Hi Doug,
Just a little clarification. I didn't pick the Herse out of the trash,
(although I would be happy to) I bought it at a salvage yard for $10, no haggling.
I only went back after seeing a half dozen of these same odd robin's egg blue bikes
in Grant Handley's shop in San Francisco, being told by him that they were special, not odd.
He told me that he'd be happy to buy that frame for some good money.
I was, and still am, more interested in trades. I was new to adult bicycling at the time
and was sure that the RB-1 was what I should have. He offered me an early 60's Cinelli,
but I thought I needed a longer top tube. oops. I still have the Bridgestone which my son
now rides and is certainly a good bike, but ... next time I might keep the Herse
or at least take the Cinelli.
Greg Yares
heat addled in Tucson