When I became interested in vintage road bicycles and aware of Ebay Vintage Cycles section, I could snap up an early Colnago for a $102.00 USD. That is, most certainly, not the case in today's market place. And today, as a retiree, my income is fixed (actually broken). With that in mind, I cannot begin to afford to restore the top dogs in the various French, Italian, English and what ever other market you are aware of...


The last high ender that I restored was my late fifties Rabeneick (picture above and below) and if had not been for my accumulated stash of vintage parts, even that build would have been out of the question...


Today, I lean towards more entry level steeds which are every bit as much fun to find, restore and ride as the elite bow wows of days gone bye...


But, even now, prices for entry level stuff is becoming unapproachable for a resource challenged fellow like me. If it were not for generous BF members, I would not have been able to acquire certain components for bikes already built or about to be built...


This old Raleigh, which I got for free (actually through a long term agreement with a mountain bike guy who trades me stuff for stuff I trade to him), I would not be able to restore this old Carlton...


Were I impatient, this Valentino set, targetted for the Carlton, would not have been with-in my resource reach...


If the prices continue to soar, it will make me sore in the pocket book. Pooey stinko!