Greetings swappers:
Well, it was certainly all a blur, again. And I was repeatedly unable to make good decisions on stuff I probably needed. Sleep deprivation, compounded by plumeting blood sugar levels lead to some strange behavior. Most embarrassing acquisition was a new White Industries bottom bracket with adjustable chainline that I found in a junk box during late late afternoon bottom feeding. Definitely not vintage, and definitely outside my realm of experience, but I can learn, I can change, if I have to. The spindle length was long enough that I figured it might work for one of my triple crank road bike conversion projects. It also fell under bottom feeding Rule #7 ("There is no Rule #6"), it was cheap enough that I could afford to be wrong. However, last night I noticed that the "adjustable" side cup had not been drilled to permit access to the set-screws that position the spindle. OOOOoooops! Yeah, I know, I expect a lot for my $10. A few minutes with the appropriate implements of destruction will solve that little problem. Eventually I also noticed that it was all nerf-metals. Aluminum cups, a hollow Ti spindle and Ti bolts. OOOooops! I accidentally stepped in "the 90s"! At least I didn't have to scrape it off the bottom of my shoes. Just difficult to imagine anything sillier than Ti parts on any of the old steel heaps I ride, loaded as they usually are with an extra 10+ pounds of "survival essentials". If anybody notices I'll just say it's the cheaper White bb with the steel spindle.
Fortunately, other group members had the energy to write reports soon after they got home, while I frittered away my remaining energy going for a ride Sunday. So having finally caught up a little on sleep and calories, I'll just add some random observations. Admittedly not a contribution to our knowledge of vintage bikes, but maybe a little more insight into the personalities of some of our fellow gang members, and a slightly "altered state" view of the swap.
The "Golden shopping basket" award goes to Chris Beyer for repeatedly finding interesting little Suntour items and other stuff that I and others must have walked right past without seeing. An all day smile on his face like a kid with new toys on Christmas morning.
The "Bandito's Bandolero" award goes to Tom Witkop for again wandering around with a wheel-less mountainbike frame slung over his shoulder. This is the third one this year that I'm aware of, none of them his size. A fashion statement? Christmas tree ornaments? I'm not sure I really want to know.
The "Blindingly cheerful smile" award again goes to Jill. Fortunately, when our paths crossed I had almost adjusted to full sunlight, and was standing safely behind my vintage heavyweight Ray-Bans. Nobody should be that cheerful and manic, without medication. Okay, it was her first trip to T-town, and she did have her "new" Paramount in her hands, so she had reasons to be cheerful and manic.
A coupon for one free visit to the chiropractor of his choice goes to the unknown man who purchased a storage bin full of assorted cassettes and cogs for $5 (I was jealous, but need freewheels), but then had to carry them around in his backpack. "Sufferin' sciatica!"
Strangest announcement on the public address system - "If the person who just purchased the DeBernardi (or whatever it was, if I've remembered incorrectly) is still here, the previous owner has changed his mind and would like to buy it back from you. For more than HIS selling price." The Homer Simpson - "DOH!" award goes to the previous owner/seller/new-new(?) owner. And if necessary, a coupon for one free session with the marriage counselor of HIS choice. Maybe I'm just a bit cynical (WHAAAAAAA-haaaaaa-haaaa-haa) but I would bet big money that there was some sort of ultimatum from the spousal unit involved in that little episode.
The "You Miserable ****ing Piece-o-####!" award goes to the on-site cash machine, which was non-functional and/or empty for much of the day. There were some very frustrated, cash poor potential buyers early in the day, and many expletives were hurled it's way. I just love to watch people interfacing with technology.
The "Head in the clouds award" goes to me for spending way, WAY too much time watching and listening to the 30s vintage radial engined, open cockpit Waco biplane (Travel-Air maybe? Not sure) that repeatedly rumbled by overhead. Ahhhhh. THAT'S music. Also repeatedly distracted by everthing else going on around me (obviously), and a vendor's border collie. So many interesting diversions. It's more than a swap meet. It's sensory overload. I gotta come down outta the hills more often.
Not the best swap from a vintage standpoint, but lots of stuff to play with, good company, and great entertainment. My condolences to everyone within reach of T-town (except the guy flying the Waco/?) who had to be home watching football, or visiting Fallingwater (JERRY! It's been there for 50+ years. You couldn't pick another weekend?), or had to be anywhere else, doing anything else. Be there! Aloha.
See ya'll at Westminster Larry "still technically Ti-free unless I actually install that ****ing BB" Osborn