Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1983 Trek 640 value

Folks, I've been offered a 1983 Trek 640 in my size. The seller wants $300. From the one pic he sent, it looks to be reasonably well preserved. These bikes were Reynolds 531c framesets and Campy Gran Sport components. A search of the forums didn't turn up much, so any experience with these bikes or opinions on value?

Thanks,

Neal

That price is kind of the high end. Something more like $225 to maybe $250, in excellent, clean and ready to ride condition.

Vintage steel Treks bring $$$. I've seen some low end Treks, like the 330, sell for over $200. Another 330 was posted at $150 and disappeared within 48 hours last year. Two small framed Treks, one a 412, the other a 440, in very nice condition, went around $150 each, very quickly, one in less than a day last year.
If the basic bikes are bringing that much that fast when prices were lower, I'd be willing to consider the $300 price. If it's a good fit and it's what you want as a rider, go look at it and see if the seller is negotiable. Also, what are these going for on the bay with shipping. Treks with Reynolds 531 are not that common and tend to bring nice $$$. BTW, I'm assuming you are referring to a complete bike.
Oh, one more thing. I have two steel Treks a 400 and a 560, they are excellent riders although they are not Reynolds 531.

I got a 1985 660 on CL 3 weeks ago for frame fork and the original Stronglight headset in really good condition... for $100
I consider it a bargain even though I got all crazy and bought some very nice parts for it.
The ride is awesome. Reynolds 531cs

I have an '83 600, same 3 main tube 531c frameset. I paid $80 for mine, but it had a mish-mash of non-original components and was spray-bombed. It's looking much happier now, :) but I haven't ridden it yet as it needs the right headset to complete it.
For $300 your bike should have good tires, brake pads, and be ready to ride. But I'd still try to find a way to buy it.

Vintage steel Treks bring $$$. I've seen some low end Treks, like the 330, sell for over $200. Another 330 was posted at $150 and disappeared within 48 hours last year. Two small framed Treks, one a 412, the other a 440, in very nice condition, went around $150 each, very quickly, one in less than a day last year.
If the basic bikes are bringing that much that fast when prices were lower, I'd be willing to consider the $300 price. If it's a good fit and it's what you want as a rider, go look at it and see if the seller is negotiable. Also, what are these going for on the bay with shipping. Treks with Reynolds 531 are not that common and tend to bring nice $$$. BTW, I'm assuming you are referring to a complete bike.
Oh, one more thing. I have two steel Treks a 400 and a 560, they are excellent riders although they are not Reynolds 531.

Probably right. Steel Treks are highly sought after. I have sold several in the last year, none lasted very long.

The average buyer out there recognizes just a couple of brands: Schwinn, Trek, Peugeot, and maybe a few more. As a result, they will tend to pay a premium for it.

Probably right. Steel Treks are highly sought after. I have sold several in the last year, none lasted very long.

Highly sought after because they have been real bargains. They're not highly sought after in and of themselves (i.e. because of workmanship - heck, robots brazed many of them). If they become less of a bargain, they'll be less sought after. Simple math. $300 is pushing the ceiling for a 600-level Trek, but it's certainly not bad, especially if the condition is really good (not sure what "reasonably well preserved" means in this regard.)

For what it's worth, sometime last year I bought an '85 Trek 600 (shimano 600 group) in nice condition for $325. After looking around here, I figured I had really overpaid because of all the bargain basement prices people mentioned, but the bike road great, was light for steel (sub 22 lbs.) and I had a lot of fun on it. Eventually I realized I wasn't really using it much and we moved and it just seemed like I should sell it. I put it back up on craigslist here in san francisco and sold it within a week for $300.

Hey Neal, How'd you make it? Did you buy the bike?

Highly sought after because they have been real bargains. They're not highly sought after in and of themselves (i.e. because of workmanship - heck, robots brazed many of them). If they become less of a bargain, they'll be less sought after. Simple math. $300 is pushing the ceiling for a 600-level Trek, but it's certainly not bad, especially if the condition is really good (not sure what "reasonably well preserved" means in this regard.)

I agree. A full Reynolds 531c only gets you so far and full Campy GS only gets you so far as well. Lets face it, an 80's steel Trek is still a Trek. ZERO provenance from back in the day.

If your the end user and the bikes in very good condition $250-300.
Any rust anywhere $200 max.

Hey Neal, How'd you make it? Did you buy the bike?

I've been out of town since early Friday morning, so I haven't had to make a decision. But based on the feedback you all have given (thanks!) and on the fact that I already have way too many bikes, I think I'm going to pass on this one. At this point, I want to save my pennies to add something truly interesting to the fleet.

Neal