Jon,
Kind of a sad state of affairs all the way around; but I guess that is the reality of economics. As long as someone doesn't take an intact original bike and part it out for maximun financial gain then what the heck. I'm sorry you didn't secure some of the parts you needed. I guess other people with bikes and deeper pockets win the day. Personally, I'm still glad I don't do eBay. I'm happy with what little I can afford from other sources. I resign myself to missing out on a lot of things that are out of my economic range. I just can't wrap my mind around having to compete at auction for everything I need. Being a genuine retro-grouch, I still like the old way of someone deciding what they want for an item and me deciding wheather I want or can affort said goods. As usual, I'm off the back, out of date, and in the minority. I'm OK with that.
Brian Baylis
La Mesa, CA
"Here's one for ya... came up on the Rose Bowl vintage ride yesterday.
I've got an old soldier, a '61 Legnano Gran Primio (heavy patina) that I got as a frame and few parts. Over the years I managed to gather all the Legnano branded parts: cranks, pedals, hubs, bars and stem, headset, etc.
I'm planning on selling it soon to make room and you can bet I won't be able to get the money I spent putting it together so that one is definitely going to be returned to its parts before going on eBay.
Anyone within earshot want to pay me 650 bucks for it as a complete bike? Of course not. But I'd be willing to wager it will bring more than that as parts. Parting out a vintage bike? This one started out as parts...
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California"
. Not to get this all fired up again but I totaled up the Gios guy's total take last night. $1670.07, which is a pretty good haul. (if he had pulled the headset and BB he might have broke $1800). If it had been listed the complete bike with an opening bid of even $1500, I think at least one guy here would have said the seller's dreamin'. Of course I got outbid on everything I wanted for my Gios Super Record project.
Jon Williams
Grants Pass OR