I agree completely with Billy, but simply note that Jon said nothing about you SELLING him the bikes :). I can't ride that size, so my heart is much more pure.
Norris, I'm dealing with this with bikes, vacuum tube audio, classical music recordings, fountain pens, and tobacco pipes. It's a miracle I will be able to retire ... I have stopped buying without purpose. I feel that's an important step, and that your current mindset is the perfect starting point.
On Sun, Jan 9, 2011 at 8:30 AM, <billydavid13@comcast.net> wrote:
> Hi Norris. I think Jon's advice is very good. It sets limits that are not
> arbitrary and also offers a way to pay for your obsession by selling off
> what doesn't fit. This will also release bikes to people who covet them.
> W/in certain limits you might want to purchase certain marques that aren't
> your size to use for trade, but only if they're "bargains". Patience is a
> virtue that comes to any serious collector. "Better fewer, but better." Good
> luck. I wish i had your problem! Billy Ketchum; Chicago, IL; USA.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Norris Lockley" <nlockley73@gmail.com>
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Sent: Sunday, January 9, 2011 4:52:20 AM
> Subject: [CR] To buy ..or not to buy...That is the question
>
> I'm faced with a dilemma...let me explain. I already have far too many
> bicycles and frames..and Yes! believe me.... it is possible to have too
> many
> . (Are you reading this, Nelson?) I am no longer a young man..and many of
> the frames and bikes I already own are too large for me in any case...and
> my
> wife can't stand the thought of any more bikes at home. I am in fact a
> perfect living example of the species - the obsessive collector.
>
> To make matters worse, there are certain brands of frame that I have never
> owned, will never need, but nevertheless I would like one of them...for the
> collection.
>
> Like buses in most large cities these sought-after bikes never come in
> ones...but in twos and threes. And so it is that I have just come across,
> and am negotiating for, a couple of MARCADIER racing, as opposed to
> randonneur, bicycles...and there is still an alloy Reyhand (?) in mind.
>
> I have never seen a Marcadier but, tempted by the one in one of Jan Heine's
> books, consider that I owe myself at least one. Jan's Marcadier is an
> aluminium alloy one and at least one of the two I know of is of the same
> material...the other might be steel, as it is painted red.
>
> It goes with the territory of such transactions that the bikes are a long
> way from where I live, not even in the same country, and that the photos
> provided are of poor quality and lack detailo. I have requested
> others.Oh! almost forgot...they are too large ( at about 23") for me to
> ride..
>
> After finishing this heart-felt appeal to the CR Listers I think I shall
> have to go and lie down to consider matters further. Are there any
> psychologists among the CR members who could offer me some free
> counselling....PLEASE
>
> I know what I should do...but please convince me.
>
> Norris Lockley
>
> Settle UK
>
> (with sincere apoogies to the bard, William Shakespeare..and Prince Hamlet)
> _______________________________________________
> _______________________________________________
>
--
Ken Freeman
Ann Arbor, MI USA