The first bike I remember was a Raleigh Astronaut when I was about 7. Since 1973 I've only bought 2 complete bikes (a second hand Sun Sirocco in 1973 which is when my passion for cycling started, and a Saracen Tuff Trax in 1990). The stripping down, building up, customising is all part of the passion - I'm a 'constant fettler'. I even spent a lot of my teenage years and early 20's working in bike shops in Stafford (Paul Burton's and then Henry Burton's)
Since 1973 my self builds have been:
Holdsworth Professional (1975)
Claud Butler for cyclo cross (1975)
Swinnerton Track Frame (1977)
Raleigh Professional (when I joined Nottingham based VC Europa in 1978) - still riding as a black Henry Burton fixed
Raleigh Super Course (1977)
Raleigh Track Frame (1978)
MKM winter bike (1979)
Henry Burton road frame (1981)
Colnago Track frame (1981)
Falcon hack frame 1990
Henry Burton (Aravis) Audax 2005
Trek 4000 mtb (second hand frame to replace the tufftrax - 2005?)
Saracen Aubisque (second hand frame 2008?)
Bob Jackson (2007)
Surly Cross-Check (2015)
The Trek is currently in pieces (being refurbed) and I'm part way through building up a
Genesis Equilibrium. I have
3 'self builds' on the 'road' at the moment
The Cross-Check
The 'Raleigh Professional' fixed
The Henry Burton 'Audax/Fast Tourer (but now with Love Mud flared drops)