1980/81 Mongoose BMX

Another thrift find... I love the thrift so much for reasons like this bike sitting in with a pile of kids' bikes.  This frame built in 1980 according to serial numbers (www.vintagemongoose.com).  Mongoose BMX.  I tried and tried to get a bmx bike when I was a kid but could never convince the parents.  This would have been out of their price range anyway... pretty cool to find.   I love chrome frames and when you can see the welds.  Cro-Mo frame, red nylon Tuff II mags, coaster brake.  Fun to have this one.

Astra "Tour de France" 10 Speed

Standard French bike boom rig.  Sheldon Brown says these were manufactured by Motobecane.  Notice the flying "M" on the fork crown.  Full Huret drivetrain with the ubiquitous Normandy/Rigida wheelset.  I just got this and haven't even ridden it.  Looks great.  I read that they cost about $100 new out of the box in the early 70s.  Nice looking, nice details.

'85-'86 Bianchi Sport

Not super rare or super high-quality, but a very nice example of mid-eighties Japanese production.  I put a chain, new tires, and new bar wrap on it and traded it to a friend.  Didn't fit me, otherwise I might have kept it.