A cheap and nasty dual suspension mountain bike has been abandoned about 30m away from our apartment. Its been sitting out there, exposed to the elements, with its pringled rear wheel for well over 2 months now.
The frame doesn't appear to have been bent out of shape by whatever caused the rear wheel to fold over, so all it needs is a new wheel fitted, some air in the tires, a little lubrication and its good to go. Unfortunately the type of person who buys such a cheap and nasty MTB in Tokyo is the type of person who wouldn't even consider fitting a new wheel when a new cheap and nasty mountain bike is so .. well, cheap.
Eventually the bike will be removed, maybe it will make its way to Suginami Green Cycle for recycling, or maybe it will be crushed along with so many others. Or maybe, just maybe, in the dead of night someone with a little mechanical skill and a passion for bicycles of all shapes, sizes and makes will quietly take it away, repair it and pass it on to one of the children in the neighborhood.
Unfortunately if that someone isn't me I can see this bike going to the crusher.
It might be difficult but try to ignore it.
ReplyDeleteBicycles in Japan are registered on a police database. When your restored rescue bike is stopped in a police check, the original owner will most likely say that it was stolen, and they may be telling the truth. Your good intensions could cost you about $500 USD.
Stephen,
ReplyDeleteHave no fear, I'm not about to risk a $500 fine for a $100 bike.
I'm lamenting the fact that its easier these days to replace rather than repair. It is unfortunate that a bicycle that can be repaired so easily will end up as scrap rather than with someone that would appreciate it.
Also regarding police checks, I hear complaints about this all the time, yet in 13 years of cycling in Japan I've not once been subjected to one. Just lucky I guess?