Classic & Vintage - I bought a city bike today!

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View Full Version : I bought a city bike today!

rubyspirit
10-22-05, 11:24 PM
I have a road bike (Trek 1000 SL) for competitions, and a Huffy mountain bike for off road. I wanted a bike to ride to the store, or the library, or anywhere close by. I found a great bike for only $25 at the thift store today. Everything works except the back tire won't air. The chain needs to be cleaned. The brakes are good.

I checked online to see if I could find some info on the bike and how much its worth. I found an ad of
someone selling theirs on Craiglist. The description is exactly the same. They're selling theirs for $400!


http://westernmass.craigslist.org/bik/101733956.html

1974 12-speed Shimano Vista Road Champion - $400

Extremely nice vintage bike, paid over $1000! Serial# ARY F801151, max ht: 22.20; wheels 700 x 28c front and rear; Titanium Frame, Magnesium handlebars and rims; Shimano 12-speed derailleurs & gears, Seat: seamless supersoft Y.F.C. In Storage since 1978. Really excellent condition. Made in Japan exclusively for India.

531phile
10-22-05, 11:27 PM
I didn't know they made Titanium frame back in 1974. Anyone else know of these frames?
number6
10-23-05, 12:17 AM
I think the magnet test is in order. There were Ti frames in 1974, by Speedwell (UK) and Teledyine Linar (USA). The rest of the description raises eyebrows as well, Magnesium is a wonderous material, Infamous for Mercedes in the 50's and famous for Porsche in the 70's, but does not bend well, casts ok though...

I suspect on a par with those who when they see Reynolds 531, think Reynolds Aluminum, and proclaim the cool alloy frame they have...

Blue Order
10-23-05, 12:43 AM
I think the magnet test is in order. There were Ti frames in 1974, by Speedwell (UK) and Teledyine Linar (USA). The rest of the description raises eyebrows as well, Magnesium is a wonderous material, Infamous for Mercedes in the 50's and famous for Porsche in the 70's, but does not bend well, casts ok though...

I suspect on a par with those who when they see Reynolds 531, think Reynolds Aluminum, and proclaim the cool alloy frame they have...As in TI Reynolds? You may be on to something there...
sydney
10-23-05, 07:47 AM
^^^....Use a magnet.If it sticks to the frame, you have neither Ti nor aluminum, but more likely gas pipe.
T-Mar
10-23-05, 08:12 AM
Agree with the previous posts. Titanium was limited to Speedwell and Teledyne in 1974 and handlebars are not made of magnesium. Furthermore, there were no 700C tires in 1974 and six speed freewheels were quite rare. Maybe the seller meant 1984, but then he said it was stored since 1978. There are enough inconsistancies in the ad to make me suspicious.

The best way to judge the relative value of a bicycle is via the frame tubing (is there a tubing decal?) and the model of the major components. Lacking a tubing decal, do the magnet test.