Author Topic: Buying auto parts on a bike  (Read 5502 times)

igthebold

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Buying auto parts on a bike
« on: June 08, 2012, 02:14:03 PM »
I know it's been said other ways, but I just wanted to point out the delightful hilarity of buying auto parts on a bike. Today: floor jack and jack stands so I can change my oil (etc).

spider1204

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Re: Buying auto parts on a bike
« Reply #1 on: June 08, 2012, 02:50:27 PM »
Awesome, I was just thinking about this other day, just last weekend when my oil light came on during the way home from the campground.  Thanks for reminding me though, I need to pick up some oil on the way back from work today, almost forgot since my car only gets driven on the weekend : p

skyrefuge

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Re: Buying auto parts on a bike
« Reply #2 on: June 08, 2012, 11:05:26 PM »
I like getting gas for my lawnmower on my bike.  I strap my 1-gallon red plastic gas tank to my rear rack, ride over to the gas station, pull up to a pump, and grin like an idiot as I pretend like I'm gassing up my bike.  Yes, I'm grinning right now as I type this.  Yes, I'm easily amused.

menorman

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Re: Buying auto parts on a bike
« Reply #3 on: June 09, 2012, 09:17:40 PM »
I got some puzzled looks as I pedaled between FedEx 18-wheelers on the way home from the junkyard the other day w/ a wiring harness draped over my handlebars...

igthebold

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Re: Buying auto parts on a bike
« Reply #4 on: June 10, 2012, 08:05:11 PM »
Yes, I'm grinning right now as I type this.  Yes, I'm easily amused.

I think being easily amused is probably a Mustachian trait..

Mark

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Re: Buying auto parts on a bike
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2012, 08:18:03 PM »
I bike to get car parts every time! So glad to hear others think this is hilarious!

On New Years I got into my car to drive 2 hours to my friend's place and it was totally dead. I popped the old battery out, strapped it to my bike rack, got a discount for bring the old one in, and then biked home with the new one. It all took only like 20 minutes and I made it to the party. Way better than getting AAA or some crap.

Other good ones are driving your car to the shop with your bike in the back, dropping it off and then biking away. I bring two sets of keys and tell them to lock one of them in the car so I can pick it up after hours too. I also have bike to get a Uhaul several times. It's perfect. You bike there, throw the bike in the back of the Uhaul and then do the reverse when you're done. No bothering people for rides or taking the bus or anything.

Bakari

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Re: Buying auto parts on a bike
« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2012, 10:00:58 PM »
I don't get it.

Of course I always bike to get auto parts.

If my vehicle was working, I wouldn't need the parts!

That's not even saving money, that's just, I mean, what would the alternative be?

JJ

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Re: Buying auto parts on a bike
« Reply #7 on: July 02, 2012, 12:15:47 AM »
Quote
If my vehicle was working, I wouldn't need the parts!

That's not even saving money, that's just, I mean, what would the alternative be?

Ummm, well let's see.... Preventative maintenance? ;)

I guess if you were using a run-to-fail maintenance program you could feasibly get to the place that sells brake pads, but it may get messy.

igthebold

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Re: Buying auto parts on a bike
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2012, 07:28:35 AM »
Quote
If my vehicle was working, I wouldn't need the parts!

That's not even saving money, that's just, I mean, what would the alternative be?

Ummm, well let's see.... Preventative maintenance? ;)

Yeah, in my case it was oil change stuff. The car worked fine.

Bakari

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Re: Buying auto parts on a bike
« Reply #9 on: July 02, 2012, 09:00:33 AM »
hmm...

maybe its just me that starts on a project first - before finding out that I don't have everything I need.
I end up needing to take the bike for preventive maintenance too.  (For an oil change, it will inevitably turn out that I don't have as much oil as I thought I did in the shed)

arebelspy

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Re: Buying auto parts on a bike
« Reply #10 on: July 02, 2012, 09:01:42 AM »
I don't get it.

Of course I always bike to get auto parts.

If my vehicle was working, I wouldn't need the parts!

That's not even saving money, that's just, I mean, what would the alternative be?

Second vehicle. Ride from friend. Taxi.

I'm betting that of all the people who have broken cars and are going to AutoZone (or wherever), biking is way down on the list of how they get there.
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Rich M

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Re: Buying auto parts on a bike
« Reply #11 on: July 14, 2012, 11:45:22 PM »
I like getting gas for my lawnmower on my bike. 

Have you considered a push (roller blade--e.g. Brill) mower?  More exercise, less gas and minimal pollution-- all in one.

Who wants to flame the discussion of a maintenance free lawn now!?   xeriscape is the ultimate solution.
« Last Edit: July 15, 2012, 12:10:14 AM by Rich M »

igthebold

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Re: Buying auto parts on a bike
« Reply #12 on: July 16, 2012, 06:41:18 AM »
Have you considered a push (roller blade--e.g. Brill) mower?  More exercise, less gas and minimal pollution-- all in one.

I've considered it, and definitely like the idea. Perhaps you can disabuse me of my misconceptions, but my impression was that it only cuts grass fairly low to the ground. I cut mine pretty high to reduce the need for watering, which I'd never do anyway.

Who wants to flame the discussion of a maintenance free lawn now!?   xeriscape is the ultimate solution.

Well, I love the idea of xeriscaping. However, I'm in a suburban context, and while I'm happy to buck many trends, I also want to be a reasonably good neighbor. By which I mean, I don't want people to grumble about me *too* much. As such, I'm willing to eat the cost of grass farming for now. Not the fertilizer + water + seeding part, but the mowing + weedeating part.

skyrefuge

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Re: Buying auto parts on a bike
« Reply #13 on: July 16, 2012, 12:45:44 PM »
Have you considered a push (roller blade--e.g. Brill) mower?  More exercise, less gas and minimal pollution-- all in one.

I have considered it, but ruled it out pretty quickly due to my 1/4-acre suburban lawn and the fact that I keep it pretty tall (as ig noted).  I get no shortage of exercise from non-lawn-mowing activities (and my gas-mower is a "push mower" too), and I use maybe 3 gallons of gas a year on lawn-mowing.  There's a good chance that I'll make the switch once I'm retired (provided I stay at the same property), when I'll have more time and energy to do it gas-free, but for now I think the tradeoff isn't worth it.

I was enamored with the idea of Husqvarna's solar-powered robot mower for a while, so I'm all for the idea of renewable-energy, silent lawn-mowing, but luckily I never succumbed and dropped the $3k on one of those.