OldsCOOL

Found out from a friend (we are both in the 50's age group) that her brother back in the day was Michigan State's junior road racing champ back in the 70's. He has kept all his bikes in a barn out back. I asked her if he would ever consider selling them. Nope, she says he likes to hang onto things. So I asked her what bikes.....one is a Colnago.

That hurts. Real bad. That's my dream bike.

WNG

Silly guy....ask him directly. You never know.

OldsCOOL

I just might have to.

Chilidawg

Perhaps with a wad of cash in hand.....

Otis

You give up too easy. Get your foot in the door, be interested and respectful and maybe you'll get to see them. Be patient, and one day you might get to buy one. When I was into vintage motorbikes I'd wait years for some guys to come around, and made some good friends while waiting. It's how it worked before ebay.

ciocc_cat

Uh, my wife has an early 1980s Colnago Super that she doesn't ride any more due to health reasons yet doesn't want to part with. Must be something about really fine bicycles that makes a person develop an emotional attachment.

OldsCOOL

I've not given up. Just heard about a few hours ago......but like you already said, I'm being patient.

But it's killing me. This story isnt done yet.

repechage

The last bikes I would sell would be my significant race bikes.

John E

This raises another issue -- how many you have told your family members what to do w/ your bikes after you die? My sons are too tall for my road bikes and my wife prefers offroad riding, away from traffic. I would want the Bianchi and the two Capos to go to someone who would appreciate them for what they respectively are.

OldsCOOL

I have a feeling the Colnago is one of those. Then, she says there is a very special Schwinn he used to race as well. This friend and her husband are special folks to me so maybe this topic will get back to her brother soon. We'll see.

gomango

What size frame do you ride?

iab

Correct me if I am wrong, but if you are dead, you will no longer want anything.

JT Burkard

How about asking him if u can borrow the bike and see if he let's you use it. Maybe after you hold onto it for a while maybe he will realize it is not doing any good sitting in a barn. When he sees how much you like the bike and it's being ridden again, he might consider letting you keep/buy it. I've done similar things in the past with stuff (guitar stuff it worked real well with) and eventually the owner let me buy it. Good luck either way.

OldsCOOL

The racer I ride is 52.5cm center of top tube to center of crank. The top tube is still a bit short....I like 'em tight but could still go up a few cm's.

Not sure what size that fits under?

OldsCOOL

Heck of an idea

I'll see if he is the sociable type....I've not met him.

gomango

We've had quite a few here over the years. At our house that is.

In the last month alone, I've seen a Master Extra Light, a Super, and a very nice Mexico available on our local CL.

They are out there, and if you are patient, you'll certainly find one sooner rather than later.

Your size shouldn't produce that much extra challenge.

OldsCOOL

I'm going to have to take CL a little more serious. Just this past week I've begun searching statewide rather than more local.

Thanx for the encouragement. I'd love to have one and hopefully money and bike will match up someday.

gomango

I'll keep my eyes open for you.

There is this one on the local CL.

Master Extra Light

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...448799258.html

Not mine btw.

Captain Blight

My own experience is that the dead don't ride bike all that much, either.

realestvin7

Don't give up. Lord help those that let me get my foot in the door. I'm a charming feller.

thook

My guess is you've never lived in Memphis.....

robtown

I've told my wife to contact one of my local biking friends to help sell my collection. He'll get to cherry pick at least one bike for himself. I'd hate for her to sell a Colnago or Paramount for the cost of a saddle [she's more likely to do that while I'm alive]. I did have to confess that a few of my bikes [acquired frugally by flipping / trading ] were worth a few dollars.

20grit

Just as him if you can see them in a way that is simply out of interest in vintage bikes. Get him to talk about them, share their history, talk about bikes in general. Once he sees your interest in the bikes, maybe he'll lighten up on his grip on a few of them.

randyjawa 

I know the pain. There is a late sixties or early seventies Torpado with Columbus tubing, Campy drops, Nouvo Record transmission, Stronglight 63 cranks, Brooks Pro saddle, chrome stays, fork blades and lugs. Bright yellow and not for sale, even though the bike is beginning to rust thanks to the neglectful way the bike is stored.

I call the fellow each Spring to see if he has changed his mind about selling the bike. So far the answer has always been that he will keep me in mind and talk to me about it next year. Time for my Spring call.

Good advice about talking directly to the person who owns the bikes, though.

thenomad

make a new friend. Talk bikes and racing, let him relive his younger days. He'll see you really do care. It just might rekindle in him a desire to go out and ride with you. Its a win win. If he's got pics that would be cool, especially if you ended up with one. If they are not your size I'd not ask to buy one but if they are I'd ask if hed ever consider selling one. If I bought from a friend I'd keep it as a rider and get any photos documenting the bike. Still a dream to me though since I'm "the guy with the bikes"