Henry III

Hi folks,

Been busy with my new TIG welding position still getting used to being an Oregonian. Something has been brewing in my head for awhile now since I've noticed something I seen nearly everyday. I'm still getting used to the amount of homeless and panhandlers around here compared to the amount we had back in Wisconsin. After awhile you begin to notice the same people working the certain parts of town. One week their vets and then their stranded needing gas money and the week after their something else.

Though there's one guy that particular that stands out because he doesn't stand out. He lives on a pallet on the side of the busiest road in town across the street from a brand new Walmart that opened up. He doesn't bother anyone beginning for handouts or make a scenes.

Now you ask where the "Mobile Homes" comes into play? I did something about a year ago for a homeless fellow who was living under an overpass. I built up an old twin top tube Schwinn DX cruiser style bike with bunjy cords, racks and grabbed him food and drinks from the gas station. It was an old bike I had laying around not being used. He wasn't expecting anything and caught him totally by surprise and was estatic. After that he, his bags and the bike were gone and never saw him again. I drove pass that under pass everyday to work so I felt good and made a difference. Now if I really did or not I'll never know but I felt I did something good.

So my idea with the "Mobile Homes" was to build up a simple maintnance free as possible self sustained touring bike. So internally geared hub(SA 3spd), 26" or 27" wheels with tire liners and slimed, rack, front basket, fenders...sleeping bag, one person tent, toiletries, everything you would need for a cross country self sustained bicycle. Not saying this guy is going to take to the road and put on some miles but any type of reliable transportation that can carry his belongings is a positive thing in my book.

I've got a Schwinn Cimarron with no plans of being used. I repainted it rattle can coffee brown and kind of has a Surly look to with rack/fender mounts, and low rider mounts on the fork, lugged/fillet brazed frame. I believe it was the top of the line for Schwinn at the time for their mtb's in the mid 80's. Either way I have no use for it and would like to build it up for someone to get some real use for it.

I spoke with a friend I met when we first got here and recently told him my idea and thought it was awesome and agreed to help with whatever he had that I needed. There is a bike shop down the street that has boxes of used stuff and I've gotten pretty good with the owner also so I may bring the idea up to him to see if he would be interested in donating anything for the project.

If anyone here would like to help donate anything let me know. If not that's understandable also. Take care everyone.

Happy Holidays
Henry

Henry III

photogravity

Henry, I think it's a neat idea and one that could make a difference. Some form of transportation is often what is required to make a difference in the lives of people in need. The platform you've chosen for this project is spot on, too. I can tell you've given this some serious thought.

balindamood

I have been making similar bikes out of odd parts form the local bike co-op. Ridgid MTB frames, 1x6-7-8-whatever gearing. I have found that friction RD's are more "field-friendly" than IG hubs. I think the IG's probably go longer between treking, but no one knows how to adjust/fix them, but most can figure out something with an exposed derailleur. Brakes are either canti's or V, but I generally do not use the crappy ones off the big-box bikes we get by the 100's. I add a rack if I can find one, but I think what would make it more convenient is a large Wald-style front basket. I have one on my grocery-getter and love it, but they are hard to come by and expensive. I do not bother to paint them.

I have probably only done about 10-12, but would like to do more. It is a time issue more than anything for me.

Henry III

I was thinking of a big basket style rack for the rear but then thought of the Tidy kitty liter panniers to keep his stuff dry as it is Oregon and the rainy season right now. For brakes I was thinking of V brakes as they've always worked better for me then canti's in crappy weather. I have some crank arms and a bottom bracket but the rings are biopace so running something without a derailleur is out of the picture and well homeless or not. No one deserves to ride with biopace equipped bike. lol.

So here's a simple list of what I have so far
-Schwinn Cimarron frame/fork
-Tange Levin headset
-square taper loose bearing bb for a triple setup
-seat post
-Planet Bike plastic fenders

Bike parts that it could use
-comfy outdoor friendly saddle
-9/16 pedals
-rear rack
-generator/light setup
-quill stem (shorter/taller upright) (I may have something that might work with some mustache bars as seen in the photo on my chopped up frame stool. Though I think the bars need road levers as mtb levers clamps are too small)
-v brakes/levers
-beat up old panniers
-26" tires (nothing too knobby or wide)
-tire liners
-stem shifters if derailleurs are used(most likely since I can't recall any stock 26" IGH wheels)
-good chain
-front basket
-low rider fork rack

Honestly I've fallen in love with a Varsity I picked up for my 15yo daughter and have been riding that around. It's super comfy and buttery smooth and has all the things I would love for this bike to have. Honestly if I didn't like the Varsity so much I would just give it to this guy and add a basket to the front. lol.

Non bike stuff
-self charging shake flashlight
-sleeping bag
-single person tent
-combo tool
-camping silverwear(fork/spoon/knife)
-thermal underwear
-rain gear
-bungy cords
-self powered radio
-aerosol waterproof repellent

degan

Having lived in Oregon my whole life, I know that there is a large population of homeless people in the area who are homeless by choice. I've gotten to know a couple and know for a fact that some have enough money and education/skills to have a home and job, but choose not to. Instead they commute from California in the winter to Oregon and Washington in the summers. Sort of like migratory birds. They hang out until it gets to hot or cold and move accordingly. Not to poopoo your idea, I'd just make sure you actually know who is getting the bike.

canyoneagle

+1 I got to know a number of homeless folks when I lived in Calgary. There was an array of circumstances, ranging from "homeless by choice" to the very gray and difficult to discern area of circumstance/rotten luck/psychological issues and the combination thereof.
I think you did a good thing, there, but be careful. Not everyone out there wants help or more stuff (that can be stolen from them).

I am not a social worker, nor do I presume to have any answers, just sharing my scant 2 years of frequent encounters and sometimes lengthy discussions with some homeless folks.

Good luck, and hat's off to you for recognizing the humanity in those so often discounted or overlooked.

Henry III

This dude is pretty hardcore as he slept on that pallet all summer and still there now sleeping under a blue tarp. I was complaining how hot it was going from my house with central air to my car with A/C. This dude was living in brush near the tracks on HWY99(S. Pacific Hwy) right in Medford. My wife bought him breakfast one day at the McD's in Walmart as he was looking for bottles and whatnot to cash in. He wasn't asking for anything from anyone and just doing his own thing. Just my wife being herself and she got a big warm smile and thank you from him.

It's a bike and some other odds and ends and not a gun so if their not suitable of it it's not a big deal. I don't want this to turn into a debate or anything. Just something I was thinking of if anyone would like to help out. If not then you've got your reasons and I won't be sad. I've got some decent parts of my own I may take down and barter with for some parts at the LBS down the street I'm not using.

Honestly. If I didn't have my wife or kids. I would probably be on a bike riding around the US being a full time tourer just exploring. To each their own.

randyjawa 

It feels good to help others, doesn't it?

I have ridden the wonderful trails in Calgary, Alberta a few times, usually early in the morning. I was appalled to see so many homeless people, sleeping under sheets of cardboard or what ever, in a city so rich in riches and incredibly rich people.

But that is life and little I can do about it from Thunder Bay. Yes, we have homeless people here, also, and, through Bicycles for Humanity, we do try to help those we can, however; our efforts are directed at The Salvation Army and similar organizations who we donate bicycles to when asked to do so.

On a personal note, it is not unusual for me to approach a person who appears to be ogling the bicycles in my back yard...



On several occasions, I have approached such an individual and offered them a bicycle. Only a few have accepted and they get to ride away on their new ride, once I have checked it over, ensuring that the bike is function well and is safe to ride.

Cache

Hey, is that a Vitus 979 I see in your backyard??

Seriously, I love the generosity of bikeforums.net - so many people giving away their knowledge or actual bikes/parts to those in need. And Henry, I know what you mean when you say if it weren't for obligations, you'd be on tour full time. I can relate.

balindamood

The kitty litter panniers is a good idea. I may borrow it.

Henry III

There's a write up on building them in the of the Bicycle Times issues from this past year.

ftwelder

I think a lot about making bike-drawn campers. Something like one of those cargo boxes on roof racks. Strong, perhaps kevlar/carbon fiber that you can sleep inside. Equipped with a simple self charging electrical system, GPS etc and winter insulation. My goal would be to provide them with bikes to retired soldiers from all nations. Good on you for 'bustin a move. Good welder karma.

Henry III