Classic & Vintage - Help me make a decision

This bike

http://i13.ebayimg.com/03/i/08/d3/43/59_1.JPG
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=004&item=140048086042&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Is £80. I want the frame. If it had track cranks (dedicated single ring cranks), I'd jump at it, because I'd get £40-50 just for the cranks, probably £20 for that white Rolls saddle, perhaps £10 for the brake levers, £20 for the brakes, £15 for the bars, £10 for the stem, and maybe £20 for the wheels. As it is, the cranks are in fact doubles, but converted to single. I want the frame to build a suicide hub flat bar fixed gear. Am I gonna make the £80 back selling the other parts? I can pick it up, because I drive through there regularly. I'm fairly confident that I wanna do it, but back me up here - think I'll make the money back on the parts? I don't have any spare cash to sink into it, see.....

Oh! Also, any idea what the frame is?

I don't know what frame that is but it sure is a pretty thing!

Here is an uneducated guess. Didn't raleigh make chrome bikes back in the day?

Here is an uneducated guess. Didn't raleigh make chrome bikes back in the day?
Can't say about the rest, but if it is in good shape, I have seen the seat go for more than$40 US. I know, I have been wanting a nice white saddle. ;)

I have noticed a dearth of white saddles on UK ebay. I reckon it's probably worth it. I might even make a quid or two.

Hmm, it's an oddball all right. Clearly has some quality features: the short DOs and waterbottle bosses look well finished, but hard to judge quality from these pics. Main clue is the seatpost being that small seems to ID a metric-sized straight-guage seat tube...could that be? Even with a BSC threaded BB, it could still be a late model French frame. Unlikely that it's Italian. At that price you should go look at it, if nothing more than to try to ID it, but seems it like could be a great deal.

I guess what I'm thinking is, I'll take any all-chrome frame in my size, if it's free. If I sell all the components other than the frame and seatpost (and maybe calipers), I wonder if I can break even.

I snagged an all-chrome roadbike frame on eBay about a week or so ago, which is in transit. Speculation on that frame (Suntour dropouts, Cinelli-like long-point lugs) is that it's Japanese, perhaps Fuji or Nishiki or some smaller builder. Supposedly Fuji Finest and Fuji Newest, as well as some Nishikis, were all chrome under the paint. That fact that the frame Sammy is interested in has an English BB would make me wonder if it's really Italian. A 25.8mm seatpost is some seriously stout-gauge tubing!

Neal

If that were my size, I'd buy it.

someone already bought it.

Yes they did. It was me.

Yes they did. It was me.


wineandrose FTW.

I seriously love you, Sammy. You've got the stuff, mate.:D

Heheheheh. If I can break even on this, and get a free chrome frame, I'm a happy boy. If I can make a little profit on the deal too? Well.......

Heheheheh. If I can break even on this, and get a free chrome frame, I'm a happy boy. If I can make a little profit on the deal too? Well.......

...then wifey will let you sleep in the bed?;) Then you are a very happy boy!

Oh hell yeah. If you talk about me "Having the stuff", well, here's the stuff I've currently got

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/DSC00243.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/DSC00244.jpg

And yet, overall, I'm in profit. I've got more money in through selling bikes than I've spent buying them, and yet, I've acquired my Gazelle, my EG Bates trackie, my HR Bates, a Mercian Mixte for her, a Holdsworth for my son, etc etc etc. There's never any argument about my bikes, because it's a free hobby!

hey sam , i,ve taken a real liking to the purple one , wish i lived closer coz i,d buy it off ya !

That one is still in one piece as well. Want me to look into a shipping price?

When I said you "had the stuff" ..I meant the bullocks...and good taste!:D

But I see you have the garage stuffed as well!:eek: No dead bodies I hope mate!

I knew what you meant really;) And no, no dead bodies. I do own a bus though, as well as all the bikes.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/BusfromFront.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/BusfromSide.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/Busfromrear.jpg

...Supposedly Fuji Finest and Fuji Newest, as well as some Nishikis, were all chrome under the paint.

No supposedly about it. The Finest and the Newest both are chromed underneath - at least the ones from the early '70's were. Can't tell from that picture what it is, but here's a touch of perspective for you. Even if you only can sell the bits off for 70 pounds, you'll only be 10 down on the deal - but still be ahead overall on the hobby. :D

True, true. And I'm bound to make money on the Gran Sport with all the Campy, so overall, I'm ahead.

I picked up that Francesco Moser yesterday, and it is indeed a low end gaspipe job. However, it is all nice and silver, and it does say Francesco Moser on it. I'm thinking that instead of getting £20 for the wheels of that chrome beastie, I should instead put them on the Moser, whip of the shifters, the rear mech, and one chainring, and sell it for a pile of cash as a single speed. That might be a big winner.

So they chromed the frames then painted over it? That seems strange to me.

Apparently that wasn't unusual back in the day. Chrome, or just as often, nickle plating was used as a rustproofing layer, certainly in the 50's.

My Jan de Reus is chrome plated under paint and it's a 1990 model.

My favourite paint style is chromovelato, translucent paint over chrome.

marty

That one is still in one piece as well. Want me to look into a shipping price?


What size is it? Shipping to 19038 Glenside PA and frame price. PM me. Thanks!