Your Catch of the Day / Saved from the Dump!
06-15-14, 07:54 PM
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Here is my "Catch of the Day". I saw this Avenir saddle this morning at a yard sale and the owner offered it to me for fifty cents! The date code underneath says 1988. OK shape with no tears in the fabric.
Leo the curious cat asks: "Why is the Avenir a perfect copy of the classic Selle Italia Turbo? Is the Avenir a licensed product for the North American market? What's up with that?"
Here's a couple of yard sale catches from last year:
I was at a terrible yard sale full of tons of junk worthy only of the Dumpster. I was about to leave when I saw this beauty. The date code on the bottom is 1991. White perforated leather is among the rarest of the classic Turbos. The girl wanted two dollars for it:
Across town I saw this little item for sale. Still in the box, never installed--an early '90s Cateye Vectra computer--perfect for my Cramerotti. True, it doesn't have GPS or automatically upload routes to Facebook. But it gives me the basics. Leo agrees:
Sweet!
Leo the curious cat asks: "Why is the Avenir a perfect copy of the classic Selle Italia Turbo? Is the Avenir a licensed product for the North American market? What's up with that?"
Here's a couple of yard sale catches from last year:
I was at a terrible yard sale full of tons of junk worthy only of the Dumpster. I was about to leave when I saw this beauty. The date code on the bottom is 1991. White perforated leather is among the rarest of the classic Turbos. The girl wanted two dollars for it:
Across town I saw this little item for sale. Still in the box, never installed--an early '90s Cateye Vectra computer--perfect for my Cramerotti. True, it doesn't have GPS or automatically upload routes to Facebook. But it gives me the basics. Leo agrees:
Sweet!
06-15-14, 08:07 PM
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@holden west
Interesting Avenir 'Turbo'. I was also surprised to discover my recent Vitus catch had a Vetta Gel Turbo! (see pic above)
Same shape as a Selle Italia, made in Italy, but by Vetta.
Too bad the desert heat has destroyed it beyond refurbishing. The foam has collapsed.
Interesting Avenir 'Turbo'. I was also surprised to discover my recent Vitus catch had a Vetta Gel Turbo! (see pic above)
Same shape as a Selle Italia, made in Italy, but by Vetta.
Too bad the desert heat has destroyed it beyond refurbishing. The foam has collapsed.
06-16-14, 04:20 AM
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I always read on this forum about the great deals found at yard sales, but I'm way to lazy to drive around all weekend trying to find something cool. I am willing to walk 1 block however and I'm glad I did this weekend because i found this:
For this:
An early '80s Raleigh Super Course with 531 butted tubing for $10! I wish I could keep it because that orange paint is so nice but it's way to small for me. So this will be my first real flip bike. Clean it up, new brake hoods and bar tape, and off to Craigslist. It should bring a decent profit.
For this:
An early '80s Raleigh Super Course with 531 butted tubing for $10! I wish I could keep it because that orange paint is so nice but it's way to small for me. So this will be my first real flip bike. Clean it up, new brake hoods and bar tape, and off to Craigslist. It should bring a decent profit.
Last edited by lotekmod; 06-16-14 at 04:24 AM.
06-16-14, 06:13 AM
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This weekend I found a replacement for my stolen 86 Vitus 979. It's a rev.2 979 in white and 54cm size. It's been left out in the desert sun for a long time. But the condition of the frameset is good. The grub screw was rusty but turned out to be only surface rust. Next checked that the seat post and stem weren't seized. Both turn.
It was a mtb racer's training road bike that was provided to him by his sponsor. He said there is over 10,000 miles on the Vitus.
It has mostly a motley mix of Shimano parts....1056 series 105 hubs, calipers, RD, 7400 Dura Ace seat post and FD, 600 tricolor crank, and 6200 series brake levers and headset. Rims are Mavic MA2. Unknown stem that the black anodizing has faded, and a Modolo anatomic bar.
I paid $60 for it. I'm going to polish up the aluminum and paint it to my liking. It should be another fun project, and will make a fitting replacement to my gorgeous first Vitus.
Seller's CL photo:
The sun exposure took its toll on the plastic bits and rubber. Shifter plastic is crumbly.
It was a mtb racer's training road bike that was provided to him by his sponsor. He said there is over 10,000 miles on the Vitus.
It has mostly a motley mix of Shimano parts....1056 series 105 hubs, calipers, RD, 7400 Dura Ace seat post and FD, 600 tricolor crank, and 6200 series brake levers and headset. Rims are Mavic MA2. Unknown stem that the black anodizing has faded, and a Modolo anatomic bar.
I paid $60 for it. I'm going to polish up the aluminum and paint it to my liking. It should be another fun project, and will make a fitting replacement to my gorgeous first Vitus.
Seller's CL photo:
The sun exposure took its toll on the plastic bits and rubber. Shifter plastic is crumbly.
For some odd reason I had a real love affair with the way those bikes looked even though I was always a bit sceptical of how they were put together and how long the aluminum would last. In case anyone is wanting a brand new one, Adrenalin Bikes has a few assorted size of brand new old stock Vitus 979 frame/forks in stock, you can either by the frame/fork by itself or have them build it to your specs with modern components however.
06-16-14, 10:26 AM
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@rekmeyata Thanks for the lead, maybe if I hit Powerball, I can get an identical one from them. 
I guess their price is justified given they are NOS and rare. I paid $495 back in 1987.
I too was drawn to them. Very modern for the 80s, and striking to look at.
I guess their price is justified given they are NOS and rare. I paid $495 back in 1987. I too was drawn to them. Very modern for the 80s, and striking to look at.
06-16-14, 12:42 PM
Senior Member
Here mine.
Late 70s Miyata that was backed over by a car. They found a new front wheel and put on new tires before giving up on it. It cost me $10. I went to the local used parts place and spent another $10 for a new used crankset that didn't wobble and added some speed to it. I replaced the bent drops with a straight bar and grip shifters from my parts bin and found some longer flat bar brake handles for better brake leverage. I switched out the rear cassette because a couple of gears were worn and in the process converted it from 10 speed to 12 speed.
I looked around for a new front fork before bending the fork back straight enough to use again. After several hundred miles I don't think it's an issue, but I keep my eyes open for a replacement and check it regularly.
I used it for a daily 22 mile ride before determining I wanted to get a road bike. It will probably end up splitting commuting duties with my modified mountain bike. There's not much to lose if it disappears from the rack.
Late 70s Miyata that was backed over by a car. They found a new front wheel and put on new tires before giving up on it. It cost me $10. I went to the local used parts place and spent another $10 for a new used crankset that didn't wobble and added some speed to it. I replaced the bent drops with a straight bar and grip shifters from my parts bin and found some longer flat bar brake handles for better brake leverage. I switched out the rear cassette because a couple of gears were worn and in the process converted it from 10 speed to 12 speed.
I looked around for a new front fork before bending the fork back straight enough to use again. After several hundred miles I don't think it's an issue, but I keep my eyes open for a replacement and check it regularly.
I used it for a daily 22 mile ride before determining I wanted to get a road bike. It will probably end up splitting commuting duties with my modified mountain bike. There's not much to lose if it disappears from the rack.
Last edited by InOmaha; 06-16-14 at 01:15 PM.
06-16-14, 12:58 PM
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@rekmeyata Thanks for the lead, maybe if I hit Powerball, I can get an identical one from them. I guess their price is justified given they are NOS and rare. I paid $495 back in 1987.
I too was drawn to them. Very modern for the 80s, and striking to look at.
I guess their price is justified given they are NOS and rare. I paid $495 back in 1987. I too was drawn to them. Very modern for the 80s, and striking to look at.
06-16-14, 05:41 PM
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CL photo...
that led to buying this for $50
and after a little work, got a bike for the wife!
21" Schwinn Traveler with 4130 CroMoly made in the USA sometime in May of 1987.
that led to buying this for $50
and after a little work, got a bike for the wife!
21" Schwinn Traveler with 4130 CroMoly made in the USA sometime in May of 1987.
06-16-14, 06:23 PM
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That is one nice looking Schwinn! Definite Bianchi vibe going on, which doesn't hurt at all. Nice job on the redo as well. Too bad you weren't around last Spring(2013) I sold a red Schwinn Circuit frame that size. The Sante group from it is hanging on my 85 Tenax tubed Super Sport. Sorry I am just a huge fan of Schwinn 80's bikes. Construction was very well done, and the paint colors and graphics were well thought out.,,,,BD
__________________
So many bikes, so little dime.
So many bikes, so little dime.
Last edited by Bikedued; 06-16-14 at 06:28 PM.
06-16-14, 07:24 PM
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^^^^ Ditto on the Schwinn love. I still have my 21" Traveler frame hanging out in the bike shed out back. Loved the ride but just a tad too small for me. Got a lot of" Whoa, thought you were on a Bianchi " comments. Nope, it's a Schwinn !
I know your wife will be super thrilled with her new bike. Long rides are in order !
I know your wife will be super thrilled with her new bike. Long rides are in order !
06-16-14, 09:15 PM
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That's a sweet slice of late 70's styling my friend. Awesome color and even awesome-r miyata font and logo-stripe thingy's. If it were me, I would ride it like I stole it (which would sorta be technically true, because it's yours).
06-16-14, 09:33 PM
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^^^^ Ditto on the Schwinn love. I still have my 21" Traveler frame hanging out in the bike shed out back. Loved the ride but just a tad too small for me. Got a lot of" Whoa, thought you were on a Bianchi " comments. Nope, it's a Schwinn !
I know your wife will be super thrilled with her new bike. Long rides are in order !
I know your wife will be super thrilled with her new bike. Long rides are in order !
06-17-14, 10:21 AM
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It's a nice smooth upright ride. Not road bike fast, but not mountain bike slow.
06-21-14, 06:29 PM
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Picked up all of this "old crap" today, or so I was told......
Dura Ace High Flange hubs, Regina Extra Oro 5speed freewheel on Fiamme, Ergal tubulars
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Exceltoo Track Super Competition Hubs on tubulars:
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Weird, homebrew Nishiki MTB w/ Drum Brakes:
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Kuwahara Cougar:
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Schwinn High Sierra:
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Dura Ace High Flange hubs, Regina Extra Oro 5speed freewheel on Fiamme, Ergal tubulars
[IMG]
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[/IMG]Exceltoo Track Super Competition Hubs on tubulars:
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[/IMG]Weird, homebrew Nishiki MTB w/ Drum Brakes:
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[/IMG]Kuwahara Cougar:
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[/IMG]Schwinn High Sierra:
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06-21-14, 06:52 PM
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^^^^ Thats 'crap?' The tubular rims aren't much use to me those mtbs all look like great beaters/kid carrying bikes. Nice 48t triples as well. These days you can't get an mtb with a triple over 44 (yuck!)
Nice 48t triples as well. These days you can't get an mtb with a triple over 44 (yuck!)
06-21-14, 06:58 PM
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Nice score Fender. Love those old mtb's!
06-21-14, 08:03 PM
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Nice score fender1! That Schwinn High Sierra is awesome with the dual roller cams and slingshot stem. Also that drum brake wheelset is begging for an old cruiser frame to come along.
06-21-14, 11:53 PM
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06-22-14, 07:12 PM
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Girlfriend's parents are landlords and gave me the heads up about some abandoned bikes in an apartment. I got out with a Ross cruiser and an '87 Schwinn World (that fits her perfectly). The girlfriend also happened to be looking for a bike and we wanted something cheap to get her started on. I tried to help her make it suit her needs best so the big honkin seat and kick stand stayed. This was basically my first project bike, but I just cleaned her up, put a cool matching bottle cage on, replaced tires/tubes, cables/housing, took off the decaying handlebar foam and put on some tape, removed the dork disk and adjust the derailleur so that the chain didn't fall off between where the dork disk once was. She loves it so it all worked out well:
Was going to use some leftover parts to make the cruiser rideable...was wondering if anyone had any idea where to get an angle bracket for a front fender?
Was going to use some leftover parts to make the cruiser rideable...was wondering if anyone had any idea where to get an angle bracket for a front fender?
06-22-14, 07:48 PM
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OK, so there really should've been before and after photos of this one. But alas, in my haste, I tore the bike apart before thinking to snap any shots for posterity. I found this 1985 Trek 470 out at the curb. Looked like it hadn't been touched in 15 years. She got a complete disassembly and overhaul. The rear wheel was jacked, but I scored a new-old-stock wheelset at a swapmeet - Mavic 501 hubs laced to Open 4 CD SUP rims. Spin like butter, and the 126mm OLN matches the frame. Besides that, standard stuff - touched up the paint with nail polish and gave it a good waxing, new cables, bartape, chain, tires, etc. Full Shimano 600EX group throughout. Took her out for the inaugural ride today, and man, what a whip! I LOVE the feel of an old steel frame roadbike! Still getting used to the DT/friction setup, but by about 10 miles I had it pretty dialed in. The frame is the perfect size for me, too. I couldn't be happier.
And oh yeah, gratuitous "selfie" shot for good measure.
And oh yeah, gratuitous "selfie" shot for good measure.
06-22-14, 10:00 PM
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@SpiritCyclist
Congratulations on your find, and my compliments on a great job bringing it back from the brink. It looks fantastic.
Congratulations on your find, and my compliments on a great job bringing it back from the brink. It looks fantastic.
06-22-14, 10:56 PM
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Snagged the Diamondback Apex a few months ago as a bare frame... built it up this morning with parts I picked up at the co-op and a good number of bits I had gathering dust.
It is some serious fun... I banged around on it all day.
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It is some serious fun... I banged around on it all day.
06-23-14, 06:26 AM
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mine is not nearly as cool as 65er.. love that diamondback , looks brand new..
i pulled a wrecked motobecane jubilee sport out of the scrap bin... looks like it had been in a nasty wreck , the back wheel was tacoed and the downtube and toptube were both creased..BUT... the entire Suntour Blueline group was intact.. plus the SR fluted seatpost and the selle royal seat were savageable. i stripped the frame, im going to build up my Schwinn Super Letour 12.2 with the front wheel and the brakes, and the blue line will go on my gransport
i pulled a wrecked motobecane jubilee sport out of the scrap bin... looks like it had been in a nasty wreck , the back wheel was tacoed and the downtube and toptube were both creased..BUT... the entire Suntour Blueline group was intact.. plus the SR fluted seatpost and the selle royal seat were savageable. i stripped the frame, im going to build up my Schwinn Super Letour 12.2 with the front wheel and the brakes, and the blue line will go on my gransport
06-23-14, 07:44 AM
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
mine is not nearly as cool as 65er.. love that diamondback , looks brand new..
i pulled a wrecked motobecane jubilee sport out of the scrap bin... looks like it had been in a nasty wreck , the back wheel was tacoed and the downtube and toptube were both creased..BUT... the entire Suntour Blueline group was intact.. plus the SR fluted seatpost and the selle royal seat were savageable. i stripped the frame, im going to build up my Schwinn Super Letour 12.2 with the front wheel and the brakes, and the blue line will go on my gransport
i pulled a wrecked motobecane jubilee sport out of the scrap bin... looks like it had been in a nasty wreck , the back wheel was tacoed and the downtube and toptube were both creased..BUT... the entire Suntour Blueline group was intact.. plus the SR fluted seatpost and the selle royal seat were savageable. i stripped the frame, im going to build up my Schwinn Super Letour 12.2 with the front wheel and the brakes, and the blue line will go on my gransport
With the Blizzard hard tail, Moulden XC (rigid), and DBR it is quite the trifecta... and the DBR frame was in really beautiful shape.
Nice catch on the Moto if only for all the parts... this is how bikes like my DBR got built and I put that all together with very little out of pocket expense... $40.00 for the crank, $10.00 for the tyres, some fresh Kool Stops, and cables and housings came to about $70.00 and the rest came from the tickle trunk.