I recently cut up my old steel frame which I’ve had since 1979. This was my primary bike for many years and was a beater/winter bike for a while, then it became my one legged fixer. It had lots of rust, so I didn’t want to sell it or give it away.

It was interesting to cut up and I learned a bit about industrial-steel bike making in the process.

I’m curious what parts people think would be good to keep as souvenirs. As I’ve cut the bike up and held the bits in my hand, some parts just seem to have more significance (power?) than others.

Tell me what you think.

Thanks

Keep the rear triangle. put a seat post, and soft seat, and you have a chair.

I'd keep the entire frame.

It's a fun if macabre project.

I kept the right rear dropout and most of the downtube. The right rear dropout just seemed like the point where I had poured years and years and miles and miles of energy through. It also has a pleasant heft, and after some time with a grinder and a file, nice smooth edges.

The downtube has the brand name and looks good hanging on the wall near my desk.

I tried making a flute out of the top tube, but I learned that there's a lot more to making a flute than drilling some holes. It does make some nice tones, but they don't relate to each other in any way.