ratfink76

So in my internet research on my Zeus, I came across this website: Speedbicycles - FAST BIKES SINCE 1900 - Basel Switzerland

If you click on his bikes, each has a description, almost like Bikepedia for example.

I've tried being anal and creating an Excel sheet but:

• I forget to update
• I get lazy about updating it
• I don't like the way the data is stored
• etc...

So what ends up happening is I have two main folders under bikes: "Current Stable" and "Sold"

The Sold folder has a couple hundred bikes in it now and is fun to go through - especially the before/afters.

The current folder ends up telling a story:

• before pictures
• past build pictures
• word file with breakdown on the serial number and type of tubing
• pictures from current rides on that bike
• etc

Does anyone else try to be anal about tracking what they have?

Anyone have any good methods they use if they do?

I know, I know, stop sitting in front of the computer trying to organize them and get out there and ride one of them... LOL

non-fixie 

Kinda went through the same scenario. Just didn't sell that many.

Upside is I can still go look up the serial numbers that are not in the spreadsheet ...

OldsCOOL

I stand in the middle of my bike room and pan the scene.

Cougrrcj

Ummmmmm. I open the garage door, and - Behold! - they are there.

Now as for before/after pics. Probably not, since my Fuji has been modified since Day 1 - I actually changed a few things before taking retail delivery when it was brand new (as a year-old floor model) waaaaaay back in 1976. As for the others? - I didn't have a camera handy to take pics... Or 'why bother'?... Or I was just too freaking lazy... Take your pick. They aren't 'mine' until I've made the changes to make them mine.

bikemig 

If you can see all your bikes in just one room, you're doing something wrong,

OldsCOOL

Depends on the size of the room.
I have 3 in the garage, too. I am blessed with what I have.

bikemig 

Good point and it's always good to be happy with what you have. Mine fit in 1/2 the garage but I'm going on a diet, really, truly I am.

SJX426 

I sorta take inventory by taking pictures. I have started to catagorize the parts pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words and lots of time savings capturing every detail on the bike.

What I have done for those bikes that I enjoyed getting to know, is captured what I learned, did and the results in a word document. I wish there was a way to easily post those files but.... The latest was the Bottecchia which is captured here.

Bikerider007

I have kept a folder with almost all expenses and notes on bike, what I paid, etc. My wife is supposed to do a speadsheet but hasn't happened yet. I do before and afters on most. I have also made some of my posts here as documenting the bike. It's kinda like Facebook, you can look back and see what and when. We should have a collector space here?

Anyone have a good way to expense some of this on a schedule C

3speedslow

No, I do not keep track of anything bike or inventory wise.

OldsCOOL

But then comes the "dreaded" binge.

calamarichris

Sometimes I kinda envy guys with just 2 or 3 bikes.
The wealthiest man is he with the simplest desires, the things we own end up owning us, and other maxims about materialism...
It's fun to long though. I remember vividly the painful, hollow ache of lusting after all the bikes I presently own, and now I long for that simpler time when I had more free time than possessions.

bikemig 

This is one of my favorite threads on BF,

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-forgiven.html

CV-6 

I kind of know what I have in the component stash. But not all that well I guess as not long ago I bought a component I thought I did not have and later found I had not one, but two and both are in better shape than the one I just bought.

big chainring 

Just in the last couple weeks I have sold 4 bikes and picked up 2 new projects. They will be up for sale shortly. I was looking for some parts for the two new project bikes and I have what I need on hand to complete them. I do need to buy tires and handlebar tape. But it's great having a supply of clips and cable stops on hand. I don't keep track of it though. Except I do have pictures of everything I have sold on my phone and computer, very unorganized though.

calamarichris

Regarding parts, no, I do not believe in inventories. Keeping an inventory is once step closer to keeping a balance sheet, is one step closer to viewing them as mere investments. Even my investment cast lugs are not investments.

No projects on the horizon, and no plans to sell any of them, just fun to look through all those NOS parts (most of which bought when my foot was in a cast) in the supreme private domain of my parts cabinet when I'm fishing out another fresh set of cables, brake shoes, chain or other consumables is kinda like finding a $20 bill in the couch cushions. With such jewels in my possession, I shall be ever wealthy.

OldsCOOL

Indeed

Wildwood 

Other than the memories and a few pictures, I have kept a spreadsheet of the frame measurements. Kinda like almost trying to understand why various bikes made specific impressions on me. Like - why a Trek with more BB drop (than the others) rode like a Cadillac; or, how the front-center may affect responsiveness.

ThermionicScott 

My "inventory" of bikes and spare parts is just small enough that I can keep it all in my head. Whew.

squirtdad

nope no inventory.....other than "I think I have one of these somewhere it the parts bin"

and clearly B&V can always use more wierd all

over all goal is: ride more and fiddle less

Charles Wahl

I have a spreadsheet each for parts and frames. I still buy something I have already on occasion . . .

iab

Things come and go.

I just take pictures.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/68123172@N03/albums

Fahrenheit531 

I can't even keep similar parts in the same general area. Inventory?

plonz 

I am admittedly completely utterly ridiculously obsessed with tracking what goes on each bike, the specs, where it was sourced and the associated cost. Right down to each ferrule in some cases. Probably best NOT to do this as you quickly learn there is no such thing as a sub $500 build on a keeper bike unless it miraculously happened to come with everything you wanted. But I take solace in knowing that it will fetch at least $275 on Craigslist.

My list also has an "unassigned' bucket for all the stuff in the parts bins. Parts tend to end up in various places so this makes it pretty easy to see if I already have something like a 7 speed freewheel with the ratios I'm looking for or if I have to go source one.

Sick I know...

fender1

I do not keep any records of any kind. No evidence that way. You people need to learn how to do this correctly......