Hi Mark, I own you and perhaps others an apology, it is clear that you do know what you are talking about. The CR list is a "Rough Crowd" when it comes to eBay scrutiny. I'm thinking of posting some of my ads to the CR List prior to posting them on eBay and incorporating the feedback. That should eliminate the contentiousness. I revised my ad to reflect the information that you have provided. Thank you it is appreciated. Al Van Varick Tucson, AZ
-----Original Message----- From: Mark Bulgier [mailto:Mark@bulgier.net] Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 1:00 AM To: Al Van Varick; classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: RE: [CR]Ebay Raleigh International
Talking about this eBay auction:
http://ebay.com/
Al Van Varick wrote:
> There has been the usual speculation and opinion on the CR list in
> this case about the presumed separating seat stay cap on the Raleigh
> International that I have listed on eBay. What I find interesting is
> that not one person has asked for additional close-up photographs.
> I guess what that means is that there are "lots of people talking
> but few of them know".
So Al, don't keep us guessing -- which ones "know"?
As one of the people who speculated about it on-list, allow me to apologize if you felt picked on. You know we do this all the time though right? Armchair analysis of eBay auction bikes we can never really know anything about.
But I am sincerely interested now - are you saying the cap is NOT separating? I was so sure that I was seeing enough, in the photos provided, that I honestly didn't feel a need for more close-ups.
In fact if you are saying it is not separating, then I would have to say that it is your opinion against mine and neither of us has any real evidence. Your opinion has the advantage of seeing the bike in person, while mine is based on my years in the bike business as a Raleigh seller (including the year the bike was sold) and seeing many fail in just the way yours is, followed by decades as a frame builder, with college level training in mechanical engineering, strength of materials and welding science. Doesn't prove me right, but if I say as an expert that I don't need to see the bike in person, that the evidence already given is plenty, then you can't really say I'm wrong - at least not without explaining why you think so. Convince us.
I will say again that I believe the bike is structurally sound and will probably never give any trouble - and I sincerely wish you luck, and hope the bike sells for a small fortune.
Mark Bulgier
Seattle WA USA