Stolen Bike Database

I have fortunately never been the victim of bicycle theft (knock on wood!) but I just came across this really cool link on Craigslist:

http://sfbikes.tk/

Now it only covers the San Francisco Bay Area as far as I can tell, but it offers a forum in which to post details of your bike should the worst happen. The site also has links to websites that offer tips on how and where to properly lock your bike and what to do if you should become a victim of theft.

A few obvious pointers:

• Take pictures of your bike.

• Write down your serial number.

• Invest in a good U-lock.

• If you have a roof rack, use a fork mount with a locking skewer.

• If possible, store your bike indoors both at home and at your office if you commute.

• Register your bicycle with the National Bike Registry (see link at right - a small fee to register, but worth it)

• Don't use your full XTR, Full Fox suspended, titanium rig as your daily commuter! If you can afford all that, you can afford a lower end "beater" bike

A few observations on http://sfbikes.tk/

Some people list parts that have been stolen (wheels, seats, pedals). I see some pretty high end bikes listed there as well (Mikkelsen custom, Rock Lobster, Specialized Roubaix) - ouch!

Stay safe and may you never become a victim of theft!

DIY Bike Painting Part 2

DIY Bike Painting Part 2:

Sanding and Primer

In my last post, project NRS1 was disassembled and all of the paint stripped off chemically. Here is the frame after stripping and a thorough washing with water.

The stripper gets most of the paint off, but it still leaves little bits behind. You'll notice bits and pieces in the welds, the cable guides, and in my case, the rear shock mount.

I used #00 steel wool and 600 grit sandpaper to remove the last few bits of paint. This part took me a good 2 hours worth of elbow grease to get all the little bits off. I also took the time to give the frame an overall sanding to remove any oxidation. The frame parts had been sitting on my deck for about a week and I didn't want to take the chance that the primer wouldn't bond correctly.

The primer that I used is Duplicolor self etching automotive primer. I also picked up a handy spray can handle. Both set me back about $11. I didn't bother making an elaborate paint booth as this primer dries in 30 minutes and has a recoat time of 1 minute.

Before painting, I masked off the headset and stuck a cardboard roll in the bottom bracket. It took about 3 coats of primer to get full coverage on the pieces. The finish on the primer is pretty rough, so it definitely will need to be sanded down so the finish coat is smooth and glossy.

Coming soon: final paint design, and graphics and decals for the frame.