The Rich Oral History: Nuggets of Imparted Wisdom
08-02-20, 08:17 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
The Rich Oral History: Nuggets of Imparted Wisdom
Sometimes when I purchase a bike the previous owner can be a font of wisdom, imparting a rich oral history in regards to the bike. Most of the time I have to bite my tongue but here are some of my favourites.
"This [Bottecchia] uses MAFAC tires. It is a Russian brand."
"My grandfather bought this [1982 Peugeot] in the 50s.
"My father was immaculate in maintaining this [the worst mechanical nightmare of a Super Course I could imagine]. It needs nothing"
"I've done a lot of research and this bike is from this year - [not that year]"
"is the bike in your photo the one you are selling? -yes. [Not that bike]"
I'm sure you guys have a couple gems.
"This [Bottecchia] uses MAFAC tires. It is a Russian brand."
"My grandfather bought this [1982 Peugeot] in the 50s.
"My father was immaculate in maintaining this [the worst mechanical nightmare of a Super Course I could imagine]. It needs nothing"
"I've done a lot of research and this bike is from this year - [not that year]"
"is the bike in your photo the one you are selling? -yes. [Not that bike]"
I'm sure you guys have a couple gems.
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08-02-20, 08:40 PM
#4
weapons-grade bolognium
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"This bike was raced in the Tour de France"
"It's ready to ride"
"It's ready to ride"
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08-02-20, 08:45 PM
#5
Veteran, Pacifist
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Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
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Rare
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
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08-02-20, 09:34 PM
#7
Passista
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Low end "racer" '60s bike:
No, I didn't weigh it, but it weighs next to NOTHING! I don't know, maybe 10 lbs?
No, I didn't weigh it, but it weighs next to NOTHING! I don't know, maybe 10 lbs?
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08-02-20, 10:55 PM
#8
señor miembro
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Yeah. Not sure I have experienced much (any?) of seller embellishment.
The last bike I bought, an '87 Trek 560EX, I paid what he asked and got some good info. He surely messed up on some things, like the condition of the spare wheelset (clinchers I threw away -- couldn't even use the axle parts), but he mailed me a package of other stuff a couple days after the sale. It wasn't really stuff I can use personally, mind you, but the gesture was appreciated.
The last bike I bought, an '87 Trek 560EX, I paid what he asked and got some good info. He surely messed up on some things, like the condition of the spare wheelset (clinchers I threw away -- couldn't even use the axle parts), but he mailed me a package of other stuff a couple days after the sale. It wasn't really stuff I can use personally, mind you, but the gesture was appreciated.
08-03-20, 05:24 AM
#9
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I’ve learned not to ask.
08-03-20, 08:06 AM
#10
Bike Butcher of Portland
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This bike weighs 9 lbs.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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08-03-20, 09:25 AM
#12
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Thread Starter
08-03-20, 09:29 AM
#13
Senior Member
This bike is aluminum. See the decal? Reynolds Aluminum.
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08-03-20, 12:48 PM
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"This bike cost $650 new..." during negotiations for an early 80's Schwinn World Sport. I do think a lot of people, when they purchased that new bike for themselves decades ago, have memories of it being expensive. I think this was the biggest delta between memory and actuality, at least that I can recall.
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08-03-20, 01:05 PM
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Possibly the most-quoted misinformation ever; I'd swear it's been around since before aluminum was on the Periodic Table... then again, maybe not.
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Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
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08-03-20, 01:13 PM
#17
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08-03-20, 01:19 PM
#18
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08-03-20, 02:20 PM
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"Campagnola frame."
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08-03-20, 03:51 PM
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The tires are alloy.
08-03-20, 04:07 PM
#22
WGB
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Verbal
"Of course the seat post will come out. Wait, why do you want it to come out?"
From actual ad
"Handmade Japanese bike"
(Marinoni)
Current listing on Goodwill Auctions
"Fuji Berkeley Penny Farthing"
Reply email from seller
"The wheels are square, but that's just from sitting a long time"
Verbal
"That's not rust. It's called Patina"
Reply email from seller
"No the wheels are steel. Steel wheels are stronger than aluminum"
Ad copy
"You can sell this bike and make a lot of money"
"Of course the seat post will come out. Wait, why do you want it to come out?"
From actual ad
"Handmade Japanese bike"
(Marinoni)
Current listing on Goodwill Auctions
"Fuji Berkeley Penny Farthing"
Reply email from seller
"The wheels are square, but that's just from sitting a long time"
Verbal
"That's not rust. It's called Patina"
Reply email from seller
"No the wheels are steel. Steel wheels are stronger than aluminum"
Ad copy
"You can sell this bike and make a lot of money"
Last edited by WGB; 08-03-20 at 04:45 PM.
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08-03-20, 05:13 PM
#24
WGB
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https://buffalo.craigslist.org/bop/d...170660436.html
The Ad - High lites are mine
New ,used ,take offs;
I have a lot of parts Schwinn and higher quality parts all from a closed up bike store.
Too much too list Look At Pics.
Much money to be made for the bicycle shop owner or backyard fixer.
Seats, Brake pads, Brake hardware, Seat posts, Adj. goosenecks, Forks,
Shock forks. Hubs, Cranks newer and
old . Spokes(new in box).
Cables: Shimano
Brand new with part#’s
Misc Fasteners bolts axels
Cassettes 5,6,7 gears.
Worth thousands to the guy that does bikes.
Mostly Mountain bike and street bikes
26”&27” primarily.
This is a lot of stuff !
The Reality
The Ad - High lites are mine
New ,used ,take offs;
I have a lot of parts Schwinn and higher quality parts all from a closed up bike store.
Too much too list Look At Pics.
Much money to be made for the bicycle shop owner or backyard fixer.
Seats, Brake pads, Brake hardware, Seat posts, Adj. goosenecks, Forks,
Shock forks. Hubs, Cranks newer and
old . Spokes(new in box).
Cables: Shimano
Brand new with part#’s
Misc Fasteners bolts axels
Cassettes 5,6,7 gears.
Worth thousands to the guy that does bikes.
Mostly Mountain bike and street bikes
26”&27” primarily.
This is a lot of stuff !
The Reality
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08-03-20, 07:01 PM
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