He who dies with the most bikes wins... right?

So the tires were flat when I got it and since its bad luck to push any bike with a flat, I pumped them up. The tires are Primo Comets. Here I've got the bloody V-Rex up on the stand, going through it, replacing cables, and cleaning it up and when I was sitting on my stool - fiddling with the rear brake - and I notice a HUGE marble-sized bulge in the sidewall of the rear tire right by my face! I quickly deflated it, averting a blown eardrum. Phew!

Both tires rotten. I'll probably put some Schwalbe Marathons on it unless anyone here can steer me towards a nice set of tires for better/cheaper.

The old chain was black and somewhat rusty. Ninety minutes in my ultrasonic cleaner, and now its just ugly. So I ordered two KMC 9-speed chains, nickle-plated, and received them yesterday. Being rather excited about possibly getting it on the road, I laid out the old chain, and laid the two new chains right next to it to get the size right. I was expecting the need to take off a few links to make the new chain fit, but instead I need about 10 more links! Damned frustrating... but... I just put another one on order and it'll be here Monday.