Greetings All,
I have recently listed a couple vintage Shimano and Compe levers on eBay:
http://ebay.com/
I had planned to give a more formal introduction, but I guess this will have to do. I live in Los Angeles, and have met a few of you on rides or other events.
In my collection, I have: --1974 Nishiki Professional. This bike is currently in transition to being a no-frills single speed. The Compe levers on eBay are from this bike. --1978 Panasonic Touring with nervex-type head lugs. It has a custom paint job by the original owner who must have loved this bike. See the website below to see the unique Panasonic re-paint logo. The bike features *black*1976 Dura Ace calipers - likely take-offs from the original bike shop. Takagi Tourney cranks. Stronglight headset. Suntour Cyclone rear derailleur (though I currently have installed a 1991 Suntour XCD from my old MTB from my youth). Suntour bar ends. This bike is the origin of the Dura Ace levers on eBay. Currently this bike is being built as a tourer. --1977 Takara. This is my beater fixed gear fun bike. It's constantly changing. The short top tube combined with funky steerer tube inner diameter make this a difficult bike to alter (it's BMX size).
See the bikes here:
http://www.bircheffect.com/
I have been reading CR for a while now, and enjoy getting caught up in the details. I like wrenching in the evenings, and scouring Craigslist for good deals. All the bikes listed above are from CL, two of which were spotted by a friend of mine who you might know (he designed a hat among many other things).
Oh, and no word on whether the pink boots I listed on eBay are good for riding. I'll ask my girlfriend.
Garrett Belmont
Los Angeles, CA