Hi- I'm new to the list, but I'm an aging ex-mechanic from a bike shop during my college years ('77-86 yeah- grad school too..) and love the bikes of the era that I worked on. As I've recently caught this e-Bay disease, I already have purchased an '83 Trek (lugged Reynolds 531) for my now only 5 year old son. It's fitted out with completely period stuff (more goodies from e-Bay). My son knows that's "HIS" bike as soon as he can manage it (3-5 years, as its only a 19.5" seat tube) and he already seems to be gaining an appreciation that there are bikes from the store, and then there are bikes that "daddy builds." He loves hanging out in the shop while I tinker with a bike and at least a little bit of appreciation can't help but rub off (as Richard Sachs has alluded).
While he's barely up on his little BMX style starter bike, I'm sure looking forward to the day he can go out on Sunday ride with me on his OLD road bike. At least until he starts dropping me on the hills! ;-)
Scott Shannon