Some times working on a BSO is worth it
 

As I am sure happens with most of us C&Vers, you get a rep as the 'bike guy" and people look for help. Often it is more frustrating then fun when the help is on a BSO (IME)

A friend at work asked for help, he changed his son's tire and now the bike wouldn't work, so told min to bring it in and I brought my tools in.

so in the parking lot at 93 degrees I fixed his son's bike. Some how in putting it back together the cones got over tight on the rear wheel. Got it fixed and put back together (bike was odd, front and back calipers and a coaster brake)

One and done.

Today this shows up on me desk and per my friend it was his son's idea


http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...psh1hyvsxh.jpg

Very cool.

Is that *supposed* to look like a teddy bear face?

I have a drawing of me riding a bike by an autistic kid son of a friend... proudly hanging on my wall.

That's really thoughtful. It seems rare that children these day write thank you cards. Maybe his dad had something to do with it, but it's still sweet.

Sometimes the grin on a kid's face when he get's his wheels back is payment enough, a hand drawn thank you card is icing on the cake. :D

I had a similar experience. My friend's daughter had this old BSO in the garage since it was bought new when she was a teenager. Now she is in her late 20's and knows I am "The Bike Guy" and wanted her old bike fixed up. I told her I could fix it up, but there will be a lot of time involved. She insisted and did not want me to find her a better bike...........

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...psglklwgeo.jpg

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7ezjib0l.jpg

New cable set, brake pads, inner tubes, and lots of time into it and this old BSO came out like it was a brand new bike. Her mom was blown away and when I delivered the bike to her daughter, she was speechless. I admit I had more time in this bike than I should have, but she is also a good friend and it was worth it.........

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...psfh9ouv2n.jpg

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/...psfcodkapd.jpg

She had no problem paying me for my time and the parts, but the best part of the deal is she has been joining me on my weekend rides the last few months and just recently she started commuting to work and back on her bike and that makes me feel good that this was not wasted time and she appreciates what I did. Having a riding companion is a sweet bonus!

Excellent post, you just made my day. Good on you for helping the dad, and his child out by fixing the bike.

Bill

Right on SquirtDad!@!


One of my most satisfying bike moments is still the time I fixed up a Huffy for a women living in a trailer park here in Boulder (yes, there are trailers still in Boulder....). She was so grateful and unbeknownst to me, it was her 50th birthday. The bike actually rode pretty well after all the components were replaced and I hope she got a lot of use out of it. Like the Buddists say - the joy of a beggar is equal to the joy of a king.

These are great stories that refresh your faith in the human race.

Well worth it! I have friends that just want me to work whilst they watch and drink beer.

Okay, I give up. What does BSO stand for?

Bicycle-shaped object.

Thanks.

I'm not surprised it would have difficulties, that geometry is questionable.

Awesome.

Someone needs to build the bike that kid designed. I think he is on to something.

Bicycles Built Based on People?s Attempts to Draw Them From Memory - BOOOOOOOM! - CREATE * INSPIRE * COMMUNITY * ART * DESIGN * MUSIC * FILM * PHOTO * PROJECTS

Love it!

I thought about this and looking at the design, I think it would actuall work. Seat placement may be a bit forward

It has two front ends.

Good job! If you can easily help someone out, why not do it, even if it isn't a bike you'd personally save?

The value of anything is subjective to all. My nearly 20 year old mountain bike is heavy, has low end components, probably didn't even cost my parents $200 when it came from Dicks brand new, and is too small for grown up me, but I've completely rebuilt it against the advice from bike shops who said it wasn't worth restoring and have no plans on ever getting rid of it.

Childhood bikes are the gateway drug to N+1. That is an amazing restoration, truly work to be proud of.

When kids 10 and under write thank you cards, I think parents always have something to do with it.

At last I can say it - are the forks are bent?

On a more serious note, helping others, who need the help, is a great way to feel great! My volunteer work is more rewarding all the time, even though I am not as active in the B4H scene as I used to be.

Wow...that cleaned up nice!