2019, your amazing find of the year
 

We did this last year and had some amazing bikes show up.
What bike did you acquire or setup/build this past year that was amazing,

What bike wowed you that might have been someone else's

I have 2 frames that I think will be fun but nothing built.
A Geoffrey Butler from Randyjawa
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cfa9e10e0d.jpg
And a Witcomb England from nlearner
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3474fceac2.jpg


So what do you have that is ...

Nothing like classic British steel, very cool. :thumb:

My year was a banner one for me as many have been.

Stunning Merckx 10th anniversary "Tribute" that fits and was a great deal.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1ee9a6ecbf.jpg

Jim Merz 1981 MTB, 1 of around 10 according to Jim that doesn't fit and it doesn't matter. ;)


https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...33137afffc.jpg

1981 Bianchi Super Corsa that also fits.

Sellers pic, its not this nice.


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...efef026707.jpg

Fit has become the deciding factor since my size has gone up so when I find one that fits its a very good thing.

This 1988 Merckx Pro SLX with a full Campy CdA gruppo.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3b92b2153f.jpg

My amazing find of 2019 would be the Raleigh Professional MkI, a CL listing. My amazing BF find was the Bottecchia, from doc.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...20203b6d4.jpeg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...12e905191.jpeg

This very nice 1978 Davidson road custom that I purchased from the original owner in Baraboo, WI. All first gen Dura Ace with Suntour friction shifters in simply amazing condition. I did some panto fills, did a full service on it, changed the cables, housing, tires and tubes and some other detail stuff like brake hoods and saddle, then sold it to NLerner for what I had in it, as it had arrived just months before The Great Reduction In Bike Collection occurred.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d114d889ec.jpg

^ Doc, I actually plan tomorrow to be the maiden voyage for the Davidson. Watch for pics!

If I had to pick one it would be the Faggin but that is only from a visual standard.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...fd077ecb0b.jpg

Next would be the Torpado Superlight.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2dd823d946.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5a3a8485dd.jpg

Panasonic Team America Custom, currently entering the final stages of refresh/restore.


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8553a2139e.jpg

1976-77 Tommasini Presige, also under refresh/restoration.


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f50b14f82c.jpg

Early 70s Gitane Junior. Ooops, and yes, I have the original pedals, again Junior sized with intact reflectors...priceless.

The 6 pack Allez was my find or 2019 and I didn't so much find it as it fell into my lap

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...366b1e118a.jpg

198? Mooney frame. Almost embarrassed to say how little I payed. Going to build it up in the next few weeks.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b797b259fa.jpg

I’m almost hesitant to post my ‘19 find since it’s been pasted to the forum many times already. But what the hay, it is my total pride & joy after all...

‘76 Eisentraut Limited as purchased from eBay January:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f7d221e07.jpeg



Upon completion of build September:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...92b6c50c1.jpeg



Most recent ride in December:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...605b44f9e.jpeg


In addition, I’ll count the Benotto 3000 as an amazing find for ‘19. I had one the previous year, but it was too small a frame to fit comfortably. When I sold it, I was sure that I’d never find another. So it was a great surprise when this frame came up for sale here. Especially since it’s my size. I hope to have it rolling by spring/summer 2020:


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...67a9ff694.jpeg

^^^ Tough to beat a mint Allez for a six-pack, but I'm quite satisfied with the deal I got on this '83 Sekai 2700 last summer.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3f9026afad.jpg

Also scored this '88 Prelude frame a couple weeks ago for terdy bucks. Won't look anything like this when I'm done with it!
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...2771140bad.jpg

I would post my 1994 Davidson Impulse but for Flickr's changes for this new year, I can't.

EDIT: I figured out what I was doing wrong, so am able to post the photo of my raffle-prize Davidson Impulse after all:


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b82b13d26a.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f0eefda9e2.png

Not too amazing, but picked up a fully stock 92 Stumpjumper with XT for 100 bucks; after which I sunk a bit more into.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f7b21304b3.png

Then picked up a 91 Haro Extreme in great condition for 75 bucks; after which I also also sunk a bit more into.

I just got it in December so it still needs a few parts. I was thrilled when the eBay seller accepted my offer and delivered it personally from Ohio.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...75ff62e4f9.png

Not near as exotic as some of the previously posted bikes, but this autumn I fell into this virtually unridden Schwinn Voyageur. I’ve overhauled it and added the rack, bell, and mudguards.


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bac92eff8.jpeg

W
H
O
A
!

That is a find...wow. And congrats!

love the super light.....this is a bike that I will grab if i every run into one my size

For me it would be the 85 Team Miyata

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4e3b081869.jpg

Thanks Aaron. I always wanted a BG and almost had Bruce make a custom for me when I got my Clockwork. He was just out of my league pricewise.

I picked up three solid finds last year: an early 70s Motobecane Grand Record, a 70s Libertas (full Reynolds 531 frame), and a stock early 90s Specialized Stumpjumper. I've rebuilt the Motobecane; the pics of the Libertas and the Stumpy are as found in "the wild":

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e17da07526.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...96e4021bb5.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...43d23e8f6e.jpg

Mine would be a 2008 Specialized Epic FSR (26") I recently built up for my son-in-law. Terrific bike.

Honorable mention goes to the 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile that was given to me. Pretty bike. It did not excite me when I rode it, though. Possibly better tires would have helped. I sold it.

As I no longer spend much effort hunting for vintage road bicycles, some do come my way. Though nothing special, I fell in love (figuratively speaking) with a mountain bike, which I, sort of, converted to a roadie...
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e1830aae6e.jpg

I did stumble across this newer Pinarello and, sadly, have absolutely no interest in it...
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...47e10e6446.jpg

^^^ Somebody gave you a cardiac?!?!? :twitchy:

Twinning with horatio , this chrome 1970 Raleigh Pro Mk.1 frame came to me in November.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d872cb4f4a.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6bdbb198ca.jpg