bikemonkey
I live for the CABE
Here is a bike I turned away at our bike shop the first time I met the owner. A week later after recon$ideration, we found a way forward. This was based based upon the customer's family history and sentimentality concerning the bicycle, and their acceptance of some of the considerations below. That is rare in my little neck of the woods on this type of bike.
When freqman said 5 to six times what it's worth when it's over, it could be worse - depends on the bike and level of restoration you wish to acheive.
Before
After
These are the big questions on restorations involving repaints/rechroming parts in my book:
Is it a ladies bike?
Is it a rare/desirable model?
Is there family history/sentimental value?
Is there an adequate foundation left?
Can I successfully take it apart?
Does the customer trust my skills, advice and opinion?
Will the customer pay me a large deposit and give me an open checkbook without hassles?
Do they understand that an "estimate" is not a "bid"?
Will they accept unusual delays and gremlins popping up throughout the process?
Will they be happy at the end and think it was worth it all?
I see a flow chart in my future
When freqman said 5 to six times what it's worth when it's over, it could be worse - depends on the bike and level of restoration you wish to acheive.
Before
After
These are the big questions on restorations involving repaints/rechroming parts in my book:
Is it a ladies bike?
Is it a rare/desirable model?
Is there family history/sentimental value?
Is there an adequate foundation left?
Can I successfully take it apart?
Does the customer trust my skills, advice and opinion?
Will the customer pay me a large deposit and give me an open checkbook without hassles?
Do they understand that an "estimate" is not a "bid"?
Will they accept unusual delays and gremlins popping up throughout the process?
Will they be happy at the end and think it was worth it all?
I see a flow chart in my future
