Let me first say I'm not really serious, this is just kind of a "what if" kind of question...
University of Louisville is in, to put it nicely, not the kind of neighborhood you'd want to leave your bike outside in. I know this, so I keep my road bike, my baby, my most pized possesion, in my room when I'm not out riding it. I recently bought an 80 dollar cheapie from wal mart for trucking around town and getting to class, but I never had a chance to ride it, as someone cut my lock and stole it the first night I had it. However, some people are braver than I, and I see some really nice fixies, race bikes and mountain bikes all over campus during class. There is one in particular that has not moved in over two weeks; I know this because after seeing it at the same rack for a few days, I took a mental note of the position of the handlebars and pedals and they haved not moved an inch. It seems clear to me that someone has abandoned this bike.
Here is my question: Would I be a bad person if I stole a (presumed) abandoned bike and swapped a few parts that are nicer than what I have, or would the unwritted rule of finders, keepers take effect? Would this be despite of, or perhaps because, I myself am a victim?