demo man
30-10-2006, 07:59 PM
Recently he's been more like a shark in the dark, but tonights guest is the only member I am aware of to have ever reached over 10,000 posts here on Farkin (from memory he was well over 11,000). For some reason his post count was restarted, but he still remains a very valuable member of farkin. He does need a shave though.
Meet Rik.
http://forums.farkin.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=49664&stc=1&d=1162198660
1. Who are you (name, bikes you ride, age, job)
Rik Isaksen. 23 by ID, alot younger by mentality. Currently halfway through an apprenticeship as a Toolmaker… yeah sure, I’ll make you a spanner set, just after we finish this run of lefthand screwdrivers and precision hammers. Dolt. We make plastic injection molds actually, the sort of thing that produces thousands or millions of items over its life. This is the “tooling up” of a production line, we toolmakers make the machines that work for years on end to produce the most inconsequential things, such as plastic lids and caps in my case. Interesting, eh. But I don’t mind, I’m learning precision machining, get to play on the equipment after hours (bike mods ahoy), and it puts money in my account which feeds my habits.
Right now I’m in the middle of a bike shuffle, doing something I should’ve done many years ago: buy bikes that are appropriate for their intended purpose! It took so long and so much stuffing around with silly ideas for me to make the decision, but it’s done and my bank balance is suffering for it. So, what do I have then? It’s mandatory for me to have an obnoxiously-coloured freak bike so my retro ‘98 GT Tequesta takes care of that whilst doing commuter duties, wearing the horrid “team scream” blue/yellow paint. I’ve even found a pair of powdercoat yellow deep-v rims to match, someone call the fashion police! For XC/enduro/trail duties I’ve just built a DMR Switchback with old an Z1 and SS driveline. That’s a beautiful ride that I should cherish for a long while. And finally, a Giant Reign has just worked its way in to the collection, yet to be built though. A 6” trail bike, that’s a bit weiner, isn’t it? “All-mountian”, hah pfft! (although another injury or two and that’s all I’ll be able to do). There is interesting plans for this, it’ll probably end up being a lightish short travel DH/FR buildup for playing about on. Of course there’s other things kicking around my garage: another retro buildup is planned for a Sintesi Snake frame, old MrT fork and red ano components sounds like the way to go. Alas the D8 frames I’d had great plans for have been left neglected, things happen and things change, they’re looking to get sold soon to pay for the above rides.
2. When and why did you become a member of Farkin?
Oh far out. That was a while ago, mid-2003 is appears. Sheesh, so many memories. It would’ve been when I was still trying to get back in to MTBing after 2 knee reconstructions, a time that I spent nerding about on PC hardware/overclocking sites. A link from OCAU (thank them for Farkin) sent me here, and I haven’t left since. Internet forums can be a great and powerful resource is used properly… instead I just talk crap and annoy people, with the occasional splash of misinformation thrown in for fun.
3. Anything interesting about your username?
sIkKoNaHucKeR just didn’t have the same meaning to me as being unimaginative and using my own name. I’ve nothing to hide, no need for personas, so I’m just Rik… although I’ve thought a few pseudonyms would be handy for online stalking, my legal advice has been to back away from that habit.
4. Who is your favourite rider of all time, and why?
Hmmm, I’m not a huge follower of racing or rider celebrities, but anyone that can ride well and be a good person off the bike deserves respect. Nathan is a great example with his outwardly enthusiastic interaction with fans at race meets. It’s that sort of support for the sport that is great to see. Frederic Moncassin probably stands out in my memory the most though for being a great sprinter who took yellow in the TDF and then showed it off by wheelie-ing off the front of the pack during stages and gave his roadie a biketrials-esque workout for the cameras afterwards.
5. What is your favourite book of all time and why?
I can’t even answer that, haven’t read a book in years and can’t remember any I have read. I’d much rather read magazines/forums or even technical manuals for my electronic toys.
6. Same question as #5 but replace the word “book” with “movie”.
Again, not really my thing… but Idiot Box would be up there, along with Rock Star and its far superior predecessor This Is Spinal Tap. Dirty bogan rock’n’roll fun ;)
7. What is the worst designed thing in your house?
So many things… but something for me to whinge about this summer: my room really kills me… sits above the garage, big windows, no insulation and runs lengthways north/south so cops the sun from dawn to dusk. Gets just a little bit warm… boohoo, I’ll get over it.
8. How many super-projects have you undertaken, modifying and deforming mountain bikes and parts? What have the results been?
I’m not really sure, there’s been quite a few interesting things done and then some that get brushed aside and forgotten. U-turn Sherman is probably my favourite so far for its practicality, although I surprised myself with the quality of the work I did on the Woodman dropout. I’ve also done some cool non-bike stuff too, computer case mods with water cooling and the like. With every success I learn and progress, but at the same time there’s many failures I wouldn’t want to mention.
9. What’s the best part about going A-WOL on a frame and turning it into something seriously custom?
Does this relate to the next 2 questions? :D Unfortunately the D8 project didn’t quite get off the ground and I’ve defaulted on it. This is the first I’ve mentioned of that too, sorry to those that wanted to see the results, trust me I’d love to finish it too, but many things (injuries, change in lifestyle, change in riding style, etc) added up and to proceed would’ve turned the project in to a giant WOFTAM.
I’ll extrapolate on the question though… there’s something great about taking an object and adding your own touches to it. To improve it at the same time is even better again. It’s a bit of an ego thing as much as it is creatively driven, personalising something to better suit yourself is great motivation for modification. Another reason I love tinkering with things is it’s always a great way to learn about the design and workings of a product. Instead of starting from scratch and stuffing up left right and centre, take something you know could do with changing and work out the best way to go about it, that way you learn how everything else came together to be the way it is. The first thing I do when I buy something new is pull it apart so I know how it works, to learn the best way to utilise it and of course come up with ideas for modding.
10. How many bike parts have you cracked or snapped in the last 2 years?
About 2 years ago I killed a fair amount of parts in a short period of time, that wasn’t fun at all. Ploughing the commuter in to the side of a car wrote it off, not long after I nosedived a roll-in and bent my do-all hardtail. Then a month later on the train back from spending a few hundred getting a shock serviced I found a crack in my dually. There’s heaps of random bits killed since then, folding a front wheel through a highspeed berm, cracking/bending forks, cranks and anything else. Far out I should learn how to ride properly.
11. How many total?
Best not to think about that!
Meet Rik.
http://forums.farkin.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=49664&stc=1&d=1162198660
1. Who are you (name, bikes you ride, age, job)
Rik Isaksen. 23 by ID, alot younger by mentality. Currently halfway through an apprenticeship as a Toolmaker… yeah sure, I’ll make you a spanner set, just after we finish this run of lefthand screwdrivers and precision hammers. Dolt. We make plastic injection molds actually, the sort of thing that produces thousands or millions of items over its life. This is the “tooling up” of a production line, we toolmakers make the machines that work for years on end to produce the most inconsequential things, such as plastic lids and caps in my case. Interesting, eh. But I don’t mind, I’m learning precision machining, get to play on the equipment after hours (bike mods ahoy), and it puts money in my account which feeds my habits.
Right now I’m in the middle of a bike shuffle, doing something I should’ve done many years ago: buy bikes that are appropriate for their intended purpose! It took so long and so much stuffing around with silly ideas for me to make the decision, but it’s done and my bank balance is suffering for it. So, what do I have then? It’s mandatory for me to have an obnoxiously-coloured freak bike so my retro ‘98 GT Tequesta takes care of that whilst doing commuter duties, wearing the horrid “team scream” blue/yellow paint. I’ve even found a pair of powdercoat yellow deep-v rims to match, someone call the fashion police! For XC/enduro/trail duties I’ve just built a DMR Switchback with old an Z1 and SS driveline. That’s a beautiful ride that I should cherish for a long while. And finally, a Giant Reign has just worked its way in to the collection, yet to be built though. A 6” trail bike, that’s a bit weiner, isn’t it? “All-mountian”, hah pfft! (although another injury or two and that’s all I’ll be able to do). There is interesting plans for this, it’ll probably end up being a lightish short travel DH/FR buildup for playing about on. Of course there’s other things kicking around my garage: another retro buildup is planned for a Sintesi Snake frame, old MrT fork and red ano components sounds like the way to go. Alas the D8 frames I’d had great plans for have been left neglected, things happen and things change, they’re looking to get sold soon to pay for the above rides.
2. When and why did you become a member of Farkin?
Oh far out. That was a while ago, mid-2003 is appears. Sheesh, so many memories. It would’ve been when I was still trying to get back in to MTBing after 2 knee reconstructions, a time that I spent nerding about on PC hardware/overclocking sites. A link from OCAU (thank them for Farkin) sent me here, and I haven’t left since. Internet forums can be a great and powerful resource is used properly… instead I just talk crap and annoy people, with the occasional splash of misinformation thrown in for fun.
3. Anything interesting about your username?
sIkKoNaHucKeR just didn’t have the same meaning to me as being unimaginative and using my own name. I’ve nothing to hide, no need for personas, so I’m just Rik… although I’ve thought a few pseudonyms would be handy for online stalking, my legal advice has been to back away from that habit.
4. Who is your favourite rider of all time, and why?
Hmmm, I’m not a huge follower of racing or rider celebrities, but anyone that can ride well and be a good person off the bike deserves respect. Nathan is a great example with his outwardly enthusiastic interaction with fans at race meets. It’s that sort of support for the sport that is great to see. Frederic Moncassin probably stands out in my memory the most though for being a great sprinter who took yellow in the TDF and then showed it off by wheelie-ing off the front of the pack during stages and gave his roadie a biketrials-esque workout for the cameras afterwards.
5. What is your favourite book of all time and why?
I can’t even answer that, haven’t read a book in years and can’t remember any I have read. I’d much rather read magazines/forums or even technical manuals for my electronic toys.
6. Same question as #5 but replace the word “book” with “movie”.
Again, not really my thing… but Idiot Box would be up there, along with Rock Star and its far superior predecessor This Is Spinal Tap. Dirty bogan rock’n’roll fun ;)
7. What is the worst designed thing in your house?
So many things… but something for me to whinge about this summer: my room really kills me… sits above the garage, big windows, no insulation and runs lengthways north/south so cops the sun from dawn to dusk. Gets just a little bit warm… boohoo, I’ll get over it.
8. How many super-projects have you undertaken, modifying and deforming mountain bikes and parts? What have the results been?
I’m not really sure, there’s been quite a few interesting things done and then some that get brushed aside and forgotten. U-turn Sherman is probably my favourite so far for its practicality, although I surprised myself with the quality of the work I did on the Woodman dropout. I’ve also done some cool non-bike stuff too, computer case mods with water cooling and the like. With every success I learn and progress, but at the same time there’s many failures I wouldn’t want to mention.
9. What’s the best part about going A-WOL on a frame and turning it into something seriously custom?
Does this relate to the next 2 questions? :D Unfortunately the D8 project didn’t quite get off the ground and I’ve defaulted on it. This is the first I’ve mentioned of that too, sorry to those that wanted to see the results, trust me I’d love to finish it too, but many things (injuries, change in lifestyle, change in riding style, etc) added up and to proceed would’ve turned the project in to a giant WOFTAM.
I’ll extrapolate on the question though… there’s something great about taking an object and adding your own touches to it. To improve it at the same time is even better again. It’s a bit of an ego thing as much as it is creatively driven, personalising something to better suit yourself is great motivation for modification. Another reason I love tinkering with things is it’s always a great way to learn about the design and workings of a product. Instead of starting from scratch and stuffing up left right and centre, take something you know could do with changing and work out the best way to go about it, that way you learn how everything else came together to be the way it is. The first thing I do when I buy something new is pull it apart so I know how it works, to learn the best way to utilise it and of course come up with ideas for modding.
10. How many bike parts have you cracked or snapped in the last 2 years?
About 2 years ago I killed a fair amount of parts in a short period of time, that wasn’t fun at all. Ploughing the commuter in to the side of a car wrote it off, not long after I nosedived a roll-in and bent my do-all hardtail. Then a month later on the train back from spending a few hundred getting a shock serviced I found a crack in my dually. There’s heaps of random bits killed since then, folding a front wheel through a highspeed berm, cracking/bending forks, cranks and anything else. Far out I should learn how to ride properly.
11. How many total?
Best not to think about that!