I figured I'd share my collection on here after posting up my 30's DL1 that I found.

This all started when I was 14 (I'm 34 now) with my first job as a bike mechanic. I really think it shaped my mind to understand things on a mechanical level, and how basic things function.

Anyhoo - my dad died unexpectedly three months ago and this spurred a random need for a distraction, so I started getting into 3 speeds. I travel all over New England for camping trips, boat down in Barnstable, and run a state tech project that involves a lot of travel to every corner of Mass. I figured along the way I'd grab a few bikes, refurb them and bring them back to Somerville. The ones I liked I'd keep, the ones I didn't I'd sell...but I'd have fun working on them and meeting people along the way (I'm convinced craigslist buy/sell transactions involve nothing but good, interesting people when you're dealing with antiques)

So, here's what I kept...

a '65 Columbia Sports III. This thing's awesome. It was part of a his/hers set I picked up. I ride this everyday to the T in Davis


a '50 Dawn Tourist. This was to be my 'project tourist' since I already have a newer DL-1, but I'm not sure now. Neat bike, and it's all there but rusty in some spots






a '70 DL1 - I haven't even ridden this yet due to the clipless pedals which I only recently acquired clips for. This was a really nice woman up in Maine who lost her husband unexpectedly two years ago, and he was a fanatic about this bike and biking in general. I bonded with her over our losses and we still keep in touch. She would only sell these as a pair - his DL1 and her '52 Sports with enclosed chaincase which is also immaculate. I don't know what to do with that one, but I don't have the heart to break them up. The blue sticker on the front fender is a Maine bike registration that expired in 1974



and here's the '52 Sports that is paired with it


I also hung onto a really neat/pristine BSA - it's a 1970, so I guess it's just a rebadged Raleigh, but I still like it...

ps the garage is a work in progress - don't judge me! the previous tenants left a LOT behind

1. I'm sorry to hear about your dad.
2. That's an extremely cool project.
3. I agree...the vast majority of CL folks I've dealt with are great. The Ebay crowd? Shallower gene pool.
4. I love the Raleigh!

What's wrong with the garage???? Very nice bikes. You do 3speeds only?

garage is a disaster! I need a neat work area

No I also have a '04 Ellsworth Truth and a '04 Lemond Zurich....well, 2. One that I crashed horribly and one that has two wheels

I love the his/hers set. It's truly lovely that you want to keep them together - as much as I envy the Sports!

That's a nice collection you've got! I was in the Sturbridge/Brimfield area for an antique show a while back and was amazed at the quantity of 3-speeds that I saw, even in that hilly part of the state.

Ah yes Brimfield - I'll be going this week!!

Jason--this is a wonderful collection! There's a nice balance between grocery-getter/project/sentimental keeper/crown jewel and you seem to have them all, as well as a pleasing visual consistency/variety (think Commonwealth Ave. brownstones--similar but not the same). And yes--sorry to hear about your dad. It's good to have some quality distractions.

Almost decided to go to Brimfield this weekend but decided against it. I'm in pare-down mode right now on both antiques and bikes--want to sell two of mine, just haven't decided which two...

Good to see another C&V'er in the Boston area ..

Scott

hmm..not sure what that stands for...

sorry about your loss, and i certainly understand the part about needing a distraction as a result!

very nice collection.

"Classic & Vintage"

Scott

Great bikes Jason. As far as the ladies Sports, you need to keep that for your riding partner; she'll love it.

Now, post a picture of your MG.

thank you!

My MG? Am I just not getting abbreviations today? lol

Maybe I read too much into your screen name, the MG1976 has me thinking of a 1976 MG sports car. Am I wrong?

oh - yeah no it's different.

I did have an Alfa once though

finally got to ride my '70 DL-1 this past weekend (full length of the Minuteman trail and back). what an awesome, awesome bike. I'm amazed how fast these things go. The clipless pedals - I didn't think I'd like them on this bike, but they are actually really nice to have once you get going. Awesome ride. I'm never going back to smaller wheels

see? Addictive....