Friday, March 19, 2010

1st Ride to Work in More than a Year

Yesterday, I rode my bike to work for the first time in more than a year. It was good.

I had to ride my third-string bike. The starter bike is still not built after being repainted and the backup bike had an awful noise coming from the bottom bracket. I think the noise is cause to overhaul the BB bearings. I didn't jump into that job because it's a cottered crank. I need new cotters and the loan or purchase of a cotter press. What if it needs more parts than just bearings and cotters?

Each winter, I have big plans to finish bike projects during my down time, but it never happens. Then spring arrives and I hurry to complete my projects.

Here's my list of bike projects (this will help me remember):

  • Straighten fork on folding bike
  • Overhaul BB on three speed
  • Finish rebuilding Maruishi
  • Finish converting cross bike to geared machine
  • Sell single-speed road bike (install bar tape, tires, other small items)
  • Sell coaster-brake cruiser
I just saw a bike on Craig's List that I have wanted for a long time.

p.s. I removed comment moderation. What the heck was I thinking anyway?

3 comments:

Rob E. said...

I hear you. I ride year 'round, so I have no illusions about a winter burst of creativity, but I have two folding bikes that are in pieces that I keep wanting to fix up so the my wife and I have something to ride when we travel. Our next trip is imminent, and the bikes are mostly untouched. Meanwhile an ebay auction shows up for bike that I really want for another project, and it's all I can do to stay away from it, knowing that another project bike I can't afford to and do not have time to work on will not help me in any way.

Bill Connell said...

Congrats on the return to riding! I'm the same way with winter projects, I never finish the ones I'd planned on, but others seem to crop up. I just realized I haven't even started on the kid bike overhaul yet.

rigtenzin said...

I just remembered, I need to add another project: my son's road bike. He wants one and I need to deliver.