Well, the 1949 Bianchi is paid for.
I had my bank cable the money to the seller's bank in Brescia, Italy. First time the staff at my local branch ever sent money overseas - you'd've thought I'd invented an entirely new banking procedure! It was a learning experience for me, the bank manager, the accounts rep, and a number of curious bank tellers. Wish I'd filmed the whole transaction.
$30 charge to cable the money. Wire transfer would have been free, but the bank in Italy has no corresponding bank in the USA. Keep this in mind if you ever send money overseas.
So, the bike will soon be on it's way from Italy to England, where my friend Jeff will unpack and inspect it, probably play with it around the office with the other Mechanical Enginerds for a day, then repack it for shipment to Ohio. Several folks have suggested FedEx Air... I have an account at work, so I can use the company's account and discount rate. Not sure yet what it will cost. It's costing around $150 to send from Italy to England via a forwarding agent.
At this rate, it may well be here in time for Cirque... we'll have some fun, watching each-other trying to learn how to shift without falling over!
Aldo Ross
rainy but warm in
Monroe, Ohio