Perhaps it is a bit of a gruesome thought, but in a way death is what keeps us able to collect vintage bikes. At least a third of the bikes I have bought have a death story attached to them. I mentioned this to Chuck Schmidt last year and he said that many of his bikes do also. With older collectors and old bikes, this is often the way they are recycled back into the collectors community. I have owned at least two bikes, a Colnago now in Colorado and the Chris Pauly that caused such a stir last year, that had multiple deaths involved in their coming into my hands. One hates to be thankful for death, but it is inevitable, and a significant part of how we all acquire vintage bikes.
I find that these bikes are often offered in situations where the seller is hurting for cash, too. Many folks connected to these bikes, do not die of "old age", and their demise is surprising. We have seen that among our own ranks recently.
Apparently the time is right now to start making arrangements if you feel they are needed. Send your vintage American light weight bikes this way and they will be appreciated, at least {:<).
Tom Sanders
Lansing, Mi