Sir_Name 

Same here. Sad set of circumstances in not only divesting the collection, but also never realizing the museaum dream. Nice though that care is taken to transfer the bikes to new appreciative homes.

northbend 

That Otis is the pick of the litter in my eye. What a cool bike

johnnyace 

I feel the same about FB; don't have an account, ain't gonna get one. But I can see the pics just fine, even still.

smontanaro 

Go get a throwaway email from Yahoo!, Gmail, Hotmail, whatever, and use that to sign up. Don't friend anyone, just follow the groups you're interested in.

fiatjeepdriver

Hi Guys,

I'm the one helping sell the collection. For those without Facebook I am in the process of setting up a website with a friends help. I'll eventually get all of the bikes listed on there as well as keep the Facebook page up and running. There is just so much to do. As for prices I'm working with the owner to figure out what he'd like to do. I have been checking eBay for similar bikes to get a feel for what their current market value is. Knowing the owner he's hoping these bikes are going to go to the right people. One of the bikes I have to do some research on to make sure might have been a bike Greg Lemond raced at junior worlds back in 79... There is a little bit of everything in his collection though he really likes boutique builders and of course Campagnolo. This weekend I am going to get some pictures of his vintage kids bikes, he has some very cool ones.

CO_Hoya 

If you don't mind asking, which town is this collection in?

I have family in Josephine county, so a local pickup would be possible.
Not that I need or can afford anything I've seen so far.
But just in case.
You never know.
I should stop typing now . . .

fiatjeepdriver

Most of it is in the Ashland area but I'm in Jacksonville and could meet them half way or even drop it off in Grants Pass (assuming that's the town they live in)

UKFan4Sure

I am so sorry the owner is having health issues. Makes me think about how quickly one can find themselves in a bad position.

Might the good Lord help him though this!

gugie 

Hmmm, wondering if someone could come up with a special decal to commemorate the original collector.

kcblair

Holy crap. Those bikes look brand spakin new. Is that correct ? Thank you for sharing and your hard work photographing. KB

RosyRambler

Nothing short of a stunning collection of bikes!! Sad the owner won't see his dream museum realized, but it must have been a heck of a ride collecting these beauties. Even if I can't own one, I'm grateful for him at this time to be able to share them with us. Thank You and Best Wishes!!

jetboy 

I also do not do the facepage and appreciate your work on this for bringing it to the forum.

fiatjeepdriver

Well here is the page I am working on for those who do not have Facebook. The Rogue Valley Collection

It is going to take me awhile to get everything posted and I will update the bikes as I go along with prices when they are available.

smontanaro 

Thanks for the website reference. I know you've probably got a lot on your plate, but it would be great if people could subscribe to website content updates. Presumably, it wouldn't require any more work on your part. Add a bike, email goes out to subscribers.

fiatjeepdriver

I will ask my friend who helped me set it up if that is something we can do. For the time being I am trying to get all the pictures I have uploaded to the site and as I get prices from the owner I will update the posts.

WolfRyder

@fiatjeepdriver,

Great collection I have enjoyed just viewing it, I like a couple bikes but may have to be conservative because of other recent CV purchases.

One thing that was a little unclear during the posting of these bikes on Facebook and on your Webpage. I know you haven't posted prices on the bikes, but I am sure you must have had interest/inquires and I got dibbs on this/that one ,PM sent etc. So with the current format how do you decide who gets the bike? Is it who asked about it first? or when you post prices then whoever says they want it at that amount? I'm feeling kinda like this is a pre-sale viewing but nobody knows what the actual prices are. Or maybe some are sold already I don't know.

LeicaLad 

It's a wonderful collection, and I also deeply appreciate being able to see them.

Still, I am also one of those who feel really sad for the collector. He's gone to a lot of work, and now must watch as the vultures circle.

sigh.

Bikerider007

Someone said he has like 250 bikes. He decided to sell these(and it sounds like market price) and posted them publicly to do so. I don't think anyone here bought all their bikes from a shop or check every backstory or turn down a bike because someone has to sell.

It's unfortunate but we will all be in that position someday. His other option would let be to let them waste away or have someone come in later and do what they please with them. It was mentioned he wants them to go to a good home and that money may help him get better.

rootboy 

It is kind of sad. Food for thought.
My plan is to start getting rid of stuff, so my wife isn't saddled with the chore after I check out.
I've only been partially successful so far.

LeicaLad 

My phone sent me someone's blog post about his "treasure trove discovery" via "uncle of friend" who left behind a camera stash.

As I read through his gleeful listing of cameras and lenses, I thought "Gee! I have all of those - and more. . !"

Another sigh.

No one gets outta here alive!

:-)

rootboy 

Collecting can be sort of an albatross around one's neck. But I still love being surrounded by beautiful stuff.
But, as we grow older.... the wisdom of having a lot of "stuff" is a double edged sword.

WolfRyder

Well American Pickers tells the tale of the long time collector quite frequently. Often there is an old collector with a story about accumulating cool stuff, but now for whatever reason(Often health/old age) it is time to let it go. Another thing that the AP host Mike Wolfe show talked about on one show, was that he sees a lot of collector types with "unfinished projects" late in life.

Life is about balance, if collecting stuff starts to interfere with other areas of your life that are important to you, then that collector behavior should be addressed in a persons life. If you are taking it too far, and want to understand why you are doing it, then well, I don't know, maybe see a therapist.

I have only been in the CV mix here for about 8 months, and am noticing that this CV bike stuff is on my mind 24/7 and that I like "the Hunt" for it. I wanted a hobby, grew up cycling, and wanted to start learning how to wrench on bikes restore um and of course ride them. (& maybe buy and sell a few to upgrade my small lot).

I appreciate that the Seller of the collection wants to find homes for these sweet classic rides, with the CV community.

fiatjeepdriver

It's taking a bit to get prices from the owner. How I am handling it right now is I pass along offers until I get prices from him. I am keeping track of when I get asked about certain bikes and will go in that order with only a couple of exceptions (i.e. if there is someone who comes in person and is getting several and there is no firm interest on the bike already)

WolfRyder

Ok man thanks, it's a financial timing thing with me right now...so probably have to wait

Senior Ryder 00 

Greeting from Salem,

Glad to hear that the owner/collector is involved in the process. Initially I was worried that he was unable to participate or that his family and friends were having to do this because he was unable. Would love to have a step through bike like the Ron Cooper or Grandis for the dear wife, but would probably have difficulty justifying that level and quality even though it would be for her. I am satisfied my small collection of regular riders and at my age don't desire to add to it, but truly enjoy the Rogue Valley Collection.

By-the-way, great job on the web site. Keep them coming.

Cheers,

Van