Recumbent - Fair Price for this Tour Easy?

I'm looking at a used Tour Easy advertised like this:

---
For Sale, $900: 68inch wheelbase (large) Easy Racers Tour Easy recumbent bike. I am not the first owner. I have had it for about 8 years. Structurally it is perfect. No breaks or bends in the frame. It's a little grimy but that's just cosmetic. The seat is a clean and very comfortable mesh in fine condition. The gears are bar-end and work fine, very reliable and easy to use. The brakes are fine. It's got high-pressure tires in good shape. It's a great bike and it rides fine. I am 6'2 and this bike is an excellent size for me. I think it would work for anyone between 6' and 6'4. This bike has no "issues", it's been very reliable.
---

I've asked the seller for more info on the bike, including the number of speeds, and whatever info he can get re: components manufacturers and model numbers. Haven't heard back yet.

My concern is that I don't (yet) know the age of the bike. The owner says it "looks a little worn" and he really doesn't know the age of the bike except that he bought it used "about 8 years" ago. My questions are:

- Given the info so far, does $900 seem like a fair price?
- Assuming I get more info about # of speeds, components, etc. is there a website that can help me identify the year the bike was manufactured?
- Were there any design flaws in earlier Tour Easy's that have since been worked out that I should be aware of?

It seems Tour Easy's have been manufactured since 1979. How do I know whether this bike is 10 or 15 or 20 or 25 years old? Any clues in the advertisement? The bike is red, with a silver fork, which seems like the current color scheme.

Tour Easy's have changed very little over the years, and no problems have been noted, so any year should be fine. That is, as long as the previous owners took good care of it.

As for $900, that is, in my opinion, on the hi side. I got mine with 10 years and about 50 miles on it for $650. Even came with the full front fairing. A friend of mine just got one a couple of days ago for $400, no fairing.
But newish ones in good shape can get up to $1,200. And BRAND NEW, they're over 2 Grand.
So $900 isn't tooo bad, but because it's dirty, offer $600 and see what happens.

Good luck! :D

Who knows what a layer of dirt can hide? Chipped/gouged paint, rust... I'd expect him to clean it up and supply pics, unless I was inspecting it in person. An 8-10 years old TE would likely be a 7 or 8 speed cassette in back. If you expect a more modern drive train, factor that into the price.

This TE Recently sold on BROL for $650 (http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=34967) to give you something to compare to:

"SOLD. Thanks to those who expressed interest.

Hi folks.

Selling a classic dark blue Tour Easy featuring:

- Upgraded Carbon Cobra seat
- New Armadillo rear and Primo Comet front tires
- All Shimano drivetrain
- Don't know the size but has a 67" wheelbase (I'm 5'10" and it has plenty of adjustability especially for someone shorter)

Not sure of the year but I'd guess around 1990 from the components. Price reduced to $650 or best offer, prefer local pickup in SF Bay Area but would ship if buyer covers costs.

Please e-mail me if you'd like full-sized pictures or have questions. Thanks."

Keep in mind you could easily spend $300-$400 if the drivetrain/wheels/tires need work.

Thanks for the feedback. That was helpful.

I've walked away from the opportunity. Turns out the bike is an 18 speed, which could make it as much as 20 years old. Seller says frame has some rust too.

The search continues...