these wicker bicycle baskets are selling for 60 bucks not including postage on ebay.
or you could go to http://www.wickerworks.com.au/baskets.html and get them for 39.
you do the math.
Mixtes are so hot right now but i dont think everyone really appreciates them yet. So heres a website that not only describes what a mixte is but pays tribute to their unique appeal with a number of gorgeous mixtes being shown off - http://themixtegallery.wordpress.com/about/. Be careful though, the site will make you want one. Also heres a couple of my own pictures of a white mixte I restored for a good friend, Vivian.
So yesterday was a good day. ish. picked up a couple of AWESOME bikes though i did have to trek all the way up to north sydney. totally worth it but. Heres one. Its a pheasant bicycle but looks like it was built for a bit of a princess.
Its a 22 or 24 inch shopper. Its got dynamo powered headlights and tail light. It has a passenger seat as well as little fold out foot rests like the ones you find on the back of a motorbike. Skirt guard. Basket. Elaborate white wall tyres. Rear drum brakes. Cool centre stand as opposed to kick stand. Fully enclosed chainguard. Just awesome. Heres some pics.
This delighful bicycle is up for sale.
My price is $600. I think considering the quality of the original paint and the numerous new parts the price is reasonable. Feel free to make an offer. You can contact Andy via delightfulcycles@gmail.com or call 0430 543 122.
Pick up in Sydneys West near Parramatta. Although delivery could be arranged especially to the inner city or beaches. Couriers welcome though I will not pack up the bike into a box.
As usual a short description will be up first followed by an indepth detailed description for buyers who like to be fully informed. All pictures are linked to my flickr account and therefore can be viewed at super maximum large size.
NITTY GRITTY
DETAILS DETAILS DETAILS
Brand: Apollo
Model: Capri
Frame: Ladies curved step-through frame, though I think its quite unisex. Seat tube is 51cm. The important size measurement is the height from the ground to the top of the seat at its lowest position which is approx 85cm.
Paint: Overall the paint is in a fairly good state. Its not immaculate as there are signs of age. Luckily most of the damage to the paint is in inconspicuous areas. To put it shortly, it still looks really good. The colour is fantastic. Its a light metallic blue which would suit a man or woman and the paint gleams in the sun because of the fine flecks of glitter present in the paint. Its amazing that the paint has survived all these years with just minor signs of wear. The original silver or foil stickers are still in exceptional condition, they are not only pleasing to the eye but they give the bike some character. I think the reason my asking price is so so high is because the colour and condition of the paint and stickers makes this bike extremely attractive.
Mudguards: Brand new alloy fenders or mudguards complete the vintage look. These are getting extremely hard to find. They are not cheap modern plastic look-a-likes. I can guarantee that they are shiny as heck without any rust, dents or imperfections found on most vintage bikes with original fenders. Great care was taken in ensuring that all fender lines were perfectly aligned with the wheels and frame. The fenders really make this bike a beauty.
Handlebars: Brand new chrome “North Road” style handlebars. Arguably the most comfortable handlebars ever and common on most ladies bicycles. Brand new alloy brake levers. Also brand new black rubber moulded handlebar grips.
Brakes: Brand new brake cables. Original black brake outer casings. Brand new brake blocks. Original brake calipers. Brakes have been fully serviced and adjusted. This invovled taking apart the brake calipers, cleaning each and every part, relubricating each part and reassembling the calipers. All the old cabling was removed and new cables lubricated and re-routed, before the brakes were finally adjusted. Brakes tested today and they have some good stopping power.
Gears: 10 speeds to choose from, enough to get you up most Sydney hills. Gears fully serviced. Brand new gear cables installed. Outer casings are originals. Front and rear gear changers removed from bicycle, cleaned lubricated and polished. Gears are a SUNTOUR brand. There is rust on the gear shifters as pictured. Gears tested today and shift smoothly.
Wheels: Wheel size is 27inch. Brand new harder to find 27x1 1/4 inch cream walled tyres sourced. Original front and rear rims are chrome and have come up shiny after a clean and polish. Spokes cleaned and polished to a nice shine. Exterior of hubs cleaned. Full wheel service. Wheels were trued or straightened, so no wobbles. Front and rear hubs were taken apart cleaned bearings repacked with new lubricant and now spin seamlessly.
Pedals: Bottom braket bearings which are responsible for turning the pedal arms, chain and therefore wheels have been cleaned and repacked with lubricant. The original pedals arms and chainring were given a good polish. Rust was removed from the original chrome pedals, although some rust remains. Pedal hubs were not serviced.
Stand: Comes with a sturdy alloy stand, though you dont use it much since most of the time youd lean it against a pole and lock it up. I would steal this bike back if i saw it unlocked and unsupervised in a heartbeat.
Rack: Wide chrome rear rack. May come with rear rack basket if you let me know before hand.
Reflectors: To legally ride at night all you need is a front light and rear reflector. There is a rear reflector but no head light. Wheel reflectors avaliable. I think wheels look better without, but if you’d like them I’ll put them on for you.
This is Roberts vintage 10-speed Clamont racer.
The paint is just exceptional. Original paint FTW. You just dont get this kind of paint on newly powder coated bikes which have been fully rebuilt. You have to strip off all the parts of a bike, sand or bead blast the frame, then powder coat it (about $1-200 for an individual bike, more if you want a custom or metallic paint) then put back all the parts and possibly buy new parts. The cost in money and time is just in my opinion to great to be justified. So if you want an individual good looking vintage bike then keep an eye out for one with mint original paint.
The bike itself was bought as a present from an older man who had retired from riding. It was kept in wonderful condition so not much work was done restoring this one. It was rolling on fairly rare 27 x 1 inch tyres. Despite the narrowness of the tires it was still a remarkably comfortable ride and incredibly smooth despite its age. The tyres however were probably fairly worn as the rear suffered from frequent punctures which was quite frustrating for Robert. Two new kaevlars are on the way though and that should solve his puncture problem.
