Norris, After enjoying your posts more then any one else's, I will tell you this:
if it makes you happy, buy it.
So, o.k., some will object to "happy". Then substitute "satisfied". Whatever. The question is "will you enjoy it?" You, above all, seem to enjoy the chase. And I for one, enjoy reading about that! Perhaps it is time to "thin the herd" a bit, but while still augmenting the collection. I think that the worst thing is to have regrets. I ask myself, "Self", I sayz when posed with a similar dilemma, "will I regret, when I'm 90 (!), never having owned this or that". And more importantly, never having DONE this or that. If so, then buy it/ do it. I would much rather form my own opinion on something, then only read someone else's in a magazine. That means parting with some bread, but when bought well (correctly) can always be sold as a commodity, and usually for a profit. And I would also say, don't feel guilty over it. Yes, part of this as others have mentioned, is making sure you do the right thing by the stuff: good heir/ fiduciary to make sure all goes easily for the family after.....hummmm..... your last ride; so to speak. My wife would ask me, when I would describe the latest possible acquisition, "do you like it? Then buy it." That's one reason why she is "Mrs."! My personal "where I draw the line" is: do I enjoy the way she rides? I sold many important bikes in the last few years, starting while still in Brooklyn, then San Diego, and now Italia. I had 3 kinds of bikes: a) historically important b) really beautiful, and c) the ones that I like the way they ride; for whatever reason. I decided I wasn't running a museum (I'm not a "collector"; I ride um all), so if a bike had either, or both of the first two, but not the 3rd, then out she went. I took allot of pictures and knew all about her personality, so no regrets. That's my take. Above all, enjoy. There is just not enough time.
be well,
Johnny Pergolizzi Torino, Italy only been at this 35 years and still get a jolt out of it
On Jan 9, 2011, at 11:52 AM, Norris Lockley wrote:
> 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)