I live in a fairly small farm town, and at the beginning of the summer there was an auction with 25 antique bikes. There was supposed to be a Schwinn Autocycle there. I showed up with $300 knowing I wasn't even gonna be able to touch it. I start to talken to people because I realize that theres a lot more bike people there than us few collectors. I talk to one guy who says hes from colorado ( which aint that far away) then I find out from a friend that he flew from California to get that autocycle. The bike had every thing but the drum brake, that had evedently been switched out for a different wheel. Later when the auction started it was a madhouse. The guy from California payed $1700 it. The auctioneer and the people watching were amazed. Then there was a table that had asorted bike stuff on it, that you bidded on, and took a pick of what you wanted. Right before the biding started I rummaged through the table, and saw the drum brake that was missing from the autocycle and pointed it out to the guy from California. When the bid started for the pick of that table it was a battle between two guys. The auctioneer was wondeering what was so important when the bid reached $150.The guy from Cal. got that too. You have got to figure that this was a very expensive trip for the guy from Cal. He spent $1700 for the bike,$150 for the brake" Not to mention plane fair for him and the bike.
I managed to pick up a sears spaceliner, a 50's firestone,and a girls 52 Panther with springer.