I am glad to see that we can still get lucky from time to time, just not as often with us southern rat rodders.
Here in Cleveland whenever I go to a single owner resale shop or other potential vintage bike source I've been amazed at how many times I get a "yes" answer to the question "So, do you have any old bikes sitting around in back?" There was even one time, in band camp (
just kidding-had to throw in an obscure American Pie reference) that the store didn't have an old bike but the hourly employee behind the counter did.
A lot of owners don't put the bikes out for sale because they think they can't be fixed, or that they're too rusty. My advice would be don't be afraid to ask. I'll guarantee you there's a lot of bikes down south that are available and just not placed on the market.