After breaking in to the home of Bernard Kirby on Nunthorpe Road, South Bank, the thieves took his green 1960s Raleigh Sport bike.
Bernard bought it new 56 years ago and took great care of it. Until a year ago he still rode it around York.
Hundreds of people have shared an appeal about the theft on the Bishy Road Facebook page.
‘I feel very angry’
Independent councillor and chair of the Bishy Road Traders Association Johnny Hayes told Minster FM‘s David Dunning he was furious about what had happened.
He said:
It’s a wonderful, antique, vintage bike – and somebody’s broken into his yard, broken into his house, couldn’t really find anything of value but have decided to pinch his bike which he’s loved and cared for for all his life.
I feel really angry, very cross, that anybody could be so selfish to deprive an old guy of something he’s looked after all his life.
As well as being a very distinctive bike it also comes fitted with hub brakes, which are now very rare.
If you have any information about the theft, email bishyroad@hotmail.com or call the police on 101.