My late mother-in-law was scornful of folks who had fine sets of silver and then locked them away in a safety deposit box to "protect their investment". She reasoned that whether it was sterling silver or cheap flatware from the five-and-dime, it had no other purpose other than to facilitate the consumption of your daily bread. So she set her table with her silver all the time and didn't wait for holidays or special occasions. And never locked it away. We now have that silver and have followed her lead.
Regardless of the set's provenance, it was made to be hung on a bike and rode. If you are going to keep it, find a nice Italian frameset of the same period, build it up and ride that sucker.
Phil Sieg Knoxville, Tennessee
Steve Leitgen wrote:
> I am a firm believer that that classic old machine should be on the
> road. I've got two that are near assembled. A 77 Trek 700 531 frame
> returned to the form it was when I assembled it in 1979(Campy record
> throughout with an Avocet triple) and a Columbus SL frame (my first)
> set up with mostly DA EX.
>
> I have Campy 50th #156 in the box. (No it's not for sale, bought it in
> 84) If I sell the set, it will probably remain in the box as a
> collector set. If I keep it in the box it collects dust in my
> collection. My basic instinct is to build it and ride it. It's kinda
> valuable to do that. But Oh, the beauty of those pieces.
>
> So what should I do? Display or ride?
>
>
> Steve Leitgen
> La Crosse, WI