Lets see what you pulled out of the dumpster!

[Cyclaholic]

It seems to me that we utility cyclists are qute creative when it comes to recycling old bikes. I'm always hearing of these fantastic dumpster finds and would love to see what you've scored.

I'll start with this nice lugged steel roadie I scored on a big-rubbish cleanup a few days ago....

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x248/cyclaholic_album/oldbike01.jpg

The drivetrain is shot, as are the wheels and most of the other components, but the frame is in perfect condition with just a spot or two of surface rust, and it's my size :D. The shifters are nice shimano friction units in alloy with 'made in Japan' embossed on them. they feel nice and smooth! The brake levers look OK but the calipers are just nasty.

I'm thinking singlespeed conversion (I have all the bits, just been waiting for a frame), keep the shifters, chuck the rest.

[badmother]

This is one of my treasures. Actually all my bikes apart from one is dumpster finds. This one I gave to somebody who is trying to set up a bikemuseum.:D

[MMACH 5]

Most of these items are either currently or seasonally in use by me or my family:
Drop bars
Specialized MTB shoes, (clean and in my size, with SPD cleats)
Boss, lugged frame
Miyata, lugged frame
Set of white-wall, beach cruiser tires
Shimano rapid fire shifters/brake levers (just needed to have one internal screw replaced)
Topeak Joe Blow floor pump
Blackburn trainer
Numerous sets of cage pedals. Some with toe clips & straps
Numerous taco-ed wheels. Most bearings and spokes are still usable

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. If I dig around my shop, I'll probably remember more stuff.

[kemmer]

I'm guessing that I have sold or traded 1500-3000 dollars worth of stuff pulled from dumpsters. Here are a few things I still have pictures of:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y64/Kemmer/P1020056.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y64/Kemmer/P1010878.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y64/Kemmer/P1010764.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y64/Kemmer/s1010071.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y64/Kemmer/lowrider.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y64/Kemmer/P1010075.jpg

[Cyclaholic]

Kemmer, your workbench is about as tidy as mine :D

[kemmer]

Kemmer, your workbench is about as tidy as mine :D

I almost didn't post that one cause it's so embarrassing. :o

[frost_from_hell]

This bike used to belong to my brother. He was going to throw it out, but I saved it from hard rubbish collection, and am currently turning it into a SS utility bike. Since this photo was taken it also has a front basket, a new rear axle, cog, rear derailuer because I was too cheap to buy a chain tensioner, and a purple chain! It still needs a new crankset, and a chainguard. I'll post another pic when I have finished!

[iltb-2]

It seems to me that we utility cyclists are qute creative when it comes to recycling old bikes. I'm always hearing of these fantastic dumpster finds and would love to see what you've scored.

This Kynast with Sachs 5speed Pentasport Hub with Coaster brake was found deserted by a dumpster in Heidelberg Germany in 2000 in perfect working order. I changed out the saddle and added the mirror. I still use it to tow the utility trailer I bought for 40DM also in Heidelberg.

I found the Peugeot tossed out at a scrap yard in Heidelberg used by the American Forces. I gave it to my son who tired of it after a while and then threw it out myself since I have no interest in bikes like that.

[bhchdh]

Kemmer,
I like that crank set on the green bike.

[kemmer]

Kemmer,
I like that crank set on the green bike.

Thanks, they're stonglights. I've already swiped the saddle, but the rest is for sale. I've been thinking of swapping the bottom bracket and crankset over to my Peugeot too, but I imagine French bikes don't sell too well without bottom brackets.

[Lamplight]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y64/Kemmer/P1020056.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y64/Kemmer/P1010878.jpg

Whoever threw those into the trash should be ashamed of themselves. Oh well, at least they were rescued!

[kemmer]

Whoever threw those into the trash should be ashamed of themselves. Oh well, at least they were rescued!

My favorite thrift store tosses about 15 bikes a week. Those two are the tip of the iceburg.

[Lamplight]

My favorite thrift store tosses about 15 bikes a week. Those two are the tip of the iceburg.

Thrift stores around here have early '90s girl's Huffys. :(

[kemmer]

Thrift stores around here have early '90s girl's Huffys. :(

I'll bet there's a Bianchi in there from time to time too.

[Cyclaholic]

Here's the bike from the first post in this thread after a few hours of quality time in the workshop.......

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1761/ss02ka0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I bought the rear wheel, the front wheel was a freebie, already had the pedals, and everything else was rescued from the trash.

[Lamplight]

I'll bet there's a Bianchi in there from time to time too.

If there is someone always gets it before I ever see it. The nicest thing I've seen at one here was a late '80s Nishiki Sport mixte with low-end Shimano components. My brother bought it for $20. 95% of what I find here is kid's bikes, 3% early '90s department store MTBs, and 2% gas pipe department store bike boom road bikes.

[unkchunk]

Here, once a year we have a big trash weekend where the town gets about 5 or 6 large construction size dumpsters for people to throw away big items. I've never seen much more than a few rusted kid's Magnas, and then there is usually a hot water heater and wrought iron table piled on top of it. The best I ever salvaged was hardware parts and brake handles off a scooter.

[kemmer]

If there is someone always gets it before I ever see it. The nicest thing I've seen at one here was a late '80s Nishiki Sport mixte with low-end Shimano components. My brother bought it for $20. 95% of what I find here is kid's bikes, 3% early '90s department store MTBs, and 2% gas pipe department store bike boom road bikes.

Not in the store, in the trash. :D

[Lamplight]

Not in the store, in the trash. :D

Well I sometimes ride behind one on my way to the LBS, so rest assured I'll be checking it next time. :D