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it's that stuff that makes the vintage bikes for me
Absolutely - I started this recently, but now every time I find/buy a bike I try to make a picture with the previous owner. And try to find out when/where they got it, etc... Still amazed John had that bike for 63 years. He referred to it as "his baby, owned from new" :)
When he saw how happy I was with it, he went into the garage and returned with an old shoebox. "Some old tubes and rear axles. Maybe you can use it?"
Back home I found the original Cyclo Benelux 3-speed RD in an oily rag on the bottom of the box, some Villiers fixed sprockets, Renold and Coventry 1/8" chain for running it fixed, Brooks saddle rack, etc... Quite a useful box of bits and bobs :)
bonnvelo-
Great isn't it! I've had several bikes like that and I've always passed all that on when they have been sold, in some way it's nice to add to the story.
Even the more modern bikes have great stories. I bought a Dawes Shadow from an older gent who told me it had changed his life when he bought it after a bad run. He was quite emotional, but glad to see it go to a good home, when I passed it on I made sure that story went with the bike.
My Elsegood's story is what makes it so special to me, especially as it was this forum that made the story, I'll never sell the blue Minster, especially as it's the frame I proposed on!
Maybe the kids will be telling a bright eyed young buyer about it one day :)
Ecobeard
Brilliant photo and info about the original owner, it's that stuff that makes the vintage bikes for me.