randyjawa 

I was going through my pictures the other day and stumbled across bike that, "as found" were near mint (I never say mint). Anyway, some near mint beauties and some not so beautiful...

Never rode this trike and donated it to Bicycles for Humanity. The trike was in incredible little used condition...


The lady at the yard sale wanted $100 CND for the Bianchi but I only had $87 CND. Deal made and what a nice bike. Sadly a tad too small for me but I did ride it a bit...


Another little used and near mint bike. I did not ride this one for fear of nut destruction...


Never much of a fan of the rear drops on these bikes but this near mint road bike was a nice rider, to say the least...


Any thing but high end, I never rode this old Italian entry level steed. Looks like the original owner did not ride it much either...


Another trike. I checked it over carefully and donated it to a handicapped person...


This bike was given to a local bike shop owner by Joe Gardin himself. This one is one special bike. Too bad it was too small for me...


Nothing has reached my in better, near mint and absolutely original condition. Almost looks like the bike was never used. Almost...

Kilroy1988 

A nice set of finds, sir!

This 1970 Raleigh Super Course is the only one that qualifies among the 30-odd vintage bikes I've purchased over the past dozen years or so. It came to me in superb condition and completely original down to the bar tape. I upgraded the drivetrain and threw on all of the tacky accessories later.

-Gregory

SoCaled 

Most of my rides are pretty scrappy, but I have had a few that fit the bill, they have all moved on, I guess I can't have nice things

'85 SM600 a few small chips in the paint, clean and all original - wide bars and big/little wheels made for a ride I never got used to


Got this one from the original owner, he barely rode it, I rode it for a while but was not as comfortable/good fit as others I had. Did not want to see it banged up, sold to finance road bikes (don't know where the drive side pic went?)


Bought be cause it was a smokin' bargain and came with an extra set of rims, was fooled by angle on ad pic, was a bit small


1984 SR400 Bought this one as part of the loaner fleet, couldn't have really been any cleaner, saw some miles ridden by various friends


The first bike I bought on the West coast - thought it was the one, never felt right - in hindsight I think it just needed a different stem


One of the first road bikes I bought, first with brifters, was fast, but did not like my rough roads

Raya2

As Purchased

Current 09-02-23
scored this Sirrus for $50, cleaned up and changed a few things rides nice

Kabuki12

1977 Raleigh Competition GS
I bought this bike in 2016 from the original owner . He was 77 at the time and was unable to ride any more due to balance issues. He bought it in November of ‘77 in Cupertino , California. It still has the bike shop sticker on the lower seat tube. This was a bike that he never rode , it just sat in his garage . He told me he preferred his International over this. It has the original saddle date stamped 77 and the only things I changed were the tires, rear derailleur , and shifters with the D-ring tension adjusters . I got rid of the faded bar wrap and tried out a harlequin pattern for the tops. I have put plenty of miles on it since acquiring it.

1972 or ‘73 Super Mondia Special
This bike was found in a storage locker in Corona , California. I bought it on eBay from the lady who found it for a very reasonable sum. The saddle is original but not unused like the Raleigh’s . This bike saw some riding but the original equipment and paint was intact. The chrome still had clear coat on it which had yellowed . When I got it home I completely stripped the yellowing clear coat to reveal a very well preserved bike .

Desert Ryder

I have a few near mint but dirty.

As found 1997 GT STS DH, all original except seat and seatpost.

Now


The Bike Beat Revolution (Ellison) , all as built except for tires



Gary Fisher Aguila, all original, changed seat

jamesdak 

Off the top of my head I'd say my most mint one was the 86 Team Fuji. When I got it the bike was so dirty it looked almost brown.

After all the dirt was washed off I found this underneath.



So of course I gave it more attention and really cleaned it up good.







Finished it up to look like this, rode it a few times, and passed it on.

sloar 

This Gazzelle had 10lbs of dust on it. Once I got it home and cleaned it, I found that it was 100% original and looked NOS. Campy brake blocks still had the mold lines.

Mr. 66

The Raleigh purchased from the original owner, the brake pads were changed but the rest was intact.

abdon 

I found a Univega Gran Turismo touring bike in time capsule condition for a ridiculous low amount. The original tires still had the rubber fuzz from the mold

thinktubes 

Very clean Novara was a $5 garage sale find

cb400bill

Picked up this Paramount early this summer. Near mint condition.


Picked up this unridden Super Course years ago. Sadly, it was too small.


Ran across this near mint Fuji Sagres years ago. Catch and release.

brewerkz 

merziac

That's flippin awesome, bought one for my kid, his first good bike, rockin, bombproof, a bit heavy, he let it get stolen, the first of many, some not his fault.

TC1

I wouldn't use the word "mint" to describe it, but I rescued this 1958 AMF Roadmaster Minuteman that was left out in my neighborhood for the scrappers to haul away. It was so covered in grime that I didn't know it was red until later. Spent a few days scrubbing and polishing it, and then we used it for fun rides around town for 3 summers during the pandemic. Eventually sold it to a guy from the city who was extremely chuffed to be its new rider.

r0ckh0und 

Replaced the tires and cables here but otherwise original.

1989Pre 

Buyer beware! What you are getting may be much better and nicer than it seems. Under a settled cloud of dust and debris appeared this well-nigh perfect Rudge:

Saddle was fatally-dried up, but everything else was in order.

I did upgrade the steel Wald kick-stand.

There was nothing wrong with the bike that a bag and a bell couldn't cure...

Even the tires it came with, I rode on for a couple of years.

pastorbobnlnh 

I purchased this '89 Schwinn 974 this summer. It was near mint and fully equipped with Shimano 600 Tri-color group. Paid more than I ever have for a bike, but glad I did.

I had just mounted Clement tubular tires for their first ride. I didn't realize that less than 2 miles from the house, on a regular ride route, was this street.

top506

This Allez was a mint dump find:




I had to do some driving and pay a little for this Nashbar, but just as mint:




My cleanest 'befores'.

Top

1989Pre 

That looks pretty cutting-edge for 1989. Is it a 7-speed freewheel? Amazing condition.

IdahoBrett 

A lot of great looking mint finds! I haven’t found one…yet.

But I did read at least once in this thread that I’m not alone in buying a bike that isn’t my size. I was beginning to wonder if I was weird or something…

Kabuki12

I was just reminded of a find that happened a few years back. I had bid on a set of “clincher” wheels on eBay . The opening bid was something less that $30 with $35 shipping. I was the only bidder! I don’t run tubular but when I posted them here right after the buy , I was told by pastor Bob what they were , “take off” racing wheels from a Paramount . In NOS condition and still wearing their original , unused tires(as far as I could see). They are at home on pastor Bob’s beautiful Flamboyant Red Paramount . He swapped with me and we were both happy. I believe these are from a storage locker find as the seller knew nothing about bicycles . When I looked at sellers “other items” it was household stuff.

nlerner

This find might not be exactly in the spirit of this thread, but this 1940 Raleigh Sports was remarkably mint and original, despite the thick layer of barn dust:


Just swapped in some upright bars and a period-appropriate stem, cleaned and polished, and voila!

pastorbobnlnh 

Thank you Paul! The 600 was just a step below Dura Ace and it is very nice. Not a freewheel but a 7-speed UG cassette.

styggno1

As found (former owner obviously not a collector):



30 minutes later: