Today I wanted to share the story of how I restored and flipped a vintage rust bucket Schwinn and the lesson about value that it taught me. # SHWINNING! (ew Dayle no. PUT THE COFFEE DOWN GURL!)
A few years back I had mentioned something to Dad about wanting to get out and get more exercise, I didn't have any extra fundage for a gym membership, and thought a bike would be the best way to get some fresh air and burn some calories I was stacking up sitting at a desk all day.
A few weeks later he came home with this...
He found it on the side of the road! My dad is a master garbage picker and repurpose-er, I think I got a lot of my thriftiness from him. My favorite thing we ever picked was a metal detector when I was about 8, I was CONVINCED I'd find buried treasure in my neighborhood.
First thing's first! I ordered a new set of tires and tubes on eBay, and dad helped me put them on, my first test drive was a little shaky, Literally. That no shock life tho. It was sturdy and safe, but more suited for a leisurely afternoon ride by the beach, not for exercise and scaling hills, (also, single speed and pedal breaks), not gonna happen.
SO I set out to clean it up the best I could, and flip it for funds to go toward a newer used bike.
In my spare time when I wasn't working on the bike, I was researching it to figure out the fairest price to list it at. I soon found out that it was a 1973 Schwinn Breeze. A few rabbit holes later I realized that only a year later in 1974 Schwinn moved much of its production overseas. Interesting bit of data Dayleeo! Data stored in data bank, scrub scrub of spokes, polish polish of fenders, rinse repeat.
It took a TON of serious chemicals and solvents and elbow grease but I got there, I left the paint and decals original but touched up the main plate on the front with a little car detailing paint, and did a total overhaul on all the chrome. Also greased the chain, conditioned the leather seat and oiled the springs underneath. It was by no means perfect, but I was proud of the job I did restoring it while keeping as much original as I could.
A friend of mine took photos for me a few days after I was finished in her then studio as a trade for assembling some Ikea furniture. Sorted mate.
I listed the bad boy on Craigslist and it wasn't long before someone reached out. Middle aged hipster couple (of course) wife wanted a vintage bike to ride around the parks by their house.
We scheduled a meetup. They pulled up in a Porche Cayenne.
They took a ride and loved it, no squeaks, impressed with the condition and sturdiness. COOL, I'm thinking, let's close this thing...
Until the guy says "So about the price, I know you're asking $150, we can do $75."
INSERT BIGGEST SMH FACE EVER.
Always the way right? I was half tempted to fold and say yes, thinking I DID get the thing for free, and I know these two Cold Brew drinking yuppies don't give a damn about how much time and care I put into this bike. Plus I enjoyed it. Maybe it's greedy to get paid for doing something you enjoy...?
That's when like lightning struck, I remembered!
Unarchived from deep file directories, I mentioned that this was a 1973 Schwinn Breeze, and although that may not sound like a big deal, the factory closed in 1974 and all operations were moved from their Chicago factory to overseas, so it was likely that this was one of the last original Schwinn bikes built in the good OL US of A.
The best I can do is $125 US AMERICAN DOLL-HAIRS THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
They forked over the dough and were on their way.
Here's what I learned:
- No one is going to value what you do, or what your product is worth unless you explain it to them.
- Don't assume anyone cares about the granular details of what you bring to the tables. It's likely they don't, they just want the package.
- There's VALUE in Legacy
- Everyone wants to feel like a snowflake and that they got something "special"
- You are 100% justified in getting paid what you're worth, even if you enjoy it. (ESPECIALLY if you enjoy it and give a damn in my opinion)
It took me awhile to put these lessons into action as a digital worker, many hours unpaid, much frustrated email correspondence. But over time, I've been growing and learning how to trust myself and my work.
In summation, let your work speak for itself, and if they ain't listening, tell em! (and if they STILL ain't listening, we eating ramen noodles tonight BUT AT LEAST WE'RE HAPPY DAMNIT!)
Thanks for reading!<3
Dayle
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