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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1991-08-07, Page 5.SPECIAL PFAT1JRF Times -Advocate, August 7, 1991 Page 5 Bert Bax, bicycle repair extraordinaire By Adrian Harte WINCHESLEA - Bert Bax en- joys tinkering with bicycles. He has been collecting, repairing, and selling used bicycles for a couple of years now, although tie wonders if his acquisitions aren't outpacing his sales. The Bax farmhouse just south of Wincheslea boasts an impressive collection of two -wheeled transpor- tation. There are all sizes from which to choose: everything from children's tricycles to a couple of tandem bicycles, and even a pair of mopeds. Bax's main efforts focus on tak- ing in broken, bent bicycles, or even those with parts missing, and getting them back into working or- der by matching up parts from oth- er bikes in his possession. While the occasional ten -speed can be seen in the collection, Bax admits he is partial to single -speed upright bicycles with coaster brakes. "Those gears - I don't want to know about them. I still think one gear is all you need," said Bax. Apparently many of his custom- ers agree, because while such sim- ple bikes are harder to find in the stores nowadays, having been su- perseded by the more glamorous 12 -speeds and mountain bikes, Bax finds there is still a demand for re- furbished single speeds. However, one of his newest ac- quisitions is a brand new French six -speed bicycle that shifts its de- railleur automatically. A set of weights on the rear wheel shift the gears according to centrifugal force. Bax agrees it is something special and says it does not fail to fascinate all who see it. Glancing over at the older items in Bax's collection, one can see the progress of the bicycle industry over the past few decades. Earlier samples have ffegvyweight frames with curved tubes, and some sport elaborate methods at comforting the rider with multiple spring ar- rangements on the saddles. Any- one seeking parts to refurbish such an antique could likely find them at Bax's. There are folding bicycles, adult tricycles, and even a pint-sized pen- ny farthing. "I have about 300 altogether," says Bax, and explains that he hard- ly ever has to buy parts for his re- pairs. While he could take the time to build or re -spoke wheels, there is no need when he has such a large stock of spare wheels ready to put into service. And with such a- stock of bike bits laying around, the temptation to experiment is always there. With the use of some extra pulleys, Bax has created a bicycle that goes forward only when the rider pedals backward. While not entirely prac- tical, it does make a spectator look twice. Bax envisioned it as an unu- sual attraction for parades. "You think there's something wrong with the bike, with the fel- low, or both," observed Bax. The same thinking applies to a high-rise bicycle. Two frames welded together, one on top of the other, along with a stretched wheel- base makes for the bicycling equiv- alent of stilts. The T -A reporters who gave it a try agreed it was sur- prisingly easy to ride once you could get on with the aid of a help- er and a picnic table to stand on. "I think you have to take out life insurance before you_ride it," com- mented Bax. Up there - Times Advocate editor Adrian Harte tries out Bax's high rise bicycle, which proved easier to ride than to climb up on. It is evident Bax doesn't worry too much about how many bicycles he sells or repairs. Since retiring, he finds that tinkering with sprock- ets and chains is as good a pastime as any. "I enjoy it. I do it as a hobby, and I want to keep it that way," he said. All shapes and sizes - Bert Bax stands with two of his more unusual bicycles, the one -of -a -kind high rise, and the child's penny farthing. Behind are some of his more conventional bicycles, those which he repairs and rebuilds for sale. 5I1J . a 1 .•.1.'4 r VILLAGE OF HENSALL PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the VILLAGE OF HENSALL will hold a public meeting on Monday, September 9, 1991, at 7:00 p.m. at the Village of Hensall Municipal Office to consider a proposed zoning by-law under Section 34 of the Planning Act, 1983. The purpose of the proposed by-law is to add a new general provision to the Village Zoning By- law which would prohibit the establishment of an adult entertainment parlour within the Village of Hensall. The amendment will also include a definition of an adult live entertainment parlour. The by-law applies to all lands within the Village of Hensall as shown in Schedule A attached. ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support or in opposition to the proposed zoning by-law. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating to the proposed zoning by-law is available for inspection between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Village of Hensall Municipal Office or the Huron County Planning Department in Goderich. DATED AT THE VILLAGE OF HENSALL THIS 6th DAY OF AUGUST, 1991. Luanne Phair Clerk -Treasurer VILLAGE OF HENSALL BOX 279 HENSALL, Ontario NOM 1X0 (519) 262-2812 Schedule 'A' LOCATION -MAP - By -law - 1991 Village of Hensall 1 11 I1 I «xca 1111 I -i r i-4 ►t L'J�J 111111111111111 M 1 fl 1 rI LI ■ 1 I` 1 NNE ROW wet 1 t1 !IND OCrili lLI :11Ii11N MorWNW in 11111111.1 111111111 MOM 11111111 111111:: 1 VILLAGE OF HENSALL all C NM IN HMI MO MI MI NM -i wE all MI s 11 •11111 ►rwr Lands affected by this amendment include all lands In the Village of Hensall A Rare moped - Of the two mopeds in Bert Bax's collection, one is this unusual French design in which the two-stroke motor powers the front wheel directly. 1 23m° rffl CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Kime, Mills, Dunlop. Chartered Accountants Daniel B. Daum, B.A., M.Acc., C.A. • Manager 412 Main St., P.O. Box 1405 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S7 (519) 235-0345 Fax: (519) 235-3235 John A.M. 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