James May builds a bicycle | Part 3 

His rambling about the screwdriver was priceless. That’s what makes him a legend, he is a simple man who enjoys the simple things in life. Even with all the money and fame he is so down to earth and normal it’s awesome

I’m already 5minutes in and he has done nothing except ramble on and on. I love it

Tom's son just is going to turn 39 when James is done with building the bike

The rear brake is dragging so bad that the kid will have horse legs after a year of riding it.

james saying “top gear” really hit me in the feels 😢

9:23 “we’re now in Top Gear” Dismissing the pun entirely, James proceeds to ramble on about the mechanical integrity of the gearbox contained within the bike.

I hope the child is informed Uncle James built the bike for him.

He has to have to most logical sense of existence that I've ever seen. His minirant about industrialized food was perfect.

Something about watching james may do anything is wholesome and relaxing

never clicked on a notification so quick, best series ever in my mind

I've owned a bicycle shop for 29 years, I was impressed with your overall knowledge, though I did notice a few details. The front reflector should be mounted on the Handlebar stem, just above the headset. You do have the some adjustment as to how high or low you would like the H-bars, you've chosen a very low position. I love the simple way you described the way to set the high/lows on the rear derailleur, you did forget to mention that you have those same adjustments for the front also. Derailleur angles are often placed wrong at the factory and almost always need to be changed to allow the chain to move correctly from gear to gear or to allow the proper clearance in the cage of the front Derailleur. I didn't see where you made any mention of "toeing" the brake pads from front to back to eliminate break squeal. Will you at some point attempt to tru a wheel? Most come from the factory with some kind of bend and as you know, this makes it impossible for the brakes to function properly. I truly enjoyed these first 3 episodes and all your years on the show that we dare not name. My son and I are rebuilding a 1991 Nissan 300tt as a project car after completing a 1988 Jaguar xjs convertible for my wife. Your car shows led to a lot of amazing afternoons and evenings under the hood of cars with my son.. Thank you Mr. May

¡ The Honda Screwdriver ! Got one here as well, I lost the C50 it came with somewhere along the road but managed to keep The Honda Screwdriver.

Finally the third part! enjoyed it all the way

You just need to sort out the front brake disc, and the brake tension on both front and rear, then it's ridable. :-) Maybe do a few more James Builds episodes?? They're fun! :-)

Brakes are too tight the wheels should be able to spin freely, and not stop in less that a second..

James, it is seriously time for you to come to the Netherlands, and review how the Dutch do cycling and cycling infrastructure. And yes the brake obviously is not installed correctly

"14 years old with no fear of death". Hmm yes, I remember those days. Such a long time ago.

I would be so happy hanging out in the bunker, fiddling with tools, bits, talking story...etc. Tool shed is my dream...tiny house, huge garage~ James, Thank you for this video, as I just found my dream bike (a 68 schwinn 5 speed) & it need a bit of polishing up, what a great video to help me along the way!!

honestly an anticipated series, we need more James

I love that you put videos like ths on. I have always had a mad crush on James May but I really enjoy how down o earth he is. Thanks for posting these videos!! :)

Thank You James May and Drive Tribe!

James May having a favorite screwdriver is the most James May thing he could ever have

This could have as well been a podcast... I didn't really look at the video, but there's something really relaxing about May talking about... stuff...

I remember a certain younger May saying “fixing a bike only requires three screwdrivers and a spanner”.

the roll on the handlebars is making me wrists hurt just looking at it

This is the most entertaining bike maintenance video on youtube. Not the most useful, but you cannot have both. Well done Mr May.

I love your vids James! Ramble all you want I enjoy it.

I was so glad to see the shipping protector finally disappear from the rear axle ten minutes in. That probably made adjusting the rear derailleur a whole lot easier.

Hi James my grandad tested for Derailleur. He cycled from wolverhampton to wales and back everyday. He had his card stamped at the post office in wolvo then went up though the mountains into wales.There he had his card stamped at the post office in wales. Then back home to Bilston, and back again the next day.

How is James the best thing on RU-vid already 😆

I took my 1990's mountain bike for a service last year (too old and lazy to do it myself).Titatium frame,no soppy suspension or disc brakes ect., and the nipper who took it in said "hey,nice vintage bike."Cheeky sod.Love your BlackAdder t-shirt.....................

Dear James, just so you know this video started a fierce dialog about baked goods all the way here in Brazil.

Really really need a video on your bikes James every video I see a new addition haha

There is no reason I couldn’t figure out bike assembly and maintenance. Thanks for reminding me of that, James. I’d forgotten my shame, and I don’t know what I’d do without it now that it’s back in my life.

enjoyed every second of James with bike

Brilliant few videos James thanks for the few tips

I never knew that James had such a bike collection and great video 😁

Love this series!!!!

Another moment of greatness, ping

James May - the pearl of ineffable knowledge

James is the ultimate bloke's bloke. Could listen to him for at least 7 eternities.

James May rocks Who knew watching Captain Slow put together a bike would be so entertaining 😂👌👍

I could listen to this man talk about anything...

James, mate, assuming this is your personal garage, could you please do a walkaround of all your motorbikes? My curiosity is killing me.

At 9:23 and at 10:23 James said "Top Gear" Is that allowed? Or will the BBC lawyers be after him now?

Thank you for the wonderful non-political entertainment! Love the dry British humor (or humour), and just sit here giggling while I'm working at home.

James the dork disc is the clear plastic one on the rear hub, the front one is a bash guard which can be very useful for mountain bikes

thank you, Mr. May! 😊

2nd most James May quote ever "who's got my Honda Screwdriver". WOOOOOOW it has hollow ground flat head. first a special pedal spanner now this, you got all the cool toys Dr. May

Love you from Iran, James!

As a fellow suicide biker I can't but respect this man. After years of having cars honk at me on a daily basis, finally someone who understands what biking is all about

Man I wanna meet James May! Seems to be the most real and down to earth person on the planet and an awesome person to have a brew with🍺🍻

james pumps up bicycle tyres, the anticipation is killing me

this is so soothing it feels like asmr :D

You do realise that we all want a tour of the bunker!

😆Dry humoured, therapeutic TV...love it!

NEVER make me wait this long again

Dr. May... the reflectors are the first thing a fearless 14-year old boy will remove. But love this series of vids. Seriously talk to GCN to become their new Tech host. PLEASE!

There is actually very easy way to adjust the brakes to not rubbing. First, adjust cable tension, as done in this video. Next, slightly loosen brake caliber bolts so caliber can move sideways pretty easily, then push and keep brakelever pretty tightly and same time tighten caliber bolts. It centers caliber and brakepads to disk. Btw, awesome videos James, keep it going, i'm a big fan since about 2005 :)

Also fun fact, you actually need a JIS screwdriver for working on bikes as all Shimano derailleurs use JIS screws for the limit adjustment. Using Phillips massively increases the chance of stripping the bolt.

Love it.. as usual..

James May back at it again ❤🔥❤🔥❤

I never thought one day, I will watch an old lady build a bike!

Never had a bell on my bike once I passed 6yo, always horns and they were the loudest and funniest sounding I could get my parents to buy.

Another great Video James, you always make me laugh Cheers

Crashing into orphans 😂😂

James may doing anything is quite interesting👌👍👍👍

Some old soviet cars ('50-'70) had the same reversible screwdrivers. I still have one what my lovely grandpa (who was a car mechanic and electrician) gave me.

PART 3!!!! Honestly, do you need a part 4??? 😂😂😂😂

2:00 M&S will be using this in their Christmas ads soon enough James 😂

I feel like Im at the pub. He just talks and talks... It’s oddly entertaining . He is the Bob Ross of Bike repair. Also well done James!!!

James May is the only person that can pedantry enjoyable

I like how the front reflector is installed at about a 30 degree upward angle.

I could literally watch James May discussing the drying of paint and be entertained.

With the RD limit screws you will want to manually push the RD towards the wheel to check the limit is set correctly. Just doing a visual inspection all you are seeing is what the cable is doing to limit the movement.

Yay this is the best

Bike tech here, go to the shop. If you want to save money, unpack the bike and hook everything up. Take it to a shop and get a tune up, which costs less than a box-build. Make sure the tune up includes a safety check.

Don’t ✍🏻 touch ✍🏻 James’s ✍🏻 Honda ✍🏻 reversible ✍🏻 screwdriver. Got it.

yes part 3

I dont have a bicycle but I cannot wait for the video "James pumps up his bicycle tyres".

Legend

The amount of bikes James May has is just STAGGERING like Jeremy Clarkson's genius just STAGGERING 🤣🤣🤣

best grandpa work ever

Anyone pay attention to the brand new cbr 1000 rr 2020 in the background, and the older repsol one , a man of taste

I could watch James May knit a cap and I believe I’d be entertained

This makes me wanna go ride and it's night already. Sad.

Lullaby to ears!

I think I can see the gag. He's going to spend three years on this project and then buy him a car instead.

James, you should do a video on the vintage bikes in the background

Nice one james

first 60 seconds made me throw out my tea THANKFULLY TO THE SIDE RATHER THAN OVER MY LAPTOP

James should do a bit on the origin of time and the history of time keeping. He's also one of a few who could make a visit to the British horological institute entertaining.

I don't understand but I clicked because it's James May.

How about an Ebike build James? Great vids by the way, thank you.

each time i pray it’s not the last episode 😭

Bahco and Wera tools, nice!!

Agree with the reversable screwdriver, im using a BMW one myself

The entire segment about young people risking death is obviously about Hammond

Love it 👌👌👍

The handlebars are pointing downwards. You have to loosen the stem screws and turn them a few degrees foreward!