I bought my touring bike for $90. It was in perfect condition, even though it is an '83 model. I posted about looking for one on bikeforums.net, and one magically came to me.

I spent a little money putting bar end shifters on it, changing the stem and putting a Brooks saddle on it. Total cost about $300.

You just have to know what to look for. I learned most of what I know from bikeforums.net (classic and vintage section) and TE, which supplemented what I knew about steel bikes from the '70s.

Karen