David Goerndt wrote:
>
> : [CR]Ebay Peugeot
>
> > Hilary,
> >
> > Nice attempt at justifying the very high price of the Peugeot on Ebay but
> > you will never convince me that this bike can hold a candle to the Gillott
> > you had up for auction and which didn't attract an offer of much more.
> >
> > If this Peugeot, a mass produced bike (although I stand to be corrected),
> is
> > worth that sum, your Gillott is a bargain at twice that.
> >
>
> This Peugeot is old enough to predate the age of mass produced bikes by 10
> years, so it probably was handmade. This bike and all Peugeots aren't
> intrinsically worth what they're selling for, simply two or more collectors
> want them badly enough to drive up the price, thus creating this thread. It
> may be some other make next year or not. Right now French bikes and
> components are hot items in Japan.
>
> David Goerndt
Here's the best explanation for what is going on in Japan with collectors of lightweight bikes that I have read: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Re: [CR]Re: [C-R] Why Japanese like Touring Bikes Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 02:42:24 +0900 From: kenji fusejima <QYP02710@nifty.com> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Follows are just my opinion. Most of thirties or fourties Japanese collectors are slightly poor. They have no money for buy a house. Japan are too small for one's population. Land and house are very expensive. Many of young Japanese are give up the idea of getting house. Since garage cost is too much expensive, they can not collect some automobiles. Thereupon, little money remain in their wallet. The money that they have are short for buy house or collect automobiles, but enough for collect vintage bicycles and components. They are very busy. They work hard till late at night. Poor Japanese are relieving their heart by devoting oneself to a hobby. Since they live in just small collector's society, they don't know about non-Japanese collectors are sad.
Kenji Fusejima Tokyo Japan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California (sunny and 68° this afternoon)