We hear all the negative remarks about the "junk bikes" like Huffy, Murray, etc...

Well, one thing that I can't help but noticing is that many of these "junk bikes" are still roadworthy after a half century of use and abuse. Are they really that bad?

I appreciate the bikes classed as quality cycles and own a few of them. However, I've also owned many of the alleged "junkers" that I ride for a while and then sell(I just like to work on old bikes...it's a habit I can't kick). If I see the frame of an interesting bike at a thrift shop or garage sale, I gravitate towards it. It's a mission. I have to put it back on the road.

I've taken apart Sears bikes that were neglected for decades...bearings full of sand and spiderwebs. Yet after a bit of care, those bikes rode fine and looked amazingly nice for their age.

The one aspect of vintage bike repair that I hate is cottered cranks. I can almost hear dialogue rewritten from Indiana Jones..."Cottered cranks...why did it have to be cottered cranks".