In the loft (the bike equivalent of a barn find)

[Deleted member 35268]

So, how many of you have living parents or grandparents with a loft that may or may not contain an old, but once loved bike.

This weekend, I asked my old man what was in the the loft (in terms of our old bikes), I was hoping for some or all of the following possible answers:
1. My brothers old Raleigh Chopper ? ANSWER: "Err, no don't think so" - BOO!!!!
2. My 80's boys Peugeot Equippe Racer - ANSWER: "Don't think so" -BOO!!!!!
3. Dawes Galaxy Racing Bike - ANSWER: "YES!" - (My brothers so not great news)
4. American cruiser (imported), small kids bike ANSWER: "Not sure" (whatever!)

But then, to my great surprise, my Dad mentioned a classic steel racing bike frame he was given that he has got (in the loft), and that apparently it is valuable. I cannot wait to go and see it - I will share some pictures if it is any good.

We will see.
And maybe I will find all the other bikes too.

Share your Loft Finds....

 

[Julia9054]

A few years ago, I found some dolls from when I was a child. I don't think I played with them much and after a thorough search of my parent's loft I managed to find all their original clothes and accessories.
After investigating the strange online world of doll collectors for a couple of weeks, I sold them on ebay. I managed to make enough money to buy my son his first trumpet.
He is now 18 and off to the Royal Northern College of Music to study trumpet in September so, I guess those dolls were the start of his career!

 

[summerdays]

My childhood bike isn't in the loft ... it was in the shed then booted out into the garden for the last decade or two. Given it's rod brakes I think I will leave it there despite my Dad suggesting I take it for a ride every now and again!

 

[Hacienda71]

My dad had a 1937 Pemberton Arrow racing frame he had as a youth that had been my grandfathers. He disposed of it in the 90's.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

My childhood bike isn't in the loft ... it was in the shed then booted out into the garden for the last decade or two. Given it's rod brakes I think I will leave it there despite my Dad suggesting I take it for a ride every now and again!

Restoration project right there!!

My dad had a 1937 Pemberton Arrow racing frame he had as a youth that had been my grandfathers. He disposed of it in the 90's.

That's like my Dad - He'd throw the family silver out (if we had any that is) just to free up some space for more junk!
I have rescued a few things over the years (most recently a 5 years diary of my parents from when me and my brother and sister were kids. It is interesting, mundane and downright hilarious in equal measure because my Dad didn't just use it as a calendar, he used it to comment on day to day happenings. To me it is absolutely priceless, and yet, he was just going to bin it!. If I hadn't been there, it would have been lost forever!!), and I'll need to look through everything in the loft one of these days just so that I know exactly what is there and show interest (no bikes though).

Bikewise, all my Dad has is a 1979/80 BSA Courier in the garage, and he knows I want it when the time comes. Heck, I've even ridden it when he hasn't been looking!!

 

[Gravity Aided]

I have, in the past, been a denizen of the loft, and amateur barn sleuth. I have a 1965 Schwinn Racer 3 speed I found in a loft, but that's about it at present. I know of a barn where there might be a 1959 Ford Anglia, ironically.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

My childhood bike isn't in the loft ... it was in the shed then booted out into the garden for the last decade or two. Given it's rod brakes I think I will leave it there despite my Dad suggesting I take it for a ride every now and again!

What did it do to deserve THAT?? Poor thing!! Bikes have feelings too you know!!
Restore it/sell it and send it onto an appreciative owner!!

What is it anyway??

 

[simon the viking]

So, how many of you have living parents or grandparents with a loft that may or may not contain an old, but once loved bike.

This weekend, I asked my old man what was in the the loft (in terms of our old bikes), I was hoping for some or all of the following possible answers:
1. My brothers old Raleigh Chopper ? ANSWER: "Err, no don't think so" - BOO!!!!
2. My 80's boys Peugeot Equippe Racer - ANSWER: "Don't think so" -BOO!!!!!
3. Dawes Galaxy Racing Bike - ANSWER: "YES!" - (My brothers so not great news)
4. American cruiser (imported), small kids bike ANSWER: "Not sure" (whatever!)

But then, to my great surprise, my Dad mentioned a classic steel racing bike frame he was given that he has got (in the loft), and that apparently it is valuable. I cannot wait to go and see it - I will share some pictures if it is any good.

We will see.
And maybe I will find all the other bikes too.

Share your Loft Finds....

If the 'valuable' frame turns out to be a curly Hetchins then it is in fact worthless..... but I would be willing to give you fiver for it just to help clearing the loft the same applies if it happens to be a Mercian.....

 

[summerdays]

What did it do to deserve THAT?? Poor thing!! Bikes have feelings too you know!!
Restore it/sell it and send it onto an appreciative owner!!

What is it anyway??

I will take a photo next time I'm down that way , but I partially blame it for my lack of cycling after my teen years as I had a couple of accidents on it - all associated with not braking very well!

 

[Deleted member 35268]

If the 'valuable' frame turns out to be a curly Hetchins then it is in fact worthless..... but I would be willing to give you fiver for it just to help clearing the loft the same applies if it happens to be a Mercian.....

My dad was told it was worth £100 (ten years ago), that could go either way.

 

[simon the viking]

My dad was told it was worth £100 (ten years ago), that could go either way.

If its a hand built frame from the 60's/70's it could be easily be worth that and more............ I'm intrigued...... can we have photos when it comes out the loft please

 

[djb1971]

We sleep in what would be the loft, if a bike finds its way up there my wife will be very pissed off

 

[TheJDog]

My 1985 Raleigh Clubman, resprayed blue with yellow Colnago stickers in '91, is in the loft, with one Wolber Super Alpine and one Mavic rim, a 52/39 and 5 speed 13-25 - no brakes or DRs. Sorry state. My dad's curly Hetchins is hanging on the wall

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I've got a cavendish tarmac, look 695, s-works transition, cervelo rs in my loft.. I know I put them there to die when I ran out of room