I need an intervention...bought at good price but gave an extra tip when she said her business had shut down for a bit because of COVID...edited since it sounded like buyer had COVID.

assume this is the Elance 400T...



1987?

Looking forward to seeing what it looks like cleaned up. Sorry to hear the previous owner has Covid. He's lucky he didn't snap the seatpost or stem. Both look to be way above the min safety mark.

nooooo...I would not do that. Her job was lost during COVid shutdown.

I fixed that to make it more clear....

I bought my Trek 560 during the Recession from a laid off guy. Paid $185 if I remember, full asking , because he told me what had happened to him. Normally I would have haggled but I was also laid off at the time and felt for him.

It's a daily rider for me now a days and cheap compared to all the joy I have gotten out of it.

She told me she was fine, and I didn't have to do it, but I told her the extra $ was her first tip when her hair salon re-opened. I had brought extra in case and just decided to hand it to her. I feel very fortunate right now, when others are not. I am a teacher so still being paid; I have tried to spend as much as I can (on bikes...too much).

Indeed, matches an '87 400T. No intervention needed - seller has some cash flow, and perhaps a bit of restored faith in her fellow human. You have a nice classic that will probably look/work like new with a good once-over.

If the frame fits you'll love the ride.

That's a 400 Elance. That's a pretty cool bike- 531 main tubes and CrMo fork and stays (I hear Tange sometimes and True Temper sometimes). The components on there are all "good," and good looking stuff- but sits just south of 105 or Deore.

IMO- it's a bike to upgrade.


As far as sharing your good fortune- the world needs more people like you.

I'm fortunate enough to be working (at a hospital) and my wife is fortunate enough to be working from home.

Shortly after the 'stay at home' thing started here, we ordered carry out from a very small restaurant that we go to from time to time. It's a small place with one guy who cooks and serves... It's never high volume- but he's ALWAYS made us feel special. He said his carry out business was doing less than 20% of what he was doing before the stay at home order. When I picked up the carry out I asked for change for a $20 to give a good tip- he opened the drawer and I saw that he only had some singles, and the look of embarrassment and sadness on his face hit me right in the stomach. He just got a really good tip. I hope it made a difference to him.

Being kind is not idiotic, it's what we all should do. That's how it's all supposed to work.

My idiocy is taking on another project. Trying to convince my son to restore it with me and then he can have a classic to ride...

Just finished up the Penelope Peugeot reimagining with my gal, so onto the next project.

The odd KHS chrome MTB is also in the queue, then the Vanni Losa paint and build...

When collecting a purchase I always try to round up what I pay to the nearest round figure. I.e. if purchase price ends in a 6 then I round up to the 0. It's often only a fraction of what the item cost but it's a sign of not being penny/ cent pinching. The seller is often impressed and pleased thinking it a pleasant sale.

I am surprised the previous rider didn’t seriously hurt themselves...stem was barely in. And seatpost not much more.

Some rust bubbling but might call it patina, touch up the open spots and call it a rider.

Might upgrade brakes, levers and such, but the Crankset and derailleur seem pretty sound. Rims are quite slim so I am not sure how wide a tire I can go there.

Actually, I think I will call this girl, Tamara Trek, cousin to Penelope "Money Pit" Peugeot...and since it seems there have been some replacements, I will consider her an OPEN CANVAS!

Exhibit A. Rear rim not original, and once the mud was removed, rear hub is a Sovos with a freewheel that cannot be identified except by an electron microscope..
Exhibit B. Front is correct, but in iffy shape...well oval shape.
Exhibit C. Crankset seems okay...so far. Deore rear/Random Shimano Derailleurs, Shifter are both in perfect operational shape.
Exhibit D: Pretty sure an ITM Europa and cheap Tektro levers were not OE.
Exhibit E: Seatpost makes me feel like my vision is blurred.
Exhibit F: Brakes are rusty, but in good shape. And scare me.
Exhibit G: The headset pits align at the perfect steering points...so we're good there.
Exhibit H: The tires were home to 1,200 species of insects and a biome all to itself. Everything is probably fine there.

Another excellent investment by JDawg!

EDIT: Addendum...was a Schwinn saddle OE?

jdawginsc Not idiocy at all, points for good karma on your part. Those are additive and carry over ya know.

Bill

Yes.


Oh, on that Trek? Um......