A somewhat sentimental take on a mass produced object becoming defunct, the handlebars are given the care and craft of a preserved family pet(!) The bikes have now been re-appropriated as a family heirloom.

Crafted in London; the taxidermy service mounts a client’s steed on a scorched or bleached European oak plaque made by Mick, a local joiner. Chrome mounting brackets fix the stem above a stainless steel epitaph etched in Argyll, Scotland, the plaque denotes the horned beasts model, pet name, dates ridden and a commemorative verse. Just fill in the epitaph field on the site and I’ll get it engraved and send out the plaque for you to mount yourself.

The second option is for a purpose made mount; the same mounting strategy can be applied to newly sourced handlebars. I focus on chromed Chopper, Cruiser, Pursuit, Butterfly and Dropped bars. Others can be used but I’ve found these to be the best.

Please send in any pictures of you own mounts and their legacies. I’ll put them up on a blog soon!

If you have any questions please contact me at [email protected]

The repurposing/upcycling of old bicycles or bike parts is a recurring theme here on the Unconsumption Tumblr, and on the Unconsumption Facebook page, we've covered the idea that some people might be living "overpropped" lives -- you know those people who don't hunt but whose home decor includes deer antlers hanging on a wall (or whose collections of books are arranged by color)? 

Now, here's a combination of the two ideas: Bicycle Taxidermy, "the loving and lasting solution for your mechanical bereavement."

Bicycle Taxidermy is a business founded by UK-based Regan Appleton, who gladly mounts the handlebars of customers' old bikes onto wood bases; each mount includes an epitaph engraved with a customer's preferred wording. 

Example:

"HETCHINS – VADE MECUM [1972-1984] ‘The Yorkshire moors shall she forever roam’"

Bicycle Taxidermy /// 2012

Designed by Regan Appleton

Regan Appleton of the Royal College of Art has created a “loving and lasting solution for your mechanical bereavement.” The idea itself is pretty simple, to mount your bike handlebars on a wooden plaque along with an epitaph saying whatever you wish.

The bars can be mounted on either a scorched or bleached European oak plaque sealed with natural beeswax, a few 22mm or 28mm chromed fixing brackets, and a wall mount. Once done, hang it up above your fireplace like a pair of deer antlers to recall your steed’s good old days that are gone but not forgotten.