There are many different ways to find vintage bicycles, and it is important to understand, that any of the suggested bicycle hunting procedures can be combined, and at just about any time.  By combining two of the most fundamental procedures, Word of Mouth and Yard Sales, Abbey's bicycle presented itself.

While out and about, one Saturday morning, I chance upon a Yard Sale, less than four blocks from my own home.  The sale was being held at the top of a steep incline, fitted with a set of equally steep dilapidated concrete stairs.  An environmentally challenged black paint, covered the pipe railing that parallel the stairs, and I was thankful that the rail was there, as I climbed.  I would hate to be the Postal worker who had to negotiate those stairs, day in and day out, including the bitter cold ones of winter.  Anyway...

Upon reaching the summit, there were no bicycles to be seen.  I glanced about, hoping to identify the Yard Sale host, or hostess.  That proved to be easy to do since both were wearing money pouches.

I approached the fellow, and waited patiently as he concluded his business with another Yard Saler.  Once free, I presented my standard question, asking if he might have an old Ten Speed, the kind with skinny tires and handlebars that curl down.  And, as it turned out, he did.

Five minutes later, he emerged from somewhere else, with the Steve Bauer slung over his shoulder.  It was immediately obvious that the bicycle was missing a part, or two.  Certainly not road worthy, to say the least.  But the bicycle did appear to be in decent shape.

After a careful inspection of the bicycle and knowing that it was much too small for me, I asked what the young fellow wanted for the bike.  He said twenty dollars, to which I countered.  He held fast but did offer to throw in a set of Shimano 600 brake levers and callipers.  Fair enough.

When I got the bicycle home, I did a more thorough inspection, only to discover that the steering stem were held fast.  That condition, combined with the don't fit factor, rendered the Bauer of little interest to me at the time.  Plus, it was Summer and I rarely get into building bicycles in during riding season, but that was about to change.

The Bauer sat in The Old Shed for the better part of a year, or two, before I finally got around to preparing the frame set for auction on Ebay.  The frame's cosmetics and mechanics were both in fine shape, needing only cleaning and greasing, respectively.

Though I cannot recall how much the frame set sold for, I do recall that the winning bidder wanted me to build the frame into a bicycle, tailored to meet her needs and interests.  With that in mind, I began sharing ideas on what the Steve Bauer would look and ride like, with the bicycle's new owner - Abbey.

NEXT - BUILDING ABBEY'S STEVE BAUER