on my desk at work.



Ooh, that's good- I wonder if I can make a couple work as candle holders.....
ehcoplex is offline  
Old 02-01-23, 07:18 AM
  #15  
ehcoplex 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,487

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: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 611 Post(s)
Liked 1,175 Times in 581 Posts
Originally Posted by bboy314
A few old projects from the scrap pile:








Now we're talkin'!
ehcoplex is offline  
Old 02-01-23, 07:19 AM
  #16  
RB1-luvr
I don't know.
 
RB1-luvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: South Meriden, CT
Posts: 1,578

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: 172 Post(s)
Liked 432 Times in 244 Posts
Originally Posted by albrt
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.
old silverware handles make nice straps.
RB1-luvr is offline  
Old 02-01-23, 02:42 PM
  #17  
Dfrost 
Senior Member
 
Dfrost's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Pacific Northwest
Posts: 1,950

Bikes: ‘87 Marinoni SLX Sports Tourer, ‘79 Miyata 912 by Gugificazione

Mentioned: 162 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 488 Post(s)
Liked 393 Times in 233 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”.
Dfrost is offline  
Old 02-01-23, 03:29 PM
  #18  
jolly_codger
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Posts: 88
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 72 Times in 33 Posts
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
jolly_codger is offline  
Old 02-01-23, 05:03 PM
  #19  
bulgie 
blahblahblah chrome moly
 
bulgie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,432
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 847 Post(s)
Liked 1,680 Times in 742 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
bulgie is online now  
Old 02-01-23, 06:24 PM
  #20  
ehcoplex 
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 1,487

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: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 611 Post(s)
Liked 1,175 Times in 581 Posts
Originally Posted by bulgie
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
Got to be one smooooooth toilet paper roller!
ehcoplex is offline  
Old 02-01-23, 07:14 PM
  #21  
smd4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 3,452

Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2069 Post(s)
Liked 1,685 Times in 1,027 Posts
You guys are super creative!
smd4 is offline  
Old 02-01-23, 08:37 PM
  #22  
1simplexnut
Senior Member
 
1simplexnut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 944

Bikes: 1963? Anquetil , 1973 PX10,1979 PX10,1984 PX10, VITUS 979 PX10DU,1970S ALAN,1985 PSV10,1980s PY10FC,1978 bERTIN,ALAN carbon

Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 249 Post(s)
Liked 481 Times in 220 Posts
Picture is not my creation , but is inspiration for making some sun loungers for out by the pool . ( work in progress ,no pics )


1simplexnut is offline  
Likes For 1simplexnut:
Old 02-02-23, 12:23 AM
  #23  
bulgie 
blahblahblah chrome moly
 
bulgie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,432
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 847 Post(s)
Liked 1,680 Times in 742 Posts
Originally Posted by ehcoplex
Got to be one smooooooth toilet paper roller!
And durable too. I like that in a bog roll.
bulgie is online now  
Old 02-02-23, 05:33 AM
  #24  
bwilli88 
Not lost wanderer.
 
bwilli88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Kampong Cham, Cambodia but I have quite a few in Lancaster, PA
Posts: 3,206

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: 838 Post(s)
Liked 863 Times in 455 Posts
__________________
Cambodia bikes, 85 Gazelle Opafiets market, A Big BMX 29r, Maxwell All-road, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos, 72 Gugieficazione Witcomb.

bwilli88 is offline  
Old 02-02-23, 12:00 PM
  #25  
wschruba
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,591
Mentioned: 32 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 489 Post(s)
Liked 39 Times in 30 Posts
Originally Posted by bulgie
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
Bottle opener




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.
wschruba is offline  
Likes For wschruba:

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -

Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.