Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Picked up this Royce Union 10 Speed

Hey there,

I just picked up this Royce Union 10 speed for 20 bucks from my local Kijiji site. I'm getting the bike tomorrow so I'll have a better look at it when it's dropped off but I was wondering if anyone has any info on the brand or this model in the meantime. I've read sheldon brown's bit on the brand but other people have said that their frames were made in more places than just Japan. Thanks in advance, take care!

Royce Union bikes don't get a lot of traffic on here. The one in your picture, with the stem shifters and kick stand, appears to be from the lower end of their line. But, it should make a good rider with some clean up.

Are those cottered cranks?

haha not sure actually but that would be interesting if they are. i will be getting the bike tomorrow at 530 so i'll post more pictures and the answer to your question then. thanks for the info as well! i'll try and find out more later. i'm thinking of putting together some components I have laying around if the frame looks worthy. I have shimano 600 arabesque front and rear derailleurs, as well as some sakae custom drop bars. unfortunately my miyata 710 frame is in far worse shape than i thought, dents on the top tube and some nasty damage from the chain on the chainstay

I recently had &^ flipped one that looked much like it. Turned out to be basically good bike. Note: Tires were 28"

Update:

Ok so I got the bike today and it was in interesting condition to say the leas haha but definitely can be cleaned up.

The components I could identify were as follows:

Front Derailleur: Shimano Thunderbird
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Eagle (which apparently is the same as a lark but has a fender)
Bars: Alps Road Champion
Shifters: Suntour bartops (not sure of the model)
Brakes: no name rusted junk
Brake leavers: Cherry???

Other than that I couldn't identify what they were. That being said I don't know too much so I'm sure someone else can id them. I will be posting more pictures in the near future.

A few interesting notes/things that confused me:

- the cable guides were old clamp on ones from the 70s that through the rust appear to say Suntour
- the rear derailleur was put on stangely with some sort of screw with a strange clamp system that looks like it was improvised
- it almost looks like there is nowhere for a bolt on rear derailleur but this is just based on my other bikes which have an obvious hangar, whereas this frame was symmetrical on both sides
- finally the weirdest thing was the back wheel which on the non freewheel side had a large threaded thing that seemed to serve no purpose

If anyone has any info on these components or knows what I may have on my hands it would be greatly appreciated if you would comment. Thanks in advance!