Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Vintage Ritchey Fillet Braze MTN (pics)

Hello,

Thanks for taking a moment to check this posting and hopefully you can lend a hand!

This a recent purchase, a 1985 Ritchey Timber Comp or Super Comp (not positive because only S.C. had roller cam brakes in the front and back like mine), it is full 4130 fillet brazed frame made by Tom Ritchey, the parts are mostly Shimano XT, the stem and bars were upgraded with Ritchey Force/Force Lite, the original wheels are gone, and (lastly) the paint is in pretty bad shape. Here is a link to my posted description with pictures on velospace:

http://velospace.org/node/23148

I'm interested in what you think is a fair price for the bike? Obviously, paint condition and such is a factor, I bought it simply for the frame and fork... early fillet brazed Ritchey... I was brought up as Ritchey was a god and his frames were the Holy Grail.

I would love to restore the condition of the bike back to original but I can't find anything about replacement decals anywhere online. Does any have any leads to some Ritchey frame decals or quality decal remanufacturing? All the custom repop places have huge minimum orders.

Thanks again for taking the time, I really appreciate it!

-DON-

My local flea markt has a guy that cuts decals, I'm sure there's someone local to you who can do something similar.

The flea market guy will scan a picture of the decal and then proportion it to size. Obviously a picture of curved decal will be skewed but if you take good measurement it can be done.

Have you contacted Ritchey?

Check for decals with the "official" painter for Ritchey (from MTBR.com):

Rick at D&D Cycles, (510)278-2976.

Cool bike BTW ...

Bob

Cool! Thanks Bob, I appreciate you pointing me to the best guy for the job! I can't imagine a more connected person that may be able to help me out on my decal search. I'll be calling Rick over at D&D tomorrow.

Thanks again,

-DON-

Hello again,

Any ideas as to worth?

If you're holding out because you think I'm trying to flip it, I'm not. I already left Rick a message at D&D Cycles about decals and a repaint. Thank you Bob for the lead and the phone number.

I came across MuttsButts on Velospace who has a beautiful '85 1/2 Ritchey Timber, he is the original owner and it looks as nice as the day he bought it. He told me that he paid $1,150.00 when new. Mine will never be what his is, near perfect, 95% original condition. I'm not building a trophy bike. Mine is beat, parts have been swapped, still with Ritchey parts at least, I plan to build to ride. Maybe some nice new XT or XTR parts to go along with the XT already onboard. Everything I've ever known about Tom's bikes is how plush the ride is and how they climb like a goat. Plus, the beautiful craftsmanship is a big bonus too.

I need something to tell my insurance guy... is this worth noting on my policy, like my wife's Simonetti race bike, or should I not bother? I honestly don't know how often early Ritchey bikes pop up on the radar, hence why I turned to you guys. Thanks for the help so far, please keep it coming!

Best regards,

-DON-

Any ideas as to worth?I'd say $500 - $700. I haven't stayed on top of Ritchey MTB sales lately though.

A few years back I bought a too tall Ritchey and a too small Ritchey built Fisher for around $100 each and sold them for $500 and $600 if I remember right. I bought a very nice Ritchey Commando for $550 and, when pressed for cash, sold it back to the guy I bought it from for the same price (though I could have got quite a bit more for it I think). Should have kept it ... :(

http://www.oldmountainbikes.com/cgi-bin/bikes.cgi?bike=253
http://www.oldmountainbikes.com/cgi-bin/bikes.cgi?bike=0 0 8 0
http://www.oldmountainbikes.com/cgi-bin/bikes.cgi?bike=1B291

Bob

Good news today!

Rick from D&D Cycles returned my call, he said he did have decals available. I owe all this to Bob, thanks so much for taking the time to get me Rick's number. Also, thank you for the valuation on my Ritchey, I was thinking around $500.00 and that would be worth including on my policy.

MuttsButts was right, this is the place to get your answers... thanks for the help!

Have a great weekend!

-DON-