I think that I am going hunting for new project bike, and turn it into a vintage fixie like this one. There is just something about the look of these bikes that really make you apreciate them!
I am a gay bear living in Fort Lauderdale FL. I am the producer of the number one downloaded bear themed podcast,bearZERO Podcast. I have a wonderful group of friends that I love dearly. And a man that is my entire world that I have been with for 17 years.
---Knowledge is power, and can save you alot of grief. Educate yourself on makers, and never forget that there are tons of forums online that will help you with questions on makes and models.
---When you find a bike that is worth buying after inspecting it, time to deal!! Never look excited to see the bike, the person selling it is looking at you, and any hint that you want the bike big time will make it hard to talk the price down. Keep mentioning the things that you need to do in order to make the bike the way you need it to. Dont mention too much about what wrong with the bike. This is a mistake that alot of people do when dealing. With some smooth moves, you could end up with a good price on the bike, and a busy night on ebay.
---When looking at a VERY rusty steel frame, remember that the rust can be removed. BUT, if you notice very heavy rust on the welds of the frame, where it shows visible damage to the welds, the frame could be a dangerous ride if ignored.
---One of the things I like to tell people, is not to quickly dismiss the origional paint on the bike. Aside from the fact that repainting a bike can be a real messy, pain in the ass. Working with the existing color combination, incorporating it with the other colored components of the bike, can result in an interesting look you might have never have thought of.
---Flea market, garage sales, pawn shops, and thrift stores are great places to find project bikes.
---Always take your time checking out the bike. I cant tell you how many times I bought a project bike, brought it home, and found a problem I didnt want to see. You dont want to end up with a small bike graveyard in your backyard.
---One tool that I would recommend getting that will help you in fixing up your projects, is a Dremel Multispeed Rotary Tool. This tool is a MUST HAVE for anyone who loves working on bikes.
---Know the size of bike you are most comfotable with. Have a measuring tape and a inches to cm conversion table handy.
---When considering a bike, take inventory of usable parts already on the bike. If you have to replace all the parts, this will become a costly project.
---When coming across a bike you might want to buy. One of the things I tell guys that is the most important. Make sure to check if the stem can be removed from the fork before buying. It will save you a MOUNTAIN of grief, and money.
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