I went to a local garage sale today. The city close by is exercising "eminent domain" to build a shopping mall and destroying almost 40 houses. Well the sale started yesterday at 7 AM. I did not go until about 8:30 AM today. The first house I looked over at and ALMOST skipped it since it looked like a lot of "JUNK" but I went for a quick look.

I noticed some bike parts in an old milk crate. One of the forks looked pretty long and some GT bars looked pretty nice and wide (uncut). I needed the bars for my 81 GT frame that has been sitting here for a while until I collect all the parts. I asked the guy what he wanted for the bike parts and he named a price (so low I don't even want to say but I can't buy lunch at Taco Bell for what it was). Then he says, "wait - there is more, I have a couple frames". He shows me the frames and how light they are. He says "take it all", I don't want them anymore. “SOLD!!!!” - After closer inspection I knew the 26" frame was a MCS stamped serial number #049 and that was the 26" fork sticking our of the milk crate (Magna Cruiser w/ blue yellow writing). The other 26" fork is a Torker with great chrome (I have not cleaned these up all the way yet - but did rub to see very nice chrome). The other frame that he showed me was a 20" 78 or early 79 Redline Proline with very little wear on dropout but was spray bombed. There was a matching spray bombed 20 inch Redline fork - but this is the 4" headtube early nickel fork that is undrilled (squareback). I can only assume there was no mock up - and after paint they realized there was an problem and scraped the project (4" -and 5" don't work together). The GT bars are early small logo wings Santa Ana bars and what I really bought the lot for in the first place. I did not want to start sifting through everything there because he might see me foaming from the mouth.

Now - the most exciting thing to me of the day was my John Deere tractor (111 - with headlights and electric PTO - maybe 1981) that I mowed the lawn with today for $300 - that was a steal in itself.

I am going to sell these extras but more than likely on eBay since I don't know the value and hate seeing items I have sold show up there two weeks after I made a deal on it. I have kind of been kicking around building the Proline and MCS for display but I am trying to narrow down to about 8 bikes right now.

I am also closing on a new house this week - so the less I have to move works too!


Check the pictures - THE STUFF IS OUT THERE!!

wow. i love the magna cruise.....amazing score!

VERY cool.

Another bunch of stuff saved from the dumpster.

I have been lookin for a Proline for about 6 months and you find one at a garage sale!
Nice score.

I might be interested in the Proline frame....

Did you call the city and thank them (eminent domain). Great score,

Nice save! love the early Red Line frame.

I sure would like to have the Magna Cruise & Torker 26 forks.
Please contact me.

Sorry to rant in your thread but the thought of destroying 40 homes to build a shopping mall is making my stomach turn. This country can be so f'ing disgusting.

Nice score.

Nice hand model ! Oh its just you Rob, nice haul.

BmxRob - you have no idea what type of battles have gone on over that exact position on houses vs. shopping mall. The houses all sit on close to an acre and are all at least 60 years old. I personally think there were other options but the the City somehow - thought this was the correct use of eminent domain, which I don't think it falls into that category. It was kind of strange to walk into peoples homes and they are selling doors, windows, cabinets and a lot of personal possessions. It is almost like the city bought all their history and sense of being home for a frickin' Costco!

Here is the kicker with all this - one lady in here 70's won the battle (she had 6 acres) and they were going to allow here to stay after all was said and done - the house burned down about 2 months later of an "eletrical fire". The local fire marshall "works for the city that is taking the land" ruled no foul play...HA - ***holes!

Like I said, disgusting. Have no other words for it.

I love hearing those "found in the dump " stories . I guess stuff really is out there , you just have to look . My '82 Patty I bought last year (frame only) I bought from a guy who bought it from a salvage /resale store .

That is a friggin' score! The magna cruise is awesome and of course the Proline is great. GT pro bars are the pre-eminent "pro" handlebars of the 80s. nice work.

i wouldn't mind having a bid on that proline if you post to Australia.