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Join me on my journey to restore an old tandem bike that I bought off Craig's List for $50.00. Give me tips and advice on how to take the next step in repairing, replacing, reconditioning and restoring this piece of junk to a nice, usable condition that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Help me deal with my wife and kids as they cringe at the thought of their husband/dad riding this "thing" through the neighborhood! Enjoy the sense of accompishment and/or defeat with me in determining if it's even worth restoring, up to the final steps of junking it or victoriously traversing the suburbs of Detroit on my glourious steed!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Next steps...

Wow! What a scorcher we've been having! It has been so hot that I haven't ventured out to work on the tandem in the past week! Sorry :(

Also, based on your votes, 85% said to fix her up so I have decided to continue on with the renovations of the bike!!! That is not to say that I haven't gotten some anticipated grief here on the home front though... And I quote... "I'm not trying to be mean, shallow or selfish but that seriously is completely and utterly embarrassing! I seriously would not talk to you!" Also... "It's nice that you want to exercises and get closer to us, but do you have to do it in such an outlandish way? You can join a gym and spend quality time with us, not ride a TANDEM bike and embarrass us!" Not to mention... "Dad, we all know you don't have time to waste on fixing up a tandem bike."

Even though I'm getting a lot of pushing back, I'm going to go through with it because that is what YOU VOTED FOR!!! I am going to suck it up and see this through one way or another...

So, that being said, I did a little more research and put together a list of parts that I am anticipating having to need to get the bike into "usable" condition. I say "usable" because even though by replacing the parts it will allow me to pedal the bike down the street, since it is in such disarray I will need to have some custom renovations done to it too.

Here is the list of parts and anticipated costs:
  • (2) Bike Seats: $20/ea
  • (2) Tires: $15/ea
  • (2) Tubes: 7.00/ea
  • (1) Kick-Stand: $25
  • (2) Chain: $10/ea.
Total cost for new equipment: $129.00
Riding a Tandem bike through the neighborhood: PRICELESS!!

    I guess the other things I need to have done are:
    • Getting all the parts sand blasted
    • Re-painting the body
    • Re-chroming the wheels, spokes, handlebars and rear rack
    Not sure on the cost of that yet but if anyone knows of any resources that might be able to handle any of these please let me know :)

    Do you think this is going to cost too much or will it be worth it in the end? Well now you can vote on that too. Take a look to the right and see the next poll, cast a vote and help me along the way.

    Well, that's it for now. Keep sending your tips and words of encouragement as I battle the home front of my suburban empire to reach my final destination for a better future and a brighter Tandem!

    - Joe

    2 comments:

    1. I think you should talk about this with your whole family before going through with this. Even if you want to do this, what will your family think? Be sure you understand their point of view first before going on with this project. Good luck figuring this out!

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    2. Dear "Anonymous",

      I appreciate your words of wisdom as this undying question has been weighing on my mind as well. I am hoping that there is some middle ground that will allow me to fulfill my passion for renovating the tandem while considering my family's sense of decorum... Cast a vote and weigh in while you're at it!

      - Joe

      ReplyDelete