Our county dump has a scrap metal area and I've found numerous bikes mixed in, even some decent ones, but picking is strictly forbidden. I have not yet seen the bike for which I'd risk the unspecified penalty.

I found an old J.C. Higgins 3-speed with a FREE sign on it in an alley with yard sale leftovers. Fixed it up for a neighbor's kid. Also found others, I'm sure, but have forgotten what they might have been. I'd like to find more but don't really have the space for them or the time to devote to fixing unless there's someone waiting for it. These days a cheap/free bike is a hassle unless it's my size and I want it or can give it to someone immediately.

Back in my shop days I got this little Flandria when a lady chose not to pay to have it fixed up for a grandchild and accepted my $20 offer. Fixed it up as shown and displayed it in my bachelor pad for a few years, then gave it to a buddy for his little nephew.


Found this 23" Raleigh Sports ladies' bike at the curb on trash day in Wake Forest NC many years ago. I have a men's 23" version that I ride and I'm saving this one (currently boxed up) for the day when I can no longer swing a leg over the other.

Finally, I found this Marin at the curb last week and made a drop bar conversion out of it.