Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Yellow Japanese Police Bike?

Has anybody ever seen one of these? I'm not even sure what company makes it, although it does say "University Bicycles" on the badge.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/1473920684.html

Resembles an old Panisonic bike, could be 30 years or more, could be less. Japan market was different. That crank for instance never made to the US on such a bike, not exactly such a bike anyway.
Cool bike, weighs quite a bit, it's steel with lots o' steel parts. Older design than a 30 yr. old bike would have here, the parts that is. Wing Nuts instead of Q. release. That bike can't be THAT old. Dif. World.

Thanks, old and new... The seller just told me that he heard it was co-branded or something with Sanki. I think it was a frame made in the US and built up in Japan. I did a search on Sanki and found this thead

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?229666-Sanki-Japan-University-Bicycle-Co&highlight=sanki

Those big ugly lugs remind me of the "Senator" 10 speed I found a while ago.

I wouldn't pay $300 for the bike. If it were a men's frame, I'd consider $100 tops... but it's not.

It might not make much of a difference, but while living in Tokyo, I visited the Police Museum and the Japan cycling history Museum. I remember reading somewhere in one of these museums that Bridgestone was the sole contractor of police bicycles since the end of WW2. Seeing another maker's bike branded as a Japanese police bike sounds weird to me, but some research could maybe prove me wrong. What's more, Japanese police bikes still mainly use rod-actuated brakes and are painted in white. So, the yellow color and cables sound weird too.
Don't take my word as scientific proof that this is not a Japanese police bike, but details don't add up. This of course doesn't have anything to do with the quality of the bike in itself. I've learned to love Japanese no-frills commuting bicycles and I think that this one looks great, but 300USD is way too much. The average 3-speed bike in Japan costs around 200USD new, and beeing that those bikes are usually poorly made, the re-selling price goes drastically down as soon as you start using it. This brings us to say that only a "collector" factor could pull the price up... but is this a genuine vintage Japanese police bike?

kumotaki, I like what you write and must read some day more of the Japan market for sure, FACINATING.
If you ever decide to waiste your time and prefer to .... PM me and/or I'll provide my e-mail.

To you fellows; Sanki, Senator etc. It all stands to reason; Panasonic made by National was a US, Can. and European firm as far as marketed by. I was going by the lugs and other aspects comparing them to my Panasonics past & present. I don't believe that such bikes were made in the US, assbl. yes, welded no. It that was the case, Schwinn would've done the same. Schinns also got better lugs.
Another / additional theory : coming the backround that I do, I know that all things Japanese and American, in the realm of manufacturing end up elsewhere in far Asia whether it be man. materials or
Dies for automobile sheet metal, gas engine designs & tooling, musical instrument stuff... everything.
These bike could be Taiwanese, Malaysian or Chinese clones. As I'd noted, look at that pre 1973 crank.
It's a cool bike but I can think of many more and better bkies and things intrinsically more valueable.

Looks more like a NYC taxi cab bike. :lol: That thing is super low end, almost department store bike boom worthy (albeit in very clean condition). Would any police department put their officers on this?

+ Super low end, at a ridiculously high price.

Thanks for your input, folks! I am now eyeing a Peugeot mixte (I am a girl). I know this is probably considered expensive, but I don't have the time and knowledge to restore myself... so I'm looking for one that's pretty much ready to ride.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/1468469599.html

Looks as if it's imitating a taxi.

EDIT: JYB beat me to the draw.

-Kurt

Thanks for your input, folks! I am now eyeing a Peugeot mixte (I am a girl). I know this is probably considered expensive, but I don't have the time and knowledge to restore myself... so I'm looking for one that's pretty much ready to ride.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/1468469599.html

Honestly, that's about comparable to the Taxi bike, though it could be argued (by some) the Peugeot frame might offer a superior ride. However, the components are equally low end. Unfortunately, you're in SF, so you'll be paying a premium, and the Peugeot marque is well regarded, so you'll be paying extra for that too. On the bright side, it does look like both examples you've found are very clean and presumably ready to ride.

Thanks, JunkYardBike... When I get to the point of having parts replaced, will one be easier to find parts than the other? Or is it pretty much the same?

Thanks, JunkYardBike... When I get to the point of having parts replaced, will one be easier to find parts than the other? Or is it pretty much the same?

Should be fairly easy to find replacements for either, especially if you can locate a bike kitchen or co-op which both stock vintage parts for cheap (or free or trade). I'm not a Peugeot expert, but you may have to deal with a French threaded bottom bracket, which are somewhat more difficult to find replacements for, but not impossible. And if the BB is already in decent shape, and you keep it maintained, you really shouldn't have to replace it any time soon.

I'll add that the fenders on the Peugeot are definitely an upgrade if you plan to commute or ride on wet roads. The Peugeot will also retain its market value much better than the Taxi bike (which, as has been stated, has dubious origins and asking price).

Both are really grossly overpriced. The Peugeot is at least a mixte, which is a plus. The steel rims are a big negative.

That Peugeot will have french threaded bottom bracket, which will make replacing the cottered crank with something better expensive (Of course, you do not have to replace the crankset). Peugeot also has the dreaded plastic Simplex derailleur, which commonly self destruct. Those are the negatives (replacing the rear derailleur is no big deal). But its a mixte, and the yellow bike is junk and not worth considering.

If you have family/friends outside the area, I would have them start looking (or you can look in their area) and find something at a reasonable price. The first bike was 3X normal market, and the Peugeot is 2X normal market (which at least is closer to reality).

So if I was stuck paying San Fran prices, and in a hurry, I would probably give the Peugeot a shot. I would not consider the yellow bike. Personally, I would rather ride a modern MTB with slicks than either of these two bikes.

+1 The yellow bike will have very little/no long term resale value. The Peugeot will do much better retaining value, although you better sell it in San Fran before you move. I get a kick out of a local that bought a bike in Portland, OR (another ridiculous market), and is now trying to sell it where I live at a similar price. Won't happen! Kind of like trying to sell a snowblower in Florida....

Here's an example of a 1994 Trek 950, that I turned into a road bike for my wife (seat height is abnormally high as I had raised it to do a test ride of it myself- bike is too small for me). Much lighter weight, much better modern components (easy to find), much better wheels, great brakes, etc. I have $50 into it totally, although I got a deal on it, and had to do all of the rebuild work myself.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3229/2959020027_e798fa87a5_b.jpg

Both are really grossly overpriced. The Peugeot is at least a mixte, which is a plus. The steel rims are a big negative.

That Peugeot will have french threaded bottom bracket, which will make replacing the cottered crank with something better expensive.

+1 These definitely have vintage style, but if you plan any riding more significant than short, around-town trips, I'd seriously look at some modern commuter bikes in that price range. And while I agree with wrk101 that these are overpriced, that's what you're faced with in SF (though I'm sure you can probably negotiate down a bit). You'll get much more value for your dollar if you buy something more modern.

Thanks for the feedback, everybody! You guys are the best! I will hold onto my money for now and not pickup either.