High School Bike Build

[D-Mac]

This is a great idea! I'm going something similar with my first-year class of college students I teach (they all take a first-year seminar). I probably won't spring for a kit, although chopping up and working on something "from scratch" could end up being as expensive and possibly more frustrating. This kit would be especially great if you have limited time.

[falconati]

Very cool  

[Rattlehead]

My local high school requires seniors to complete a "senior project."  The project should explore a career or hobby the student is interested in.  I am putting together a mentoring program that will have a team of four students designing and building a bike.  I have a bike shop and a body shop lined up to give the kids advice, tools, and work space, but the students will do 100% of the work.  The bike will then be auctioned on Ebay so the funds can go to next year's team.

I am leaning towards the Savage 650/ S40 cafe conversion from Ryka: http://rycamotors.com/  Has anyone here ridden one?

BIG thumbs up on the project and the purpose behind it.

My wife used to have an S40 and it was a fantastic little bike. I was within a gnats breadth of keeping it for myself as a project. I had a great deal of fun on that little thing. With nothing more than a slip-on muffler, modified stock airbox and some careful carb tuning (the stock tune is AWFUL!) that thing would pop the front wheel 2ft in the air and carry it all the way through 1st and would top out at 97mph with my 185lb self on it. A re-gear could have it "breakin' the ton" for sure, that thing was SCREAMING at 90 with the stock gearing.  

Anyway, childish antics aside, the bike was stone reliable and simple as dirt to work on. It's a GREAT choice for a school project as it's unlikely that you guys will get "in over your heads" and you'll be able to take your time and realy enjoy the project.

[spd2918]

The owners of my local breakfast joint (blue collar, everyone is a regular) heard about the build and are buying a nice TV to raffle off for the project!  It is refreshing to see the support this project is generating.  I don't get to deal with society's best and brightest in my job.  Something like this is good for my soul.

[X1Glider]

 

Looking forward to when it happens.

[Prozac]

 

Looking forward to seeing the finished product.  They should have a great time building this!

[viffergyrl]

The owners of my local breakfast joint (blue collar, everyone is a regular) heard about the build and are buying a nice TV to raffle off for the project!  It is refreshing to see the support this project is generating.  I don't get to deal with society's best and brightest in my job.  Something like this is good for my soul.

^^This. I have a very close friend who is a LEO and I sponsor her for the Breast Cancer 3-Day - not only to save the bewbies (Yay!) but mostly to help my friend's soul.  

[Bender]

How about setting up a donation point.. i could spare a few bucks for tomorrows future... i woild hope other stn ers could too..

[Rincewind]

I have a LS650 Savage Clymer Manual.  PM me with an address if you want it.  

[spd2918]

How about setting up a donation point.. i could spare a few bucks for tomorrows future... i woild hope other stn ers could too..

Thank you!  I am waiting for the school to set up the account.  Having them handle the money is a big load off of me.

I have a LS650 Savage Clymer Manual.  PM me with an address if you want it.  

For sure!  PM sent.

[viffergyrl]

How about setting up a donation point.. i could spare a few bucks for tomorrows future... i woild hope other stn ers could too..

+1

[spd2918]

Got the Clymer Manual.  

I will have a reception point for any donations by the end of the week.  I think a check may be directly written to the school with "Bike Build" in the memo, sent to the school's senior project coordinator.

[spd2918]

We are now on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpartanBikeBuild

Donation information is there.

We received $1,100 from a local restaurant!  They raffled a huge TV for us.

[Cheddarhead]

Time to call for a Coffee Meet!

Seriously...pick a good weekend and call for R4 and any other strays to back you on this.

Pass the hat (or helmet!) and turn the proceeds over to the school coordinator.  Or pick a trustworthy F.U.C.K.E.R. to handle the cash and send a check directly so you're not handling any cash etc...

Even if I can't make it due to scheduling, I've got $10 to wager on tomorrow's taxpayers!

Cheddar

[ksann]

What do you think is reasonable to charge for nicely done t-shirts?

Post up here, I will buy one to support this cause.

Great thing that you are doing.

Lets make a nice thread about this project, I will pin it in a forum. I bet that there will be plenty of STn'ers that will help out however we can.


ken

[ksann]

We are now on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SpartanBikeBuild

Come on fellow STn'ers, like that page, share it, lets help him get more publicity.



ken

[ksann]

I see a few more Facebook likes.......


Come on the rest of you



ken

[spd2918]

We had a meeting with students and parents tonight.  Ugg.  One student had to drop out because he didn't have enough credits to be a senior.  One student is committed to the project, but the other student clearly does not care for him and is on the fence.  The job could be done by one, but I am not sure if it is too much of a load for the kid.

I thought this would have been a no-brainer, but I am finding this generation is not very motivated.  This student body is far different from my class of 1987.

[sodapop6620]

I'm still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.  Assuming that I have to grow up.

[motormike]

I just found this thread, and liked them on Facebook.

Sounds like an interesting project that could help kids learn skills.