Elliot's Bicycle Service & Tap Room

[atomicray]

I have an extra little ringy-bell or two, and some streamers for the ends of the handlebars.
I think I can also bring some clothespins and playing cards for the spokes.

So, I got that covered. I might even be able to scrounge up a few spare training wheels.

Don't be giving your training wheel away.. I'll tell the people a the home you've been walking around without your helmet..

...and falling asleep in his oatmeal

[Elliot]

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ELLIOT’S BICYCLE SERVICE AND TAP ROOM (CAMP)


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I request that this thread be kept on point. We have lots of threads for snark and miscellaneous comments and assorted thread drift. Thank you.

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[atomicray]

I see that you live in a fairly small community...but perhaps they still have police impound sales?

I see our local police yard has hundreds upon hundreds of bikes that come up for sale...bulk most often...10, 20, 50, 100 etc...I had considered a large bicycle sculpture at one point...the sale I watched, mundane adult bikes for $5 a piece.

Maybe your local yard has some also?

[name redacted]

Check out your local community or UC campus in June.

UCSB has thousands of abandoned bikes, most of which are more than playa ready as they sit.

[Elliot]

I don't really have a need for more bikes, since people pile them on me at BM. Of course, we prefer cruisers instead of mountain bikes, so that might warrant a trip to...

...Davis, CA, which may be the most bicycle centered city in the US. UCDavis is located there. I visit there once in a while, so it's a possibility. I know my friends in Davis have talked about bike auctions.

[MyDearFriend]

Elliot, I love your camp, your bus is beautiful and you are a true gift to the city.

You probably could direct people who complain about their bike butts to "Peace of Ass Camp" which this year, if I recall correctly, was between your camp & mine on F Street. They bring hand-made bike seat cushion/covers. I personally prefer to jam a partially- eviserated plush bunny on my bike seat but, theirs looked very nice.

[Patsh]

Elliot, I love your camp, your bus is beautiful and you are a true gift to the city.

This... yes!

[Dr Helix]

If you need a welder let me know. I bring my rig every year.

[Elliot]

If you need a welder let me know. I bring my rig every year.

That's a wonderful offer! I have not had much use for a welder on Playa, but the day will surely come. I'm putting you on the list of people to get back in touch with closer to the event.

As for all these ladies swooning over me, I suppose I must accept this as an inevitable effect of my spectacular charm and grace.

[unjonharley]

If you need a welder let me know. I bring my rig every year.

That's a wonderful offer! I have not had much use for a welder on Playa, but the day will surely come. I'm putting you on the list of people to get back in touch with closer to the event.

As for all these ladies swooning over me, I suppose I must accept this as an inevitable effect of my spectacular charm and grace.

[delle]

As for all these ladies swooning over me, I suppose I must accept this as an inevitable effect of my spectacular charm and grace.

...not to mention your reliable lack of cloakage.

[Ratty]

And your beautiful smile.

[Captain Goddammit]

Elliot doesn't want to go naked, he simply spent his very last dime on bike parts.

I propose we start an online charity to donate some used threads to our selfless bike mechanic who literally gave the shirt off his back in the name of inflated tires and working brakes.

[TT120]

Nahhh. If we give him clothes, he'll just sell em for bike parts again.......

[Patsh]

There are plenty of used threads in the back pages of ePlaya that he could have....

[Elliot]

Well, I would probably trade any unnecessary duds for a crate of steel washers, since I used up my supply this year. Let’s take a look:





On many of the 2013 loaners I welded a large washer onto the kickstand -- a “foot”. I just happened to have these and put them to good use. The feedback was unanimous; the washer helps keep the bike upright. This washer is 2 ½ “ diameter. A bit larger would be even better, and likewise if it is a disc with no hole, I suppose.

There are three things you need to watch for: The rider’s heel must not hit the outside of the washer, and the wheel-spokes must not hit the inside. And the washer should not be terribly heavy, lest the stand descend on its own – depending on the strength of the spring.

Some kickstands are aluminum, and for those you would need a TIG welder. Or fabricate a mounting ear or clamp on the washer and bolt/screw/clamp it to the stand.

By the way, this type kick-stand tends to stick (a stick-stand, yes). Squirt a dash of spray lube -- or even WD-40 -- on it, and you will experience a miracle.

Oh.... About sartorial stuff, I'll have you know, as of this year I have a marching band uniform jacket, sort'a Sargent Pepper style, which I laced with EL wire. I planned to wear it to the Meet-n-Greet. But then every evening was so nice and mild, the jacket was too hot to wear! It needs EL wire on the back also, and then I can hope for a cool evening next year.

[Dr Helix]

Well, I would probably trade any unnecessary duds for a crate of steel washers, since I used up my supply this year. Let’s take a look:





On many of the 2013 loaners I welded a large washer onto the kickstand -- a “foot”. I just happened to have these and put them to good use. The feedback was unanimous; the washer helps keep the bike upright. This washer is 2 ½ “ diameter. A bit larger would be even better, and likewise if it is a disc with no hole, I suppose.

There are three things you need to watch for: The rider’s heel must not hit the outside of the washer, and the wheel-spokes must not hit the inside. And the washer should not be terribly heavy, lest the stand descend on its own – depending on the strength of the spring.

Some kickstands are aluminum, and for those you would need a TIG welder. Or fabricate a mounting ear or clamp on the washer and bolt/screw/clamp it to the stand.

By the way, this type kick-stand tends to stick (a stick-stand, yes). Squirt a dash of spray lube -- or even WD-40 -- on it, and you will experience a miracle.

Oh.... About sartorial stuff, I'll have you know, as of this year I have a marching band uniform jacket, sort'a Sargent Pepper style, which I laced with EL wire. I planned to wear it to the Meet-n-Greet. But then every evening was so nice and mild, the jacket was too hot to wear! It needs EL wire on the back also, and then I can hope for a cool evening next year.

Let me know how many you want and I'll plasma a bunch from some 1/8" sheet I have and send them to you. You're not too far so UPS won't cost much.

[Elliot]

That's a nice offer, but is it cost effective? I can buy them inexpensively by the pound at Blue Collar Surplus in Sacramento, and I go there anyway. But if you insist -- and it would be more burnery to do it in house.
We would arrange it by PM.

[Dr Helix]

That's a nice offer, but is it cost effective? I can buy them inexpensively by the pound at Blue Collar Surplus in Sacramento, and I go there anyway. But if you insist -- and it would be more burnery to do it in house.
We would arrange it by PM.

Well I was using your wish that they be discs rather than washers which I can do. PM me and we can talk about it.

[unjonharley]

Some where in the stuff there is a bag of 50 or more tennis balls

Should I bring them to gift for kickstand ends?

[Elliot]

Tennis balls are certainly popular as kick stand feet. But they do sometimes fall off. Yet, by all means bring them, Jon! I bet there is a way to secure them better -- maybe a small squirt of spray foam inside. Or, cheaper, a small hose clamp around the stand, which the hole in the tennis ball just barely fits over, so it would have a hard time sliding off again.

Come to think of it, hose clamp and tennis ball might be ideal for aluminum stands.

Dr Helix is making us 30 steel feet now. Yay!

[unjonharley]

Tennis balls are certainly popular as kick stand feet. But they do sometimes fall off. Yet, by all means bring them, Jon! I bet there is a way to secure them better -- maybe a small squirt of spray foam inside. Or, cheaper, a small hose clamp around the stand, which the hole in the tennis ball just barely fits over, so it would have a hard time sliding off again.

Come to think of it, hose clamp and tennis ball might be ideal for aluminum stands.

Dr Helix is making us 30 steel feet now. Yay!

I have tennis balls on the feet of my shade shelter.. I slit the ball in across cut design.. Forced it onto the strut.. Them put a bit on Goop glue on the cut.. Goop can be pealed off easy.. The balls on the shelter have been there for a number of years..

[Ratty]

A postage suggestion. A USPS flat rate envelope has a very high weight limit. It's 70 pounds. Put your washers in a tyvek envelope from fedex or even USPS. Then slip that into a flat rate envelope. $5.60 any where in the U.S., Guam or Puerto Rico.

[Elliot]

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Random update:

There are now 16 confirmed reservations for Loaner bikes, and when I include those from last year whom I have not heard from yet, the number is 28. At this rate, we'll need a couple hundred Loaners!

So I ask that Loaners be requested only after considering all other options. Return customers have priority, so I will be checking in with you soon.

[Ratty]

Just a thought Elliott. I have room in my van, (if I don't bring the 3 ring circus). I could give you a loaner. I realize it won't come back to me. I could decorate it and you would have one more bike.

[unjonharley]

That may be an idea ... If I/you have an extra working bike.. Bring it to the playa as a loaner.. Elliot, could we depot loaner bike from your camp ..

[Ratty]

I think we would have to give our extra bikes to Elliott and not expect them back. He has too much to keep track of already. I don't want to dump on him. I was just thinking that if space was the issue some of us have extra space.

[unjonharley]

I think we would have to give our extra bikes to Elliott and not expect them back. He has too much to keep track of already. I don't want to dump on him. I was just thinking that if space was the issue some of us have extra space.

That is what I had in mind.. We would be responsible for taking them off playa if the bike is returned..

[Elliot]

Just a thought Elliott. I have room in my van, (if I don't bring the 3 ring circus). I could give you a loaner. I realize it won't come back to me. I could decorate it and you would have one more bike.

BRING THE THREE RING CIRCUS!

We have no shortage of bicycles. At last count there were 105 in my barn. It should be down to 95 now -- having given some away locally. Each year, burners give us dozens of bicycles at the end of the event.

If we "do the math", we see that I arrive on Playa with some unused space -- space that is reserved for the new crop on the return trip. This equation can be adjusted. I could bring maximum Loaners, and accept only enough to replace those that are lost. But many of the new ones are dismantled to provide parts to repair others, so a surplus is needed to sustain the operation. I am of course in pursuit of the best balance.

Receiving extra Loaners at the beginning of the event would benefit more burners, and these bikes could more or less replace those that become lost. A fine idea. You could also loan these out yourself, but perhaps it would work best to use a "central clearinghouse". Entirely up to each of you. And it's all wonderful.

[unjonharley]

burp