The Adam's Story - Early Days

[Adam]

Thanks for requesting the story my friends! Here it goes, and I'll tell it in sections here in this thread. It started 29 years ago, so telling it all in one go will tire out my fingers!

Here goes my story, part one, and I hope not to bore anyone to tears!

In 1980, we lived in San Juan Capistrano, CA. I was 9 years old, and loved bicycles, mostly Schwinn's. After school, I'd come home, and toss my paper route. Along the route, I'd see old bikes left out to decay, on side yards, in the small town-home yards, etc.

When I came around to collect the monthly fee for the Orange County Register, I'd ask if they would care to sell the rotting bicycle. People would sell me these for $5-$10, and sometimes ended up giving me these old examples of Classic Chicago Iron. (Schwinn's were all built there until 1981.)

Most had wasted seats, flat tires, rusy rims, bars, etc. Still, I was happy to get them home, polish them up, and mount some fresh tires. Friends, or their parents would buy a bike now and then for $20 or $30, and just the pleasure of polishing out the bikes was worth it, let alone the modest profit!

After repainting a few old bikes, I realized that original paint, unless really wasted, was better than my very best effort at sanding, priming, and repainting with a Krylon rattle can. I began experimenting with different polishes and waxes from the local Thrifty Drug Store.

While playing with bicycles was my favorite past time, riding them was much more fun. My goal was to get the bikes turned around quick, so they could be ridden!

In 1981, my parents divorced, and my Mom got a job with an aircraft engineering company in Irvine, CA: AirInc. Many of the employees there were cyclists, and my Mom started dating one of them.

He left his bike at our home once, and asked if I knew how to replace handlebar tape, and a brake cable. Certainly I did, and when he got his 10-speed touring bike back, it had been disassembled, degreased, re-greased, and re-assembled. I polished the aluminum, removed the chain, soaked it in gasoline, then lubed and replaced it.

His name was Mike Garst, and when Mike saw his bike, he was thrilled. So thrilled that when he returned to work, he told a few of his cyclist co-workers of what I had done. (Mike gave me $20, and I was thrilled to death!)

The following day, Mom came home with 2 bikes in the back of her Volvo station-wagon. One needed new pedals, the other new cables and a seat, as well as new handlebar tape.

South County Cyclery was the shop in town, and the owner, Jim Curwood, was kind enough to allow me to assemble new bikes in exchange for parts needed for customers bikes.

A business was born! Mom made my first advertisement, and posted on the pinboards of the break room at AirInc. Here are photos, of the ad, and one at the bike shop earning parts!

More to come . . . .

[Rich]

Wow! Having raised two kids, I'm impressed with your drive. Great story Adam!

[ALF01]

Although I've heard you tell parts of this story numerous times, getting all the extra details *AND* pics just makes it all the more interesting!!

Thanks Brother!! Can't wait for the 2nd installment!

[70'sChevyGirl]

Adam...great beginning of your story. I can't wait to read more.



Its to bad that alot of the kids today do not have the same drive to succeed and in taking the right path in life.


Love the pics.

[jjwvette]

Great story
Better than the other somebody started..................

[MarylandTDI]

Looking forward to part 2!

Rich

[jub jub]

We need to make this into a movie!

Love your motivation Adam.

[Babyfer]

Originally Said by jjwvette Great story Better than the other somebody started..................

what it was going well i thought..

Originally Said by MarylandVette Looking forward to part 2! Rich

me too, me too, tell us moreeeeee, please

[Elite]

Great companies always have great beginnings.

I also can't wait to read the next installment.

[Allzwell]

Impressive story beginning Adam