Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Looking for info on...

My uncle bought a bike at a yard sale for $20. It's a "Lotus Prestige" 10 spd (road bike,obviously the "10spd" and "road bike" aren't mutually exclusive :roflmao2:) and asked me (being a bike freak) if I knew anything about it. Told him I wasn't very knowledgable on things road bike,but I knew of some peeps who were (you guys :love:). The bike looks to me to be in near mint condition,and has brand name parts hanging off it (can't remember specifics,been a couple weeks). I'll try and ride down there this week and shoot a pic or two.

Can anybody tell me anything (to pass along to my i-net challenged uncle) about em? Any websites/links,value info,etc,etc,etc? He's under the impression it's,like a $3000 bike (:eek:),in late 70's dollars.

Thanks in advance for any help :)

He is dreaming.

Lotus is just another one of the good Japanese brands from the late 70s and 80s. They made nice bikes, but nothing for $3000.

I have never seen much info on Lotus on the web. It was a minor brand, not as popular as some of the Japanese brands of that era. The brand of bike really doesn't matter much anyway. The only thing Lotus about that bike is the frame, the wheels, all components, etc., all came from the same Japanese suppliers all of the manufacturers were using. In fact, in the case of Lotus, they didn't even make the frame. Lotus was a marketing company.

Yeah, I've had a couple of them. Nice bikes. Pretty colors too. Not top of the line but well made.

There are some nice high end Lotus' out there, probably not $3,000 though. I am sure someone here may chime in with more info.

Here's an OLD THREAD (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=47382) on Lotus bikes that might provide some insight. It includes a link to an '81(?) Lotus catalog: LINK (http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/joe_bunik/lotus/catalog/?g2_page=2).

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa257/longhaultruker2/my%20bikes/Friends%20Bikes/HaroldsLotus1.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa257/longhaultruker2/my%20bikes/Friends%20Bikes/HaroldsLotus6.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa257/longhaultruker2/my%20bikes/Friends%20Bikes/HaroldsLotus5.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa257/longhaultruker2/my%20bikes/Friends%20Bikes/HaroldsLotus4-1.jpg

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa257/longhaultruker2/my%20bikes/Friends%20Bikes/HaroldsLotus2.jpg

Any idea on it's worth?

Take off the reflectors, pull up the seatpost about 6 inches, lower the stem about 2 inches, adjust the handlebars so that they are level with the ground and take some good photos of it and he will get $200 for it on CL.

I have a crazy uncle too, god bless them*



*I have a feeling that, in private, my nieces and nephews might say that I am their crazy uncle ;)

LMBO (laugh my BUTT off)! I don't call him my crazy uncle,but my uncle who thinks his'n doesn't stink :roflmao2:-He's gunna be sooo disappointed,he thought he was sitting on a goldmine,LOL! :twitchy::rolleyes:

I'll tell him. It's a nice looking ol bike,tho,but he only saw an investment,never rode it. (he did that one time back in the '90s w/ an early 80's Stumpjumper-I tried to buy it of him for a couple years "naw,I want to keep it",then a couple years later,he drove over just to tell me he'd sold it dirt cheap...I wanted to ride it,sigh). Thanks :)

Dang, no kidding that thing is in nice shape. I'll echo the statements above, stage it for some really nice pictures and slap it up on craigslist. One other tip, don't use the crappy craigslist pictures, embed the full size image into the body it's easy to do.

I wonder what the 22 is written on the seat tube for, maybe this was a rental bike at one time?

+1 $200, maybe $225 in a really good market. Will make someone a nice ride. I love my Lotus.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/3113301693_a54275fd8e.jpg

Thanks guys! :)

I'd like to have it myself,seeing as I don't own a roadie (but do road rides 50% of the time),but I been there w/ him on a bike before...I tried for a year to buy one from him-offered him more than it was worth (had sentimental value to me,twas a friend's bike before he got it),wouldn't sell it,then a year or so later I saw him out and "I sold that old mtn bike of Frog's"....so I'll pass along the info,but I ain't even gunna make an offer (even tho I'd like to have it,just my size,purdy color...).