A parts bin sh*tter.

[Tsundere]

Even at work you can't leave a nice bike locked up without the chance of someone attempting to nick it.

There are more obviously appealing bikes there that an average thief would have targeted than the Roberts, modern MTBs, electric bikes etc, so I assume he, or the person who ordered it, knew what they were looking at. The scumbag failed and has been suspended pending an investigation which will result in the sack, and I consider this a lucky escape. Lesson learned I've decided not to chance it anymore. Next time they'll come armed with the right tool.

I've decided to put together a bike that won't appeal even to thieves who know what they're looking for. It needs to be as comfortable, fun and reliable to ride on my daily commute as possible, cost as little as possible, and it has to be early 90s. It also needs to be a bike that won't completely break my heart if it does get pinched, although every bike stolen is a pisser.

Had this 92 Rocky Mountain Hammer kicking about for a few years now. It's a nice steel frame, no rust or other damage, but the rattle can paintjob and non period correct decals had already been stripped.

Here it is just after I bought it...



And here it is now...


In it's unprepped state it looks like it's been in a fire and that's just fine with me. Next - part selection.

 

[JCS]

That’s a bummer about the theives.

A while ago I put together a similar rig - early 90’s steel frame that I spray painted with hammerite. Threw the parts bin at it. And… it turned out to be one of my favourite bikes. Never had to worry about it getting damaged, and could leave it anywhere.

 

[Tsundere]

And… it turned out to be one of my favourite bikes. Never had to worry about it getting damaged, and could leave it anywhere.

That's exactly what I'm aiming for.

 

[grantoury]

I want to see where this is going. Although I fear the frame is stil too nice. I have the same problem with my work bike, though. I would hate to lose it. Crime is a bit less severe here, but still.

 

[Tsundere]

I want to see where this is going. Although I fear the frame is stil too nice. I have the same problem with my work bike, though. I would hate to lose it. Crime is a bit less severe here, but still.

This was undoubtedly the work of an organized criminal gang. I was privy to some of the CCTV footage and here's the picture it painted.

The lad was seen taking snaps of bikes in the secure shed several times in the days before.

Being a secure shed you need a security pass card to enter, a girl left the door open minutes before the attempted theft, no doubt in order to prevent would be thief's pass card being logged prior to the planned theft.

Judging by these images there are at least three people involved, the girl, the thief and whoever he was sharing the images with, the 'buyer'.

Quite incredible.