Classic & Vintage - What are they and what are they worth?? Please look.

I appreciate any opinions and information GREATLY!

These are some old bikes i had laying around, didn't get to clean them yet, but i am planning on cleaning them up REALLY good and selling them, they are from the mid 50's i believe, rust is minimal, anyone know what i can get for them?? Thank you all very much in advanced.

Ones a Huffy "camaro" and ones a Colombia something

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f352/rollinranger99/IMG_0787.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f352/rollinranger99/IMG_0786.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f352/rollinranger99/IMG_0785.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f352/rollinranger99/IMG_0784.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f352/rollinranger99/IMG_0783.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f352/rollinranger99/IMG_0782.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f352/rollinranger99/IMG_0781.jpg

Thanks again!

eBay is your friend. Search finished auctions for similar bikes and you will get an idea of what how much the bikes are worth.

eBay is your friend. Search finished auctions for similar bikes and you will get an idea of what how much the bikes are worth.

Thats what i did, dident find anything similar to what i had, well i dident/don't know exactally what i had, figured some people here might know.

You can figure out the date your columbia was made pretty easily. There should be a two digit year stamped on the rear hub (along with a number indicating the month of manufacture) It was probably made some time in the late sixties. What it's worth depends on who's buying it. I just bought a Columbia 3-speed off of ebay for $4.99 - but I know you could get considerably more than that for it.

the black one is a 3 speed as well.

Figure about $150 each on the high end... they're not terribly rare but look to be in nice shape.

thank you.

Figure about $150 each on the high end... they're not terribly rare but look to be in nice shape.

On what planet? They wouldn't have even cost that much when new.

How about some drive side pics? :rolleyes:

How about some drive side pics? :rolleyes:


:roflmao: :roflmao:
I was just thinking the same thing:D

Aaron:)

Ill get some tomorrow.. they look hte same on the driver side though so i dident bother..

On what planet? They wouldn't have even cost that much when new.
heh welll.. a 67 camaro was 3-4k new, now what do they go for when in good condition 20+k?? I may be off but you know what i mean? vintage things that ppl collect ususally cost more than what they were bought for ;)

On what planet? They wouldn't have even cost that much when new.


I sold a lime green tourist in excellent condition for $125 plus shipping last year. It might have been more, but I don't remember. It wasn't less. It was a BIN auction, and lasted about 3 days before being snapped up. The S/N should be on the left rear IIRC, but they are on the dropout. It looks to be very close in age to mine, which was a 71. Nice riding bikes, but the head tube angle and fork rake made them a bit hard to steer. Mine was also a Shimano 333 hub, which aren't dated as far as I know. The S//N should solve that.,,,,BD

heh welll.. a 67 camaro was 3-4k new, now what do they go for when in good condition 20+k??

That's exactly what I was thinking. Price new and price today don't always jive because of collectibility and inflation.

Comparing a columbia to a camaro is like comparing a renault to a camaro (or comparing a columbia to a Raleigh or Atala). Some things are worth more because they are rare, well made, or possess some other highly desirable feature.

The only person I can think of that'd pay $150 for a non mint Columbia 3-speed would be a fool getting suckered by a profiteer.

I've never asked for more than $65 for a 3 speed, and that was an absolutely mint never used Western Flyer. No rust, no dents, perfect tires, and only the slightest scratches on the front forks. The last 3-speed I sold was an All-Pro, in about the same condition as the Columbia in question here. I sold it for $30.
I believe profiteering ruins a hobby, but I admit - I'm an enthusiast, not a business man. I don't sell bikes because I want to make money off of others, I do it because I love bikes.

However, if you're so inclined craiglist is full of suckers and fools, and you probably could unload it there - there was a guy here that sold a Columbia for $95 - it took him a quarter of a year to get rid of it (and I'm willing to the bet the buyer haggled him down from that ridiculous price) but sooner or later you could probably find somebody who knows too little, but has enough cash. You probably won't find that kind of person on ebay without divine intervention though.[/tongue in cheek]

Go exploring over at http://www.ratrodbikes.com and you'll find some bike artists who might love to to get their hands on your bikes. Best of luck.

""On what planet? They wouldn't have even cost that much when new.""

Hmmm...well considering that most interesting vintage bikes are worth substantially more now than the original cost, I won't qualify that. My LBS in San Francisco would sell that Huffy for $200...and he would get it. There is a market for ultra-funky vintage bikes like that in the city...even low-end ones. The Columbia maybe a bit less...but still would find a home quickly.

Ill get some tomorrow.. they look hte same on the driver side though so i dident bother..

The right (drive side) contains all the good stuff, like chain wheels, chains, sprockets and shift mechanism. If that had been visible on the Columbia we would have known right off it was a 3 speed.;)

Aaron:)

Well, Columbia made some very durable bikes. They might not be your cup of tea, making them
out to be crap is ridiculous. They had one piece cranks, big deal. They didn't use Campy hubs
and Derailleurs, big whoop. They did what they were made to do, and looked pretty classy while doing it.
The one I had was right up there with (or over) Schwinn quality in my humble opinion. Comparing a Columbia to a Camaro is actually pretty dead on. Both made in the USA, both are good quality vehicles.
Neither is an exotic wheeled vehicle with all the bells and whistles. Neither are they crap.,,,,BD

Well it's no schwinn corvette!
Ha ha ha I'm funny.

Nope, Camaro is more like a Schwinn Super Sport! :)

There are a number of variables involved. If you list on eBay, you likely will get more than if you sell locally (unless you are in a highly populated city). But, since your bikes are not all that rare, your listing will have to be detailed with LARGE, clear photos in good light (drive side preferred ;) ). eBay is a crap shoot, so people want to SEE what they are getting, and want to be fairly confident they are dealing with an honest seller. Your description will go a long way in convincing a person if you are knowledgeable and honest (for instance, have you openly discussed problems with the bike?) Secondly, if you recondition the bike (new tires, tubes, cables, housing, brake pads, polish, wax etc.) you are likely, though not guaranteed, to fetch a higher price.

If you were to list those bikes with those photos, a scant description, and without reconditioning them (I'm assuming they are original) I really don't think you would get $150. Unfortunately, for less rare bikes, shipping kills the bid price on eBay.

Honestly, I would try to sell them locally, as you would probably get more money and have less hassle.

And as to the issue of profiteering, I won't comment on the relative morality or immorality of free market capitalism. But I will offer an example which might explain why seemingly low end bikes sell for "exorbitant" prices. I recently purchased a step-through Schwinn Breeze for $4 at a Thrift sale. I sold it for $120. You may think that's a ridiculous price from where you stand, but I sold it at cost. It cost me over $100 and umpteen hours of labor to completely overhaul the bike. Complete frame off reconditioning including new bearing balls, new hub cones, new cables, new housing, new indicator spindle, new high quality brake pads, new tires, new tubes, wax, polish and complete disassembly and cleaning of the AW hub.

I think I was lucky to sell it at that price (though the impoverished NYC college student who purchased it was delighted at the "bargain"), but I would be insulted if someone labeled me a profiteer.

It was a bargain, lol. Have you been to your LBS lately? Hehehe.,,,,BD

Yes, and that SA hub will outlast most modern drivetrains. You make a good point in a lot less words than I do! A durable bike like a Schwinn, reconditioned, is a bargain at that price. Damn, I should have held out for more.

Depends on what day it was at the factory, that black Columbia could have a Shimano or an SA hub. I've seen them with both. This one looks to be a Shimano, given the cone shaped left dust cap, and twist shifter with cable pointing straight down.,,,,BD

EDIT: It "is" soaked in oily dirt, it could be a SA, lol!

I'm not saying Columbias are crap (my avatar is in fact a columbia decal, for those of you who didn't know, and I do like columbias). But they are what they are, and a used columbia is not worth $150.
Junk Yard Bike, I Highly doubt this person plans to do as thorough a reconditioning job as you did on your schwinn - I doubt the bike needs it in the first place, and secondly it's not a schwinn - and even your job ended up for less than $150.

Just so you know, a Columbia 3 speed like this cost $58 in 1971 - the last two that appeared on ebay had opening prices of $24 and $39, and nobody bid on them. The world is full of unweary suckers, go ahead and take their money. You can probably get away with it, and everybody here will probably be cheering you on for creating the illusion that bikes like this are worth that much.:rolleyes:

Of course, the up side is that at least they'll be riding an old bike instead of a new one!:D

Appraise this one then. $50?,,,,BD;)

And as to the issue of profiteering, I won't comment on the relative morality or immorality of free market capitalism. But I will offer an example which might explain why seemingly low end bikes sell for "exorbitant" prices.

Good points.

I certainly don't see Raminman as doing anything wrong.

.... creating the illusion that bikes like this are worth that much.

When the money changes hands, it ceases to be an illusion.

Old bikes are an interesting commodity, and very subject to supply and demand. In some markets, ANY bike that is in good repair can be worth $80-$100 just for its' utility - collectability and rarity aside. In cooler markets, good bikes are damn near given away.

Saying a certain bike is only "worth" $x across the board no-matter-where-no-matter-what does not reflect the reality of different local markets. A clean Columbia 3 speed will bring a lot more in a college town for instance, as opposed to somewhere else. Why? Because that's what it's worth - there.

Ok. But this is the same forum that advised me not to pay a penny more than $40 for a much nicer Columbia last year...
At least I'll know I'm not the one getting ripped off.

Appraise this one then. $50?,,,,BD;)
$49.99 and not a penny more! After all, it still needs pedals! :p

(Actually it's a very cool looking bike. If I lived in a flat place I'd love to own one and I'm certain I'd offer $200 for it.)

Ill get some tomorrow.. they look hte same on the driver side though so i dident bother..
Interesting. I suggest you take a closer look. The two sides of a bike are certianly different.

I would suggust that you post pictures of the bikes over on http://thecabe.com/vbulletin/index.php. They deal in balloon and middleweight bikes and might be able to give you better feedback.

It is funny, as someone with an attic full of old department store bikes (Columbia, Roadmaster, Murray etc),trying to fix a value can be a challenge. To say that an old department store bike is only worth a few dollars, because it was a cheap bike when new, seems a little flawed. The fact that the Columbia is a mens bike is a plus, as the step through girls frames are worth much less.

From a parts standpoint you have the fenders, chain guard, handlebar and truss rods. The rims, from what is visable, look like they are in pretty good shape. The frame would most likely be of interest to someone.

I just sold off one of the Roadmaster bikes that I had to guy out in California. He wanted to save the shipping costs so he had me strip the fenders, rack, handlebars, badge and chain guard off. He paid $60.00 for those parts. He saw the bike in one the pictures that I had posted, told me what he wanted and suggested the price. If the wheels would have been in decent shape I could have put another set of handlebars on it and sold it for $15-20 to someone looking for a bike (with little theft potential) to use on campus.

Ok. But this is the same forum that advised me not to pay a penny more than $40 for a much nicer Columbia last year...
At least I'll know I'm not the one getting ripped off.

Nope, you ran into a bunch of people like you have become, and you believed them.:p ,,,,BD

I would suggust that you post pictures of the bikes over on http://thecabe.com/vbulletin/index.php. They deal in balloon and middleweight bikes and might be able to give you better feedback.

It is funny, as someone with an attic full of old department store bikes (Columbia, Roadmaster, Murray etc),trying to fix a value can be a challenge. To say that an old department store bike is only worth a few dollars, because it was a cheap bike when new, seems a little flawed. The fact that the Columbia is a mens bike is a plus, as the step through girls frames are worth much less.

From a parts standpoint you have the fenders, chain guard, handlebar and truss rods. The rims, from what is visable, look like they are in pretty good shape. The frame would most likely be of interest to someone.

I just sold off one of the Roadmaster bikes that I had to guy out in California. He wanted to save the shipping costs so he had me strip the fenders, rack, handlebars, badge and chain guard off. He paid $60.00 for those parts. He saw the bike in one the pictures that I had posted, told me what he wanted and suggested the price. If the wheels would have been in decent shape I could have put another set of handlebars on it and sold it for $15-20 to someone looking for a bike (with little theft potential) to use on campus.

I was halfway joking to make a point. I'm never going to sell it. Part it, even worse than selling.:o ,,,,BD

Most of the people here don't want the prices of old bikes to skyrocket, because most of the people here are more interested in OWNING old bikes than they are in selling them.

Even if you're the wheeler dealer type though, do you really want your steady supply o curbside and thriftstore finds to dry up, because everyone wised up, and started selling their stuff on ebay?

I do love ebay, but I also miss the pre ebay days when I could find more interesting old stuff at yard sales and thriftshops. Ebay has even hurt the selection to be found locally at retail since a lot of people will ebay stuff before they'll sell it to a shop, and a lot of shops are selling their stuff on ebay. Bikes are a little more immune to this phenomenon than more easily shippable collectables, but I for one don't want to see all the cool old bikes in the area exported to urban areas where they go for higher prices.

Ok. But this is the same forum that advised me not to pay a penny more than $40 for a much nicer Columbia last year...
At least I'll know I'm not the one getting ripped off.

I don't doubt it. But (and you know this is coming :) ) You gotta take that type of advice with a grain of salt. People pronounce "worth" based on the local market they're used to. What sells for $5 in Forgan, OK might easily sell for $100 in San Franciso, CA.

I routinely see bikes sell around here for much more than folks in the C&V forum think they're worth.

It's not only geography, it's the place at which it is sold. Case in point my local lucky thrift store. I can't imagine anywhere else in this very large city, where I could find a Peugeot PH10 for $9, and a fillet brazed Super Sport for $10. Or a near mint condition Maruishi RX4 for $16. I'm not getting rich, but I am finding some nice bikes, and flipping the ones that don't fit me for some pocket money. It's about guessing what will sell, and finding the right person at the right time. One stores' junky old blue Schwinn, is another's collectable piece of history.,,,,BD

Most of the people here don't want the prices of old bikes to skyrocket, because most of the people here are more interested in OWNING old bikes than they are in selling them.

Even if you're the wheeler dealer type though, do you really want your steady supply o curbside and thriftstore finds to dry up, because everyone wised up, and started selling their stuff on ebay?

Change a few words here and there, and you state the universal lament of every hobbyist/collector in every interest I've ever been involved with. :)

The truth is that most "major" used bike markets have a ton of flippers, working very hard to find the next bike deal. Good or bad aside, that's just the way it is.

We've got a Price Guide on our site.

Logically, (as a buyer) it makes no sense (for you as a buyer) to pay that much, since for less than $150 you could find bikes like these on ebay (probably even nicer ones), and have them shipped to your door with money to spare.

It doesn't make logical sense to buy a bike like this at this price. I mean if you can find a similiar or identical bike on ebay for $30 or $40 or so and then you have $40 or $50 shipping - you've saved a considerable ammount compared to $150.
It simply isn't good sense for somebody to pay that much. Logically then, it'd also be unwise to attempt to sell such a bike on ebay for that price, since there are almost always going to be several other ones selling for much, much less.
Leaving the local market - there are unweary, naive, suckers out there... And there are opportunists, profiteers, and rip off artists...
Could you sell it for $150? - probably eventually, or if you were lucky enough to find somebody really off their rocker quickly. Or if you actually wanted to get rid of it you could sell it for a price that'd be competitive with what one would spend on ebay - some where in the $70 to $90 - which actually seems to be a popular price range for bikes like this on craigslist in several cities I've lived in. (although I think even $90 would be pushing your luck).
Those'd be on the high side of reasonable. I personally would sell for less, but I'm not interested in making money, just in enjoying my hobby.

I would agree with the above comments that your location, some elbow grease and a bit of marketing will make a difference.

The Huffy would, in my opinion, go for a little less because it is a step through frame, but in the right market with a little effort, it would give you a little pocket money.

As far as profiteering, a seller typically isn't forcing the buyer to buy the bike, so go for whatever you can get.

I would pay $150 for either of those bikes, delivered (were I so inclined). That's because I live in the coldest bike market in the US. Hardly anybody rides bikes here and there are very very few used bikes available for sale anywhere within a 60 mile radius.

I can't get the great deals off Craigslist because the nearest list is in a city 60 miles away, and by the time I get there they're sold to the flippers and just plain lucky few. So now I've just wasted my time and gas money for nothing. That sure will drive up the eventual cost of a bike when I finally do score.

So *my* best alternative is to pick and choose from the excellent selection of what's available on ebay and with a little restraint I can, and do, end up with some great deals on bikes that I would never even see in my lifetime let alone own... all just by punching a few buttons and letting others do the legwork to get the bike delivered. Easily worth the 50-60 bucks to me.

Sure, I know I often end up paying more, sometimes a lot more, than what the bike is *worth*, but the only other alternative for me is to do without! I'm sure I'm not the only one in this great big country in the same situation. And that my friends, is why stuff on ebay often sells for a premium.

So keep posting 'em guys. *I'll* sure not question your morality. ;) :D

I would pay $150 for either of those bikes, delivered (were I so inclined). That's because I live in the coldest bike market in the US. Hardly anybody rides bikes here and there are very very few used bikes available for sale anywhere within a 60 mile radius.

I can't get the great deals off Craigslist because the nearest list is in a city 60 miles away, and by the time I get there they're sold to the flippers and just plain lucky few. So now I've just wasted my time and gas money for nothing. That sure will drive up the eventual cost of a bike when I finally do score.

So *my* best alternative is to pick and choose from the excellent selection of what's available on ebay and with a little restraint I can, and do, end up with some great deals on bikes that I would never even see in my lifetime let alone own... all just by punching a few buttons and letting others do the legwork to get the bike delivered. Easily worth the 50-60 bucks to me.

Sure, I know I often end up paying more, sometimes a lot more, than what the bike is *worth*, but the only other alternative for me is to do without! I'm sure I'm not the only one in this great big country in the same situation. And that my friends, is why stuff on ebay often sells for a premium.

So keep posting 'em guys. *I'll* sure not question your morality. ;) :D

McDave,
Same scenario here...but in the South. I live in NC and have pretty much the same issues. I have several thrift shops that I hit on a regular basis along with an LBS keeping an eye for me. Last two good local scores was $8 for a 1984 Ladies Schwinn Collegiate 3sp coaster and $189 for a 2003 Staiger Florida (German trekking bike) other than that all I can find is broken Next bikes for $49.95...

Aaron:)

"The world is full of unweary suckers"

I've seen that twice in this thread and I like it!

I kinda think the word that was meant to be used was unwary but the way it comes out creates a mental image of a line of energetic people just waiting to be separated from their money. :)


:beer:

McDave,
.... Last two good local scores was $8 for a 1984 Ladies Schwinn Collegiate 3sp coaster .....


Do these have value? :D

There's a thrift not too far away that has one. It's been in the yard for a least a month. I have no idea what they want for it, but probably at least $20. I've passed on it because it is filthy, and shows a lot of rust on the fenders, etc. Just too much work to be done for what is probably at best a $60 resale.

Maybe I should go get it?

"The world is full of unweary suckers"

I've seen that twice in this thread and I like it!

I kinda think the word that was meant to be used was unwary but the way it comes out creates a mental image of a line of energetic people just waiting to be separated from their money. :)


:beer:

Funny, I actually laughed a bit when I read your analogy of the spelling.,,,,BD:p

Do these have value? :D


It did for me for two reasons...very small ladies frame 17" for my bride and lots of good stuff to put on other bikes. Alloy Weinman side pulls with alloy levers for one.

Aaron:)

It did for me for two reasons...very small ladies frame 17" for my bride and lots of good stuff to put on other bikes. Alloy Weinman side pulls with alloy levers for one.

Aaron:)

Aaron - just my poor attempt at humor.

Actually, I'm surprised the one I know of is languishing. t would be a great campus bike, assuming whoever picks it up knows how to get it back into riding trim.

Aaron - just my poor attempt at humor.

Actually, I'm surprised the one I know of is languishing. t would be a great campus bike, assuming whoever picks it up knows how to get it back into riding trim.

So pick it up redo it and make someone's day:D I have done that with a couple of Huffy ladies 3 speeds. Cost me a 1/2 day in labor and maybe $30 in new parts. Gave them to a couple of ladies at work. One actually commutes to work on it, on nice days:p I also strip bike for parts to give to the "urban bikers" we have in our small town and they do appreciate it! The extras at the end of the year go to the local bike charity. Frames that are unusable go to steel recycling last batch was about $45 worth...those gas pipe specials do have a purpose;) I never turn down a free bike no matter how crappy, if nothing else it goes to recycling instead of the dump.

Aaron:)