A new project

Some of you may know that just over two years ago my brother-in-law was killed in a work accident. He left many things behind. He was a hands on person, one of those people who seemed to have one of everything. If you don't believe me, check out his shed at my parents' house. It's almost like it was the day he left for work for the final time. Nobody has ever really had the heart or inclination to sort through it all.

One of the things he left was a bike.

Unfortunately, since he died, this has sat outside in all weather and seasons.

A couple of weeks ago, witnessing my sudden love of cycling, my mother suggested that I should take it on and bring it back to working order. She said that she would prefer that to it sitting there and rusting.

I didn't really act on the suggestion.

Why? Well, the reasons are a little silly. Inside, I was worried that it was too much. I've done some really light mechanical work on my bike, but nothing too heavy. I didn't want to take it on and never get anywhere with it. As stupid as it sounds, I wasn't sure if me starting and never finishing it was more of an insult to my brother-in-law's memory than it sitting in my parents' garden and rusting.

But the other day I was thinking about it and figured that I was being stupid. Worst case scenario was that if I took it on and did get stuck I could simply ask someone else for help. I could take it on as a project to learn as I went. I could go at my own pace, because when I'm working on my own bike there is a pressure not to get stuck as I will want to use it again the next day.

So I went to pick it up, and discovered that when my mum said 'bike' what she meant was a tank. It's a full suspension mountain bike with tyres that possibly came off a monster truck. I'm guessing he used to ride it around the quarry he used to work. It's also got hydraulic brakes, which adds a layer of complication for a novice.

When I got it home I googled some of the parts and found that rather a lot of money has been spent on this bike so far. The forks are Marzocchi Bombers, and prices seem to vary between £400 and (gulp) £1200. Not sure which exact model it is. 

The brakes are Hope M4's. Cost is around £150. Oh, and did I mention that's just for the front? If you want the rear brake too (and I would wholeheartedly recommend it) it'll cost you around an extra £120.

So what was going to be a little side project is now a little side project on what appears to be a very expensive bike. It doesn't really add pressure for me, but I do feel an extra little sense of duty to return it to a decent working order as he obviously cared a lot about it. I can't see myself riding it often, but consider how hands on my brother-in-law was, and how he liked to keep things in remarkable working order, the least I can do is stop it rusting out in the rain.

So far I've taken the old chain off (rusted beyond repair) and started to strip the rear wheel down for a good clean and regrease. The project has just begun.