Pickin's are getting slim here

[54shadow]

The bikes showing up at the thrift stores in my area are getting slim to none, or, someone in the store looks them up and puts a high price on a clapped out bike that would only be good for parts. Found this Huffy Sportsman at Red Racks tonight. It is a coaster brake, been looking for one and in not too bad of shape to boot.
Could not find a serial number anywhere, looks to be an early, 70's, but, I could be wrong.

 

[B607]

Change your tactics. Do you have a local AM radio station that has a show with stuff for sale of wanted? Ours was on Sat. morning at 7 am and called Swap Shop. I'd call in and ask for old bikes, any condition. In about 10 minutes, my phone would be ringing. I got all my good treasure that way. Gary

 

[54shadow]

Change your tactics. Do you have a local AM radio station that has a show with stuff for sale of wanted? Ours was on Sat. morning at 7 am and called Swap Shop. I'd call in and ask for old bikes, any condition. In about 10 minutes, my phone would be ringing. I got all my good treasure that way. Gary

Thanks, Gary, that is a great idea! Now, I will probably have to get a pick up truck to haul off the Chinese junkers to the dump,

 

[dragnusa]

It seems like its that way at most the thrift stores in the kc area. I haven't seen anything except over priced wm bikes in the last few weeks at the stores I stop at in liberty and indepence

 

[54shadow]

It seems like its that way at most the thrift stores in the kc area. I haven't seen anything except over priced wm bikes in the last few weeks at the stores I stop at in liberty and indepence

It would not be a far fetch if some day soon, we will see classic bikes, at a Mecum auction.

 

[schwinn boy]

I live in scottsdale, AZ so all the thrift stores have are wallmart mountain bikes that have sat in backyards for years. I get alot of good stuff from government surplus auctions.

 

[54shadow]

I live in scottsdale, AZ so all the thrift stores have are wallmart mountain bikes that have sat in backyards for years. I get alot of good stuff from government surplus auctions.

That is what is happening here also. Government auctions, now that is a new idea, thanks!

 

[SILVERKINGPC]

Unfortunately, the pickings are getting slimmer and slimmer. Unlike the 1980 picture to the left where I was 1st inspired to build rats at 21 yrs old. (Mrs. Pattons Schwinn shop in Ft.Worth, TX...) If I grabbed everything I ran across back then I would be a happy camper. Today it is much different.

 

[B607]

I'm usually ten years late when it comes to collectibles. Luckily I got in on the old bike collecting when the pickings were still good in the 80's. I've got enough projects to last a lifetime and a few nice restored bikes. Gary

 

[jats]

cool bike

 

[Wildcat]

You've got the cool Huffy mag sprocket! I had a Sportsman 3 speed nearly the same, it was a 71. There should be a serial number there somewhere. You have the BMA sticker on the seat tube, so it's 71 or later I believe. It looks to be in great shape.

 

[54shadow]

Sold it, made a little profit, I'm happy.

 

[bigharley]

Im in california and the damn scrapper heads keep taki g all the vintage bikes to the dumps just to get paid a couple dollars a bike. Its so sad and it makes me very angry.

 

[54shadow]

Im in california and the .... scrapper heads keep taki g all the vintage bikes to the dumps just to get paid a couple dollars a bike. Its so sad and it makes me very angry.

There ought to be a law! That is sad indeed.

 

[bigharley]

Im also tired of seeing schwinns priced at 500 bucks for a ladies bike from the 90s

 

[54shadow]

Im also tired of seeing schwinns priced at 500 bucks for a ladies bike from the 90s

And, that is another thing. The managers of some of the thrift stores, scan the net to set a price on an old Schwinn or the likes, and price it in the stratosphere.

 

[bigharley]

Yep thats happening out here and has been for years

 

[54shadow]

Yep thats happening out here and has been for years

It is probably just around the corner, but, Mecum-like auctions for classic bikes, where people with a lot of spare cash, go nuts, bidding on an item.

 

[bigharley]

Yeah I can see it sadly

 

[partsguy]

We already have a Mecum-like auction, it's called Copake!