Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 73 Schwinn Suburban

Normally I think I have a pretty decent understanding of the Schwinn values. This one is in much better shape than any I have previously sold so I thought I might get your opinions. I would say the paint condition is a 8.5/10 with very marks. The decals are in near perfect condition and the chrome is nearly flawless. There is a small dent in the rear fender and the bulk of the scratches are in that area. Everything has been cleaned and repacked with fresh grease including rebuilding the derailleur. The cables and chain are also new. The tires are not new but are in good shape and the wheels spin true. I am going to remove the lights since they were free from a forum member, all of the other parts are original to the bike.

I usually sell in the Cleveland / Columbus / Akron / Canton Ohio Markets. Columbus has Ohio State University and a decent bicycle community.

A few highlights:
-Tubular Fork
-Suntour rachet shifter, not as common as the stick shifter
-Hi-flange alloy hubs
-27" wheels
-Lime green

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3566/3668446471_1a3577e7b1_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3654364572_633160da3c_o.jpg

I took these pics before I finished it:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3654360454_821bcec2f2_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3654359662_dd08517a03_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/3653562883_fcff57473e_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3654359184_01bd8d9d5f_o.jpg
I spent a lot of time cleaning all of these old bolts too:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3653562459_7fcf6850ee_o.jpg
Nearly perfect decals:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3380/3653562099_7d7af78587_o.jpg
The worst of the damage:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2469/3653564713_39d3d190da_o.jpg

I am not expecting mega-bucks or anything, I just feel like I undervalue many of the things I have.

Nice bike, I really like that color. Unfortunately, it takes a really special buyer to appreciate it. I would be tempted to ask $150 for it around here. Be prepared to post multiple times until that buyer appears.

Sometimes bikes have a really small market, so you either give them away, or you patiently wait for an appreciative buyer. I have learned to be patient. In my case, it helps that I have been running out of inventory, so giving away a nice bike does not make much sense when I have very few bikes left.

The bottom feeders will try to offer you $50 for the bike. Someone who is looking for a bike like yours will gladly pay full price!

I have a Suburban myself to finish.

Thanks for the opinion, that is along the lines of what I was thinking. I was guessing 135.00 was a fair price with 150 as a hopeful price. It would be a keeper if it was a larger size, as cliche as that is to say.

That's good to hear. I know you study values closely and I appreciate your input.

Nice bike, I really like that color. Unfortunately, it takes a really special buyer to appreciate it. I would be tempted to ask $150 for it around here. Be prepared to post multiple times until that buyer appears.

I agree, $150 price would be a fair value for this solid vintage rider. You must also promote the ready to ride fact in your listing, and if the tires have signs of cracking I would suggest investing the 25 or 30 in new tires and increase the price.

The candy colors are drawing attention today, and yet at half a price of a low end LBS offering, this is a bargain. I have noticed a greater respect for these bikes in my area this season, even my LBS has taken in some as in-store credit on new bikes, then reconditioned them, and placed in their used rack with sub $200 prices, and found these were the first to find new homes.

Finding the right buyer and being patient is sometimes the hard part.