Top quality full susser, in Jalalabad, Afghanistan

[jimihendrix]

Problem was his bottom bracket was hanging out of it and needed replacing.

Yeah, need to watch that, if it's the cups are slack in the frame it could wreck the threads in the bottom bracket shell.

Happened to me back in the 90's, BB slackened off on a ride but i rode it 7 miles home, wrecked the threads in the frame.

 

[saltyman]

Nice to see passion for bikes alive, no matter what make or cost

 

[lewis1641]

wonder what the local militants think to it having an american city sprawled across it!

 

[mikee]

just proves we're all the same the world over

get him some retrobike stickers for it

 

[mikee]

i heard a similar story a few years ago about some US army guys
who had found some kids moto crossing old russian motorcycles
and helped fix the bikes and donated a couple of "scrap" bikes
from their squad to these kids

 

[merckx]

cool story, nice to hear positive things every now and then from afghanistan.

 

[badbaz77]

You do see from time to time the russian bikes etc over here, not often now though.

The everyday local guy has some sort of chinese honda coby between his legs, same stuff we can get in uk for £400 for a new bike.

I have been trying to work out a way of getting a bike into the country, due to the coruption it is quite difficult to get much into the country, my bag gets searched everytime coming in and out of Kabul, usually with an argument about something.

So, am looking, and if a find a secure way of getting a bike in then i will do something for the lad.

Baz

 

[jimo746]

In Afghanistan that bike is the shizzle I've seen what most of the locals ride about on and mostly it's heavy steel frames (probably re-welded like a 100 times already), two wheels (tyres are a bonus), and something to steer it with (not always a handlebar, I've seen steering wheels and all sorts :shock: ).
If the security was a bit better then I bet there's some awesome trails out there, proper shepherds/drovers tracks, lets face it, most of Afghanistan is an off-road only area anyway, not a patch of tarmac in sight!

 

[GoldenEraMTB]

What if the guy was attempting to scam you by telling you he paid 500 for it, knowing full well it's about to break, then offering it to you to take for a ride that would more than likely finish the job. You would feel bad, and offer him 500 for breaking his bike.

Just because people are poor and live in a third world country, does not mean they are not clever.

Then again, I can be cynical.

 

[badbaz77]

Hi all


This bike is a young lad's that currently works for me as a cleaner here in Helmand Province.

he alike most Afghany men, dont just support themselves, but also there whole family. Its amazing how far money can go over here i can tell you.

Hes a grafter, earns $200 a month, and this is his wheels.

Baz