1991, saw a swoopy shiny chrome & red vintage bike that belonged to a roommate of the future mrs rustjunkie.
i'd never seen anything like that before....had to have one.
came across a "vintage bikes for sale" ad in the SD Union-Tribune classifieds, dialed the number.
guy answers the phone, introductions, we chat a bit...nice easy conversation...he tells me about the bikes that are for sale,
not really interested as i don't know a thing about them, so tell him what i'm really looking for:
swoopy bike with chrome frame & extra tubes, red trim pieces with a headli...he cuts me right off:
"Sears Spaceliner....I put those on the curb."
i am crushed:
"oh man, would you save the next one for me, pleease??"
Paul replies:
"Come over to my house, I will show you some sh !t that will blow your mind."
i did, he was right.
the rest: history.
Paul led me into the world of old bikes thru that classified ad.
never did get my mint condition Spaceliner.
that's okay, i scored a great friend and 30 years of great times.