First cuts - Front sides

Started! Measured the pieces for the 2 front sides on a 10 foot schedule 40 PVC pipe. Then went to our community woodshop with my new saw blade and figured out how to use the saw. Five minutes later I had the pieces cut to length. To recap in Instuctional Manual language:

• Measure 4 26" cuts of schedule 40 1.25" PVC


• Measure 2 3.75" cuts of the same pipe


• Measure 2 3.5" cuts of the same pipe


• Take to your fully equipped wood shop or get out your saw


• Cut


• Leaving you a thin circle, good for a napkin holder

Received the hardware kit Wednesday. No time between working, softball and surfing to do anything with it. I cleaned up the "workshop" (garage). This weekend I'll mark and cut the PVC for the frame and start building!

PVC shopping

One of the best places to spend Father's Day - Home Depot! Prep notes for shopping for your PVC:

It's 10 feet long! Does it fit in your vehicle?

Take a tie down and cover for your roof or put it diagonally in the car with the excess length sticking out the passenger window, like I did with the Chevy HHR, or a red flag to tie on the end to stick out the back of your car.

It costs more than you think.

I spent $104 and change for the Schedule 40 PVC only. Unfortunately, Home Depot doesn't carry Schedule 20 PVC. There is another PVC shopping trip and more spending in my future!

I can get started on the frame since the Schedule 20 is, I believe, for the top.

Woohoo! The bike kit arrived on Friday! It looks fine in the living room. I don't know what Lesley has against them being in the living room, or den.

Wait day 5

Wait business day 5. Kits shipped on Wednesday and are projected to arrive on Wednesday, the 23rd of June. I bet they get here sooner. This weekend will be shopping time for the PVC. That should cost approximately $80.00. The cost so far:

Hardware Kit - $295.00 + $30.00 shipping.
Bike Parts Kit - $169.00 + $30.00 shipping
Total cost - $524.00

A chrome spoke bike kit costs less ($149) but the alloy wheels ($169) won't rust, which is a large factor for bikes at the beach.

Here is the photo of the parts in the hardware kit. This explains it all doesn't it? Not. I've just discovered several ways I cannot copy and paste the list of materials in this kit, so maybe tomorrow I'll have a jpg or bmp to show of the list.

On another note, I confirmed with Dan via email that he is shipping me white BMX wide tires instead of the black. Funky.

Wait Day 1

Wait business day 1 for kits being shipped. Here is an example of just how pimped out tihis ride can be.

To see all the different versions you can build and photos see this link:

http://americanspeedster.com

dnE ehT:TheBeginning

I knew my 1989 Nissan Pulsar would not last forever. It just seemed like it. For 2 or 3 years, I've been researching a replacement to take me to work, 3 miles, and to the beach, 3 miles. My top 3 choices were the Zap Xero (solar electric) Truck, the Rhoadescar 4 wheel bicycle and the American Speedster Sidekick do-it-yourself kit. I chose the Sidekick because:

1. I'm enamored by the fact that I can build it and customize it
2. PVC doesn't rust
3. No DMV fees
4. Monthly gas bill = $0
5. It's a free gym membership
6. No parking meters at the beach, park on the sand!
7. It's the lowest cost

Last Saturday, June 6th, the Nissan was towed away by Pick Your Part Auto Recycling. It was a sad moment. (silence please......wait...... ok) Yesterday, Friday, June 11th, I ordered the Sidekick Hardware Kit and the Bicycle Kit. So begins a new era! This blog will document the battles and celebrations of building the Sidekick and customizing it into a woody surf wagon - The DreamCycle!

And hopefully finish with improved, visual, more detailed instructions on how to build one yourself.

So our journey begins...