Hey Gang,
Everyone is reading WAY too much into what I have said and meant on this subject. Let me try to be really clear this time.
What angers me is only one thing. IF someone were to run into a bike that is obviously NOS or in very good condition and it is known to be "original", especially if it has parts that are specific to that make and year, I feel it's a shame to seperate the frame and the parts for maximum profit. If one were to own such a thing and felt they MUST change the stem for a perfect fit (so they could ride and enjoy it) then as long as they use their head and find the correct replacement who the hell is going to complain. Not me. Probably a good idea to keep the original anyway, though.
Parting out bikes with parts that are common, who really cares? Again, not me. We all benifit from that. I'm sure most of us have done that, although not me. I'm not into wheeling and dealing parts. I only buy what I need and intend to use. But if others flip stuff to get what they're after, fine. Personally, I prefer to find stuff that is largely intact and finish it out. Example, the 1970 Rickert I bought at Velo Rendezvous a few months ago. Had a 1984 rear der. and new logo bar and stem, but otherwise looks pretty close to correct. I don't care if what looks correct is original to the bike or not, just want to change out the improper parts when I have time and find the right stuff. I have the pieces to make a correct rear der. in my box of junk, so I'll put that together in time. Meanwhile I'll ride her as is.
I have a 1971 Masi GC that I bought from the original owner. I met the guy when I was 19 years old and he had just purchased the bike shortly that. He was an older gentleman at the time, rode the bike a total of maybe 1500 to 2000 miles, kept it in his bedroom closet whenever not in use. I kept track of that bike for 26 years, calling him every so often to make sure if he decided to sell it that I got a shot at it. In 1998 he moved to a retirement home and no longer had a closet to store it in, so he called me. The bike still has the original factory installed white cloth tape on the bars, the little grey plastic thingy for the cables, the whole nine yards. He ordered it with Schreen Weltmeister rims. Never seen another one like it. All of the cable clamps and brake cable crimps are original with the factory yellow paint on them. Do you think for a second I would even so much as sell the little grey cable gizmo? I'm sure there are plenty of buys on the list who would kill to have it and pay me stupid money to have it. NOT FOR SALE!! I've had plenty of offers, too! That's what I'm saying.
If you run into something like that, leave it alone. Why even change the exact crankset for another one EXACTLY like it? NO point in it. If you need longer cranks to ride it, stick them on but keep the original. If you find something NOS, even if its an ItalVega or a PX-10, leave it alone. That's all I gotta say.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA