Auburn Racing was a high end BMX Bike manufacturer that eventually got gobbled up by GT Bicycles in the early 1990s. Auburn Racing frames were unusual, made of Chromoly steel in the front but with a removable aluminum rear triangle that unbolted near the seat post and near the bottom bracket. It's very hard to find any information about these bikes on the Internet; either they weren't plentiful or they weren't popular. After riding this one, I can't understand either one being true.
Now about this particular bike: it was owned by a man in his late 20s who struggled for years with drugs and alcohol. He was in Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous to get help. Sometimes, when his truck was broken down or he was without a driver's license, this bike was his only means of transportation. He had owned it for years and kept it functional, likely for those times when he would be once again pedaling to work.
One night he was involved in a traffic stop with a local police officer. While the details are sketchy, it is indicated that the man got aggressive towards the officer and then got into a fight with him. Sadly, in the ensuing struggle, he was shot and killed. Investigations determined that the shooting was justified.
The house where he lived was cleared of his belongings by the landlord and included this bike, which at the time included a fairly elaborate tool kit. That kit, along with some parts and other tools, was given to a local community service group who teaches kids how to rebuild their own bikes. I told them the story of the kit and its previous owner, and asked that they use the tools to keep kids from ending up in the same fate. It was a powerful story for them, and elicited a simple "...whoa..." when it was told.
And then the bike itself went to eBay, and got $185 final bid. All proceeds are going to help our shop move from one location to another (a story in itself).
