Wow...just watched an American Pickers show
#26
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I probably watch ~150 regular season baseball games a year on tv. That doesn't include the playoffs, spring training, World Baseball Classic, College WS, etc., nor games I listen to during the workday on mlb radio (get your Vin Scully while you can!). I'm probably more obsessed with baseball than bikes, and that's sayin' something. It's the main reason I have no desire to get rid of my tv. Btw, 2 weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training!
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-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
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-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
#27
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Moved out of my parents house when I went to university and never bothered with a television. Don't think I ever will. I'm surprised so many people of my age still bother with them, when a reasonable pc can do it all without the add breaks. I guess people just WANT to be fed bull****. Instead, I spend my nights arguing over chainring bolts with some American dudes on an obscure bike forum!
We don't argue, we have intellectual exchanges.
#28
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I probably watch ~150 regular season baseball games a year on tv. That doesn't include the playoffs, spring training, World Baseball Classic, College WS, etc., nor games I listen to during the workday on mlb radio (get your Vin Scully while you can!). I'm probably more obsessed with baseball than bikes, and that's sayin' something. It's the main reason I have no desire to get rid of my tv. Btw, 2 weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training!
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#29
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I learned a lot about these kind of shows being peripherally involved with American Choppers when they did the Jay Leno bike. Whatever respect I had for those guys went completely out the window at the end of that mess.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
#30
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That, the Westminster swap meet, and the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona are what gives me hope this time of year. And World Superbike starts in four weeks.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
#31
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TV is the opiate of the masses.
A common revision of that old maxim. But it was coined before the advent of the internet.
A common revision of that old maxim. But it was coined before the advent of the internet.
#32
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"Everybody must get stoned"
#33
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They stone you at the breakfast table,
they stone you when you thin the stable..
they stone you when you thin the stable..
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-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
-Randy
'72 Cilo Pacer • '72 Peugeot PX10 • '73 Speedwell Ti • '74 Nishiki Competition • '74 Peugeot UE-8 • '86 Look Equipe 753 • '86 Look KG86 • '89 Parkpre Team Road • '90 Parkpre Team MTB • '90 Merlin Ti
Avatar photo courtesy of jeffveloart.com, contact: contact: jeffnil8 (at) gmail.com.
#34
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I have a bit of a unique perspective on one "reality" tv show.
In the winter of 2007, I went north to the NWT to work on the Tibbit to Contwoyto Winter Road. It was less out of a sense of adventure than the need to rehab my bank account after a year without a pay check.
We were aware of film crews showing up here and there along the road.The official story was that the Discovery Channel was there to do a documentary on the "Ice Road" The drivers involved in the filming worked for a different company, and were very tight lipped about what was going on.
Imagine my surprise when "Ice Road Truckers" season one came out. It portrayed a bunch of yahoos in something called the "Dash for the cash"
What I saw in that show showed little resemblance to the reality of a supremely well run operation.
They continually showed the computer generated image of a truck breaking through the ice and sinking to the bottom. The truth is, that in the history of that road, there has never been a truck and driver lost through the ice.
Their load counts were a joke. It showed them always hooking on to pre loaded trailers in Yellowknife, and never going farther up the road than the BHP Ekati mine.
I had to load all my own, (as did just about everyone) and at least half my loads went all the way to the north end of the road to the Tehera Jerricho mine. (Their company did not go that far up the road.)
It was fun to watch though, as would recognize the places and some of the people. When they would show some of the accidents and misshaps, I could relate where I was when that was going on, so that was kind of neat.
In the winter of 2007, I went north to the NWT to work on the Tibbit to Contwoyto Winter Road. It was less out of a sense of adventure than the need to rehab my bank account after a year without a pay check.
We were aware of film crews showing up here and there along the road.The official story was that the Discovery Channel was there to do a documentary on the "Ice Road" The drivers involved in the filming worked for a different company, and were very tight lipped about what was going on.
Imagine my surprise when "Ice Road Truckers" season one came out. It portrayed a bunch of yahoos in something called the "Dash for the cash"
What I saw in that show showed little resemblance to the reality of a supremely well run operation.
They continually showed the computer generated image of a truck breaking through the ice and sinking to the bottom. The truth is, that in the history of that road, there has never been a truck and driver lost through the ice.
Their load counts were a joke. It showed them always hooking on to pre loaded trailers in Yellowknife, and never going farther up the road than the BHP Ekati mine.
I had to load all my own, (as did just about everyone) and at least half my loads went all the way to the north end of the road to the Tehera Jerricho mine. (Their company did not go that far up the road.)
It was fun to watch though, as would recognize the places and some of the people. When they would show some of the accidents and misshaps, I could relate where I was when that was going on, so that was kind of neat.
#36
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My favorite scene from any of these shows is the guy from Storage Wars who was certain that an old Nintendo was worth $13,000: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95eUhuR8_ps
#37
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They'll stone you when you're riding your Mukluk...
#38
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The worst thing about these shows are, people watch them and think the old rusty schwinn in the shed is worth $1,000. People use to give old stuff away, but since these shows came out everyone thinks they have rare one of a kind items because they are old and rusty.
#39
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I'm not so sure of the effect on market price based on these shows. If anything, this forum has as much to do with inflating prices as anything else.
I will say this, fake or not, I have seen some really cool, rare old bikes (along with other antiques) on that show. Turn of the century safety bikes, high-wheelers, pre-war Schwinns, etc...not so many of you guys seem to be showing those off here if you happen to have them in your collections.
I did see them happen across an old Motobecane once, that was in rough shape, and they took it for something like $75. So how much of this "inflating" of the market price is that causing exactly?
I will say this, fake or not, I have seen some really cool, rare old bikes (along with other antiques) on that show. Turn of the century safety bikes, high-wheelers, pre-war Schwinns, etc...not so many of you guys seem to be showing those off here if you happen to have them in your collections.
I did see them happen across an old Motobecane once, that was in rough shape, and they took it for something like $75. So how much of this "inflating" of the market price is that causing exactly?
#40
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Eggggs-actly. Store front rent, employees, taxes, auction fees, storage, etc. Pawn Stars is the same way...I don't think the appraisals are that off, but I don't believe they actually pay that much.
It's definitely TV, though I don't think their appraisals are that crazy (at least on the stuff I actually something about).
It's definitely TV, though I don't think their appraisals are that crazy (at least on the stuff I actually something about).
#41
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Then there's that guy with the "American Restoration" show.
Everything sounds and looks scripted, but their quotes for restorations sounds like they are in the ballpark, as he now charges thousands to restore some of the smaller, simpler things things that supposedly comes into his shop.
Thing is, they do the "scorched earth" type of restoration where any kind of "patina" is considered garbage to be stripped sanded and painted over....or replaced.....
I'd rather watch "Wheeler Deaelers" (on the Velocity channel) from the UK over all these reality TV shows.....where mechanic/restorer Ed China seems to work for free to fix some great C&V cars! "Chasing Classic Cars" show with Wayne Carini is a close second....but I usually get envious that he gets to own and drive such nice and sometimes, iconic classic cars.....
JMOs
Chombi
Everything sounds and looks scripted, but their quotes for restorations sounds like they are in the ballpark, as he now charges thousands to restore some of the smaller, simpler things things that supposedly comes into his shop.
Thing is, they do the "scorched earth" type of restoration where any kind of "patina" is considered garbage to be stripped sanded and painted over....or replaced.....
I'd rather watch "Wheeler Deaelers" (on the Velocity channel) from the UK over all these reality TV shows.....where mechanic/restorer Ed China seems to work for free to fix some great C&V cars! "Chasing Classic Cars" show with Wayne Carini is a close second....but I usually get envious that he gets to own and drive such nice and sometimes, iconic classic cars.....
JMOs
Chombi
#42
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The American Restoration guys are asking for $3,000 to restore a bicycle, which seems utterly insane to me. I think they've actually stopped doing them because other things are more profitable (coke machines, gas pumps).
#43
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That's why I stick to science oriented shows. Anything with Neil deGrasse Tyson in it, I tune in. That, or TCM, Turner Classic Movies. I avoid TV news at all costs. Reality TV is just ridiculous too. I do tend to watch American Pickers if it's on though, for the cool stuf they run across. I do prefer good ol' Antiques Roadshow.
Last edited by cobrabyte; 01-29-13 at 01:12 PM.
#44
aka: Mike J.
I've also seen them value a $500 BMX bike at $50 or so.
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#45
Senior Member
Then there's that guy with the "American Restoration" show.
Everything sounds and looks scripted, but their quotes for restorations sounds like they are in the ballpark, as he now charges thousands to restore some of the smaller, simpler things things that supposedly comes into his shop.
Thing is, they do the "scorched earth" type of restoration where any kind of "patina" is considered garbage to be stripped sanded and painted over....or replaced.....
I'd rather watch "Wheeler Deaelers" (on the Velocity channel) from the UK over all these reality TV shows.....where mechanic/restorer Ed China seems to work for free to fix some great C&V cars! "Chasing Classic Cars" show with Wayne Carini is a close second....but I usually get envious that he gets to own and drive such nice and sometimes, iconic classic cars.....
JMOs
Chombi
Everything sounds and looks scripted, but their quotes for restorations sounds like they are in the ballpark, as he now charges thousands to restore some of the smaller, simpler things things that supposedly comes into his shop.
Thing is, they do the "scorched earth" type of restoration where any kind of "patina" is considered garbage to be stripped sanded and painted over....or replaced.....
I'd rather watch "Wheeler Deaelers" (on the Velocity channel) from the UK over all these reality TV shows.....where mechanic/restorer Ed China seems to work for free to fix some great C&V cars! "Chasing Classic Cars" show with Wayne Carini is a close second....but I usually get envious that he gets to own and drive such nice and sometimes, iconic classic cars.....
JMOs
Chombi
Look, I'm old enough to watch TV - the kids are grown and gone. I remember eschewing TV back in the days gone by.
I also more that agree that there is more going on off camera in these shows about making up the "deals." UnrealityTV. Can't wait for the F1 season, though.
Jim
#47
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fun show
#49
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Yes,.....I saw the show but only for like two episodes after which I concluded, like the usual, it's all pretty much trash......just like those ghost hunter type shows....Shhhhhh!!.....Did you hear that!!??
#50
Senior Member
Good article on Pawn Stars, also covers American Restoration a bit: https://centraltendencies.com/2011/03...stars-is-fake/