I left a near mint 1972 Raleigh Record mixte in the basement of a building where I lived for 8 years. It was a real classic, with perfect paint and decals, no rust. I went back for it a few months later, and it was gone. But then a year later I saw it on campus, nicely cleaned up, with new tires, new light, new horn. I was tempted to steal it back, or at least steal the Brooks B-67 saddle off it, but instead I left a note on it, asking who was riding it now. Turned out to be a good friend of mine, who'd got it from the 'abandoned bikes' room at the school, and had invested over a hundred bucks sprucing it up. I told him okay, but if he ever leaves it unlocked, I'm stealing it back! He's been keeping it locked.