(This might break the rules, if so I apologise in advance – it’s more of an idea – but if it took off I would of course advertise)

Basically, I’m off sick for 2 months (and quite likely to be ill health pensioned off anyway) and wondered if anybody out there – would be interested in me building/finding them bikes, bike bits.

I spend far too much time perusing stw/ebay/gumtree/local press/even Bikeradar/BikeMagic, for bargains, but while I’m at it I might as well look for bits/bikes for other people who don’t have the time or inclination – a sort of bikebitbot 🙂

Also I do like building bikes, and I do have a lot of time on my hands; whereas you have no time, unfinished projects, and dream bikes unfulfilled.

Just an idea.

Yes of course I’d want paying 🙂

Martin

Given the recent discussion about classifieds and making a profit and the classifieds rules, I think that you may be on a bit of a loser for this, at least as far as STW goes.

That said, I have a mate who uses ebay to buy/sell bike stuff (mainly) as his full time job.

Get paid for for what I love doing? damn wish I’d thought of it!

not beign funny – but I’d be really careful about doing anythign paid (or otherwise to a certain extent) whilst off work sick/on permanent sick.

you’ve got an email address in your profile – it wouldn;t take much for someone to find your details and start saying ‘well he’s capable of some work’ we’ll dock his sick pay/refuse to pay.

I clearly don’t know your precise situation but I woudl urge caution – particularly if there’s insurance company involvement.

clubber – as I put at the top I’d pay STW, I was just thinking out loud really see if anybody would ‘commission’ me, which would encourage me to get going. I am suffering from depression/anxiety, and the bike riding/building helps; it prevents me teaching wwaswas, not bike building(riding:), but thanks for your concern(seriously. I’ve just been out for a blast along the wet windy seafront here in Brighton and I feel quite optimistic, but, yes, I take both your points, and Amos, like all great ideas – Windows; stolen from Apple, Ipod; stolen back again, mine is hardly original.

You would be better off building a few bikes from bits you think are nice and compliment each other, to a set price point, then see if they sell, anyone that can tell you a full bike spec and how much they want to spend has already done the research, and would be more likely to do their own.

Lets face it thats what the major manufacturers do, except they have a team of blokes testing and searching for the right bits, working with suppliers etc to create a bike in a certain price bracket, your just doing the same with used stuff.

Not a bad idea but say you source me a set of forks and I pay you a commission. The forks arrive and the stantions are worn and need replacing, who do a chase for a refund.

Will you have public liability insurance?

I don’t want to sound negative but if you want to offer a service, as opposed to helping out your friends, there is a lot you need to consider.

How about doing a Cytech Course and becoming a mobile mechanic. You could offer to fit parts that people had sourced from the classifieds or internet but don’t have the tools/skill/time to fit?

That’s not at all negative GrahamA, very useful in fact.

I think if I was sourcing stuff it would be my responsibility. Public liability que? 🙂

Actually, I’ve done a course with a local mech (Andy Coakley – formerly of Freedom Bikes in Brighton, and now doing what you suggest I might do as a mobile mechanic andy@procycles.co.uk) and am going back next week to do a top up.

Cheers Martin

Hi Martin – Just been for a lunchtime ride up to the Dyke and back on my new ‘cross bike- you’re right, it is windy! Good luck with this – sounds ideal, tbh. You could look at buying bikes off the Friday-Ad, sorting them out and selling them on as well if you can’t get enough ‘commissions’. cheers Luke

Think its a blinding idea myself!!

Thank you brack, can I build you something?

wwaswas – ah another Brightonian; what happened to the sunshine, it was just gettign dry up on the Downs as well 🙁

I know – I’m in the process or replacing all my wheel and headset bearings after all the wet riding I’ve done, I’m tempted to stay ont he road until May now…

ygm

There was a firm specialising in bike refurbs in Hove. I’m not sure if they are still trading but they built some lovely bikes out of bits.
And what has gone wrong with the weather in Brighton? Yesterday riding in to work I thought summer had arrived and I was thinking maybe time to take the mud x’s off, the trail was dry all the way. Today I’m riding over the downs in fog, maybe yesterday was the summer, still at least I got to enjoy it briefly.

Martin – have a look at this – coudl be just what you’re lookign for?

bike refurbs by volunteers in Brighton

not the one addave was talkign about, though.

avdave2 – Specialbike. are these the bids you are thinking about?

Some photos on flickr of their refurbs

Look like communists to me, they’ll be leaving bikes around for people to use free next, be the death of all us hardworking bike builders. Crikey, those Specialbikes are cool. Actually, I’ve had 2 commissions already 🙂 1 to find a couple of high end old skool steel steeds, so get in touch if you want to sell me your old steel Konas/Explosif/RM Hammer/P7 cheap and I’ll sell them on for a profit to my ‘client’ 🙂 the other to build up a bike from 2 bikes (a tandem?) but I figured by the time they’d sent the parts, I’d built it and sent it back it would be cheaper for him to take it to his lbs – I’m honest tho’. Anyway to celebrate my 1st 2 commissions and not getting kicked off here by the moderator yet I’ve just put my year’s Direct Debit subscription to Singletrack in the post as a ta to them. Right, off round m8’s place to watch Liverpool draw with Sunderland; can’t even drink ‘cos I’m on the meds 🙁

17.5″ sun EXircuit frame and fork good for you?

Yes specialbike was the one I was thinking off. There don’t seem to many recent photos in the galleries but the web site is still active which was why I wasn’t sure if they were still operating.

Sorry, thisisnotaspoon, only just seen this EXcircuit must be rare I’ve Googled it and zilch, can you send me details (I’ll mail you,too) cheers Martin
ps: weather’s looking good after last night

Those old Sunn steel frames are rare as. Grab it if it’s in good condition or you know a place that could refurb it for you.

One word of advice – if you’re going to source frames & parts for people that are potentially quite expensive then get a deposit at least first. I did a favour for a friend and paid out £750 for a frame he wanted but now the time has come to part with the cash he’s not interested anymore.

Good luck, don’t forget for every twenty you sell to donate one to a good cause 😉

Sure.
if you can find me an old style Giant reign (non pot belly), with a tatty paint job (it will be getting a respray whatever state its in), for under a fiver, ill give you a tenner in payment…

IWH – wise words. Olly – que?

fennerhorne – I’ve got a 1996 RM Hammer frame resprayed powder blue for sale. It’s 18″ and v-brake only. Hows about £130 and I’ll chuck in seat clamp, seat post, front mech, v-brake and headset?

more here

just a frame i fancy, but dont have the time to search for one within my meager price range (consisting of whatever i can find down the back of the sofa)

fennerhorne

often thought this would be a blinding idea for a small business/hobby, BUT the other way around.

ie busy rich middle aged person has highend bike that they want to sell, but cant be arsed to split it. so either they sell it complete and lose out or pass it on to a trusted mechanically minded person to split for them and to sell the bits, enough profit there for both parties me thinks!

But the insurance issue, and chance for the logistical side of things going wrong has always put me off…..

“whereas you have…unfinished projects”

Can I send you my wheels, tyres and Stans kit? 😥

I’ve got a compressor you could use if you take gf up on this fennerhorne…

OK didn’t realise this was still going – how do you get it to remind you at home like the ‘good old forum’ did (don’t mean nothing by that mods!) probably my bad

OK, one at a time – Bike Monkey, I loved my Hammer, I don’t know why I let mine go, and I know somebody who’s looking for such a steed, so I’m interested (but just put a silly bid in for that Orange Orange P7 on ebay everybody else back off it’s mine!:)

gingerflash tbh I’m not sure you’re serious? Where are u? wheels here and back plus my costs (and wwaswas’s! thanks m8) don’t think it’s economically viable tbh

Bit of a boom-time business tho. Might struggle in a recession 🙂

I’ve an old P7 frame – if you’re interested. Not quite the original run of them – I think it’s a 1995. Classic frame, complete with the 1″ head tube and cantis /V-brakes only.

Crikey that Orange Orange P7 on ebay went for £265! they’re only 3 new aren’t they? So yes igm, send us some pix, probably only worth a few quid mind 🙂 bikemomkey ygm

Bikemonkey – no email in your profile can you email me re: Hammer. Cheers Martin

fennerhorne – read this. Be careful.

fennerhorne YGM

Eek! Thanks – it does sound like he was a bit silly tho’

I think I’m reasonably safe; I’m off sick for anxiety/depression and my Doctor’s advised me to keep riding; I think they’d have trouble arguing with that! Also I’m only part-time anyway, so I’m allowed to do other work.

fennerhorne – if you’re permitted by your employment contract to do other work, then that seems like it should be better.

Just didn’t want you landing in the sh*t for an otherwise good idea while you’re off!

ourmaninthenorth cheers – now what can I get you? 😀

Hey Martin… you’ll be pleased to hear that your RM Hammer is being enjoyed by my friend…

Lee.

Martin,

I’ll send you some pics direct – probably tonight but it might be couple of days. I know it is in my previous post but it is the classic 1″ headset, so it is strictly the retro market for that one. Still a good bike thought.

Iain