HARPO
Cruisin' on my Bluebird
I just picked this one up last night off of Craigslist here on Long Island. The seller, a very nice guy, had been listing the bike at $250...then $200. With only a few photos, I emailed him and told him to look at the rear hub to determine the date, which he did, and found it to be September, 1970. He thanked me and that was that.
A few days later I emailed him back to say that given the condition of the photos he showed, he was off on the price. Missing the correct seat and a grip...no key...not sure if the Dynohub worked or even if it went through the gears. Paint and chrome, of course, was obvious to him.
He told me it had been given to him about 15 years ago from a friend with a terminal illness, and although he never rode it, he kept it out of friendship. So years after being kept in a damp garage, it languished untouched, and turned into its present state. He had no idea as to value, but took a shot, hoping someone would rescue it as he couldn't bare to send it to the scrap heap. When I emailed him with some of my Raleigh's, he said that he was hoping someone like me would get the bike and do something with it. Over the phone he even mentioned just giving it away, but wanted me to come take a look at it. I agreed, took a 45 minute ride and brought it home. He was happy it wasn't going to a landfill, and I offered him at least $20 (good for the two pumps at least), which he said to me "Are you sure?" knowing what I was in for to bring it back to life.
What you see in the photos is what I'll be starting with. I have extra fenders, saddle, etc. so I hope all works out. Oh...the Dynohub works! Spun the front wheel and on came the light. Hopefully I'll be as lucky with shifting and some of the paint and chrome. Time will tell!
A few days later I emailed him back to say that given the condition of the photos he showed, he was off on the price. Missing the correct seat and a grip...no key...not sure if the Dynohub worked or even if it went through the gears. Paint and chrome, of course, was obvious to him.
He told me it had been given to him about 15 years ago from a friend with a terminal illness, and although he never rode it, he kept it out of friendship. So years after being kept in a damp garage, it languished untouched, and turned into its present state. He had no idea as to value, but took a shot, hoping someone would rescue it as he couldn't bare to send it to the scrap heap. When I emailed him with some of my Raleigh's, he said that he was hoping someone like me would get the bike and do something with it. Over the phone he even mentioned just giving it away, but wanted me to come take a look at it. I agreed, took a 45 minute ride and brought it home. He was happy it wasn't going to a landfill, and I offered him at least $20 (good for the two pumps at least), which he said to me "Are you sure?" knowing what I was in for to bring it back to life.
What you see in the photos is what I'll be starting with. I have extra fenders, saddle, etc. so I hope all works out. Oh...the Dynohub works! Spun the front wheel and on came the light. Hopefully I'll be as lucky with shifting and some of the paint and chrome. Time will tell!