Okay, I've been beating around the bush for a couple of weeks now, and although I'm still not done inventorying the 68+ bikes I came across, it's time for me to share the story with you guys.  Before I tell it, though, I want to lay down some important ground rules.  First, please don't ask me the name of the partner I've teamed up with in this endeavor.  Part of my agreement with my partner is that the partner's name will stay out of my mouth.  Period.  Second, if you somehow are able to use whatever technology you have at your disposal to discern any information about my partner's identity from the photos I post, pat yourself on the back for being clever, then let it go.  Please.  Again, part of my arrangement is to keep my partner's identity anonymous.  Now for the story.

Many of you know that I am a middle school teacher, and that one of the classes I teach is a basic bike repair class.  In an effort to secure donated bikes for my program, I was led to my partner through a mutual contact.  At our first meeting, I happened to reveal that I collect, build, and ride vintage BMX bikes, to which my partner replied, "I need to show you what I have." 

At our second meeting, I finalized the arrangement for some bikes to be donated to my class.  Then, I was taken to a place one might have to see to believe -- a room with more bikes than you can imagine under one roof.  Among them were dozens of vintage BMX bikes -- all sorts of Schwinns and Mongooses, Diamond Backs, Powerlites, Dynos, GTs, Haros, Raleighs, and much more.  My jaw dropped to the floor, and the gears in my mind went into overdrive. 

Basically, rather than pull the typical flipper move by offering to buy stuff for pennies on the dollar, I decided that being true to myself buy helping this charitable partner continue to do charitable things was the right thing to do.  That, and I didn't have the money to buy everything anyway.  I've heard horror stories of guys buying out BMX inventories for far less than they are worth, then being despised not only buy the store owner, but also by people who are aware of what they've done.  Anyone who really knows me knows that it is highly unlikely that I'll ever be a wealthy man because I'm not greedy.  That's why I lasted as a car salesman for only six months.  I figure that what I'm doing benefits my partner by allowing my partner to continue doing good things for others, collectors by allowing them to get their hands on some really cool stuff, and me by putting a little bit of money toward the needs of my family, and even less in my pocket.  For the first time in my working life, I am doing something that I am truly passionate about.  Every part of this is exciting to me, and it makes me feel good to share my excitement with you guys!

Now, I suppose you'd like to see some pictures of what I've come across.  Hang on a minute...

Last edited by perront (2017-04-03 9:30pm)