Greetings all,
I've been subscribing to the list for about three weeks now - long enough to view numerous posts about campy brake hoods, leather bar tape and to pick up a crash education on the more esoteric points of restoring Masi's. To be quite honest, being new to the list, and very recent returnee to 70's and earlier bicycles, I'm just a tad intimidated by the knowledge and passion that I've seen. I'm still in the early "sponge" stage of my restoration and collection efforts, and am grateful to learn from you who are farther along the trail, and to realize that I am not completely alone.
I have been away from riding since my pride and joy - my 1977, gold, Raleigh Super Course - was stolen about a week before I joined the service in October 1981. This past summer, as I prepared to accompany my son's scout troop on their journey down the length of the C & O canal, it all started to come back to me. 184.6 miles through often sloppy conditions made me yearn for the much more civil conditions I recalled from half a lifetime ago.
In August, I found a 1977 Raleigh Grand Prix that someone had left out for the trash. A couple weeks later, I found something called a Follis (a mere 072 it turns out) also left at the curb. Before long, I found myself bookmarking Sheldon Brown's web site and dragging out the greatly-in-need-of-repair Raleigh Superbe that my late uncle, George Rennie, left me many years ago. Then, I found an old 10-speed Dunelt at a yard sale and picked it up, and after taking it, and the Grand Prix for some rides, I couldn't take it any longer, and bought a gold 1978 Super Course off e-bay.
Needless to say, I have plenty of projects to keep me occupied over the winter. I'd rather be riding, but at least until spring comes, and reality sets in, I'll be content to recall what still pass for my more recent cycling memories from the days before driving cars - when a century ride was no big deal. Somehow, I know better, and reality will inevitably set in, but the nostalgia is sweet.
Now, being unable to pass a perfectly good bicycle in distress, I happened across an extraordinarily large, black, Nishiki Marina-12, which from components and the friendly folks at the LBS seems to be a 1983 model. It has a 66 cm (yes, sixty six) chrome moly frame, Dia Compe brakes, 170 mm Sugino crankset, Suntour stem shifters, Suntour 7 front derailleur, AR rear, Suntour GT dropouts (120 mm spacing), Maillard hubs and NISI 700cm, 1-1/8" rims. Amazingly, the tires hold air, and I took my life in my hands to give it a very short test ride. Aside from the derailleurs needing a bit of adjustment, the bicycle appears to be quite rideable - albeit by an exceptionally tall person - as is. There are a few minor nicks and scuffs, but it is in good -very good condition.
Quite obviously, being 5' 9", I have no use whatsoever for the frame. I could use some of the components, but there's nothing that I particularly covet. As I would much prefer to see this giant mount wind up in the hands of someone who would truly appreciate it, I am offering it here before I resort to e-bay. I am asking $40.00 plus shipping at cost for the frame. $80.00 plus shipping at cost for the entire bicycle. If interested, please inquire offlist by this Wednesday. I have a number of pictures I can send, and can take others of specific aspects of the bicycles as desired. If you get to this late, look for the listing under - "perfect for an NBA player with extra time on their hands".
Regards,
John Barry
Mechanicsburg, PA