BMX - what's it worth?

1988 Thruster 300 volt

4130 moly frame, all original small amount of surface rust

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r151/nikzak/Bike%20Stuff/mybike.jpg

just want to know what it is worth and whether it would be better to restore it or just fix it up, paint it and ride it

Put up post on http://bmxmuseum.com/

Chrome finish. Better off leaving that one alone if the chrome is still in good shape. I'm doing a chrome frame and if the bike hadn't already been 1/2 way into a lousy paint job, already peeling and flaking and the chrome finish damaged to the point of having to redo that, I think I would've just rode the 2003 Haro Backtrail X1 I'm restoring. Just from what I've seen on CL, only the most recent bmx bikes fetch close to what they sell for as new. But CL is a different marketplace anyway, where buyers aren't collectors for the most part. And sellers, many are just looking to unload something or clean out a garage, maybe flip a bike for a modest profit even. Mine is getting to the point of it not being worth the trouble for what one might find on CL. But retail, that's another story, 100% chromoly frames are $ 500+ brand new. Granted the one's we have will probably never approach brand new, but wth(ey). I'd rather have this one refurbed than a $ 350 modern day, brand new hi-ten Giant. And I won't spend nearly as much on this one (excluding labor of course). Time is worth something obviously, but this is also a therapy of sorts for me.

But retail, that's another story, 100% chromoly frames are $ 500+ brand new.

http://www.dailyhaggis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/o_rly.jpg

http://www.dailyhaggis.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/o_rly.jpg

Good answer ! That cleared it up for everyone.

Find me these $500 chromoly frames you speak of.

Since we're in a thread discussing a full bmx bike, & talking about a full bike with a 100% chromoly frame maybe you can do a little better than challenging a sound bite from my post:

$ 490 MSRP for a brakeless model, I think sales tax puts it at $ 500+ ?

http://www.harobikes.com/bmx/bikes/000-brakeless/16/

$ 580-600+ with brakes:

http://www.harobikes.com/bmx/bikes/500-Series/1/
http://www.harobikes.com/bmx/bikes/500-Series/2/
http://www.harobikes.com/bmx/bikes/500-Series/3/

Need more ?

http://www.konasports.com/we-the-people-bikes.aspx

So if the bike the OP has rides as new, he can ride it until he doesn't want it any more, saved himself the cost of a new one ?

Could you please send me a .mp3 of that soundbite?

Quote, sub-quote, tidbit, sound bite or whatever else you prefer.

i think everyone is missing the point of what i asked, which to be honest i didn't make completely clear... what i want to know is being a vintage bike, would it be worth my while restoring it to it's former glory and ride it like that or should i make it utilitarian and just enjoy it and not care too much

as in is the bike worth more than the sum of its parts in original condition or modified to suit me?

as in is the bike worth more than the sum of its parts in original condition or modified to suit me?

More likely than not, the latter. I can't say that any of the collectors I see at local old-school events have or talk about wanting to get a Thruster 300 Volt. To be perfectly honest, I've never even heard of that company. But, then again, this is a question better suited for BMX Museum or Vintage BMX.

I say build it how ever you want, its not a collectible worth tons of money. Judging by the pics get a new chain clean and relube the bearings, adjust the brakes and ride the hell outta the thing

thats exactly what i was hoping to do with it fizzaly, but if it was truly collectable i'd respect that, sweet, picking it up as soon as i'm back in australia on monday