slporten

What a great resource! I am a retired pilot and was a racer in college in the early 70's. Since I have time on my hands I have been cleaning up the hangar and I came across boxes of old parts from the 70's, a few frames and my 1972 Raleigh International that my father bought me for my 18th birthday. I have just finished restoring it and in the process picked up a few more frames that i will build up with the parts I have on hand. For a few years 1972-1976) I spent summers as bike mechanic for Mel Pinto Imports in Washington DC. But when I entered the work world I dropped cycling entirely. However, restoring the old Raleigh brought back so many memories that I am really excited to get back to cycling. I am stuck i the 70's, fixated with bikes from that era and will probably never ride anything newer. I would post pics, but I need to be on the forum and make a few posts before I have that privilege. So, that is a bit about me.....it is nice to be here!

spoofer

welcome! ride safe.

Wildwood 

Get a few more.


Join us in C&V. 5 simple posts on two days then show us your bikes.


Welcome.

slporten

Nice collection, I look forward to posting some pics of my quiver!

SP

Banxwondar

Welcome! Awesome back story, and can’t wait to see what you have been working on!

slporten

Cycling in the early 70’s was, at least for me, absolutely perfect. I loved the rides, the people and the bikes. I did not have the means to buy a Colnago Super, the bike I really wanted.....but one of the shops I worked had one in the front that I could see from time to time. I mostly stayed in the back building up the bikes as they were sold. For the most part they were entry level Gitane or Nishiki 10 speeds that had steel rims and low end components. It was hard to true them and get them to shift smoothly. But, every once in a while someone bought a high end Gitane......a Super Corsa I think. Unboxing one them and getting it dialed in was a such treat. I would have done that all day long for free if someone gave me the opportunity. On weekends I worked at “The Bicycle Pro Shop” on M street in Georgetown (which is still there). There people brought in all manner of very high end bikes for repairs and tune ups. I loved that gig; rode my bike 30 miles each way to be there. The result of all of that is that I am to this day only interested in the high end 70’s stuff. I am so stuck in that era, I cannot fathom the thought of riding on carbon. I was even quite bummed when Campy discontinued the NR line. I have quite a bit of C Record stuff and I think it is beautiful, but I cannot bring myself to build up a bike with it. The frames I have now and am building are all pre 74. I have a couple of Falcon frames that are of elusive vintage. When I have ability to post pics here I will do so and ask for some guidance.

Rhondito

Thank you for sharing your memories! What a treat to read and so interesting!

Rage

Howdy!

shelbyfv

Welcome! We have a very active C&V section.

rdkill 

Welcome and can't wait to see your pictures.