Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Sekai 2700

Recently purchased a Sekai 2700 off CL for $100. The CL ad just said "Sekai Road Bike" with a blury pic and not much more really. I replied and followed through with a tire kicking session and was pleasantly surprised with components and condition of this bike. The original owner said he paid $500 for it new in 1980. Frame is Tange Champion tubing with Suntour GT Derailluers and downtube shifters. I have replaced the tires, tubes and seat at this point. I like steel frames and I feel like I got a bargain here. How does Tange Champion measure up with Reynolds 531, Columbus, etc.?

There are lots of grades of Tange Champion, anywhere from "5" (the cheapest, heaviest grade) to "1", the top grade. There should be a number on the decal.

Search the forum on Tange tubing, someone had a good write-up on it versus other tubing. Be sure to check the sort by relevance box. Whether it measures up to Reynolds 531 or not, buyers respond better to Reynolds in my experience.

I have three vintage bikes with Tange tubing right now, from #5 to #1.

I don't believe that bike sold for $500 new, seller's memory slipped a little on that. Probably more like $300 to $350. Doesn't really matter anyway. Are those chainrings steel? They kind of look like it, hard to tell from the picture.

Great find for $100!

Are you sure about the model of derailleurs? I would have thought it had Suntour Vx or Suntour Cyclone (both are good but the Cyclone is the better model).

Good looking bike!

No number on the Tange decal...............

Cranks and rings are alloy with a nice spidered drive side arm, dust caps say Sugino and backside of crankarm says "MIGHTY TOUR" with a crown logo on the front side.

If he paid 3 OR 5, I still think he still scored a nice ride in 1980.

Thanks for the info..........I will do the Tange search.

Here's a picture of a typical Tange Champion decal (took the picture before I rebuilt the bike). Note the #1 on the label. This is from my 1983 Lotus.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3651793491_43bfa42afb.jpg

I am familiar with Tange #1 and #2 but did realize there were 5 levels of Tange Champion. Here's a pic I just took. Perhaps I can get a better one in the daylight.

Wow! I have never seen that style decal before.