scozim 

As many here know my stable is primarily French in nature - in fact, out of the 13 I had yesterday morning 7 are Peugeot, Gitane or Vitus 979. Yesterday, I sold my Rodriguez to free up funds for today's fun.

To start, though, I have to go back a week when I was out to dinner with my wife. She had left to the restroom so I did what most people do these days... grab the phone. I saw I had a new email and checked. It was from a former employee who retired in 2013 whose father-in-law had passed away. About that time my wife came back and I must have had a strange look on my face. "What's wrong?" Nothing, I say, just got an email. "About what?" You don't want to know. "Why, what does it say?" No, really, you don't want to know. So, I read her the email. The father-in-law had been a racer and bike collector. The former employee knew I liked old bikes so he wanted to know if I wanted to check it out. He said there were track bikes and custom road bikes as well as a couple of more modern Trek bikes. Long story short, we agreed I would come check it out today but not before I met up with Roger M.

On Tuesday of this past week he sent photos of the bikes, and not very good ones. But, I can see a Raleigh International, a Colnago, Teledyne Titan, something called a Rotrax and a Masi. There were many more that I couldn't tell what they were.

Roger and I arrive this morning and were met by my former employee and his wife. We were then introduced to his mother-in-law who was very sweet. We apologized for meeting under the circumstances and she says "that's alright, I was married to him for 67 years and I didn't know him. He had so much stuff I didn't know about." I got a little chuckle out of that and couldn't help but think if that's what my wife will say when I'm gone too.

In the garage were some newer bikes and a cool Raleigh 531 track bike with a chrome Schwinn track bike sitting next to it. Then we were taken into the little room in the back where the old bikes were. Vintage bike guy fun to say the least. We started taking each bike/frame outside to photo and document the size, etc. This guy used primarily Campagnolo parts on everything with only a few exceptions. The lone mountain bike in that room was a sweet light blue Schwinn Cimarron. We even found a matching frame wrapped in plastic and minus the fork in the garage.

In the end, I came home with these two beauties, a Martano tubular wheelset, Turbo saddle, a few tubular tires and some old posters - one autographed by Mark Gorski who I watched race in the 1985 Nationals in Redmond, WA.

According to Drillium Dude this is an early 80's Colnago Super. It cleaned up really well with just a wet rag wipe down but will need an overhaul. The tubular wheelset will probably end up on it although I'm not opposed to the Module E's that are on it.



Not sure the year or model of this one. It's a 56cm so slightly smaller than the Rodriquez and at the top of what I can ride. We'll see how the fit works and if I like it. I've removed a few other bikes this size from the stable so we'll see if it stays around. It's a mix of components which was really weird compared to what this guy had overall.



Below will be photos of the other bikes - these are available. This is in the Tacoma WA area and I doubt they will ship a bike. If you are at all interested (especially if you can do pickup or arrange for someone to help) send me a PM and I can get you in touch with the family.

scozim 

Early to mid-70's Rodriguez - sorry about the photo quality. Approximately 54 cm seat tube by 55 cm top tube.

scozim 

Serotta - approximately 54X53, mostly Dura Ace components but Campagnolo headset and gold Gran Compe brakes. We found a set of gold tubular wheels and put the front one on the bike. Looked pretty cool especially if you're a UW Husky fan for those colors.

scozim 

Raleigh Professional - this was the tallest bike at 58 or 59 cm and 57 cm top tube. All Campagnolo

scozim 

1974 (I think) Raleigh International - rear derailleur had been changed out to a cheap Shimano Acera. 54 cm X 54 cm

scozim 

Bianchi Veloce - too bad it wasn't Celeste. 53 cm by 53 cm

scozim 

Teledyne Titan - I sold one of these a few years back that was my dad's. Cool bikes - not sure I'd ride one though. 56 cm X 54 cm

scozim 

I can't lie - this one was really tempting. Bob Jackson - approximately 55 cm seat tube.

scozim 

By far and away the coolest bike (in my mind) was this Rotrax. I had to do some research on it before heading over there today. Awesome detail.

scozim 

Finally, what I called the crown jewel of the garage back room was this Masi Gran Criterium with Made in America stickers. Approximately 56 cm X 55 cm, decked out in Campagnolo components and Super Champion tubular wheels.

unworthy1

Damn! What a goldmine...especially the Rotrax (and that Masi)! Thanks for the nice pix and details, nothing I will be jumping on but bound to produce some elevated blood pressure!

merziac

@scozim

Is the rest of the highwheeler there somewhere too?

Nice collection, glad none are my size.

scozim 

For sure - it was real tempting to come home with more but I'm really trying to reduce some fleet. Have 4 set to move this year so if I only add these 2 it's a good thing. Was a lot of fun going through it all. It had never seen a Rotrax before - it was beautiful

scozim 

Yes, we were looking for the bars for the penny farthing but the two sections were there.

cudak888 

And I thought I was already getting a treat with the Rodriguez when it popped up as the third picture.

There's something incongruous, yet sinfully pleasurable about seeing those unassuming mid-1980's Shimano RD's sitting there in place of the Nuovo Records that once clattered in their place. You can tell what got ridden and had to perform, and what could sit around as a nice ornament.

The Rotrax is a distinct delight. I hope it doesn't go too far - would love to see a thread about it getting de-modernized and cleaned up.

-Kurt

P.S.: There's enough first-gen SR here to give a fellow a heart attack

scozim 

The blue Colnago was confusing compared to the rest of his stuff. 600 SIS rear derailleur and 105 shifters. Rainbow 600 front derailleur and Campagnolo crankset. A true Frankenbike so it was right up my alley

gugie 

Decided not to get the International, I take it?

The Raleigh Professional should get scooped up quickly. The Rotrax is the coolest of the bunch due to rarity.

scozim 

Yeah, in the end I couldn't do it. I would do the Rotrax before the Raleigh, for sure.

mountaindave 

What a great story! It’s always sad when a fellow cyclist passes. But hopefully another generation can carry on and enjoy the passion of this gentleman. Thanks for sharing!

bikemig 

Agreed about the Rotrax. I know I would have been sorely tempted to buy it.

Roger M

It was a fun day sorting through the cycling gear of someone who was clearly dedicated to the sport for many years. Thanks for letting me tag along, Scott.

There were two track bikes in the garage, a Raleigh and a Schwinn. I believe he had more wheelsets for those two, than for the rest of his bikes.

I was a little disappointed that none of the bikes were anywhere near my size. I did have my eye on a drill press though...

niliraga 

gosh, that Raleigh Pro is my size and still calling to me...

unworthy1

wasn't there a C&Ver based in Japan who favored Rotrax (and had a couple, or at least more than one)? Cannot recall his handle but I think maybe a Brit Ex-pat, first name "Hugh"? He might have some details to add if he returned to posting. A shame the PO could not find a pump to use with the brazed-on pegs but had to screw on an umbrella clip right over the 531 decal (which is promised to be ruined, now)!
Also: I can see why some "extra clips" were required in order to have use of the Campy shifters but there sure seem to be some unnecessary extra-extras like the added clips on the top-tube: what's not working with the brazed-on cable stops?

bikemig 

I dunno. I saw that on the Rotrax but that bike will be easy to fix. It's likely a 54 like most of the other bikes.

Senrab62 

Appreciate the pics and back story. Condolences to his family.