Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1978(?) Sekai Standard 500

I know what you're thinking: lower end, bike boom, and all that. Here's the thing: this bike is in near mint condition-you can read the date code on the brake cable housing!-and even a lower-end Sekai is a pretty decent bike, right? It's gong to need the usual TLC, but it's still got the factory air in the tires.

Even a lower-end Sekai is a pretty decent bike, right?

No. Cottered cranks, claw derailleur hanger, turkey levers, stem shifters, bottom end derailleurs, stamped steel side stand, stamped drop outs, steel rims, steel seat post, nutted axles, etc. Its not lower end, its bottom end.

No. Cottered cranks, claw derailleur hanger, turkey levers, stem shifters, bottom end derailleurs, stamped steel side stand, stamped drop outs, steel rims, steel seat post, nutted axles, etc. Its not lower end, its bottom end.

Don't mince words, now. Tell me straight ;)
Did I overpay at $50?

You did not over pay. The bike is in great looking condition and I would imagine polished up could bring perhaps $100.

That's what I was thinking. I've owned a couple of Sekais, so I respect the name, but I knew it wasn't anything extra-special. But the shape it's in-crikey! I didn't even know they put date-codes on brake-cable housing! I'll be content with getting $100 for it, once it's cleaned and greased.

As a keeper, $50 price is fine. As a flip, $50 price is too much. By the time you clean it up, refurbish it, spend on some consumable parts, and the time spent fixing it and marketing it, you are at about break even. And if you have any issues rehabbing it, you are in a negative situation. Just one flipper's opinion.

As a keeper, $50 price is fine. As a flip, $50 price is too much. By the time you clean it up, refurbish it, spend on some consumable parts, and the time spent fixing it and marketing it, you are at about break even. And if you have any issues rehabbing it, you are in a negative situation. Just one flipper's opinion.

I hear you, and if it had been in less than brand-new condition, I would have passed. But I don't think I'll need more than an hour or so to get it ready and post an ad. We'll see how it goes!

Cascadia, OR or WA? You can probably get $150 or more if you can sell at Portland or Seattle areas.

Cascadia, OR or WA? You can probably get $150 or more if you can sell at Portland or Seattle areas.

I'm in Olympia. I've had folks come down from Seattle to look at stuff. No harm in asking, is there?

I'm in Olympia. I've had folks come down from Seattle to look at stuff. No harm in asking, is there?

That's not far from Tacoma/Belleview... About an hour? you can probably get $150 in the SeaTac CL.

Maybe 45 min. from Tacoma, up to 1.5 hr. from Bellevue, depending on traffic etc. I've also gone up there for stuff, so it's all more or less the same neighborhood.