Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Need some help from the Francophiles

I have lurked around for a while, and own a couple of quasi-classic quasi-vintage machines, but have a chance to get a truly vintage Meral from a friend of mine. The owner has taken very good care of the bike, loved it, and rode the heck out of it. The short story is that he lives in the country now, and does not want to load the bike into a car to ride it.

But to the bike...

He bought the bike in the mid 70's and equipped it with a mixture of parts: all metal simplex rear der.; dura ace front der.; campy breaks, levers, and pedals; stronglight crank; 3t stem; ambrosio 19's laced to malliard 700's, Ideale 90 saddal. The less than ideal part is he had the bike sandblasted and he repainted it with imron about 2 decades ago.

I talked to my boss at the LBS and he said he would not pay much more than $250 if he was buying it, but my gut reaction was closer to $400 for a really fair price. As I mentioned it is a friend's bike and I want pay a fair price for both of us. So I beg all of you gurus, particularly the francophiles for some ideas.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aImyfd2RSoc/TlRxwiqVj_I/AAAAAAAAAC4/FgStZNN6tCU/s640/IMG_0435.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BQ3u_hsjYWA/TlRydSqcyzI/AAAAAAAAADQ/UCVfFIiXqY8/s640/IMG_0439.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X0Rc7rLgjsU/TlRyh7i4r6I/AAAAAAAAADI/wYjRoDJITXk/s640/IMG_0440.JPG

more photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/103336852509069886899/MeralTestRide?authuser=0&feat=directlink

$400 range around here would be reserved for a bike that had full provinance: original decals, paint, head badge, top end tubing, top end components. Bike also needs some maintenance and cleanup. Not familiar with the Meral name. So not sure on value.

If it originally had a headbadge, that could be tough to round up.

I think it used to have a decal rather than a head-badge. The only reason I say that though is from this set of pictures http://velosvintage.over-blog.com/article-velo-meral-1971-51844294.html. According to the original author it was powder blue, and the lug work is very similar to that model. The main difference between the two is the fork crowns.

Also, I just left the NC moutains. What I really miss is not the parkway, not pisgah, but the water... Ohio valley water taste can only be described as 'downstream'.

Personally, I believe the $250 is closer to a fair price. I assess that based on the overall condition of the bike, the inconsistency of the components, the repaint, and the small frame size

That being said, if because of your research you feel more comfortable at $400, you could always split the difference. I understand you not wanting to feel like you are shortchanging a friend. And if you're willing to put several hundred into professionally repainting, decals, and bringing all the components up to record or NR, it would be an awesome bike.

And if you're willing to put several hundred into professionally repainting, decals, and bringing all the components up to record or NR, it would be an awesome bike.

I was actually wondering about that; and this is probably grounds for another post in the C&V main forum. I have a Pat. 83 super record grouppo, that I removed from a Lotus that was a little too large for me, but was worried about finding french cups for the BB and a derailleur hanger bolt that would fit. Also isn't there an issue with the fork threading?

Trying to estimate the Vintage Bicycle Value (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/FREE_SITE_VALUE/VALUE_1_Start.htm) is a hit or miss situation, at best. In addition to the bicycle itself, condition, size, location and time of year all come into play when determining value. It is best to develop an understand of Bicycle Quality (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/FREE_SITE_1/FREE_SITE_6_BICYCLE_QUALITY.htm) and how that impacts value, ride-ability and collect-ability.

Hope this is a help.

Well thank you all for your input. I think I will offer $300 because he has 3 extra chainrings, a box of break shoes, and the special crank remover for the stronlight. Look for a more detailed post about the switch over to SR soon!

Well thank you all for your input. I think I will offer $300 because he has 3 extra chainrings, a box of break shoes, and the special crank remover for the stronlight. Look for a more detailed post about the switch over to SR soon!

Seems to be a big plus