Topic: Why is there such a dearth of bikes in certain areas?

[fmctm1sw]

It seems that every time I look around, I can find nothing (in the way of older bikes) in this area (Florida panhandle).  The two CB 350Fs I bought while overseas were bought in Pennsylvania and Ohio.  I dragged a '75 400F out of a guys' shed in Pennsylvania for $100 in July and my Dad is always sending me ads from local classifieds (Pa) for old bikes at reasonable prices ( I missed a 550F because the ad expired!).  Type in Pensacola Fl on eBay and you won't find an old bike for miles.  They all seem to be in Michigan or New York, California, etc.  Why is this?  Is it just my perception? 
On another note, had a guy practically leap out of his truck at a red light when I pulled up on my 350F today.  This makes the 3rd time someone has engaged me at a red light.  Good feeling considering my bike is rather ratty....

[Patrick]

Have you ever heard of Craigslist.org? I just checked Craigslist for Pensacola and saw a few vintage bikes posted in the last few days....

Patrick

[fmctm1sw]

Yeah, I'm on there a lot but I top out a couple hundred bucks.  I did pick up a '78 400T a few weeks ago and "flip" it after I got it to run...

[super pasty white guy]

www.crazedlist.org is the only way to search craigslist.  But maybe that's because I'm smack dab in the middle of several cities.

check it out-  you can search any of the craigslist areas at the same time.


dave

[gerhed]

It seems that every time I look around, I can find nothing (in the way of older bikes) in this area (Florida panhandle).  The two CB 350Fs I bought while overseas were bought in Pennsylvania and Ohio.  I dragged a '75 400F out of a guys' shed in Pennsylvania for $100 in July and my Dad is always sending me ads from local classifieds (Pa) for old bikes at reasonable prices ( I missed a 550F because the ad expired!).  Type in Pensacola Fl on eBay and you won't find an old bike for miles.  They all seem to be in Michigan or New York, California, etc.  Why is this?  Is it just my perception? 
On another note, had a guy practically leap out of his truck at a red light when I pulled up on my 350F today.  This makes the 3rd time someone has engaged me at a red light.  Good feeling considering my bike is rather ratty....

It's all about the Northern work ethic.
In Dec. 1903, where do we find Henry Ford  trying out old 999 ?
In Florida ? No--out on the ice of lake St. Claire.

[merc2dogs]

I'd say it's mostly climate.
 
When I lived out west, I owned many bikes but had never owned a car till I moved to michigan at 28. (now 46, and have owned about twice as many bikes as cars)
 
 If you have only a few months of (not always) great riding weather, bikes last longer,(and you get used to them 'sitting' in the garage) but if you have year round riding, they tend to wear out or get wrecked. 

 In california a low miles bike was unusual, here in michigan it's fairly common to find 20 year old bikes with less than 10000 on them.

  A year or two after I moved to michigan, I made four trips to Cal with six bikes on the flatbed and sold them for triple what I paid in michigan, I'm sure they've been ridden to death by now.
 
  Also, in areas where demand is higher, the bikes that do make it through are often handed down to freinds or family so don't make to 'market'

Ken.