Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Blue Viscount and Purple Giante

I was given these bicycles as gift to" relieve space" at a relatives house. I was wondering what they might be worth? If you guys can identify these it would help a lot. If you need anymore pictures let me know. Thank you. :)

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/ston2883/DSC_0087.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/ston2883/DSC_0031-2.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/ston2883/DSC_0038-3.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/ston2883/DSC_0037-4.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/ston2883/DSC_0034-2.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/ston2883/DSC_0033-2.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/ston2883/DSC_0032-3.jpg

Turn the Viscount around, take a photo from the other side. We need to see the drivetrain/crankset to tell you how good it is.

But both bikes have dummy levers, so I'd say they're both roughly entry to entry-mid road bikes. They aren't equipped with high-end components, and aren't near the top-end of the Viscount and Gitane model line. The Mavic rims are nice, can't tell much about the hubs on the Gitane.

As far as value, depends on what your hope is - they probably don't have tons of value to a collector or restorer, but would make decent around-town/errand bikes if restored. Value would probably be roughly $100 apiece in rideable condition. In current state, worth less.

The Gitane is a big bike. It might be too big for you. It's also the better bike. If it has tubular tires, you'll want to replace the wheels, unless you love riding fast and spending lots of time and money maintaining your tires.

Gitane is big enough for me :innocent:

I don't know, that Viscount looks like a nice example. Is that a "death fork"?

I don't know, that Viscount looks like a nice example. Is that a "death fork"?

No, the death fork was unpainted aluminum; and was only found on the Aerospace G.P.

-James

I don't know, that Viscount looks like a nice example. Is that a "death fork"?

Not likely. That one looks like good old steel.

Both of those bikes seem barely used. +1 on a drive side on the Viscount (but they used proprietary parts often). The Gitane is worth much more parted (because French treaded parts are expensive). I think that you could easily make $300-400 on both of these (with the Gitane parted and sold on ebay piece by piece and the Viscount sold on CL)

(and I am sure that this thread will go to the appraisals sub-forum soon :) )

That Viscount is a later model so it should not have any proprietary parts on it.

That Viscount is a later model so it should not have any proprietary parts on it.

That's right. I can't remember, but it's either Japanese made or something like it. The previous model (Aerospace) was made by Lambert, with weird Lambert parts. I think this one was not made by Lambert.

+1 The Viscount is entry level, nothing special, but very clean. Would make a good entry level recreational ride.

+1 The Gitane is the better of the two, up a couple of steps from entry level. Looks to be very clean as well. If it fits, it would be worth keeping, otherwise, I would sell them both and use the proceeds to get a bike that fits.

More pictures of the Viscount. Thanks for all the input guys! I guess I will part out the Giante and keep the Viscount to ride.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/ston2883/DSC_0037-6.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/ston2883/DSC_0039-2.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/ston2883/DSC_0040-3.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/ston2883/DSC_0038-5.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r155/ston2883/DSC_0041-1.jpg

Unless the photo is unusually distorted, the Viscount has the customary C&V bent front end from a collision. Stem is up past the minimum insertion point, too.

+1 on the stem being up too far on the Viscount

I'll withhold any bent fork opinion until I see a better picture.

OP, please take a picture of the Viscount from the drive side from a closer to the ground perspective. Please make sure the handlebars are straight, too.