Gizzo Bike Works

03/01/2021

My exploration of custom bikes led to freak bikes. The American Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore introduced me to kinetic sculpture. Merge that with Duane Edward Flatmo, master kinetic sculpture builder in Humbolt County CA at Burning Man and, well, this head of a psychotic bird on a twisted version of a penny farthing.

01/12/2021

One of my favorite bikes, built for leisurely rides on the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail.
1940s Schwinn Continental frame, classic 60s Schwinn bars and stem, and a Campagnolo headset. The laid back frame angles make for a comfy, stable ride.
The Shimano 3 speed coaster brake is matched to a small chain wheel, providing an almost 1-1 ratio in 2nd gear.
Other happy touches include a side basket, rust-pitted fenders off an old Rollfast, and a well-worn Ideale leather saddle.

01/02/2021

Happy new year.
Last week at Nordic Farm I was killing time waiting for Lefty to prep his Mochet for seat rail installation. Yes, an adjustable seat is a reality.
The penny farthing got some decorating and a kick stand.
A kick stand was once the first thing removed from bikes of my youth in favor of lighter weight. They are now essential equipment on all my two-wheelers. Out came the torch and voilé, the beast stands alone.
The cheap 70s Troxel saddle may not last long. I like the look, but it’s is not so comfy. I’ll have to dig through the bin to see what else is available.
A rusty pair of hedge clippers make for a beak and inspiration for more decoration to bring a head into focus. Some pink paint is in the plans for what I think of as the Pink Flamingo.
I like best the gear above the reflector on the back.

12/30/2020

12/27/2020

12/27/2020

This is called a penny farthing. There are beautiful and elegant examples. This is an ugly duckling version.
I had to do something to practice my welding skills, which are quite rudimentary. This is a total hack job, using rough cuts and thumbnail estimations. Despite the lack of precision it rides pretty well.

12/27/2020

The Giz is back at the bench after a summer of rehabbing and recycling bikes. Took a break to make some art and clean up a 4000 sq. ft. space at Nordic Farm. New horizons for freak bike construction via warm winter space and metal twisting tools and welding equipment.
This is a Mochet. A French human named Mochet invented the 4 wheel adult-sized pedal car long ago, perhaps for an offspring because mama didn’t think safety bikes were safe. Anyway, Lefty always wanted one, so we’re building one.
The front end came from a frog trike and the rear wheels from an old Schwinn trike. It has a differential, delivering power to both rear wheels. Eventually it will have a steering wheel and body.
These photos are from Oct 2002.

03/15/2019

There is beauty in a woods after a snow, when the branches are draped in white. The snow absorbs sound most effectively, so that the soft crush of snowshoes disappears as if into a void. The smallest audio gestures are lost immediately and the louder have no echo. I keep the dog close knowing she will not hear me should she stray too far. 177 more words [ 175 more words ]

Sugar snow is unique in many ways.

03/04/2019

Our home has a nice well. It doesn’t have massive gallons per minute, but it tastes good, is soft enough, and doesn’t have any nasty chemical contamination. It began surging recently. It was obvious filling the toilet bowl - water entering faster, slower, faster, slower. It became apparent in the shower and at the kitchen sink. The water source is in Gizzo’s Crucible, House of Horrors, or workshop (depending on your attitude toward a chaotic work space). [ 339 more words ]

Our home has a nice well. It doesn’t have massive gallons per minute, but it tastes good, is soft enough, and doesn’t have any nasty chemical contamination. It began surging recently. It was obviou…

03/03/2019

Little Bits of Plastic should be sequestered.

Gizzo says, collect small bits of plastic into larger containers before throwing them away to reduce the change they will migrate into the environment.