(wow, wish there was a way to edit the thread title: That should be "5 Minutes...."

I stopped by my LBS earlier in the week to get a replacement spoke cut for the Motobecane I'm building up for my daughter. Shortly after I walked in, one of the senior staff stopped by and asked how my various restore projects were going. Considering that I'm not in that frequently, it's nice that he remembered a previous discussion (December, maybe?), and that they as a shop are reasonably vintage/classic friendly.

I bemoaned the difficulty in finding inexpensive sources for vintage parts, and mentioned that I really needed an alloy rim to replace the shot steel one up front (and match the alloy rim in back). I hinted at the scrap pile out back, and much to my surprise, they said yes with conditions! Not that day, as the pen was clogged with cardboard boxes from a recent building spree, but after the paper guy came, but before the metal guy arrived, sure.

My hunting yesterday was restricted to one corner of the yard, but within a few minutes I came up with a serviceable Ukai 27" on a Sunshine QR hub (near identical to what's on my Fuji S12).

Now granted, I'm a regular, having purchased for the family two Giant bikes, a Burley trailer, a helmet & various small parts & tools from them over the years. Last summer they did an order of custom spokes for a wheel I was building. But considering the liability insurance issues, I wasn't expecting a positive response. So yes, there are some good guys out there.