I must say I liked the comment about everything winding up in a land fill
eventually. I have debated the parting out of a bike vs. selling it whole
with several people in the past. Generally it is frowned upon by other
collectors until they have to sell their bikes. Usually I will try and
sell it whole and if it does not sell for what I think it should then I
consider parting it out. This usually happens to a less than perfect bike
with some or many flaws. I figure in this way it is like natural
selection. The best bike will survive as they always seem to sell while
the less desirable and attractive ones are surgically dismembered. I think
this helps the overall hobby by letting others complete their best or
desirable bikes after looking for that one part forever.
On another note, I also had the good fortune a couple of years ago to be
driving by a bike shop where there was a load of stuff out on the curb and
I basically filled my van to the top with parts. When I went inside to
talk to the owner I found that it was a new owner who was cleaning out
dead inventory so he could re-stock with new. He told me that he had a
whole back room yet to clean. I asked if I could help and he took me into
a dark, cold, dirty back room filled to the point where you could not move
around on the floor. He then told me that whatever I wanted I could take
if I wanted to help. Well several van loads later and a very understanding
wife his shop looked very presentable. I even called over some of my
collector friends to help because I could not handle all of the booty. I
regret having tossed out a lot of stuff especially old bike catalogs that
at the time I did not realize their worth. I have sold tons of it and
still have plenty for myself. This was my best find so far and the price
could not be beat. In the end my hands were black with dirt, I was half
frozen, I had several bruises and scratches all over but felt like Daffy
Duck on the pile of gold. Mine all mine !!!!
Ray Homiski
Elizabeth, NJ