Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1950's Rochet

Your suggestions for a ballpark offer I could make are much appreciated. I would prefer to make a low offer that is rejected than a higher one. I will not be disappointed if this one slips by me. (So if someone else on this forum wants it, please go for it!):

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/2674025024.html

His price went up $200 in a week. (?):

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bik/2661234919.html

Thanks.

Usually when a bike doesn't sell the price is supposed to go down... But anyway.

Are you planning on riding this bike? It looks totally beat even from the grainy photos. I'm not familiar with Rochet, but a grand seems insane. Maybe $200 if it's a serious collectors item.

For what it is worth, I traded a bent frame, rusty Rochet for my, drop dead gorgeous mid seventies Marinoni (http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Feature_Bicycles/Feature_Bicycles_Canada/Marinoni_Quebec_Mine/MARINONI_QUEBEC_1_Start.htm) - straight across. I have turned down a thousand dollars for my Marinoni, and would turn down more...
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/French_Bicycles/Rochet_Bicycles/Rochet_Paris/RochetParisDerailleurFrontandPedal.jpg


http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/Bicycles_Table/Canadian_Bicycles/Marinoni_Bicycles/MarinoniQuebec/Marinoni_Quebec_2/Mar_Que2_Full_TQF_L_6.jpg

Is the OP's Rochet worth $1100.00? Probably not, but then again, I never would have thought someone would give me the Maronini for that old Rochet, I found at the Dump, one day. Found a Holdsworth Equipe, same place, same day, in case you are interested...

Thank you both for your suggestions. @randyjawa, thank you for your reply to the thread I started here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/776132-Where-Do-I-Start-Looking). Your website is very informative. I read most of your material. I am starting to appreciate your comment about once you start looking for C&V bicycles, you won't help but see them everywhere. I subscribed to the RSS feed of any craigslist posting with the words "bicycle" or "bicycles" in my area. I have friends looking for me too. Because I'm so new to C&V bicycles, right now I'm just looking; getting a feel for what's out there. I'll let you know when I pull the trigger and pick up something. Thanks.

Because I'm so new to C&V bicycles, right now I'm just looking; getting a feel for what's out there.

If you just want a nice C&V to ride around look elsewhere. There are plenty of beautiful vintage lightweights from the 70s and 80s out there that can be had for $200-$400. They will be lighter, easier to work on (see: cotterless crankset) and overall "nicer" in my opinion than most bikes from the 50s. I'm sure others would disagree with me on that last point.

The Rochet would be good for someone who HAS to have a Rochet and wants nothing else. $1000 can buy some pretty amazing C&V bikes. I would not put the Rochet into that category, but perhaps others would. Apparently the guy who randy got his Maronini from thought it was.