I love these stories, but get too jealous. There are NO shops like that around here.
John Dunn in Napa Valley
> .....For those who don't believe the goodies are still out there...
>
> I stopped by a older bikeshop this afternoon to drop off some consignment
> and freebie
> bicycles (useful castoff's the owner can sell) and, as I was not in a
monkey
> suit I pressed
> the owner into letting me delve into the last small corner of his shop and
> repair area I hadn't
> yet sifted through. Considering what I have found in the past, old
Simplex,
> Benelux, TA and
> such from the circa 1950 shop orgins, I guessed this corner was the last
> hurrah...I went thru
> the old wooden drawers with great expectation...there was lots of New
> Departure/Morrow/
> Mattuck/Bendix and S-A stuff, but no jackpot. I did gather a small box of
> bits all-the-same
> and resigned myself that the shop was finally played out...Since my hands
> were a bit soiled
> and old Ben was in his comfy chair behind the counter, I did a quick but
> systematic search
> back through the main underbench area, all of which was covered with dust
> and grease. The
> shop lights are rarely on so I was in dim light as I scanned the boxes and
> trays. Way in the
> back I saw a green wooden box I hadn't seen before...My "Vintobicimeter"
> sounded as I did
> the long, strained fingertip reach. I wasn't disapointed....In the box was
> an NOS Campagnolo
> Sport complete, Sport and Gran Sport bodies, track lockrings, 6 Simplex
> Tour de France
> bodies in various states of assembly, shifters and spare parts galore. As
> well there were Cyclo-
> Benelux front and rear bodies and spares as well. The price of all
> this...well...one old and well
> worn Raleigh Spacelander did the trick.( I saved it from extinction-a
> neighbor was tossing it out)
>
> This should give hope to the vintage treasure hunters on the list.
>
> Matt Gorski
> Belmont Shore, CA