NOS88

Arrrghhh! I need more space. I'm trying to build up my new touring frame. Problem is that bits for it are coming off of two other bikes (each will get the original equipment reinstalled). The problem is that I have no way to get all three bikes out and in work stands at the same time. I've only room for two portable work stands in the sun room, where I'm doing the work. Even if I had more space in that room, I've only got two work stands. Why did this project seem so easy in my head? I could picture each component, from whence it would come, and how it would fit on the new build. I could even picture where I put the original components for the bikes that were being "farmed" for parts. What I did not picture in my head is shifting three bike back and forth between two work stands and how much additional time that would take. It really is complicated. For example, the original crank for one bike is on the other one I'm using for parts.... and it's not just the one part. Just once, really, just once, I'd like to have a bike build go as smoothly in real time as it did in my head as I was planning it. Perhaps planning is not my strong suit? I guess the real rant is that I was hoping to be able to ride the new build tonight after work. But that shall not happen. I've still too much to do.

rdtompki

Work on the bike's sequentially. Set up the two donor bikes, strip and re-install the original parts. Put donor bikes back in storage and have at your new touring frame. My take is you're complaining with a wink! N+1 is a tough road.

ratdog

Your just being a bit overdramatic here, when I was young & the family didn't own a bike stand, all you did was flip the bike upside down. Seems to me like this should work for 90 percent of the tear down and re-build.

Phil_gretz

Agree with above ^^. You could do this with one stand. Strip the two donors first. All removed parts go into one of three boxes (from which you will later execute the builds), labeled "Tourer", "Donor 1", and "Donor 2". Toss all new parts (cables, tape, brake pads, whatever) into corresponding boxes. After all frames are stripped down as far as needed, position frames and boxes in different locations.

Begin to rebuild the donor bikes, each sequentially. Once these are done, move to the tourer. Take your time (as long as you have one remaining bike to ride).

You can do this.

NOS88

That's the reason I have "minor rant" in the thread title.

NOS88

Glad your system works for you. I think you missed my point, but, it's no biggie.

Retro Grouch 

Assembling a bike isn't all that hard. PLANNING the assembly of a bike is where it gets complicated.

I have only one piece of advice. Either invest in a mechanic's apron of some kind or do it in the nude.

Phil_gretz

Never use a wire wheel or bench grinder in the nude. Also, not chemical strippers (sorry) or acids without protective coverings. Don't ask me how I know this. Obvously, I've read...

NOS88

I had dinner with my two sons last night. They both informed me that I was guilty of middle class whine. They went into a series of whines that had me in stitches.

Valley girl: "My IPad froze last night and I actually had to pull out my laptop to check my Facebook page. I mean really sometimes it just gets too hard."

Wealthy businessman: "This morning my Beemer had bird droppings on it. I knew I should have pulled the snow mobiles out of the garage and put the car in. I was 15 minutes late, because the car wash had a line."

Spoiled bike owner: "I don't know where to put all my bikes. I've actually had to hang two from the rafters in the garage, because the bike shed is full. And just today, I realized I didn't have three bike stands."

I think my wife and I must have done something right in raising these two.... smart a$$es.

Retro Grouch 

You didn't tell us you had sons. What does their workshop and garage space look like? Take your bikes over to one of their houses where you can spread out.

I have a line on an old restorable Corvair to buy. I'm not really interested in restoring it, I just want it because they all leak oil and I want to park it on one of my sons' driveways. They both kept some marginal cars parked on my driveway for extended periods. I don't get mad, I get even.

Rowan

So... who's Valley girl?

NOS88

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_girl

GeorgeBMac

NOS88: Perhaps it's not weak planning -- but overly strong optimism?

My most satifying and successful projects are the ones that I start with the idea and the attitude that they will be difficult. EVERYTIME I start a project thinking "This should be easy", it ain't...

qcpmsame 

Oh, gag me with a spoun, I mean rilly, this is lik, totuly bogus man, fer surrrreee. At least you don't have to put the Beemer outside NOS. Your sons have good perspective on things and seem to have inherited a wry sense of humor from one of the gene donors involved in their beings.

Bill

Timtruro

As many have said, you donīt need 3 stands. My approach would be to keep the build bike on one stand. Then methodically strip the components you need and off the other two. Then build up the N+1. Finally put the donor bikes on the two stands and swap out or install the components you want on them. Simple eh_?

Timtruro

Absolutely agree, the journey is both important and rewarding