Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - What Is It and What Might It Be Worth? Picture Heavy Warning!

I picked this up earlier this summer from a Colorado shop and was told it was a Zeus touring bike. It's got a mix of parts on it that can't all be original and it definitely looks to have been repainted at some point--a decent job, but nothing spectacular. There are no identifiers that I can find on the frame itself, no serial numbers on the the bb shell and no logos or decals. Here's a component list as best I can figure and any additions or corrections are welcomed:

23"/58cm seat and top tube
Long-point windowed lugs w/heart or spade-shaped window and Zeus dropouts
Zeus seatpost and binder bolt w/Avocet Touring I saddle
Shimano 600 Ultegra hubs laced to Mavic MA-40 rims w/7-speed Zeus (?) freewheel
NOS Panaracer Category Elite 700x23c tires
Shimano 600 Ultegra Bio Pace 170mm cranks and Zeus bottom bracket w/Shimano UG narrow chain
Shimano 600 Ultegra 6400 7-speed RD and braze on DT shifters
Campy Gran Sport or NR FD
Campy NGS or NR pedals w/Christophe Special clips and Binda 2-layer straps
Zeus 2001 Sidepulls w/Scott/Matthauser pads and Zeus levers with AME hoods
Zeus Headset w/Nitto Pearl 9 stem and Pivo handlebars
Silca Impero pumb with Campy pump head
Unidentified rear rack

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/ZeusTouring001.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/th_ZeusTouring012.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/?action=view&current=ZeusTouring012.jpg)http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/th_ZeusTouring014.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/?action=view&current=ZeusTouring014.jpg)http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/th_ZeusTouring016.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/?action=view&current=ZeusTouring016.jpg)http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/th_ZeusTouring013.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/?action=view&current=ZeusTouring013.jpg)http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/th_ZeusTouring007.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/?action=view&current=ZeusTouring007.jpg)http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/th_ZeusTouring006.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/?action=view&current=ZeusTouring006.jpg)http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/th_ZeusTouring005.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/?action=view&current=ZeusTouring005.jpg)http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/th_ZeusTouring002.jpg (http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj102/shouteefbock/Zeus%20Touring/?action=view&current=ZeusTouring002.jpg)

Anything on the stem, inside the head tube? Seatpost size?

I'll admit that I probably wouldn't be able to ID it, but I would think that those things could be a start.

IMHO, worth quite a bit more as a part out than complete. Obviously a nice frame, but without a brand, appropriate decals, etc., value is on the low end.

how many non Zeus bikes used Zeus dropouts? why wouldn't itbe aZeus that someone just updates the drive train to make it index?

I don't like to break up bikes, but I have to agree this is an exception and worth more as parts. BTW Nice Tri-color cranks.

how many non Zeus bikes used Zeus dropouts?

Well, a fair number of Raleigh Competitions, for starters.

Neat bike. I have nothing more than that to offer:)

Richard,

I looked at that Zeus earlier this year. I was not overly impressed with the re-paint but a cool bike none the less. I could tell you what the asking price from the owner was, or even put you in touch with the original owner. If you're interested, e-mail or PM me.

WjV

what's up with the brake mounting bolts?

how many non Zeus bikes used Zeus dropouts? why wouldn't itbe aZeus that someone just updates the drive train to make it index?

+1. A Zeus is the most likely candidate. It was obviously updated for indexed shifting in the late 1980s/early 1990s. Based on the fittings it would appear to be late 1970s or early 1980s. Given the era, if it was a Zeus there's a high probability that it would still use French thread standards and metric gauge tubing. If you can confirm that, that would increase the confidence level in its being a Zeus.

WJV, check your email. Thumpic, I was curious about that myself as both calipers are set up the same way; I've never seen one but have heard of Sheldon Brown's 'Shelnuts' for attaching fenders to a frame with recessed brake mounts. Hopefully someone who actually knows will chime in with the correct answer.