Greater Kansas City Bike Repair

*****This just in Mechanic Matt returns to real working world!***

Sorry folks, no more wrenching. I am willing to help those who already know about me and that I have provided service to, but beyond that I am out of the garage bike repair business. What remains here is now a blog about bikes from some guy named Matt that lives in KC. If you care, read on, if you don't, move on. Yes I thought that I would start a bike store in Mission, KS and a new employer hired me just before I signed papers, so sorry folks. Take care and happy trails.

-The Management

Sunday, May 16, 2010

A few bikes that I have sold or am selling over the past few months...

Click to be taken to photo sets, some are still for sale. I thought that they look pretty nice:

For Sale $45 OBO
Old Schwinn

For Sale $165 OBO
DB4

Sold
2010_Jan_to_Mar 080

Sold
2010_Jan_to_Mar 065

Sold
2010_Jan_to_Mar 056

For Sale $275
84Trk504

More to come, I have to clean out the garage...

Sunday, January 24, 2010

1984 Trek 500 Ratrod

Well I finished the Trek 500 I have been working on and thought I would share some pictures. It took some cleaning, greasing, and repairing and the bike is as much done as I am going to make it. Maybe if I get time I will start taking off the reflective tape on the rims, or maybe not. I literally took all parts off, greased all bearings, removed all rust that I could, replaced the worn out parts, and put on new tires, tubes, brake pads, cables, housing, cork grip, and new to the bike chain and seat.

The ride is every bit what lugged steel should feel like, just real nice, long ride comfortable. Kind of cool ratrod, cafe racer styling. Frame has been serial confirmed to being built in May 1984 and built with Reynolds 501 tubing. Just a thicker version of Reynolds 531. Take a look at the pictures and feel free to get in touch with any questions. Bike will be up for sale in March and frame is a size 22" (57cm).

84Trk504

84Trk506

84Trk508

84Trk511

84Trk512

84Trk513

Sunday, January 3, 2010

New Year, New Ideas...Shop Update


So resolutions are abound this time of year and my biggest is that pending any real job offers, I am going to open a bike store in Mission. It is going to be a lot of work and truly the patronage from the public last year has convinced me to move ahead. I don't know where the shop will be located yet, but I am calling around to various open store spots for possible rental space.

That being said my hand has healed as well as it probably will, and I can go back to doing repairs. I have an old Schwinn in my garage for repairs, but do not know where I am going to find all the parts to make it work again. Other than that I have time to repair bikes again, but my garage and therefore my shop is ice cold so I can't promise anything with any speed. I have been over coming this with a little propane heater but a pair of Coleman canisters only last a day so I can go through a lot. So if there is any work anyone needs I am going to charge an extra $6 to pay for the canisters for the day. I hope that isn't an issue.

In preparation of the store, I have been purchasing and thoroughly overhauling bikes to resale in the store. This will hopefully help me afford my first few months rent until I can convince a bicycle company to allow me to be a retailer. I have five bikes right now, and would like to get closer to the 20 bike range but we will see. I thought as a teaser I would let you know what I have found, these will not be available until the store opens so be advised. Remember that all these bikes have been completely overhauled including repacking bearings, drivetrain tuning, brake repair, and truing wheels. (Pictures to come)

2001 Jamis Aurora touring bike in nearly new condition. Absolutely ready perfect shape for your first tour. The color is kind of a purplish-blue. Only change to it was a Terry brand anatomic seat, everything else is stock. Highlights include 36 spoke Ritchey Wheels (Hub and Rims, offset rear rim), SLR Brifters, cantilever brakes, and Reynolds 520 frame and fork. Stout and ready for the long road including all the little touring and fender mount eyelets needed. Size is a 53cm.

1997 Specialized Rockhopper cromoly steel mountain bike in nearly new condition. This bike come in a Ferarri Red color and is ready for offroading, rail-trailing, campus life, or as a commuter conversion. One of the last high end steel frames that Specialized made, included Ritchey dropouts, fender and touring tabs, and modern threadless headset. Highlights other than the frame include gripshift, Shimano/Ritchey wheels, super knobby Specialized Team Tires, Specialized Strongarm Crank (made by Sugino), and V-brakes. Just a great bike, size is 17in.

Late 80's / Early 90's Schwinn World Sport ladies (or low slung top tube) road bike in nearly new condition. Would be an excellent commuter or campus bike. Beautiful deep blue, lugged, 4130 steel frame. Highlights include new tires, Shimano SIS 14spd drivetrain with stem shifters, ergonomic bend handlebars, and quick release wheels. I haven't measured the frame size but it is small, meant for someone less the 5' 8" to ride.

1984 Vintage Trek 500 Road Bike that is currently being restored. I am in the middle of rebuilding this bike now and it is going to turn out great. It will be like owning a Rivendell Roadie or Bridgestone road bike, except this model was made in the USA in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Frame is in good shape, but definitely shows some surface rust in spots from its age, metallic silver paint job. Made of Reynolds 501 steel on a classic lugged frame. The Mallaird hub bearings / race and headset bearings / cups are in excellent shape and have been repacked with Paul's Waterproof Grease for long life. Rear hub is the infamous Heliomatic hub. Most of the bike will remain stock with exception of a new seat, tires, tubes, cables, housing, and maybe a chain. Just a really cool old Trek that upon finish of the restoration, I am going to send pictures to Vintage-Trek.com for permanent record. Size is a 22.5in (or 57cm). Click the first link for the original Trek catalog details.

Early to mid 80's Schwinn World Traveler ladies road bike that is up next for restoration. Grey in color from the Panasonic made frame Schwinn era. Frame is lugged 4130 steel. Everything is in good shape just needs a good cleaning. Bike would be at home as a commuter or campus bike. Size will be 19in (or 48cm).

Trading Bike Work for Printer Repair...

I posted an ad on craigslist that I could use some help with anyone who knows a little something about computer printer repair. Specifically, I am will to trade bike repair like a full tune-up, wheels trued, etc for some help with my printer.

I have a Canon MF5750 that is currently stuck thinking that it has a paper jam. I have spoken with Canon customer service rep and worked through there approprate flow chart. All that conversation basically figured that one of the paper jam sensors is stuck "on", and to repair the machine the sensor would have to be cleaned, replaced, or bypassed. Electronics aren't my strong suit so any help, suggestions or what not would be greatly appreciated.