Upgrades... And flames.

MuddyFunster

I've volunteered to service a kid's bike for a friend. The bike in question is owned by a young lad of 7-and-3-quarters. It's a Falcon Maniac, 20" wheels and utterly hopeless suspension at both ends. I had initially expected this to be a simple case of replacing all the cables, new brake blocks and judicious application of some appropriate lubricant. However, the young man has specifically requested: "Upgrades. And Flames". I've lent him a copy of MBUK to encourage a future biker (and he seems to be thinking along their lines already).

So, bearing in mind that there will be a lowish budget for this, I'm thinking:
New cables all round (obviously)
Plastic pedals (or possibly some V8 copies)
Humorously shaped valve caps (bullets, dice - that sort of thing)
All of the above to be in garish and clashing colours.

Any other suggestions for a low budget, pimp-my-junior-ride project that might inspire the young chap?

.blitz

I can only think back to when blitz jr was that age and he asked if he could borrow some rattle cans to paint a mate's frame. Between them they managed to paint the frame..and the bars and all the controls, the wheels and the tyres... :shock:

MuddyFunster

good suggestion - but I'll make sure that gets done in someone else's workshop. I love it when the chain gets sprayed too!

delta5

If he needs a helmet . . .
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=16581

cooldad

I'd avoid pedals with pins, or you'll be done for child abuse when he minces his shins, which he will.

wordnumb

MuddyFunster wrote:

All of the above to be in garish and clashing colours.

Grips, also in garish & clashing.

dot1

Go to your local halfords and look at the Cre8 stuff. Pedals, dust caps, grips etc in all the garish colours that you can imagine!

Shaggy_Dog

I used to have wheel covers with flames on! They were trying to copy the style of Tioga Disc Drives

Simialr to page 10 of this 1991 Raleigh catalogue http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=15709

They were the raddest things ever, my mates were so jealous

Anonymous

Got to have flames when you're 7. Makes you go faster

As for encouraging MTB, other than taking him on trails, it's probably better to get the parents to buy a BMX and let him get confidence doing all kinds of jumps and tricks. Then he might venture out on DH and freeride stuff when older and not get bored.

(this coming from someone who always wished he could have a BMX when he was younger, but never had one, and didn't get into MTB until his 30s, and now is afraid of the slightest bit of air and anything too risky ).

cooldad

deadkenny wrote:

Got to have flames when you're 7. Makes you go faster

As for encouraging MTB, other than taking him on trails, it's probably better to get the parents to buy a BMX and let him get confidence doing all kinds of jumps and tricks. Then he might venture out on DH and freeride stuff when older and not get bored.

(this coming from someone who always wished he could have a BMX when he was younger, but never had one, and didn't get into MTB until his 30s, and now is afraid of the slightest bit of air and anything too risky ).

But you look the part in all the gear. Know one else knows you are a pussy.

MuddyFunster

Thanks for the suggestions: grips added to the shopping list and I'll take onboard the advice re. pedal pins.
I usually suggest a BMX to those parents who bother asking for my advice on kid's bikes, but it seems that the kids themselves don't think they're getting a "proper" bike unless it has suspension. It never works but, like the flames, it's all about the look...

Serious comments over with (and back to the flames): do you think i could bodge something with a can of WD40 mounted on a stay with a handlebar mounted trigger and the electronic ignition thingummy out of a lighter? Would lighter fluid or GT85 offer more range?

cooldad

Go with lighter fluid.

t0pc4t

are you insane?

cooldad

t0pc4t wrote:

are you insane?

Yeah maybe kerosene would be better, and cheaper.

t0pc4t

if he's 7 and hasn't figured out how to start his own fires it's probably better he doesn't get any assistance

MuddyFunster

aamof, I reckon that lighting fires should be a part of the National Curiculum to rescue kids from a nanny state and our risk-phobic health and safety culture. Along with climbing trees, jumping off shed roofs, getting chased by the night watchman on building sites, and the construction & use of improvised projectile weapons (slings, catapults etc).

Special training for wannabe mountain bikers could start with offroading on a racer with upside down bars (the bike has to be big enough to be "grown into"). With steel rims and leather brake blocks.

Showing my age now, amn't I?

cooldad

MuddyFunster wrote:

aamof, I reckon that lighting fires should be a part of the National Curiculum to rescue kids from a nanny state and our risk-phobic health and safety culture. Along with climbing trees, jumping off shed roofs, getting chased by the night watchman on building sites, and the construction & use of improvised projectile weapons (slings, catapults etc).

Special training for wannabe mountain bikers could start with offroading on a racer with upside down bars (the bike has to be big enough to be "grown into"). With steel rims and leather brake blocks.

Showing my age now, amn't I?

I remember doing exactly that, except rubber had been invented. I feel so young.

MuddyFunster

I recall the leather blocks being an "upgrade". With the Grap-On grips that you could barely get your hands around. And the brake lever extension thingummies that just bent up to the bar without actually pulling any cable.