Oh you, pretty, pretty boy...

It doesn't happen to often. They come into the shop every day but I hardly give it a second thought.  I mean I see them, of course but rarely indulge...for myself that is.  But every once and a while one happens by and I just can't help but think on how it would be?  You know, guilty pleasure.  Perhaps he's meant for someone else, but you just can't deny yourself..
Such was today!  And I feel so sinfully elated!  I know I should just pass him up, let someone else have him... but it's been soooooo long!
And he's so big!  And Black!!  
And the graphics on the frame remind me of an old pool cue I used to own.
Hunh?
What?
Yea, a bike.  What did you think I was talking about?
anyway.  This was the bike donated to us by a wonderful gentleman the other day.  An old Austrian 3-speed, imported for Sears.  Haven't dated it but probably late 60's to early 70's.  Was real ruff when he came in, but had LOT's of potential.  I gave it a FULL re-build and re-paint.  Same color scheme, Gloss black, but when I was done took him for a test drive and  MAN!  Like butter!  Usually my test drives are once around the parking lot, once through the gears.  but I must have just tooled around for like a half hour!  So in the end, I have decided to add another to my collection.  Haven't done that in well over two years.   I guess I'm due.
Would like to thank all the cool folks for coming in to visit today!  Saw many new faces and some old favorites.  Finally found a gentleman's diminutive wife a great bike in the form of the Cignal 24" MTB!  She seems quite thrilled, and it's the third one they've picked up.  Also like to thank Phillip for the trade of the 20" MTB on the Trek 24.0 for his son.  And also, again VERY sorry you had the problem with it.  Seems the rear derailleur cog was bad and we missed it!  ARRGH!  Hate it when we miss something.  But no worries!  He brought it back and we'll have it up and running with a new derailleur tomorrow!  Again, VERY sorry!  Also like to thank Logan and his folks for "Moving on up" to the Diamondback 26" MTB!  And a special thanks for the cool bit of horse trading!  I love the barter system!  They had 3 pairs of cool shoes (sketchers and Vans perfect for OUR kids, plus a big 'ol stack of Comic Books for Dad!!  Heh, heh!  I love it when our customers know us, and we know them!  Can't wait to spoil myself with some quite reading time! 
Justin's been working hard on his first scratch build.  Let's call it a "RE-Cycle learning experience" that every new mechanic has to endure himself.  Somewhat a "rite of passage" thing.  He started with an older Redline BMX frame, and has diligently been digging around for all the right parts.  MOST of the stuff around here is organized, but we do have one rather intimidating cart of "what-not" parts that he has to dig through>
I try very hard not to chuckle when he can hear me.
Oh, I'm a bad man.
Anyway!  Have to be off as it is MOVIE NIGHT!  So ya'll have a great night!  And check out my new ride!

And the connection is....?

You know you're hitting middle age when this..

Looks better then this...

So I'm perusing my Yahoo this morning and for some reason take notice of those annoying flashing messages and ad's that are ever present.  As I poke around the days news there they are again.  Everything from Penny stocks, to further education, car insurance etc.  But they all have one strangely familiar theme.  They all feature some scantily clad young female model.  My question is "What's the connection?"  Other then a pretty girl causing a fender bender because the male driver was rubber necking.  But penny stocks?  Further education?  Quite frankly (and no offense to any ladies reading) but it doesn't look to me like education is of a paramount concern to these vacuous individual.  And the thought of them being capable of making a wise stock choice, much less be able to read the NYSE info....? Not so much.

I just find the whole "Sex sells" mentality of the ad world to be rather nauseating.  And offensive.  Not that i have anything against the opposite sex, it's more so the blatant insult to our intelligence.  Hey, stock's are boring.  Insurance may be necessary, but it to...boring. Embrace your minimality!  Reminds me of an older movie about an ad exec that has a nervous breakdown, gets committed, but finds he needs to work.  So he enlists the help of the other patients to begin writing ad campaigns with such slogans as "Volvo: Their Boxy. Their Ugly. But they're safe.  And, Metamucil; "Drink it, or you'll die."  And it turns out to work like crazy!  (pardon the pun) 

In the end, keep 'em covered. 

ANYWAY!

Had another Fantabulously busy day yesterday!  Thanks to Justin's friend Shawn for picking up the dual shock MTB we put out yesterday.  Had a bit of a race to buy on that one!  As he was looking at it, had a gent from USF on text wanting us to ship it to him, as well as another guy looking to come in and grab it!  Yes she was a beaut of a ride!  Also, thanks to Jim for giving the "Rolls Ross" a good home!  She sat here longer then I thought she would for a "Big Boy" bike! 

As always, thanks to all for the continued trust in us for doing your re-pairs! 

Also thanks to the anonymous gent for the wonderful donation of the older 3-speed touring bike and box of parts!  WOW!  We've already re-painted and cleaned her up and will be reassembling today!

Speaking of GORGEOUS Vintage re-builds check out this SWEET Schwinn Continental 2 road bike from Dec of 1977!!!  Picked it up last week in trade!  She'd been sitting in a garage for the last decade or so and in dire need of a major overhaul, but the body was GORGEOUS!  And wow, what luck!  When she came in, both the front and rear derailleurs were shot!  (Sad face!) But after an extensive exhaustive search of the many forgotten nooks and crannies here at RE-Cycle, we found the EXACT same vintage!!!!  SWEET!  Not only that, but when she came in had no seat, or seat post!  AHHHHH!!  Anyone who has worked on a vintage Schwinn knows that trying to find one of them (due to their narrow diameter) can be a challenge, but once again lady luck was smiling on us, as we had ONE left!!!  SOOOO, everything except the seat is vintage (oh, sorry had to due a cable and housing replace as the original were WAY to far gone, as well as new tubes of course) and we were left, after two days work with one PEACH of a ride!!!

So, check it out as I begin my day anew!

1977 SCHWINN CONTINENTAL 2
ONLY $220.00!!!!

Crawling Out From Under My Rock.

Any of you reading this banter may recall that at one point in my life I was a die hard news junky.  From the mid 90's through the 2004 election (when I lost all faith in the  the political system, not to mention seriously questioned the intelligence of the population as a whole) I swore of news of all kind.  I discovered much to my amazement that the old saying "ignorance is bliss" is by far one of the truest sentiments ever put to paper.  So you'll understand why i have been in the total dark when it comes to the events unfolding in New York.  I check my yahoo home page for quirky news, or human interest stories but tend to shy away from the big stuff.  But as is and has been the norm, mainstream media has it's policies regarding movements that are subversive or deemed contrary to the status quo.  Cover it marginally, and only interview the few crazies in the crowds.  You know the ones, faces painted or outlandish costumes spouting off conspiracy dogma in an incomprehensible manner, the camera crews shooting only at the fringe of the demonstration as to not show the true volume of people in attendance.  Giving it an air of a minor extremist fringe of loonies.  Even the anchorperson gives their little sarcastic smirk, and lighthearted guffaws underlining the sense of "silliness of it all"  So it was no surprise when this morning I checked my yahoo news and discovered NO mention of the protest, at all.  Even though yesterday several Unions and student lent their numbers to the growing throng of irate people occupying Wall Street, swelling the crowds into the thousands.
Hmmm.
When I arrived home last night, Angela who has been following it from it's inception, merely assumed I knew what was going on.  She has some online friends involved in the less radical ranks of Anonymous who keep  her updated. So she proceeded to educate me.  After four hours on line watching it all unfold, I was dangerously close to becoming addicted once again!
All I can say is, it's about time.  This movement has been 234 years in the making. Ever since the first organized gathering of a elite group of rich old guys sat down and mapped out how they were going to get out from under the thrones thumb, and start making some serious bank for themselves without having to give the kings his cut and came up with some clever rhetoric and catchy catch phrases to motivate a population of servants to do their bidding.  Out and out lying to the masses, promising pay and a better life.  Has it been good or bad?  I guess it depends on which side of the fence you lean.  But the one truth is we are all responsible for it's victories and it's woes.  We should embrace that.  When you work a solid week, and pay your debts and patronize a local business your helping out.  When you drive an 8 MPG Escalade to a "Earth Day" celebration your not.  When you bring canned goods and clothing to a hurting family you are engaging.  When your joining the throngs in the local Wal-mart spending your income on cheap Chinese crap that will break in a week...not so much. 
Look, I could ramble on (and I do) for some time, but in all seriousness this movement has just begun, and is both exhilarating and scary.  This is not a fringe group of people venting grievances.  They are, at the onset somewhat disorganized but they have a ringer.  Something that most prior protests have lacked.  They are bolstered by the presence of the middle class.  For a long time content to sit in their pleasant suburban households, with their two car garages and job security they now find themselves shoulder to shoulder with the folks that cleaned their homes, mowed their yard and served them burger and fries on the way to the Hampton's for the weekend.  As well as the newly graduated and completely unemployable students.
As they are chanting...
"We are the 99%"
"Expect Us."

Before I go....

Just finished up this gem, and wanted to share it with all my wonderfull friends!

GORGEOUS DIAMONDBACK MTB
ONLY $110.00!!!

It's a Happy First Hair Cut Day!!!

I know, odd time for me to be posting.  I usually do it  in the morning or at the end of the day, but we had a busy morning!  Right from the get go.  Then I (thanks to the other computer freezing up) had to redesign new flyer/cards as the last batch went REAL quick!  It's flattering though, when folks visit they always want a card to hold on to!  Check out the new batch below as well as the new goodies we have put out from yesterday and today.  The shocker of them all is a rare '83 Redline Race Inc 24" BMX cruiser!!!  WHOA!  Found this gem (like so many other) in the back of one of our scrappers trailers!  Also got a cute little 18" Schwinn with training wheels!  Christmas gift that never got used.  Brought in on trade as he's now interested in riding.  Also a "cleaned up real nice" 26" dual shock MTB.  Also have another 26" Men's cruiser!  SWEET!
Well today was Izy's first haircut!  (Mom's trim doesn't count)  She was a real trooper, and know we can see her pretty little face (and she'll be able to walk across the floor and not bump into things!)  I got profile shots as she wouldn't look directly at the camera!  Oh well!
Shout outs!  Thanks to the returning lovely ladies, who have been looking for a good, inexpensive bike for ones grandson to get to and fro work!  Thanks to Greg for coming all the way out here to pick up the 24" dual shock MTB last night!  Enjoy man!  Also same greetings to John for shooting up here from Saint Pete.  Guess he checked all the shops down his way before coming up and getting a real deal on the sweet 26" GT MTB we had!  Good choice! 
Also, as always a very grateful thanks to all the re-pairs!  Thank you so much for the trust!
And Hello to the returning Chip!  Hadn't seen him for the regular "Monday's with Chip" as he's been busy!  I didn't get the whole skinny, but he's apparently got another book in the works.  Can't wait to hear more! 
All right, I'd best get a move on as I have a Diamondback in my rack calling me!

'83 REDLINE "RACE INC" BMX CRUISER
$280.00

"THAT'S MY LITTLE PUMPKIN!"

DUAL SHOCK ALUMINUM FRAME MTB
ONLY $85.00!!

ALUMINUM CRUISER
ONLY $75.00!!

"LIKE NEW" SCHWINN!
ONLY $45.00!!

IN HOMAGE TO MY COMIC BOOK YOUTH!

Flattery Will get You everywhere!

Like with any other job, regardless of how much you may love it, there are times you are reminded...it's a job!  One requiring commitment, labor time and toil.  Sometimes to a point of tedium.  But then there are the times when you are gently reminded of why you do what you do.  In our case, those reminders always come from the folks we service...there bikes I mean!  The other day was a good case in point.  A gentleman attending SPC, studying renewable resource development brought in an older GT MTB for us to reassemble and rebuild.  In trade towards his bill he brought along a "Bike In A Bucket"  An older Specialized Hardrock, 90% complete, and in need of a good re-furb!  he also brought along a bevy of compliments.  Obviously, in accordance with his major, he shares in our desire to reuse what the Earth has already provided, and was genuinely giddy to have found us.  His burning question "Why aren't there more places doing what we do?"  Good question.  Personally?  I think it's only a matter of time.  I meet people every day that in some way are thinking twice before discarding this or that, in lieu of holding on for some possible future use. 
Also i would like to thank one of our new friends, not only for letting us rebuild the SWEET trek road bike that everyone wanted, but also for his kind donation to our friend John of some canned food!  (no yams!).  you'll be happy to know we are starting to accumulate quite a bit of goodies for him.  Angela's "Mommy Network" (pause briefly:  My wife furthers the whole "re-use" theory with a group of local moms, who trade and donate clothes and toys and such, back and forth and are always looking to welcome more "families in need") came up with a couple of boxes as well!  We'll be having them all delivered to John by the end of this week.
Well we managed to put out three more yesterday.  A 24" trek MTB.  This one's an older  cromoly frame, and runs like a champ!  Also, a 24" dual shock "Daily banger Special" MTB as well!  And to top it off a GORGEOUS Vintage Ladies Raleigh three speed!  pretty sure that one's sold though, but we're going to pic it below anyway!\
ALSO!  Got some exciting new additions yesterday!  A (soon to be) nice men's 26" Diamondback Sorento! A banger BMX (we are REAL light on BMX's right now!) And the best of 'em all, in trade for the unicycle we've had, like   FOREVER a SUPERSWEET Vintage Schwinn Continental 2 Road bike!!!!   KEEN!  That one's going on my rack post haste! 
So on that note, I'd best get hopping!

24" TREK MTB!
ONLY $70.00!!

DUAL SHOCK "DAILY BANGER SPECIAL"!!
ONLY $45.00!!

VINTAGE LADIES RALEIGH 3-SPEED
ONLY $140.00!!

Lot's and lot's

Been a couple days since my last epic poem. The shop computer had a fatal meltdown. Working on a loaner now as we wait to see if the old one can be saved. I surely hope so considering how much sh...tuff we have on it!
Well the first touch of autumn hit Saturday, or as I like to call it "fake fall". In Florida, we have a bout of about a week of pleasant cool mornings, an almost content flow of gentle breezes, and pleasant days. Then it goes back to being hot briefly, until the weather dips into what I like to call "Space Suit Weather" The phrase coming from the fact that I get to dig my bibby insulated coveralls (well worn as they are) out of the closet and look like a REAL mechanic for a while!
Anyway. As the weather was very mild yesterday, and the kids had been (relatively) good this week we decided to take a sojourn to the mall and spend the day. Well I'll tell you the whole experience has me reeling! I even had a hard time sleeping last night, as I felt real bad about the whole thing and quite guilty. See, to be totally honest, I'm a sap! I hate discipline. I just want my kids to be good, respectful and well behaved but not have to be the one to put them in line! Don't get me wrong, I do it, it's my job. but I feel like crap for days afterwards!
We get to the mall, and understandably, they are all excited to just be out! Summertime limits what you can do outside, so to avoid the hassle, we pretty much hibernate. They were, well saying "hyper" is to put it mildly. And as we entered the mall the chaos began. Once through the doors Owen ran in one direction Rozy in the other and Kaleb started complaining about me not letting him wander right off. Once i corralled them, had the "talk" about outside safety, which pretty much fell on deaf ears. because as soon as we started walking, it all began anew! To put it briefly, trashed the Disney Store, knocked over an elderly lady on a walker, trashed the bathroom, knocked over a servers sample tray...and that was in the first 10 minutes inside. Well...I lost it. And I became "that" parent. The one dragging the kicking and screaming kid out of the mall, with the others behind crying and pleading for another chance, stopping to pick up the screaming one as he flops to the floor! Oh I was a wreck! I don't usually loose my temper like that, and certainly not in public! Once back out to the bus stop, I was reading them the riot act, when the security showed up to see if their was a problem! LORD! I don't think I could have been any more embarrassed! Well, needless to say things calmed down, and considering the wait for the next bus was more then an hour and a half, I hesitantly gave them another shot, on the belt loop law. All but one behaved admirably after the debacle, and he will not be attending miniature golf next Sunday, I can tell you that!
Anywho! Had a busy weekend in re-pairs and sold several more rides as the perfect riding time is upon us! We'll be pumping out more as the day progresses!
Have a great day!

God Really Does Work In Mysterious Ways

Things happen for a reason.  Don't pine box me in with the whole "everything is up to fate" crowd, but seem things really do occur with an agenda!  A couple days ago we picked up the black and red ladies cruiser in trade.  A slightly odd looking bike with an even odder color scheme.  Black and red.  Not your typical (if you'll pardon the chauvinistic term) girl color.  Right off I knew this bike was meant for a very specific owner.  Then after completing the rebuild I posted it and moved on, without a backward glance.
It's purpose struck me today like a sledgehammer.  In the middle of rebuilding a Schwinn, got a phone call.  A very shaky, timid voice on the line introduced himself in a very formal manor.  Announcing his name he proceeded to recite a short plea that apparently he had done several times before.  Elderly, living alone, fixed income, having to supplement his food budget by visiting the local soup kitchen, an eerily familiar condition in America today.  Recently he had to sell his car as he couldn't afford to keep it, but lives a mile and a half from the nearest stores.  As he requires the aid of a walker getting back and forth is almost impossible.  According to him he has spent the better part of two days calling around to local bike shops inquiring about the donation of a bike to make the trip easier.  Then he got to us.  And the first thing that popped into my mind was this cruiser.  Perfect for him!  Masculine color but a low step over, comfortable seat, wide tires for balance with a basket for his groceries!  I mean, I couldn't have built him a better bike!
My family and I have found out first hand that there are times in life when you need to rely on the kindness of strangers.  Quite frankly, our little enterprise here is due in part to such kindness.  And I mean beyond the welcome patronage of our customers.  Prior to us becoming "legit" we went through a real rough patch, and folks we didn't even know sent food, money, clothing a wealth of assistance, love and compassion that helped us all to get through it.  Well in the crazy hustle and bustle of getting through the day I  guess I lost sight of that.  But I'd like to do something a little more.  If anyone reading this has any supply of canned or boxed goods (and please...no Thanksgiving Yams.  Who eats those things anyway?) canned meat, soup dinners what have you.  Angi and I are putting together a care package and I'm going to see if I can arrange it with the lady from his soup kitchen, that's giving him a ride, to come down in a week or so to pick it up for him.  So if you have anything you can donate (no cash please) please drop it off at the shop, and we'll make sure it gets to him!  Thanks so much and God bless!

playing fair!

Throughout the day we get bikes in, trade out, sell, and buy.  We keep the highlights for the end of the day but as soon as a bike gets finished we post it on Craigslist.  Well the below bike is so sought after that I wanted to be fair to the crowd that bypasses Craigslist and come straight to our site!  Yes, i know, I'm amazed too!  There are folks out there looking for bikes and they find us, and keep up with it.  kind of makes me feel all warm and tingly!  Kind of like when you put on a soft pair of nylon stockings...er...ahh?  I mean kinda like when your favorite football team makes a basket!  Yea...that's it!
Anyway...I digest.
here ya go... A LIKE NEW! (Genuinely...he rode it maybe 10 times) Schwinn Jaguar 7-speed!  The GEM of the comfort cruisers!  A LONG lineage behind it of FINE bikes! 

LIKE...."LIKE NEW"!
ONLY $110.00!!

For Just a moment.

I think head phone should be outlawed.  Ear beads, or pod's or whatever they are, they are retarding a generation.  I have been doing a impromptu scientific observation of family members (mine) who are habitual headphone users (not to mention cellphone Internet connections)  Currently there are three.  And what I have found out is apparently that I say things, I don't say, and don't say thing's I do say.  That when the obtrusive distraction is present, conversation is lost.  Important information is given, but not absorbed.  Only to be lamented at a later date, as to say "you never said that!"
So folks!  Remember the lesson of the Borg drones, and put the technology away!
Am I alone in this?
ANYWAY!  Had a busy, bustling day at the Dungeon.  Many a re-pair, as always VERY welcome!  Sold the little magna we put out to another "tired of walking" sale.  And managed to get out two more cuties!  A nice Ladies 26" Schwinn MTB.  And a rather unique looking ladies cruiser, coming complete with a nice front basket!  SWEET!  And tomorrow will finish up the vintage ladies Schwinn cruiser, and a Kool Kustom's low rider (although I'm swapping out the senseless 20" rims for 24"!) so keep an eye out.
Good night y'all!
ps.  Angie's been sending me more little snip pic's. Below I share a few.

LADIES SCHWINN MTB
ONLY $80.00

COMFY SEAT, SINGLE SPEED, FRONT BASKET
ONLY $75.00!!

Hunh? Who 'Dat?.....Who De're?

Ugh.
Forgive me.
Remember in your youth when you could sleep deprive yourself....for days.  With the only necessary motivation being simply to do it?  While only mildly requiring the assistance of a 2 litre bottle of Jolt.  Or No dooze.  Remember No Dooze?  Do they still make that?  Or did they take it off the market when one too many truckers drove their rigs through a residential area? (visualize the sarcastic pun)
But why is it when you're older and have need for an unending source of energy, none exists?  Or is it me?  Well, Izzy has hit the FULL-ON teething battle!  Poor thing looks like the remainder of her bottom teeth are coming in all at once and she is understandably miserable!  Which needless to say, after Angie's been dealing with it all day, I do the best I can to tale over, however...I'm not Mommy.  And Daddy's torso, while amply cushy and pliable, is not mom's!  So by the time Pumpkin' nodded off, Mom needed to unwind.  So we plopped in front of the tube, and there we foolishly sat until 2.30 am (re)watching the Pretender series.  (It's so funny watching a show from the 90's, that relies on technology, but the cell phones are as big as a Buick, and e-mail is a high tech form of communication)  Well 5.00 am came real quick. And even though it wasn't I who had to wake up the high schooler, I got up at 7 as normal with the elementary kiddo's and promptly passed right back out on the couch.  Which is not always a smart thing to do, as it makes you vulnerable to Owen waking you up. 
Wow!  That was a lot of rambling about nothing!  ANYWAY!  Put out two newbies yesterday 'midst all the re-pairs!  A nice 24" dual-shock 'bangah!  Also a total re-furb on a sweet!!!! Schwinn World road bike!  New tires, the works!!  Also thanks to the young gent for choosing the XR-75 for his latest mode of transport!  Got a cool cruiser in trade towards it too!
All right, I'd best get back to it!

DUAL-SHOCK MAGNA
ONLY $45.00

RE-FURBED SCHWINN WORLD
ONLY $175.00!!

Still A Little Off.

Yesterday could be summed up as predictably peculiar.  The rain came early and stayed...with a vengeance!  Elijah, having the greater distance to travel home from school, had to camp out in the schools library until it let up...a little.  I got a call 10 minutes before the little guys were getting out to inform me that he wasn't going to be able to escort them home and had to scramble.  Thanks to Justin for lending me his ride to go get 'em (and "no" i have no problem getting wet, but I don't want the little ones to get wet.  Although having soggy britches is not the most appealing eventuality)  So having my day broken up in such a way (I am a sad creature of habit) threw me off.  Obviously the customers and looky loo's were at a minimum.  The upside to this was we managed to get the re-pairs caught up with and put out five new rides!  Oh Yea, we're good....we're good! Have another SWEET looking Mongoose XR-75, this ones like new!  Also a nice older Free Spirit "Daily banger Special" Full re-furb, but left the paint alone.  A real nice ladies Quasar MTB, a beginners BMX and a Haro Fox BMX, that is a steal of a price!  Nice components, and mechanically solid, but no paint.  So she has a few chips, but we priced accordingly!
And the real tell tale sign that folks around here are serious about their rides?  As soon as the rain let up around 6.30 folks started pouring in (like that little humorous play on words?  Wow!  I'm witty!) So needless to say I was here past my curfew.  'Twas cool though, helped out a couple of  "I need  my bike for work tomorrow!" 's, and got two sweet trades!  A nice ladies Schwinn MTB and a (soon to be) GORGEOUS Schwinn World road bike.  This one obviously sat in the elements for a while, but after a FULL restore will be a PEACH as the body is pristine!
Taking this all into account, leaving late I packed up the computer and headed home.  Once there and doing the shower and traditional "filling in Daddy on their day's" dealing with the stubborn teen angst (oh, yes...and the fact that Kaleb had another bike stolen from school (the re-built Redline that Mom gave him as a reward for good behavior at school...two weeks ago!, that he didn't lock up 'cause he lost his chain, 'cause he wore it as a belt, and lent it to a friend...etc.etc. et al, adnauseum....) ARRGH! And oh yes, the great "Cheesecake Debacle"!  Bill Cosby once said that "Parents with only one child don't qualify as parents"  I don't necessarily agree with that sentiment entirely, however, there is some truth to the fact that when that is the case, and something comes up missing or goes awry, you pretty much KNOW who did it (unless you have a father who sacrifices up his kids, when HE is the one that did the refrigerator pillaging.  Not that I would know of anyone like that.  *ahem* let's move on...)
So, solely on principal we had a half hour long "It wasn't ME!" fest on how the pieces of Mom's cheesecake got eaten...in the middle of the night. 
in the end, you'll understand why i didn't blog last night.
I bet you though that this was all going somewhere....
nope.
ANYWAY!  Here are the pic's of the new goodies.  Now I am off to work!

FULL RE-FURB "DAILY BANGER SPECIAL"
ONLY $55.00!!

LIKE NEW XR-75!
ONLY $80.00!!

18 SPEED BEAUTY!
ONLY $70.00!!

ROUGH RIDER HARO FOX
ONLY $75.00!!

STARTER BMX
ONLY $45.00!!!

Out Of My Element

My usual routine was somewhat thrown askew today.  After finishing my morning computer work, I sent the computer home with Kaleb, as the kids have become aware we have Internet.  Well at the end of my day is when I do the blog, while the day is fresh in my head.  Once I come home and are exposed to children for more then a few minutes...well my brain turns to mush.
 HEY!  No fair!  I tell the jokes around here!
Anyway!  Once showered and in my jammies I sat down to yak about the day, but with the handicap of elapsed time as my erstwhile adversary!  So if I neglect to thank anyone, please accept my apologies.  Sold the ladies Condor to a sweet family searching for their daughter.  Apparently she is the last remaining family member without one.  Well now she has the coolest bike in the homestead!  Also thanks to the dad who picked out the cool XR-75 for his son.  They test drove a few and were very thorough, and settle on the cool looking one!  ALSO!  finally sold the Japanese Humpty Hump bike!  This one is hard to describe.  Has offset wheels and when you pedal the bikes rolls up and down.  Goofiest thing, but a young man and his dad came in, and once he rode it...wasn't leaving without it!  Had many a repair as well, and some long stored repairs picked up as well!
And a VERY Special shout out to the gent who, after 40 years donated his College Raliegh to us!  WOW!  Apparently was doing some garage cleaning and instead of pitching it to the curb, gave it to us to "do as we will"  Well, we will be paying this giant gem a great deal of respect with a full re-furb!  And will be giving some lucky person another 40 years of joy!  Thank you very, very much sir!  Also, a special Kudos and a "RE-Cycle No Prize" to Justin!  He finally figured out the problem with the vintage ladies Schwinn "World Tourist" 5-speed he restored!  Turns out the difficulty with the 5 speed FFS system was a misalignment in the shifter.  And it had me stumped!  The student has now become...the Master.  Very good Grasshopper!
Also put out a gorgeous full re-paint on the Ladies Diamondback 5 speed cruiser we got in a couple of days ago! She looks like a real peach! 
Well, hope you folks have a great night.  I have some wired children I need to put down.  I mean that in the "Putting them to bed sense".

The Fall Birthdays Have Begun!

'Tis the season in our household! 
You would have thought Angi and i would have been more fiscally sound and staggered the births of our children.  As there are twelve Months in the year, and we have only 9 children, I think we could have charted the gestation period for a targeted month, pre-determined for optimum financial outcome.
I blame her.
Walkin' roun' lookin' all fine and $%!+!
But seriously.  We have 1 birthday in May, 1 in June, then 2 in September, 4 in November, and 1 in December, a week shy of Christmas (this one worked out ok for the first few years, we just told him his birthday was special!  And that in celebration of his uniqueness, he got a tree with pretty lights, instead of a cake!  And because he got so many more presents we felt bad and gave the other kids gifts too.)
kidding.
But if you think about it, it would solve alot of problems!
kidding.
Yesterday was Logan's tenth!  Had the cake and ice cream (with the industrial size spatula to scrape Owen off the ceiling) the gifts (he's back on Bak-u-Gan) and then movies.  After which the kids hit the sack.  Now Momma has a new toy in the house.  Got wireless Internet for the house. (we gave up on cable a few months back.  Over $100.00 a month...and STILL nothing on!) And she was in hog heaven!  Not only does it work on the computer but her 4g phone is now lightning fast!  She can Facebook at the speed of light!  I watched my contractual obligatory episodes of Family Guy (just finished downloading season 4) and then hit the sack.  her and the older boys must have stayed up real late surfing the web, for when I woke up this morning they were all passed out so deep, i had to check for a pulse! (Ba-Dum-Bump!)
Managed to put out one yesterday (I know, it seems like we're slipping) however, once again had many re-pairs as well!  (thanks to all!)  Also sold the Hyper to Marc, for his little girl.  he took several pics for approval.  And as a dutiful father, waited here while she checked the pics via phone to make a choice. 
Ahhh, technology!
Also traded out the Mongoose BMX for an "Old Skool" custom low rider.  Needs alot of TLC, but she'll be Sharp When she's done. 
Today we will hopefully get these paint projects together.  The bloody humidity back in the Dungeon makes it slow going!  So here's hoping!

SWEET 24" HONDA RACING BIKE!
ONLY $65.00!!

Oop's...I did it again...

(NOT sung to the tune of Brittany Spears "Oops, I Did It Again (unless you want a serious injury)
Well, Not sure HOW I did it, but I burnt out another cell phone!  This makes three in the last 60 days!  ARRGH!  So once again had to shell out another $70.00 for a bloody phone!  Not how I wanted to start my day!  but at least things got better!  Having a wonderful rainstorm!  OH yes!  Hot And Wet! Great if your.....in the shower!  But it 'aint no good in the jungle!
Anywho!  STILL had many a nice folk coming in to check us out!  Sold the Triax Aluminum first thing to Greg who's been checking us out on the blogger!  Glad we could make him happy!  Also, Thanks to Josh for picking up the Haro BMX!  Originally he was steering towards the Hyper, and even though it's a nice looking BMX, as he is a bigger teenager, i cautioned him that it may not...hold up.  Thanks for taking our advice!  Also, Thanks to Jeffery for making the trek up from Saint Pete to check out....the GARAGE!  That's right!  This adventurous soul braved the wilds of our garage (remember, we cleaned and organized it last month? Well...it didn't last!  The kiddo's have been doing their normal bit and have trashed it ONCE AGAIN!  But he's on the search for a couple of vintage bikes for him and his bride.  And as he has recently moved here from the North (New York) he knows the value and longevity of the classics!  Picked out a gem of a three speed to rebuild for him, and was enamored with Angie's vintage Ross, but will have to settle for another re-build for his wife.  Was very nice chatting with him, and hearing his appreciation for what we're doing here!
Managed to put out another nice dual shock MTB, but that's about it.  Sorry.  Have been VERY busy with a multitude of re-pairs keeping us hopping.  PLUS have several re-paint projects which of course take a bit of time!  ALSO  picked up a few real cuties today as well!  A ladies Diamondback cruiser (now in paint) a men's cruiser (in primer) an older ladies Schwinn cruiser (lots of rust but the bodies nice!) a 24' Honda racing bike, a simple Free Spirit MTB, a 24" men's "Daily Banger" and a Schwinn Jaguar (now in paint) 7-speed cruiser!  So MANY new goodies out soon!
So as it is now past the closing hour, I'd best get my tail in a hustle!
Night!

Mongoose XR-75 21 speed!
ONLY $75.00!!

hopefully the police will be able to flush out this stain on their fine community and wipe out the crime spree!

The New Phone Book's Here! The New Phone Books HERE!

Wow.  I wish I could get that excited about nuthin'!

Sorry.  Was watching Steve Martin in the nigh on classic "The Jerk"  and that's been stuck in my head all day.
Well it was a bluster of activity earlier today, until the humidity reach like 1,000,000,000 percent and rained JUST enough, to get worse.  Several re-pairs in, and a few upgrades.  Got further on two more bikes, with one other finished.  Hitting some re-paints so they take a LITTLE bit longer!  Also picked up a nice aluminum Mongoose (well it will be nice when I finish) Finally have got my butt into gear on a couple of specials as the parts FINALLY came in!  So check for courtesy pics on those!  Here below is the two new gems out today!  One is the Wal-mart Hyper BMX.  A nice little package with a 3-piece crank, small tooth drive, and orbital brakes.  What we did was replace the cheesy wheel set and fragile (brakes in 30 place within three days) chain, with a tougher gauge, and the seat (which got tore up when the for mentioned chain snapped and pitched the rider) The bikes about two weeks old.  Also a Nice Aluminum frame Triax, we bought originally for the seat that was on it...but i decided to save the whole bike in spite of myself.
ALSO!  Finally have some new stuff from Paco!  Yes we are still working on the strip, but as we are STILL searching for a publisher...well the boy has to focus on what pays his bills!  So check it out!

BRAND NEW HYPER BMX
(MODIFIED)
ONLY $75.00!!!

LIGHTWEIGHT MENS 21 SPEED MTB
ONLY $70.00!!

So much for the bell curve...

Just when you begin to wonder where every one has gone, they show up on your door step in droves!
PRAISE the Saints!  Several of the erstwhile looky loo's over the past week were good to their word and did come back!  Obviously this blog is good for something other then me ranting.  They've been watching it faithfully and picked out some gems!  And for true it was the ones I knew wouldn't last!  Thanks to Kelly, looking to get back into the groove of things picked up the Specialized Hard Rock first thing in the AM.  Her timing of course was perfect as a couple more folks came in wanting the same ride after she left!  And welcome back to the Bird Lady as she came in on Sunday to have a tube fixed on her hubbies three wheeler (that they bought here) and she saw the three speed three wheeler we've had for surprisingly too long, and fell in love.  She picked it up today!  I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did!  I mean a $400.00 bike EASILY and we were only asking $185.00?  WOW!  And to David, glad we could outfit your little girl with a ride as sweet as the one she left with!  Good to see that gem go to a nice home~!  Also to Rock, who got a killer deal on the Giant Dash!  He knew EXACTLY how much of a bargain he was getting!
Also as always, thanks to all the re-pairs for keeping us jumping!
We did manage to put out three new ones through the break neck day, but I forgot to take pics, and I'm already late for dinner, so I'll hit it in the morning!
NIGHT!

You're Never To Old To Start Anew!

First day of the week started as any other.  Re acclimating myself to the shop after being off for a day.  Checking the blog stats and e-mails, visiting with Chip on his normal Monday "Humble Day" when I got an unusual call from me mum.  She was calling me to let me know "What was going on up there".  Her and my sister live (still) in Sommersworth New Hampshire.  As with so many families nowadays they live together to share on expenses but apparently things have changed.  Something I'd long ago stopped thinking would happen, has happened.  My mother while attending a family function reconnected with an old family friend.  And apparently old embers were fanned, and as of recent plans she will be moving in with, in her words "the man I will be spending the rest of my life with"
Knock me over with a feather.
Mind you, I warned her I'd be blogging about this!
Truly, not what I'd expected when I came into work this morning. I am however very happy and excited for her. It has been awhile since I heard her so uplifted!  And I am also happy for my sister, as she too can start a new chapter in her life.  Congratulations folks!  

End of another inning!

Very busy day!  thanks to Lauren for the very wise choice of the Vintage three-speed Free Spirit!  Wear it in good health!  And to Ben for taking the time to Really check out the Hyper BMX!  Very glad it fit his needs!  Also sold the Trek 220...briefly, until she realized it was to small.  Sometimes people have to find these things out for themselves rather then take someone elses opinion.  SO, it now sits back in the showroom for the next lucky person!  Sold the banger Magna 24" to the friends (or family) of someone who apparently needs to get out and find a job.  
oh.
Also had MANY looky Loo's finding us on the blog, via Craigslist.  thanks for all the compliments, and if i only had about twelve Beach Cruiser could have probably sold them all!  However, we did get in quite a number of new pretties today!  WOW!  Got a '10 Giant Dash!  Needed some work, but once done she looks BRAND NEW!  Check out the picks below!  The MSRP on this beauty was $550.00, but we're putting it out for ONLY $310.00!!  Also got in a NUMBER of bangers and parts bikes, plus a REAL NICE Specialized Hard Rock (pic below) that we stayed late tonight to finish up for tomorrow!  AS well as, get this all you vintage BMX fans..A 83 Redline, 24" Race inc 5-speed BMX Cruiser!  WOW!!  it's rough now, but in the process of cleaning and repainting this all original gem!  Will be ready for Monday!
Well, as I said we worked a little OT, and now I'm gonna hit the showers and pass out!
NIGHT!

FOLKS BE WANTING THEM HIGH END BIKES!
WELL HERE YA GO!
'10 GIANT DASH, 24 SPEED COMMUTER!
ONLY $310.00!!!

SUPER SWEET SPECIALIZED
HARD ROCK!!
ONLY $135.00!!!

"This is what we DO...!"

(Sung to the tune of "This is what we do" from the TMNT soundtrack)

For, like a WHILE every time we get in an old wreck and before we give it new life, I have that momentary voice saying "You should take a before and after picture"  but seeing as it's the same voice that tells me to do "Bad Things" I ignore it.  Well this time i listen to the voices..(.no not when it tells me to where the Chicken suit and hand out at "Chick Fillet" and postulate on the Christian treatment of poultry) but when it told me to take a before pic!

We got this gem at the bottom of a scrap trailer along with some other better shape bikes, and was about to scrap it out, but upon lifting it noticed "WOW!  this sucker is light!  With closer inspection, under the layers of crappy paint laid a real sweet set of diacomp alloy brakes, and a set of grip like I have NEVER seen! High end Shimano Deore derailleurs, and shifters. Alloy crank set with biopace rings (lending credence to the estimated date of around '86-'87).  And most of all was a couple exciting tell-tale signs that this bike may indeed be an early Cannondale.  First is the squared of rear brake hold, the oval tubing and the seamless aluminum.  But even if it's not this is a gorgeous lightweight aluminum frame with some AWESOME components!  So Now the beautiful....AFTER

stripped it down to bare aluminum, lightly sanded then coat with several coass of anodized blue, then clear coated the bajeebuzz out of it!

Shimano Deore drive system with diacomp stamped alloy brakes with alloy on alloy crank and biopace rings!

new meat on the tires, check out the formed and stamped alloy brake levers!  SWEET!
ONLY $225.00!!!

So that's what we do folks!  Most all the bikes that come through here go through the same treatment as most of them come in in roughly the same shape!  We don't always paint 'em, but Ohhhhhhh they look HOT when we do!  Also, here are two more that went out last night, just didn't have time to post 'em!  All right, back to work now!