Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1983 Trek 620

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/bik/1308957736.html

Well I didn't get the Iron Man I found as it was in pretty bad shape. I'm liking this trek 620 which looks like an 83. Seller won't go down from $300. What say you guys? He doesn't have the stock bars anymore and I hate the ones on there now. Thanks for your advice.

So change the bars. Have you seen what old Treks in touring trim sell for these days. Hell, put bars and levers on it and flip it on ebay for a bill.

+1 With the right bars and levers, this is easily a $400 bike, likely even more than that, assuming excellent condition. One just went for $510 on ebay, plus shipping!

The guy sent me some close up pics. The thing looks to be in immaculate condition. I told him I'd do $300 and he agreed. Going to pick it up this weekend. I'm going to change the bars but not sure about trekking or drops yet. I'll probably change the saddle and pedals but that's it. I can't believe how good of shape this thing appears to be in. Thanks guys. I'll post pics when I get it.

Excellent buy! In tip top shape, it is easily worth $500 or more.

i'd say if you clean and tune it up properly and put a period-correct bar on it, you can fetch $400-500 easily on ebay. it's just one step below trek's top range 700 series, which get ungodly sums on ebay.

here's my recent trek 400 flip (bought and sold on ebay):

bought for $126 SHIPPED
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170362574992

sold for $480
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140341037856&ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT

my intention wasn't to flip. i had wanted to keep it, but it was just too big for me.

all i did was put new bar tape on ($10) and gave the bike a tune-up (free, didn't need much except for minor adjustments, lubing, and cleaning-- it must have been stored for all if not most of its life). heck, this thing was perfect had it not been for a huge 5" gash to the paint caused by the idiot seller's poor packaging and the fact that the seller destroyed the original bar tape trying to get the bar off... i could have flipped it for even more had it not been for the seller's rough-shod ways.

the fact that the 620 you bought has the full reynolds 531 frame and fork, is a 1983 (later 80s aren't quite as collectible), and is in great shape means that you can easily flip it and turn at *least* a small profit if not a bill or two. if you want to keep it and enjoy it (it's a beautiful bike!!), then fear not that you can always turn it around at any point in the future and make your money back plus some. good catch, you did well!

here's my recent trek 400 flip (bought and sold on ebay):


Ha. Nice work. There was a thread here the other day where someone was basically calling shenanigans on your auction.



As for the original bike in this thread, if you replace those bars with drops, you will also need new brake levers and shift levers. Personally, I think that stem should go too.

Will most certainly replace that stem to something that looks like the original. I will probably go with drops with hoods and brake levers. Not sure on what shift levers I should use. Any suggestions on those would be nice. Thanks guys. And I found a slightly used Honey B17 for it too.

Not sure on what shift levers I should use. Any suggestions on those would be nice.

(Unless you're set on using trekking bars) I'd definitely go with a set of bar ends on that bike. Classic friction Suntour Barcons would be perfect for that bike.

In addition to trekking or drop bars, moustache bars would also look pretty sweet on that bike if that's your thing.

I'm almost set on drop bars. Leaning toward barcon shifters but may go with downtube as per the original specs. I appreciate everyone's insight. I really don't think I'll flip this bike. I'm keeping it and riding the hell out of it.

Ha. Nice work. There was a thread here the other day where someone was basically calling shenanigans on your auction.

oh, there were shenanigans, for sure, but with one of the bidders. ;)

+1 I would install a set of Suntour barcons.