Kerekpar uzleti dolgok

The first Hungarian bike shop we visited.

Title: Bicycle Shop (my Hungarian Translation without letter accents)

  So before we left for our trip to Hungary one of my secret self-centered goals was to come home with a bicycle.  Preferably something old and something Italian.  

During the several drives between families homes I spotted two shops.  One morning Wife, LilGuns and Wife's Uncle 'Steve' brought us over to the both shops.  At the first I found a nice pair of gloves and a decent Specialized riding jersey.  At the second shop we got a really nice German made handlebar bag and a Cofidis cycling cap.  At this point I pretty much declared victory for bike shop related souvenirs.

A couple of days later 'Steve' and I with LilGuns left the house early to walk for groceries. He said we'd be quick and will stop at a bar and get groceries on the way.  its about 8am.  Well, yep we stopped at a shop were we each got a shot of palinka and an ice cream cone for Sam. Did the shot and walked over to the small grocery store for breakfast foods.  Of course this included paprika's.
About an hour later George showed up and I could hear they kept saying 'bickli'. That i figured they must have been talking about another bike shop. So the three of us went over.  We walked in and were looking around. I was a shot, and two beers in at 9am so i wasnt really thinking clearly.  I didnt really see anthing of interest, mostly hybrid style bikes, until i turned around and this 'wet white' frame with chrome fork were hanging.  I started to look at it and didnt think too much of it. Then 'Steve' reaches over, pulls it down and sticks it in my hands. 

'Hmm, this is pretty light. Oooo. huh?' I think and mumble as I look over the frame.  Clearly a racing frame.  'How much is this?  20,000 forint, about $87USD.  'Whats the size? do you have a ruler?' 'its a steel frame, right?'and since I know basic frame geometry I sized it up.  Apparently 54 cm. MY SIZE. 'Is the bottom bracket english or italian?' Italian.  I was slowly digesting the facts here.  And as light dawns on Marblehead I say to George,' for $87 its worth the risk to send it home. I havent heard of a F. Moser but its got all the right signs of a good bike.'

I bought it. and the shop guys removed the fork for shipping.  We got it home and sized it to the luggage, too big.  We quickly returned to the shop and they had an extra bike box and spacer for the rear dropouts.  Afterward, we packed the bike and and called around for shipping.  Fucking UPS wanted $576 dollars to ship it back home.  FAHKYOU GUYS.  We went to the regular post office, $75 dollars US; AND it got to the house in 6 days, undamaged. 

TO BE CONTINUED

The Basement Shop Is Open

My basement hidey hole is coming along pretty nicely. After a slow start I have finally got most of the major pieces in place.  The "L" shaped top is 1 1/2 inches thick, 3/4 inch plywood under 3/4 hardwood flooring left over from the work upstairs. 

The shelving was 10 bucks at a yard sale. I've had that for about 4 years now and Im glad it's finally on a wall.  The peg board was also 10$ at a different yard sale. I've only been sitting on that for a year or so. Some old white LED christmas lights provide under bench lighting while a fluorescent shop light (came with the house) is for the main illumination

I painted the concrete wall white, using that DryLok product. The manufacture claims it will hold back water up to 10psi. Ill believe that when I see it.  Regardless of those claims, the white color brightens it up nicely.  I dug out an old 3-disk CD changer for some tunes whilist I work and even managed to hook up an old 13-tv to a cable connection.  The dart board on the right side will provide a little fun and the woodstove (not pictured) will keep it pretty comfortable down there.  I even dragged over a recliner from my bachelor days into this general area.

All I am really missing is beer fridge. That I am SURE can be arranged.