What has been the best freebie C&V find you've been given?
01-13-19, 07:38 PM
#1
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What has been the best freebie C&V find you've been given?
There are a lot of great stories that have been shared on this site dealing with great finds... and some of those great finds have been entirely free!! Share some of your favorite totally free finds, and make your fellow C&V enthusiasts (and wannabe C&V enthusiasts) green with envy. I've been given free bicycles quite often when people find out I'm a fan of the old ones (bicycles that is). Most of these, I just turned around and donated to the local coop. But, I would say my best freebie, so far, was a mid-level Ross bicycle that provided a set of Shimano Altus derailleurs, along with some Shimano Tourney centerpull brakes. The frame had some severe rust issues, but the parts were amazingly clean. The biggest problem with the bicycle was that it was infested with red ants.... I had to leave the bicycle outside for a week, going out every day and moving and rotating the frame, to encourage the ants to abandon their current home. Everything was scavenged, except for the frame, seat post, and bottom bracket. The Ross bike was thrown in for free, after purchasing a Schwinn Le Tour to refurbish (the owner didn't want to deal with and asked if I could use anything off of it).
Last edited by uncle uncle; 01-13-19 at 07:57 PM.
01-13-19, 07:48 PM
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I guess it was kind of free, but I got my Bottechia which I restored, rebuilt, and modded up to full Chorus spec, from my brother as a straight trade for the Trek OCLV frameset I had that was just a little bit too big for me. He did the trade as the Bott was a bit too small for him so both of us came out happy!
01-13-19, 08:00 PM
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I was given this Legnano Pista. Of course, it needed a bunch of work, and money, to get it track ready.
1-DSCF6114 by cb400bill, on Flickr
1-DSCF6114 by cb400bill, on Flickr
01-13-19, 08:15 PM
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I was given this 1952 E. Christophe by a friend who got it free from a local thrift store owner who got it for free at a rural garage sale.
These are the before and after photos, and yes, it gets ridden here in the foothills despite it's limited gearing.
This C&V Lincoln was found just last month, under the owner's trees with a "FREE" sign on it. Hadn't been started or moved in several years.
Shown here after a first cleaning, with a few mechanical tasks both done and still needing to be done.
Passes SMOG, and motor and trans are perfect, but it still needing an intake manifold replacement and power windows repaired.
These are the before and after photos, and yes, it gets ridden here in the foothills despite it's limited gearing.
This C&V Lincoln was found just last month, under the owner's trees with a "FREE" sign on it. Hadn't been started or moved in several years.
Shown here after a first cleaning, with a few mechanical tasks both done and still needing to be done.
Passes SMOG, and motor and trans are perfect, but it still needing an intake manifold replacement and power windows repaired.
Last edited by dddd; 01-13-19 at 08:21 PM.
01-13-19, 08:27 PM
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Out of the clear blue, a CR member sent me a Lejeune wheel cover. A few months later, its mate appeared on eBay. That one wasn't a freebie.
20171211_111807 by L Travers, on Flickr
20171211_111807 by L Travers, on Flickr
01-13-19, 09:21 PM
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Best quality? Just happened a few weeks ago when fellow forumite @jjames1452 was making space in his storage and tossed this 1983 Trek 600 frameset at me, gratis. As 'free bikes' are wont to do, this one quickly absorbed several hundred dollars worth of vintage parts, but turned out as nicely as anticipated. Just finished it this morning with a pair of Nitto 115 OLympiade bars and new fake leather bar tape.
I now sort of have a hard decision to make about my 1985 Trek 600...
Best freebies moneywise were a couple of (frankly terrible) low-mileage Ross Super Grand Tour Professionals that were gifted to me decked out in full 600 Arabesque which fetched some good money on eBay. After robbing the fancy stuff, I built up one frame with random spares and gave away, the other I fixified and sold for benji.
(And yes, the reflectors are going to be removed from the Trek. It's amazing how much they make the wheels feel off balance at speed. I have never experienced such a thing until now.)
@dddd, Love the Lincoln! I have wanted one of that vintage since watching Grosse Pointe Blank. Makes me miss my old Mercury Grand Marquis, which is basically the same car.
I now sort of have a hard decision to make about my 1985 Trek 600...
Best freebies moneywise were a couple of (frankly terrible) low-mileage Ross Super Grand Tour Professionals that were gifted to me decked out in full 600 Arabesque which fetched some good money on eBay. After robbing the fancy stuff, I built up one frame with random spares and gave away, the other I fixified and sold for benji.
(And yes, the reflectors are going to be removed from the Trek. It's amazing how much they make the wheels feel off balance at speed. I have never experienced such a thing until now.)
@dddd, Love the Lincoln! I have wanted one of that vintage since watching Grosse Pointe Blank. Makes me miss my old Mercury Grand Marquis, which is basically the same car.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
Last edited by Lascauxcaveman; 01-14-19 at 12:52 AM.
01-13-19, 09:33 PM
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I was given this 1952 E. Christophe by a friend who got it free from a local thrift store owner who got it for free at a rural garage sale.
These are the before and after photos, and yes, it gets ridden here in the foothills despite it's limited gearing.
This C&V Lincoln was found just last month, under the owner's trees with a "FREE" sign on it. Hadn't been started or moved in several years.
Shown here after a first cleaning, with a few mechanical tasks both done and still needing to be done.
Passes SMOG, and motor and trans are perfect, but it still needing an intake manifold replacement and power windows repaired.
These are the before and after photos, and yes, it gets ridden here in the foothills despite it's limited gearing.
This C&V Lincoln was found just last month, under the owner's trees with a "FREE" sign on it. Hadn't been started or moved in several years.
Shown here after a first cleaning, with a few mechanical tasks both done and still needing to be done.
Passes SMOG, and motor and trans are perfect, but it still needing an intake manifold replacement and power windows repaired.
Have a dealer check for an open recall on the intake, probably expired but you never know.
That Christophe is awesome!
Last edited by merziac; 01-13-19 at 09:38 PM.
01-13-19, 09:36 PM
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01-13-19, 09:44 PM
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Today was close to the best, free Routens frame with BB and HS that he was going to scrap and it's small for me so we'll see.
The crashed BJ tandem was close too with original BB's and good straight fork $20 was almost free.
200 mi. trip that could easily pay for itself so "free is a very good price".
The crashed BJ tandem was close too with original BB's and good straight fork $20 was almost free.
200 mi. trip that could easily pay for itself so "free is a very good price".
01-13-19, 10:09 PM
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This bike was virtually a freebie many years ago.
It has been passed, and passed again - so maybe still on the road.
'84ish PH10LE - Carbolite 103 w/ Suntour BL
It has been passed, and passed again - so maybe still on the road.
'84ish PH10LE - Carbolite 103 w/ Suntour BL
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01-13-19, 10:47 PM
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Here are a few of the freebies I have gotten. I have gotten more but these are the best.
01-13-19, 11:25 PM
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Was given this...that looked like this....
after a quick hosing off. I think the ladies at the estate sale thought it was the devil compared to the china plates and quilts.
01-14-19, 06:47 AM
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My 74 Raleigh Gran Prix, freebie from my friend as received
IMG_20130513_220301a by Bwilli88, on Flickr
As fixed up
DSC06588 by Bwilli88, on Flickr
A Raleigh Super Course junked at the local co-op, to much rust holding things together
73 supercourse by Bwilli88, on Flickr
After cleaning and a rebuild as a Dingle speed
IMG_20180717_114219125 by Bwilli88, on Flickr
IMG_20130513_220301a by Bwilli88, on Flickr
As fixed up
DSC06588 by Bwilli88, on Flickr
A Raleigh Super Course junked at the local co-op, to much rust holding things together
73 supercourse by Bwilli88, on Flickr
After cleaning and a rebuild as a Dingle speed
IMG_20180717_114219125 by Bwilli88, on Flickr
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Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
Cambodia bikes, Bridgestone SRAM 2 speed, 2012 Fuji Stratos...
01-14-19, 06:51 AM
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I get components more than bikes. Two that stand out are a complete group of Campy Super Record (minus pedals) and a set of Phil Wood CHP pedals.
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01-14-19, 07:41 AM
#15
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I mentioned this in the "Brazen Dropout" thread. Totally unexpected, my brother calls me and says he has something for me. He was just returning from the Madison brazen dropout show. I was working close to my house and he delivers this beauty to me. A nice vintage Lejeune with all the details of a Bernard Carre build. The seller said only a couple people showed any interest in it. My brother bought it on his way out, and the guy sweetened the deal with a cool Normandy lux comp hub. I'm thrilled!
01-14-19, 07:58 AM
#16
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For someone new to working on vintage bikes, the best free stuff I have received has been advice from forum members.
01-14-19, 08:34 AM
#18
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Do dump picks count?
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
01-14-19, 09:15 AM
#19
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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A mint Raleigh Portage 650B in my size, but there was no room in the basement and I did not need it so passed it on to a friend.
01-14-19, 09:28 AM
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My best free vintage bike stuff has been the free time, parts, labor, and hands on teaching I received from @miamijim. Just about everything I know I learned from him.
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01-14-19, 10:22 AM
#22
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83 Lemans 12
Kuwahara
01-14-19, 10:26 AM
#23
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Just got the same bike free from my brother in November. It has all the original Simplex bits on it.
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1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
01-14-19, 10:31 AM
#24
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Most of my free has been frames or bikes from my dad or Roger M - PX10 frameset X 2 (still have 1), Peugeot PL8, Vitus 979, Spectrum Titanium (now with my brother), Peugeot Limestone hybrid converted to my touring bike, Nishiki Marina 12 frameset and the Cannondale fire bike from November. Of course the frames always end up costing money.
Then a retired psychology professor, and former racer, in town gave me 10 laced tubular wheels from his racing days (my dad gave me some too). Most with Campy, Mavic or Suntour Superbe hubs.
Then a retired psychology professor, and former racer, in town gave me 10 laced tubular wheels from his racing days (my dad gave me some too). Most with Campy, Mavic or Suntour Superbe hubs.
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1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
1984 Gitane Tour de France; 1968 Peugeot PL8; 1982 Nishiki Marina 12; 1984 Peugeot PSV; 1993 Trek 950 mtb; 1983 Vitus 979; Colnago Super, mid-80's Bianchi Veloce, 1984 or 85 Vitus 979
Last edited by scozim; 01-14-19 at 03:59 PM.
01-14-19, 10:42 AM
#25
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The Best free ones.. there was two at the same time from the same person.
My brother @tuna has a friend that her uncle passed away and had some of his stuff in a storage unit. she was cleaning it out and he had two bikes in there that needed to go. She knew my brother liked old bikes so she offered them to him, both bikes were too big for him but more my size. so he passed down these two bikes to me. The uncle was the original owner of both these bikes and had good taste in my book!
1974 Raleigh Professional
1974 Paramount P10
My brother @tuna has a friend that her uncle passed away and had some of his stuff in a storage unit. she was cleaning it out and he had two bikes in there that needed to go. She knew my brother liked old bikes so she offered them to him, both bikes were too big for him but more my size. so he passed down these two bikes to me. The uncle was the original owner of both these bikes and had good taste in my book!
1974 Raleigh Professional
1974 Paramount P10