I got to work early today. Within about 45 minutes my ol' buddy Maggot (his real name is Glenn) showed up and we started the usual early morning banter. We had both thought about riding today, with the temperature in the 30's and all, but had changed our minds and burned a few gallons of gasoline instead.
Glenn had picked up an old bicycle from his brother over the weekend and still had it in his pickup. We straggled outside for a look. There, lying on its side in the bed of the truck was an old ladies-model Flying-O, a Chinese import 10-speed made for the now defunct Otasco store chain. It looked pretty sorry with a rusted chain and crank arms, sponge rubber peeling off the handlebars, and dull no-name components. It was immediately obvious that the bike had seen better days. It was also obvious that even back when it was still in its factory-fresh splendor, it had been just another cheap import from the far east.
Back inside the office we talked about what he could do with the old bike. His first inclination was to strip any usable parts and discard the rest. But as we discussed what could and could not be saved, a strange thing began to happen. The conversation begin to drift toward how the various parts could be cleaned, lubed and adjusted to work again. Slowly and imperceptibly our conversation turned to salvaging the entire bike, until before long we were planning the complete restoration of this cheap old derelect in minute detail !
What is it about an old bike that brings out the rescuer in us? During the summer garage-sale season, my garage seems to fill up with good and not-so-good bikes I've rescued. Can't explain it. Not sure I need to. Guess I'm just a Re-Cycler.
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1 comment:
Re-Cycler, hehe I get it. You must have great legs...being a biker and all. Bet your wife really likes them too.
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