Originally Posted by ridethecliche
Haha, thanks East Hill!
Though, I'm not really sure what I'm doing yet. I might end up buying another bike off craigslist and taking it apart completely just to see how to put it back together. It should be a good learning experience. I hope I have the time and erm funds...
Good luck to the OP!
I found an old bike boom gaspipe bomber in the trash that was in good condition (for what it was) and that is what I did to it. It started an obsession that led me across the country to attend bike school and now I work at a bike shop here called Re-Cycles (check out the new issue of Dirtrag). Ripping apart that bike gave me a sense that I could really understand the machine instead of just utilizing it. I feel very fortunate because of it.
To the OP, I just rescued a wheel that was tacoed with 5 broken spokes: it works beautifully and will give the rider many more years of service. Total charge: 12 dollars. Don't lose hope.
The other thing is, if the Free Spirit only has a five-speed cog on the back it is probably more than ten years old, something more like 30.
Rob