Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - American Flyer 1981 Emperor 10 Speed

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PDA
Tensen.Adam
08-25-09, 08:52 PM
All links are to photographs of components mentioned.

Picked this up on Sunday. (http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs149.snc1/5535_121946338731_761223731_2440920_2813022_n.jpg)
I presume it is from 1981 based upon the first two digits of the serial number being "81" (http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs149.snc1/5535_121946378731_761223731_2440928_4157459_n.jpg)

Frame: Size: Just a bit too small for me @ 6'2" w/ 34" inseam, will size later.
Frame: Lugged. Not overly ornate, but not straight. Brass brazing.
Frame: Alloy: "012 Hi-Tension Tubes & Forks" (http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs149.snc1/5535_121946343731_761223731_2440921_1192882_n.jpg)
Frame: Aluminum/Alloy [non-magnetic] Nitto Olympiade drop bars (http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs149.snc1/5535_121946313731_761223731_2440916_5312725_n.jpg) (don't know how to size)
Frame: Headbadge there w/ original paint(?) & stickers, like new condition. (http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs129.snc1/5535_121946328731_761223731_2440919_6978382_n.jpg)
Frame: Seat: Something called: The Seat, actually surprisingly comfortable to ride with.

Brakes: Dia-Compe drilled brake levers (http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs149.snc1/5535_121946408731_761223731_2440934_6323760_n.jpg) & matching side pull brakes (http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs129.snc1/5535_121946403731_761223731_2440933_7672762_n.jpg).

Drive: Shifters: Suntour tension on the downtube (http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs129.snc1/5535_121946393731_761223731_2440931_136711_n.jpg) (sorry out of focus slightly)
Drive: Sugino crankset (http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs129.snc1/5535_121946358731_761223731_2440924_1871525_n.jpg) (not sure how to find model #) [magnetic]
Drive: Rear Derailleur: Sun Tour V-GTluxe (http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs149.snc1/5535_121946348731_761223731_2440922_2650873_n.jpg)
Drive: Front Derailleur: Sun Tour (http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs149.snc1/5535_121946423731_761223731_2440937_8147646_n.jpg) (Unknown)

Wheelset: Rims: Araya 27" X1 1/4" w/o HP (http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs129.snc1/5535_121946428731_761223731_2440938_711711_n.jpg) [non-magnetic]
Wheelset: Hub: unknown (how do I check?) [unknown] & Spokes: unknown [magnetic] quick release setup of some sort on front and rear.
Wheelset: Tires: no dry rot or blemishes. Undersized for the rims perhaps @ 27 x 1 1/8? (http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs149.snc1/5535_121946318731_761223731_2440917_7650646_n.jpg)

Link to gallery on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=102408&id=761223731&l=a99bce38e7

My questions would be:
1. What do you think a reasonable price for this bicycle would be? (I am uncertain if I overpaid and therefore I won't say what I paid).
2. Would it be wrong for me to say that this entire bike looks like NOS?
3. Is there anything that I should look out for in terms of maintenance that you see in the photos? (I do not intend to transition to this as my commuter, my Puch serves me quite well).

wrk101
08-26-09, 12:52 PM
$150 in ready to ride, polished up condition (new tires, tubes, cables and grease). High ten steel frame, steel crank, and lower level components are the limiting factors. Looks close to NOS, but I would not call it that due to some build up and minor rust on clamps.

For personal use, if you are comfortable with the tires, then I would pull the bottom bracket, replace bearings and grease, do the same with the hubs. I would flush the freewheel and relube it and I would replace all the cables and perhaps the brake pads.

Regardless of how good the bike looks (and it does look good!), general consumable items are at or past their useful life.

Estimate might be a little less than $150 if this is a department store bike. I don't recognize the brand, and there were many department store rebranded bikes during that era. If it is a dept store bike, its one of the better ones!