BigPolishJimmy

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

This sounds like an awesome frankenbike. The link to the picture's not working, unfortunately. Can you re-link?

BigPolishJimmy

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 

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

Ok, hopefully the edit will work.

Here are a few more now that I created a photobucket account.


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.


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.


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.

zoste

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

BigPolishJimmy

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

DUDE !!!
Seriously, the "Frankenhuffy" would be right at home cruising the boardwalk here at the beach !!

I wish I had half your patience and talent. Well Done!

txvintage

Well done Jimmy! I'm loving the Puch and the Motobecane.

Frankenbike is cool too. You may have just found what redeeming value there is in those discarded lost souls.

BigPolishJimmy

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-

you could find one of the banana seats that has the twisted steel pipe .. that otta hold the weight a bit better ...

Neil_B

I've seen a bike with handlebars like that at my work. It looks like its fun to ride.

bautieri

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.