Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Clownbike

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BigPolishJimmy
07-29-08, 11:41 AM
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/BigPolishJimmy/bicycles/clownbike.jpg
This is currently my favorite ride in the stable.
I've got the following into it:
2 POS Huffy bikes ( 1 for the base, 1 womens for parts thank you freecycle) $0.00 (exactly what they were worth)
1 pair Ape Hangers (sorta?) found at a garage sale. $.75
1 set of cables from the evil empire about $5.00
grease for the grease gun $5.00
Est extra gas getting the bikes & supplies (I combined trips with other errands where possible) $5.00
Total Cash spent: about $15.75
Me out riding and loosing weight... $15.75 (anyone can do this)
neilfein
07-29-08, 12:22 PM
This sounds like an awesome frankenbike. The link to the picture's not working, unfortunately. Can you re-link?
BigPolishJimmy
07-29-08, 12:24 PM
Razafrazits... it shows on my computer but I thought it might not work here. I need to get a photo account somewhere that I can directly link pics.
Missbumble
07-29-08, 12:35 PM
Razafrazits... it shows on my computer but I thought it might not work here. I need to get a photo account somewhere that I can directly link pics.
or you can upload a picture form your pc. Click on the paper clip icon...You may need to decerease the size of the Photo in MS paint first though.
BigPolishJimmy
07-29-08, 12:49 PM
Ok, hopefully the edit will work.
Here are a few more now that I created a photobucket account.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/BigPolishJimmy/bicycles/puch_cav.jpg
This is my Puch Cavalier that I love. I got it from freecycle and have invested new cables & grease into it. I've repacked all the bearings and had to sand down the wheels when I put new tires and tubes on it. A lot of work and about $60.00 into it so far. It needs a tall stem and a layback seatpost. I almost hate to do that to it because the tall stems are not the finest looking pieces of equipment around.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/BigPolishJimmy/bicycles/moto_nomade.jpg
This is my Motobecane Nomade which I also got from freecycle. It's a fine riding bike, heavy but not too heavy and solid. I put the tall stem on this bike to see how it rode and I like it a lot. I can always crouch down in the drops when I hit a headwind. I've put about $30.00 into this bike.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/BigPolishJimmy/bicycles/ross_mt_pocono.jpg
I picked this Ross Mountain bike up at a garage sale for $20 and it was ready to ride. This one may become the next clown bike with tall handlebars. I've got about $30.00 into it considering the gas $$ I used while driving around garagesaleing during a rainstorm.
My point to this: If you're like me and on a tight budget, there are options to get out there, you may not have the latest greatest gear, but man is there a lot of fun to be had for not much $$ if you're willing to get your hands dirty.
Jimmy, you really need to scour the fleas/yard sales/freecycle until you find an appropriate "banana" seat for the Franken-huffy :)
Keep enjoying, man :thumb:
BigPolishJimmy
07-29-08, 01:44 PM
Hehehe... a new banana seat can be had for $30.00 at the lbs, but I'm not sure that those skinny back bars will support my weight. It's a silly looking bike to be sure but I'm up to 10-mile rides with it and It's mostly comfortable though I find now I'm running out of but(as in posterior) before I'm out of energy.
Bone Head
07-29-08, 05:25 PM
DUDE !!!
Seriously, the "Frankenhuffy" would be right at home cruising the boardwalk here at the beach !! :thumb:
I wish I had half your patience and talent. Well Done!
txvintage
07-29-08, 07:31 PM
Well done Jimmy! I'm loving the Puch and the Motobecane. :thumb:
Frankenbike is cool too. You may have just found what redeeming value there is in those discarded lost souls.
BigPolishJimmy
07-29-08, 08:37 PM
Thanks for the complements.
The Frankenbike is a pretty dodgy affair with only 2 of the gears available on the front tripple because I've been too cheap to replace the shifter cables and a 6-speed on the back with Shimano set up for a 5-speed because I'm too lazy to change it. Maybe someday I'll realize I'm keeping it and set it up proper w/new paint job. Right now I'm thinking of painting "Not So Specialized" on the side of it. Still it takes me back to the huffy I had as a little kid but without the banana seat. Those are 26" mountain bikes btw, so it's a bit of a monster to smaller folk who see it for the first time. Frankenhuffy indeed.
-Devil-
07-29-08, 09:11 PM
you could find one of the banana seats that has the twisted steel pipe .. that otta hold the weight a bit better ...
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f223/BigPolishJimmy/bicycles/clownbike.jpg
This is currently my favorite ride in the stable.
I've got the following into it:
2 POS Huffy bikes ( 1 for the base, 1 womens for parts thank you freecycle) $0.00 (exactly what they were worth)
1 pair Ape Hangers (sorta?) found at a garage sale. $.75
1 set of cables from the evil empire about $5.00
grease for the grease gun $5.00
Est extra gas getting the bikes & supplies (I combined trips with other errands where possible) $5.00
Total Cash spent: about $15.75
Me out riding and loosing weight... $15.75 (anyone can do this)
I've seen a bike with handlebars like that at my work. It looks like its fun to ride.
bautieri
07-31-08, 06:58 AM
Maybe someday I'll realize I'm keeping it and set it up proper w/new paint job. Right now I'm thinking of painting "Not So Specialized" on the side of it.
That would be awesome! A high gloss black with white "Not so Specialized" would be 10lbs of win in a 5lbs bag. I second the banana seat, you aught to show it off in the alt forums if your looking for some ideas.