I guess I could call this my 'best' catch so far.... though I'm not entirely sure how great it is. I called an add for a '27 inch 10-speed bicycle' in the local classified-add paper. He 'couldn't remember' the brand when I called, but said it was ready to ride, and had downtube shifters. I find his place, and the first thing he says is 'can you ride a 27 inch frame?' (I'm 5'9" and could definitely not ride one; I thought he meant 27 inch wheels), I say I'm looking for parts too, and he shows me to an early 80s Huffy sitting in front of a bunch of sad-looking kid's bikes.

Trying to come up with an excuse to leave without feeling like I've totally wasted his time and mine, I tell him there's I need. He asked what I did need and I said a French-thread bottom bracket, thinking he wouldn't even know what I was talking about let alone have anything around interesting. He floored me by saying he had a Peugeot sitting in his other garage, but not in riding shape yet. Within a minute of him saying he'd take $15 for it, it was in my car.

Best I can find (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ighlight=PA65), it's a PA65. I left my digital camera behind, so I can't take pics until Sunday or Monday. It's a mixte frame, all white, with Stronglite cranks and Peugeot-branded (Weineman) center-pull calipers, the front hub is stamped Normandy, with 'P 25 78' below, the latter of which I am taking as the date. Regida 'Chrolux' 27" rim. Simplex shifting (with what I assume is the plastic rear der), with stem mounted shifters, 10 speed.

I'm cursing myself for leaving the camera behind, because I'm not sure about the model. There's nothing on the frame indicating what kind of tubing is used (though it's a bit on the heavy side; not 531), it has a chrome rear fender and nice rack (worth the $15 by itself, imo), and there's a big generator-powered light mounted on the stem; front fender wasn't attached and he said he didn't think it came with one (wrong). Simplex derailers and stem-mounted shifters.

Sorry if this is long and rambling, I'm just excited to actually find a decent deal on a bike....I've paid full value for my other bikes and feel like I've come out ahead on this one. I'll post pics asap.