Inspiration for bicycle collectors!!

[Wolfmac]

So, @39Rocket I enjoyed reading your story of how you came to acquire the skylark and am happy that you as a younger collector (not sure how old you think we all are) are so enthusiastic about the hobby. This discussion about the uncertainty that the next generation will be interested was in another thread just recently. My response then and again now is..the culture is ours to propagate. Latch on to those that show interest and share your enthusiasm by inviting them to a show or swap meet. Bicycle enthusiasts are a lot of fun and it’s been my experience that once someone is exposed to the culture they start paying closer attention to the vintage bikes they notice. Just have to plant that seed.

 

[kreika]

Most excellent score and thanks for the great read! I’ve been riding bikes since a wee lad and have never lost interest. The vintage bicycle aspect got me in my young 20’s and now in my mid 50’s nothing has changed. I’m probably in it worse than in the beginning. I love bicycles! I think they’re one of the best inventions ever. Quiet, non polluting, excellent for your health, and fun to be on and get around. You see the world much differently on a bike. I have other hobbies I love, but bicycles are mmmm mmmm good in my book! Get out there and ride if you physically can. It’s worth it 100%!

 

[Heatwave]

 

[bikejunk]

Our Skylark came to us from a motorcycle dealer in England about 20 years ago - story goes a woman went to work in Paris in the 1930s and bought her bike from America a local bike shop modified it to be lighter and a bit more European in ride a d feel - I payed around 200 BP for it and was put into the shipping crate of a motorcycle I had purchased - best I can tell the aluminum fenders were custom made

 

[39Rocket]

@Wolfmac
You are Absolutely correct. I’m in my 30’s and I know there’s many people younger than me, I was just repeating what others have said about themselves being older and no longer interested because they are in their 70’s or 80’s.

I have a young son who LOVES the hobby and is very interested and proud of our collection! I tell him these aren’t just my bikes but OUR bikes! He helps tighten bolts and screws when we get another bike shipped to us.

The hobby is still alive!

We are enthusiastic as ever!!

 

[rebirthbikes]

@Wolfmac is that a girls twinflex in the grass?!?!? That’s a phenomenal line up.

@39Rocket I’m 42 and my kiddo, she’s ten, loves these old bikes that dad comes home with. I recently decided that I was only going to buy the ones I really wanted and only if they had a story. I realized that their story/history is just as important to me as their original patina, or lack of patina.

As for the old antique shops… I’ve found quite a few of my bikes at the ones off of the old highways and biways on the backroads. Or, those are the spots that know of some junkers that have hoards of bicycles or the shop owners know who the areas “bicycle guy” is. I’m almost always shocked at some of the bicycles I see in those places.

I love your story on the Skylark and I’m happy it went to someone who’s going to love it.

 

[Wolfmac]

@rebirthbikes the bikes Jamie collects are out of mywheelhouse so I couldn’t tell one model from the next but if it’s a desirable Elgin or Shelby, he’s probably got one.

 

[Nashman]

@rebirthbikes the bikes Jamie collects are out of mywheelhouse so I couldn’t tell one model from the next but if it’s a desirable Elgin or Shelby, he’s probably got one.

Not out of your Wife's wheelhouse, so you might wanna take note? Ha!! Jamie has some nice bikes there for sure. Find some rare VW stuff for him to trade, it might be easier than finding a Robin or Skylark for your Wife.

 

[Wolfmac]

For sure. Gotta keep her happy. Might be a Skylark in MY collection someday.

 

[Rusty Ol' Rogue]

@Wolfmac
You are Absolutely correct. I’m in my 30’s and I know there’s many people younger than me, I was just repeating what others have said about themselves being older and no longer interested because they are in their 70’s or 80’s.

I have a young son who LOVES the hobby and is very interested and proud of our collection! I tell him these aren’t just my bikes but OUR bikes! He helps tighten bolts and screws when we get another bike shipped to us.

The hobby is still alive!

We are enthusiastic as ever!!

In my 70's and I still ride and love my bikes! Always some sort of bike related project in the works. Really helps having a couple of bike pals ( @prewarmachine & @ORcollector) just down the road too.