No such luck with finding anything worthwhile discarded by the roadside.

I would really love to get hold of a 1978 Raleigh Grand Prix in a 52cm size and the metallic bronze colour. It was my first ever bike when I was 16 and back then it cost me Au$189.00 (a pretty penny back then for a high school kid).

I gave it to my sister in 1994 when she started to get serious about riding with her then boyfriend (now husband) and they traded it on an Avanti Kona. I would love to get one again and restore it to its former glory, probably for display on a feature wall.

Here's to dreaming........

I am very jealous of that Vent Noir Mixte.

True value hardware or Ace in the woodworking section. ~$6.00

+1, that thing is SWEET!

I think it's a keeper. It's so unusual to see a VN mixte and to see one that's mostly intact (brake calipers are the only thing I see that aren't correct Black, but they are D-A so I'll let it slide) and in such nice condition (the paint is supposed to be matte, in case anyone's wondering). I would be thrilled to have one in my private reserve. Unfortunately they never made the mixtes large enough.

I picked up this Meidai pump at the thrift store today. The threads I found here on BF indicate that maybe these aren't made anymore. Is this correct? Also, I saw mention of a Meidai pump called the Top Super. Is this one or something different?

For some reason, it doesn't seem old to me. The plastic handle just doesn't have that vintage look.

When I spotted it on the shelf, the head was in pieces but all the parts were still lying there. I was able to figure out how it should go together.

Any input would be appreciated.

http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/x...s/PB260198.jpg
http://i759.photobucket.com/albums/x...s/PB260203.jpg
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It looks identical a pump I bought about 20 years ago.

My dad bought a pump identical to that in the early 80's and it lasted about 15 years.

That's a great pump; I bought one over 25 years ago and it's still going strong. I even use it to top off my car tires!

Not sure whether to call this a "catch" or a "mistake". I was looking for a heavier/more stable bike repair stand. This is an odd one. Was listed as an antique repair stand in the local C/L.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/...896660fa_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2513/...18524dfb_o.jpg

That stand looks excellent! Have you tried it yet?

No, I need to wheel it down to the workshop. Its snowing right now, so I am not too motivated.... The tool trays are really wild.

Local secondhand 'had' one of these (problem now is... i'm only 5'6") Measures 24.5" C-to-C, Normandy Luxe Competition hubs, Mavic Module "E" 700c rims. The rear derailleur is Suntour. Looks quite good with no rust and a light sprinkling of storage dust.:

http://i47.tinypic.com/2n21dfr.jpg
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I do a fair amout of wrenching on one of these. My co worker has the same one but it is silver. :) They work nice. It is the "Shop stand" I work for a plant crew and in our shop we have one of these.

Super score on that Peugeot!!

Reynolds 531, Stronglight and really nice Simplex at a second hand shop? That sounds like a really good deal on a really lovely bike.

[QUOTE=PaPa;10162436](problem now is... i'm only 5'6")

How tall were you before?

Seriously, nice find, I had a peugeot that I wished I'd never sold.

Hey PaPa
What part of Idaho are you in ? The DI's around Boise never have anything that nice....

Cheers,
Chris

We've got a DI here in San Diego as well, and I've never seen anything nicer than a Huffy or Murray in there either. Why is that? Are those who donate to DI just too "thrifty" to give away something with any real value? I understand it, but sometimes wish it were otherwise.

CMC

Not a chance my friend. I'm on a fixed income and these occasional scores help pay the rent... literally. I will offer up some clues tho;

1. Your area has way too many 'seekers' per capita
2. I'm much closer to where most of these bad boys originate - Sun Valley/Ketchum area
3. The Boys Youth Ranch and the Salvation Army can be equally productive
4. Timing is crucial - note when the delivery trucks arrive and offer to help unload
5. Be patient - I typically go dry for months and see nothing but Muffys.
6 Right after Xmas is the most fruitful so keep yur eyes open, especially on trash day.

I bagged this cute Gazelle folder (with Sachs Duo Kickback hub) for $5. And the ready-to-ride '98 Free Agent for $20.

http://i44.tinypic.com/2e32vpc.jpg
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I don't believe so. More likely, your timing was off. Gotta be patient and persistent, and don't limit yourself to just one local.

papa-- seriously nice bike, and just my size. you don't want it, you now know where to send it....

Here's a Fuji, Lotus and a Super Mirage that needed some work. I have a rear 700c ordered for the Lotus. Click the tumbnails for bigger pics.

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I Don't have a camera, so no pics. Was checking garage sales for a microwave for my daughters apartment at college. As i was leaving one i saw a strange bike with a huge spoke protector in an open garage down the street. I turn around and ask the lady if the bike was for sale, she said take it, she was going to throw it away any way. I go up to it and it is a Schwinn Sports Tourer, orange and it was all there except for the kick stand. Original tires cracked. Weinmann alloy wheels, Dia-compe brakes, campagnolo Nuovo Record rear derailleur, Shimano ThunderBird front derailleur, Speciallite cranks, Brooks Brothers b-15 seat, Deluxe hubs made in France, 2-71 front, 2-74 rear. Has a really strange chainwheel and very odd cassette. Paint is very good, just dirty and all the decals and headbagde are good. Can anyone tell be about the chainwheel and cassette? Thanks. I am in Socal so it was 75 degrees today and sunny.

What a strange mix of parts (NR and Thunderbird). These were made from 71-75 and were the top of the line fillet brazed framed Schwinns. In'76 they were replaced by the Superior. Nice bikes and a great catch.