It sure does not feel like a $25.00 bike... and I paid less than that.

I swapped out the Allvit for a Huret Svelto this evening and went for a ride and the shifting improved tenfold and the bike was all but silent save for a little ringing off the front... you just have to love steel cottered doubles for that.

The ride quality rates a 10... you'd have to add a suspension to improve on that, despite a pretty limited low range it climbs very well, and the bike handles beautifully.

Even at the low end (this was an entry level model), Raleigh knew how to make a very decent and really good looking bicycle.

I swapped in the vintage Specials yesterday...

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikep...ipspecial1.JPG

Picked up this '84 Nishiki Cresta (Repco branded) a couple of weeks ago at a local charity shop...only 15 bucks. A nice teal blue with royal blue highlights, Sugino cranks and Suntour derailleurs. Front and rear touring racks, the front one "Nagaoka" brand.
Currently under restoration.......http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=332306

Got this from my dads neighbor for free! Just asked m to change a tire on his ruper old Cannondale mountain bike. It'll make a great commuter I think.

http://i41.tinypic.com/35k2vrc.jpg
http://i44.tinypic.com/2qid7gz.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/fjnh9j.jpg

I wish I had taken pictures before I cleaned it up a tad.

1980s Ross Mount Hood. Found it at the thrift store that years back was the motherlode, but has been dry for a bit now. One of the all chrome ones (duh) in very nice shape. I'm not sure what I'll do with it yet-- it's my size, but I have another one, in lesser shape but pretty cool. Since I found that one in a dealer's junk pile, I have fifty bucks invested in two of them, and the panniers and rack on this one get sold soonish, probably cutting that investment in half.

As I was pulling it out, guy came up and told me it was worth at least five hundred. It looks like BBC has infected another mind. I told him it was worth a bit less... very cool looking bike, though.

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/a...psd178b729.jpg

What is it? Looks cool and French... great find, better price.

Oops, it's a Motobecane Grand Touring.

Most expensive tire change Mr. Cannondale ever paid for. Those Moto GTs are worth some coin. Does it say so right on the frame, because I thought GT's had triple chainwheels, not doubles? I've got two in the queue, and they both have triples.

Schwinn le tour ii mixte in orange
 

Similiar to last week's 1981 Schwinn Super Sport score, this bike had been listed for a few days. I got the seller to take 20% off her ask via email and I went to pick it up today. After I remarket the generator light set and the vintage Cannondale handlebar bag, I think this flip candidate will be a net cost of about $10.00.

Interestingly, Trek and Schwinn both made these single tube mixtes. I think I will use a brown saddle and cork colored bar tape.

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/wv3ltkhfey8...2018.44.34.jpg

I found the exact twin to that Takara 3.5 years ago. Color, size, everything.,,,,BD

If you ever need to get ride of one?,,,,BD

Mine has a double, though later seventies than this one.. Also has the odd reverse FD.,,,,BD

Haven't had a project in a long time, so I picked this 1983 Trek 600 off CL after it had been posted for a couple of weeks. It was stock except for a Thomson post, stem was too short so I cannabalized another bike for many of the parts. In the next few months I'll probably change the wheels and stem for aesthetic reasons, and add a rack. The Imron paint is basically pristine with just a few chips.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/9...49f5d9a2_z.jpg

I sold one very similar to that one, just a different color. I must say, I like the orange better!

I really like extras, too few recognize the value of extras that can sometimes pay for the bike. Easiest way to get a $10 bike is to find a more expensive bike with enough extras to get the price down.

I just picked up an old Ross Professional Gran Tour II at the scrap pile. It was so dirty, I had a hard time telling the original color. I found it to be black and gold and some crome but its rusted badly. I did not post a pic because it was just too ugly. It is a super large frame way too big for me but still feel like restoring it. I stripped it completely down and all the components will be salvagable after a good cleaning and lube. The frame is the big question. It has no damage at all and the whole bike looks to have very little use. It is just so badly rusted in places. I think once sandblasted and repainted it would be ok.

Suddenly a Trek 750 appears. Got this pretty cheap and took off a set of Profile Aero Mountain Bike Extentions. I plan on switching it to drops with friction shifting Suntour Barcons. I have already trued wheels, greased hubs, and put on new 700x40 tires.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/9...016afd73_c.jpg
Trek 750 by Mechanic Matt, on Flickr

Full Suntour and it came with a free bell and Bushwacker saddle.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/9...19169d2f_c.jpg
Trek 750 by Mechanic Matt, on Flickr

And obligatory drivetrain picture...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/9...f3533948_c.jpg
Trek 750 by Mechanic Matt, on Flickr

My first British made Bicycle with Reynolds 531

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7339/9...fb55053b_c.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3822/9...9459e8cc_c.jpg

1984 Univega Specialissima. $90 on CL. Needs some love, but don't they all?
http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/...ps260c657d.jpg

Great score!!!

No kidding.

Fantastic catch on that Univega. Barcons, canti brakes, front rack fork mounts, etc., etc....

Specialissima is a good name for that bike.

1986 Univega Nuovo Sport. Not a dumpster dive, but rather a brand-new 27 year old bike. I haven't owned a brand-new bike since I was 12 (which is the last time I owned a bike with a kickstand, IIRC). This thing still had the protective plastic bag over the right side of the handlebar when I took delivery. I rode it 1.5 miles after taking these snaps, and I'm pretty sure that at least doubled this bike's lifetime mileage.

Anyway, $95 well spent. And it's my size. :love:

Here's a teaser shot; this one's getting it own thread.

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...n/DSCF0013.jpg

There's one exactly like it on CL here, and of course, no funds at the moment!!,,,,BD

A little on the small side for me anyway, which makes it hurt a little less...

http://houston.craigslist.org/bik/3986288899.html