Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Opportunity to purchase Nishiki Ultimate...Need advice here guys.

I have the chance to purchase a from what I can tell mint condition Nishiki Ultimate. It has full Campy parts, NR, I believe. I noticed that the pedals were silver and black and were Campy as well. The bike is black with subtle red accents. I believe I also noticed some chrome on the rear chain stays and possibly on the lugs as well? It appears to be a 56cm or similar size.

The ONLY thing on the bike that is not original are the shifters. He said he has them switch out the Campy DT shifters (soooo sad!!) for some Suntour bar ends (yuuukkk). I hope this will not hold the value of the bike back too much.

At any rate, I don't have any pictures of it, but he told me to think about what I wanted to offer him and get back with him when I had an offer. He is definitely smart;not an idiot. What do you all think a bike like this would bring on Ebay, CL, or even on here? Any guestimates would be greatly appreciated as I need to know the max I can can pay for this thing. FYI, it's too small for me to ride comfortably.

Really? No one can chime in here?

Campy down tube shifters are not that expensive if you want to switch it back.

I can appreciate why members are not chiming in. Prices vary widely depending the local market and your profile doesn't state the region. Without pics there's no way to assess the cosmetic and mechanical condition, determine if they are Nuovo Record parts or if the bicycle is even an Ultimate. A true Ultimate would be early 1980s, full Campagnolo Nuovo Record/Record, including the brakes, with Campagnolo dropouts. Chrome was typically limited to the drive side chain stay and fork crown. Black was the common color, with the head tube, seat tube bands and decals in red. White pinstriping on the lugs. These bicycles are quite rare and were one of West Coast Cycle's Supply's attempts to crack the high end market. One in good condition, in an average market would probably sell for $300 - $400 US.

So if I understand your buying to flip it?

I would ask the seller a few things... Why he wants to sell it? and What his asking price is? From those two question you can gauge how flexible the seller maybe on price. I never make an offer on a bike unless I have some idea what the seller wants... I don't like insulting people and wasting my time with lowball offers that a seller wont take and on the other hand I don't want to over pay what a seller is willing to take.

here is a link to an ebay nishiki ultimate that didn't sell... due to reserve not met... at $300

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rt=nc&nma=true&item=140448647065&si=iRBtzVcLcG8dubl0SuGtRRzrjas%253D&viewitem=&category=159000#ht_500wt_1076

it was a large frame 62 cm which may have hindered the sale.

hope that helps

Well, the components aside from the saddle, bar tape, and shifter,s everything I noted was indeed Campy NR. Crank set, pedal, brakes, derailers, hoods/levers. The bike is Mint as far as I can tell as well. my region is not super important to know, I was just wondering in general what this bike woudl bring in mint cond. So I assume $400 to the right buyer would be a good deal eh? I may not even sell it to be honest. I think I could probably snatch it for the neighborhood of $200....should I try to get it for that much? That would be my max for sure....

A 56 cm will me more desirable than the ebay ad, althought thanks to septcycles for posting that good reference point. I'd say the bikes value in pristine condition is around $400, maybe more to a Nishiki collector. If you can get if for $200, grab it anywhere over $300 and you're looking at a keeper, not a flipper. I'd like to know what happens no matter what. BTW, that is a seriously desirable bike to a Nishiki collector.

Right, thanks Rocco...keep the good comments and thoughts coming here. I am going to email him right now. Here is what he emailed me today....

"I looked at Ultimate pages and found the bikes listed anywhere from $100 in dubious condition to $1,200 from a salesman who claimed only 4 were made, which, if true, means you and I owned half the world's supply. Come up with a figure and we'll work it out if you are interested. The pictures of them are beautiful. I'm not sure why, but some bike just habve class."

I am going to email him right now...I am curious to see how it goes. This is a smart guy...he knows what he has. He just doesn't ride it.