ukalipt
19-04-09, 11:38 PM
interview begins here (http://bikesmoveus.com.au/showthread.php?t=1055)
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BMU: has there been many that "got away" that you are sorry you sold looking back?
SVB: yes too many to mention but we have to let go – we have been known to trade with a few collectors – they know who they are and they’ve now got quite a bit of treasure from us in return for ordinary everyday 80’s stuff that we can use on our bikes. I have traded vew hubs for ordinary mudguards, slim ward tandems & English Claude Butler tourers for 80’s pedals & chainrings! Rare Quicksilver bmx’s for every day stuff the list goes on. . . .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: what do you think of the thought that you single handeldy have really brought the "recycle" and "refurbish" mentality to life on ebay
SVB: Yes I believe we have played a large part in it here in Australia (we average over 1000 hits to each of our listings), that’s why I don’t understand all the hateful comments by other bike sellers, if they had half a brain they’d realise that we have helped them achieve a better price as we have steadily increased the popularity and desireability of these old bikes as we make em look so good and people can see what can be done with a little (ok a lot) of elbow grease. When you sell as many bikes as we have, over 400 beautifully restored bikes that have been sent all over Australia, they are going to get noticed. The bike mentality has always been there overseas but it’s taken a bit of time for Australia to catch up, but now it’s here to stay, it’s no fad.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: and with that in mind do you feel you have increased the demand for old bikes as well as the prices?
SVB: I don’t know - Again, we feel we have played a big part as previously, the facts are: 1) bikes were never sold on ebay serviced, probably because of liability issues/fears, but other sellers should realise that Laurie is an experienced mechanic and so we were not afraid to restore/completely overhaul these bikes and re-sell on the basis that we are confident we have made them as safe as we can.
2) We were the FIRST ebay seller to do full re-builds on our bikes for sale (in the past no-one thought it was worth the effort on old bikes), we did not start out doing this but found it easier, safer and necessary in order for us to guarantee our bikes for 6 months & wanted to feel confident everything had been checked and serviced by us.
We have even made “house calls” for flat tires, and chains that have slipped off – so there is a lot of “behind the scenes” work that other sellers aren’t aware of. Yes we have played a big part but I believe there is a demand for anything vintage these days because of the obvious quality and lasting nature of old stuff.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: where do you go to look for inspiration when building up/restoring a bike?
SVB: We make it up as we’re going and we bounce ideas off each other, some in hindsite, haven’t been to our taste (ie, the gold single speed that certain other bike forum members were having a field day over), or some of our lollipop coloured bikes, but reality is that we don’t always have to like the colour schemes we choose, but different people have different taste and we cater for everybody!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: what equipment/tools/materials do you use to restore your bikes? [i.e. autosol metal polish, kerosine to clean frames]
SVB: plenty of elbow grease, I’ve now got “tennis elbow” – the secret is hard yakka and lots of different and expensive products.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: can you give us a little insight into how you restore the bikes? i.e. do you strip down the frame every time?
SVB: Originally when we first started we did a quick check over and service for safety but nowadays we’ve been stripping down every bike and we even strip down brakes, call us crazy but it seems to work for us.
Laurie is very good at knowing what parts will work with what as he did his apprenticeship on these old bikes.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: not so long ago you started to introduce single speeds into your refurbishing - why?
SVB: for something different and possibly because you inspired us! You were one of our first customers to ask for a fixie/single speed. We knew the market was out there but know the work would is labour intensive, but occasionally when we get time we’ll do one. We are not doing straight fixies with no brakes for now due to our concerns over safety issues as many customers who want to buy straight fixies may not have the skills to ride one in traffic. It’s a concern.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: it is obvious that a new trend is about with older bikes refurbished - what do you think could be the next trend in bikes?
SVB: We believe that these old retro’s will remain popular, like old cars and Eames furniture – they’re beautiful to look at. In these economic times bikes are practical, green, good exercise and much cheaper than a car.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: any advice to someone looking to follow your lead and refurbish an old bike?
SVB: Take your time and do it correctly it’s not always easy but it’s rewarding especially when you turn a tired old machine into a work of art – Do it properly – don’t cut corners.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: favourite bike?
SVB: Laurie - Giant Trance! Me - My orange Peugeot mixte bike in mint condition, or my old Norman with Norman Soldier patterns in the chainring or my sixties track bike with harden hubs or my vitus, or my FMoser or my. . . .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: how often have you seen one of the bikes you have sold out and about? and how does it make you feel?
SVB: We see them in the city from time to time, funny thing is, all our buyers are beautiful people! - - - one less car. . .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: thanks so much for your time and please keep doing what you are doing.
RIDE SAFE!
P.S. thanks for tarini
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We asked SVB to send us some images of bikes they have refurbished:
This bike had both wheels rebuilt with new spokes
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/Ladies%20bikes/brown%20bike/P4030054.jpg
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A recent build that was sold privately
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/Ladies%20bikes/white%20custom%202/P3300030.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/Ladies%20bikes/white%20custom%202/P3300001.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/Ladies%20bikes/white%20custom%202/P3300034.jpg
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Some more quality builds and bikes from SVB
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/black%20single%20speed/P4010002.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/blue%20repco%20ss/P9080001.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/blue%20single%20spd/P5030052.jpg
ken evans campag
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/Ken%20Evans%20Campag/PA150002.jpg
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: has there been many that "got away" that you are sorry you sold looking back?
SVB: yes too many to mention but we have to let go – we have been known to trade with a few collectors – they know who they are and they’ve now got quite a bit of treasure from us in return for ordinary everyday 80’s stuff that we can use on our bikes. I have traded vew hubs for ordinary mudguards, slim ward tandems & English Claude Butler tourers for 80’s pedals & chainrings! Rare Quicksilver bmx’s for every day stuff the list goes on. . . .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: what do you think of the thought that you single handeldy have really brought the "recycle" and "refurbish" mentality to life on ebay
SVB: Yes I believe we have played a large part in it here in Australia (we average over 1000 hits to each of our listings), that’s why I don’t understand all the hateful comments by other bike sellers, if they had half a brain they’d realise that we have helped them achieve a better price as we have steadily increased the popularity and desireability of these old bikes as we make em look so good and people can see what can be done with a little (ok a lot) of elbow grease. When you sell as many bikes as we have, over 400 beautifully restored bikes that have been sent all over Australia, they are going to get noticed. The bike mentality has always been there overseas but it’s taken a bit of time for Australia to catch up, but now it’s here to stay, it’s no fad.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: and with that in mind do you feel you have increased the demand for old bikes as well as the prices?
SVB: I don’t know - Again, we feel we have played a big part as previously, the facts are: 1) bikes were never sold on ebay serviced, probably because of liability issues/fears, but other sellers should realise that Laurie is an experienced mechanic and so we were not afraid to restore/completely overhaul these bikes and re-sell on the basis that we are confident we have made them as safe as we can.
2) We were the FIRST ebay seller to do full re-builds on our bikes for sale (in the past no-one thought it was worth the effort on old bikes), we did not start out doing this but found it easier, safer and necessary in order for us to guarantee our bikes for 6 months & wanted to feel confident everything had been checked and serviced by us.
We have even made “house calls” for flat tires, and chains that have slipped off – so there is a lot of “behind the scenes” work that other sellers aren’t aware of. Yes we have played a big part but I believe there is a demand for anything vintage these days because of the obvious quality and lasting nature of old stuff.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: where do you go to look for inspiration when building up/restoring a bike?
SVB: We make it up as we’re going and we bounce ideas off each other, some in hindsite, haven’t been to our taste (ie, the gold single speed that certain other bike forum members were having a field day over), or some of our lollipop coloured bikes, but reality is that we don’t always have to like the colour schemes we choose, but different people have different taste and we cater for everybody!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: what equipment/tools/materials do you use to restore your bikes? [i.e. autosol metal polish, kerosine to clean frames]
SVB: plenty of elbow grease, I’ve now got “tennis elbow” – the secret is hard yakka and lots of different and expensive products.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: can you give us a little insight into how you restore the bikes? i.e. do you strip down the frame every time?
SVB: Originally when we first started we did a quick check over and service for safety but nowadays we’ve been stripping down every bike and we even strip down brakes, call us crazy but it seems to work for us.
Laurie is very good at knowing what parts will work with what as he did his apprenticeship on these old bikes.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: not so long ago you started to introduce single speeds into your refurbishing - why?
SVB: for something different and possibly because you inspired us! You were one of our first customers to ask for a fixie/single speed. We knew the market was out there but know the work would is labour intensive, but occasionally when we get time we’ll do one. We are not doing straight fixies with no brakes for now due to our concerns over safety issues as many customers who want to buy straight fixies may not have the skills to ride one in traffic. It’s a concern.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: it is obvious that a new trend is about with older bikes refurbished - what do you think could be the next trend in bikes?
SVB: We believe that these old retro’s will remain popular, like old cars and Eames furniture – they’re beautiful to look at. In these economic times bikes are practical, green, good exercise and much cheaper than a car.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: any advice to someone looking to follow your lead and refurbish an old bike?
SVB: Take your time and do it correctly it’s not always easy but it’s rewarding especially when you turn a tired old machine into a work of art – Do it properly – don’t cut corners.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: favourite bike?
SVB: Laurie - Giant Trance! Me - My orange Peugeot mixte bike in mint condition, or my old Norman with Norman Soldier patterns in the chainring or my sixties track bike with harden hubs or my vitus, or my FMoser or my. . . .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: how often have you seen one of the bikes you have sold out and about? and how does it make you feel?
SVB: We see them in the city from time to time, funny thing is, all our buyers are beautiful people! - - - one less car. . .
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
BMU: thanks so much for your time and please keep doing what you are doing.
RIDE SAFE!
P.S. thanks for tarini
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We asked SVB to send us some images of bikes they have refurbished:
This bike had both wheels rebuilt with new spokes
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/Ladies%20bikes/brown%20bike/P4030054.jpg
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A recent build that was sold privately
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/Ladies%20bikes/white%20custom%202/P3300030.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/Ladies%20bikes/white%20custom%202/P3300001.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/Ladies%20bikes/white%20custom%202/P3300034.jpg
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Some more quality builds and bikes from SVB
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/black%20single%20speed/P4010002.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/blue%20repco%20ss/P9080001.jpg
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/blue%20single%20spd/P5030052.jpg
ken evans campag
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc181/bridgethegap71/Ken%20Evans%20Campag/PA150002.jpg