Leave a note, or just leave it?
02-20-20, 04:15 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Leave a note, or just leave it?
Nice orange Lemond at a bike rack at my school. The kind one notices...it has that something special going on.
I have noticed it for at least a year, and recently, I have realized that its always locked in the same place..so I started paying closer attention.. and I am pretty sure it has not moved in a couple months.
I am thinking to leave a note- though if they aren't riding it they wont be around to read a note either. I see it starting to rust and rot out there, and want to at least get it inside-
I have noticed it for at least a year, and recently, I have realized that its always locked in the same place..so I started paying closer attention.. and I am pretty sure it has not moved in a couple months.
I am thinking to leave a note- though if they aren't riding it they wont be around to read a note either. I see it starting to rust and rot out there, and want to at least get it inside-
Likes For jetboy:
Likes For tricky:
02-20-20, 04:31 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
A note could also catch the attention of someone who knows the owner, and could pass along the message.
02-20-20, 05:33 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,244
Mentioned: 415 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3803 Post(s)
Liked 3,324 Times
in
2,170 Posts
-----
wrt your school -
ofttimes schools have a lookout for abandoned machines parked in their racks
typically they will attach a warning notice stating something to the effect of "...if this bicycle is not moved within __ days we will assume it to be abandoned and remove it"
example -
there used to be a bicycle shop in San Jose California which had a contract with Leland Stanford Junior University to purchase all of the impounded bicycles. the numbers ran to hundreds per annum - have seen the stacks of them in the shop's back yard.
i too would encourage the leaving of a note.
-----
wrt your school -
ofttimes schools have a lookout for abandoned machines parked in their racks
typically they will attach a warning notice stating something to the effect of "...if this bicycle is not moved within __ days we will assume it to be abandoned and remove it"
example -
there used to be a bicycle shop in San Jose California which had a contract with Leland Stanford Junior University to purchase all of the impounded bicycles. the numbers ran to hundreds per annum - have seen the stacks of them in the shop's back yard.
i too would encourage the leaving of a note.
-----
02-20-20, 05:36 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,835
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2337 Post(s)
Liked 2,813 Times
in
1,536 Posts
talk to school security....
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
02-20-20, 05:52 PM
#6
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,602
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3870 Post(s)
Liked 6,461 Times
in
3,194 Posts
First remove whatever's not secured: cockpit, saddle/seatpost, derailleurs, crankset, one or both wheels...
jk?
jk?
Likes For SurferRosa:
02-20-20, 05:55 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18353 Post(s)
Liked 4,502 Times
in
3,346 Posts
Does the school have licenses or tags?
I still have the UofO tag on my bike from eons ago. Not sure one could still make out the identifiers on it.
Anyway, if properly tagged, then someone will know who the bike belongs to.
I still have the UofO tag on my bike from eons ago. Not sure one could still make out the identifiers on it.
Anyway, if properly tagged, then someone will know who the bike belongs to.
02-21-20, 08:11 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,675
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 567 Post(s)
Liked 563 Times
in
405 Posts
C&V rescue is a affliction that gets very expensive, fight it.
02-21-20, 08:13 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,146
Mentioned: 481 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3804 Post(s)
Liked 6,643 Times
in
2,602 Posts
Ride it like you stole it!
Likes For nlerner:
02-21-20, 08:45 AM
#10
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,844
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2297 Post(s)
Liked 2,047 Times
in
1,253 Posts
sh*te-disturber
02-21-20, 11:22 AM
#11
Member
I say it doesn't hurt to try to contact the owner. When I see something that I think would be useful or cool for one of my hobbies, whether it be a classic car, go kart, or a neat bike, I contact the owner if I can. Even if they don't want to sell it, it's cool to make friends and get to know people who have cool stuff. And who knows?! Maybe they want to get rid of it and I get a steal! It's happened to me before!
02-21-20, 11:50 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,515
Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3241 Post(s)
Liked 2,512 Times
in
1,510 Posts
02-21-20, 11:56 AM
#13
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,627
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3870 Post(s)
Liked 2,563 Times
in
1,577 Posts
Probably good to get in touch with security early, but... be mindful that if you express a lot of interest in the bike, and it gets stolen, you may become a suspect. 
02-21-20, 12:45 PM
#14
señor miembro
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 6,602
Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo
Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3870 Post(s)
Liked 6,461 Times
in
3,194 Posts
Security badges are $16 online.
Pair it with a wind breaker, neck beard, and really large sneakers for that authentic look.
jk?
Pair it with a wind breaker, neck beard, and really large sneakers for that authentic look.
jk?
Likes For SurferRosa:
02-21-20, 01:34 PM
#15
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,644
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2607 Post(s)
Liked 1,696 Times
in
935 Posts
Or lock.
However the case may be.
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Likes For The Golden Boy:
02-21-20, 02:05 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
Likes For noobinsf:
02-21-20, 02:09 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 4,777
Bikes: Numerous
Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1676 Post(s)
Liked 3,084 Times
in
911 Posts
BITD when military base security wasn't as big a deal and active duty military ID's were green, a friend of mine, when he left his ID at home or on the ship, would flash his pack of menthol cigarettes to get on the base.
__________________
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
Likes For Spaghetti Legs:
02-21-20, 03:04 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,647
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1606 Post(s)
Liked 2,570 Times
in
1,218 Posts
If it's a 58, I think I left it there when I was out bar hopping. Please grab it and bring it by. Sorry, I lost the key...
I once picked up about 20 bikes from Hastings. Top score was a small XO-1. You being the head of your bike co-op there, you should at least cut it off and bring it inside. Leave a note where it's at on the rack. Sign it St Josh, patron saint if abandoned bikes.
I once picked up about 20 bikes from Hastings. Top score was a small XO-1. You being the head of your bike co-op there, you should at least cut it off and bring it inside. Leave a note where it's at on the rack. Sign it St Josh, patron saint if abandoned bikes.
02-21-20, 03:08 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,153
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2362 Post(s)
Liked 1,746 Times
in
1,190 Posts
02-21-20, 03:14 PM
#20
Senior Member
Just leave it. Someone else's property.
__________________
I.C.
I.C.
Likes For Insidious C.:
02-21-20, 03:25 PM
#21
Senior Member
I've had the very same experience. It always turns out the same way for me. After watching something sit and rust for over a year or two and, finally deciding to do something about it - the item usually disappears the next day. So, if you're really interested in it then - do something sooner rather than later. Be good. Have fun.
02-21-20, 03:38 PM
#22
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,386
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,687 Times
in
2,510 Posts
I noticed there was a bike that was always locked outside our building for a different reason -- it's hard to get a spot and people just store their bikes there instead of taking them home. I didn't do anything about it, but then I found out it belonged to one of the grad students I worked with. He got to work earlier and left later than I did, which is behavior I approve of.
Someone once left a note on my bike offering to buy parts and it freaked me out. That was when I switched to riding crummy bikes to work. That bike deserved better anyway
Someone once left a note on my bike offering to buy parts and it freaked me out. That was when I switched to riding crummy bikes to work. That bike deserved better anyway
02-21-20, 03:44 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Madison, WI USA
Posts: 6,153
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2362 Post(s)
Liked 1,746 Times
in
1,190 Posts
One time I left a note on a nice-ish old Trek that was locked up to a signpost in a friend's neighborhood. Friend told me the bike had been there for months. A few days later, the bike was gone. Too much of a coincidence. The owner probably figured, if someone's interested enough to leave a note, maybe it's worth something, and so they turned around and sold it. It didn't show up on CL, but I didn't check eBay and don't have bookface. So at least it didn't rot away on that post, or get cut loose and thrown on a heap in the property room.
In any event, nothing to lose by leaving a note, esp. if you can use some semi-anonymous Email address.
In any event, nothing to lose by leaving a note, esp. if you can use some semi-anonymous Email address.
02-21-20, 04:18 PM
#24
working on my sandal tan
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,627
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3870 Post(s)
Liked 2,563 Times
in
1,577 Posts
02-21-20, 07:37 PM
#25
Senior Member
Back 40+ years ago, when I was in college (Ohio State), I HAD to have a college license if I was to have my bike on campus. Of course, OSU insisted that no bikes were to be kept in the dorms. Well, my roomies (and anybody that had a non-beater-bike) took theirs in anyway. My roomies and I took the wheels off our bikes (my Fuji and their Viscounts), stashed the wheels by the headboards of our beds, and frames (minus wheels) under the beds. Nobody saw them at room inspection, and nobody cared. Lots of junk bikes locked up outside, all year. Never saw most of them move - ever.
AND when I was visiting my mother out in the Phoenix area a few years ago, I was able to score my Miyata 710 from a graduating senior at Arizona State that was taking a job out-of-state, and didn't want to take it with him. Craigslist find. Best $120 I ever spent. Heck, I spent more to ship it home to Ohio via BikeFlights (plus LBS packing fee) than I paid for the darn thing.
So yeah, I get whey there are a multitude of bikes abandoned at college campuses.
AND when I was visiting my mother out in the Phoenix area a few years ago, I was able to score my Miyata 710 from a graduating senior at Arizona State that was taking a job out-of-state, and didn't want to take it with him. Craigslist find. Best $120 I ever spent. Heck, I spent more to ship it home to Ohio via BikeFlights (plus LBS packing fee) than I paid for the darn thing.
So yeah, I get whey there are a multitude of bikes abandoned at college campuses.
Last edited by Cougrrcj; 02-21-20 at 08:56 PM.