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English Roadsters
AGE / VALUE: The drive to go get it
Posted by Chris
on 11/9/2009 at 7:15:21 PM
In the thread a few spaces down How did you get started riding English roadsters Greg mentions the long drive he went on in a car with no hear to get an raleigh d.l.1. single speed bike and it made me recall the long car trips, the adventures and anticipation and "looking forward to it, when i get there" journy's.
You know something? This Raleigh 28 inch rod brake d.l.1. bike with the Brooks leather saddle single speed or whatever, this is a special bike!
That folks will drive to go get it, to be sure it does not get damaged and that you want the experience of not waiting or risking damage in transit but it's so magical and wonderful and just plain special that people drive and drive long distances to see it, to feel it, to look it over, in person and then drive that same distance back with it. I understand totally as I have done just this myself and many times with many versions of this bike and not just the rod brake roadsters either.
time does not permit me to try to explain or expound and while it is difficult to put into words most everybody here who has any experience or well....... with these bikes you all understand. We have gone off on the magical journey to retrieve, to collect something special and to bring it to ourselves to experience, respect, ride, enjoy, restore, appreciate. It's not just a bicycle it is something more.
by: 69.153.86.42
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RE:AGE / VALUE: The drive to go get it
posted by Kevin on 11/11/2009 at 6:53:08 PM
| I once bought a pair of Hercules 26" bikes from an old guy at a rummage sale -- one man's, one woman's, and they were absolutely mint. They came with the cardboard display board that was with them in the bike shop or department store when they were new. Anyway, I posted them for sale and a guy actually drove his truck from Atlanta, Ga. to my house in Lafayette, Indiana to pick them up. I was amazed. He didn't want to risk damage in shipment, which was A-OK with me.
by: 98.226.154.146 |
RE:RE:AGE / VALUE: The drive to go get it
posted by chris on 11/12/2009 at 11:46:01 AM
| the bike pulls to one side or the other and other bad things if the bike has a bent fork
by: 71.40.121.165 |
RE:AGE / VALUE: The drive to go get it
posted by Chris again on 11/9/2009 at 7:31:31 PM
| A bike collector friend of mine would say "Yeah! I want to be sure it does not have a bent fork!" and he'd leave it at that.
But I know better because he drives to go on the journey himself and it is about more than being sure to avoid bent forks.
by: 69.153.86.42 |
RE:AGE / VALUE: The drive to go get it
posted by Ken on 11/9/2009 at 8:37:54 PM
| I know a chap who drives for hundred of miles up north to little Malayan mining towns and plantations, looking for new old stock roadsters in old shops sold by grumpy old men. I understand these are often futile forays, but he does score on occasion... The English Raleighs, Robin Hoods, Elswick Hoppers and such are still in use daily in these towns (some of who haven't changed much since British troops chased Communist Terrorists through the jungle). Rusty, crusty and dented, the old stalwarts creak along nonetheless. Other less known brands that can be found in this part of the world include Rally (The Heron on the headbadge is replaced by a Cockeral!), Seven Up, Rolex, The Kris, etc. All copies of Raleighs, some better made than others.
The thrill of finding an old bike still wrapped up in brown paper is intoxicating. I would drive for a whole day to experience it again...
by: 164.78.248.57 |
RE:AGE / VALUE: The drive to go get it
posted by Steve on 11/10/2009 at 2:10:15 PM
| Was once at my mother inlaws house on a family visit, I offered to pop down the shop to get a loaf.
I popped down the shop alright....65 miles away, and came back with a BSA hidden in the boot, I hadn't planned it....honest Guvnor !
I've had one or two lovely bikes donated to me, but one that sticks in my mind is the Raleigh Roadster I got for 99p (that's £0.99), I suspected that no one would go for it because it was advertised high up in the mist laden moors where dogs howl and normal humans throw in the towel.
I may have mentioned this before, but the one I like best is when someone says to me "I've got another old pile of junk round the back if you wouldn't mind taking it away".....
Steve
by: 93.96.36.127 |
RE:RE:AGE / VALUE: The drive to go get it
posted by Chris on 11/10/2009 at 7:00:39 PM
| Wow! Thanks guys. See, told ya!
by: 69.153.86.42 |
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