If you have to ask...it is already too late.

Not trying to be sarcastic. I missed out on a similarly desirable bike yesterday, for the same price. My message indicated serious interest and hinted at extra payment (without committing how much since the pics were terrible) but it was long distance and I'm sure the seller went with the $100 cash-in-hand buyer who was at the door. Understandably so.

To many people these are just 'old bikes' and often *someone else's* old bike that they just want to get rid of and a little cash into the bargain.