Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Schwinn Le Tour?

I've been watching a Schwinn Le Tour on the local Craiglist for a few weeks. Originally offered at a higher price, the number has dropped to $80. The bike is my size and appears to be in decent shape from the pictures. $80 still seems a little high to me and I wondered if anyone here might be able to offer advice about what this bike might actually be worth assuming it's in good/fair shape.

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/bik/988380578.html

Vintage Schwinn bicycle. 1970's Le Tour 10 speed. almost new tires. Made in Japan for Schwinn. Quality lugged frame with center-pull brakes. Frame size is about 25",standover is approximately 34".$80.

http://images.craigslist.org/3n43k83m81f212713891bc286c076322b1a2b.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/3me3od3l61221321g891b49ebb7eb2ae31c52.jpg

http://images.craigslist.org/3n43m83o11141fd12b91b9fbeaccf574f1f96.jpg

I don't know the market in Knoxville, but out here $80 would be considered a bargain.

It's a mid-seventies LeTour, and the frame is lugged carbon steel with butted top tube and down tube. The weight of a 25" frame is probably going to be a little over 30 pounds.

I really wish sellers would learn to take at least one photo of the drive side directly from the side with the front wheel oriented straight ahead. This would alleviate buyers' anxieties about bent forks.

1974 Le Tour catalog page (http://www.geocities.com/sldbconsumer2/1974/74ccpg13b.jpg)

Kind of an average deal for around here. Really depends what you are looking for. I aim a little higher, get a bike with alloy wheels and a cromoly frame. Can't tell if that bike has a cottered crank, but I avoid them.

For a little more money ($100 to $150), you should be able to get a lot more bike.

Thanks to both of you for the great info.

Unfortunately the forum member who goes by fiataccompli has already purchased all the really cool old bikes selling for under $100 in the greater Knoxville area.

...Just kidding Chris.

I think for $40 I'd own this bike already but $80 or even if I could haggle it down to $60 it just feels like too much for how attracted I am to the bike. When I see it on CL I lust after it but I think I could probably get more "bang for my buck" elsewhere. We'll see how long my willpower holds out.

If you search Schwinn Le tour on the Jaxed.com site you'll find the average price is around $150. You'll see some for $300-$400 and some as low as $70.

http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=cpbike&itm=schwinn&loc=&fil=le+tour&ys=1900&ye=1982&submit=++++go++++

Hey, I resemble that comment. Thankfully, bikes that fit me are too small for HandsomeRyan.

$80 isn't terrible if you don't need to buy parts for it...and it fits.