Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Can anyone identify / answer questions about this bicycle?

Hello,

I received this bicycle as a 'gift' and I am wondering if anyone can identify what type of bicycle this is? Manufacturer? Country of Origin? Age? It also came with pink tires and metal rims.

Thanks.

http://i39.tinypic.com/308leet.jpg

Not from that photo and the info given. Looks also to be a repaint/refinish, so good luck on finding what brand.

I agree lousy pic. I suspect it may be alower end judging from what little I can see, or it appears to be. the dropouts (where the rear wheel mounts) look very thin and seem to press or crimped into the frame. the brake bridge (where the rear brakes mount) looks like large flat plate typical of lowerend frames in the '70 and early '80s. the seat clamp.....

I would suggest looking at some of the other threads in this forum and the C&V and get an idea of what pics will help us

+1 crimped stamped drop outs, steel looking stem and seat post, post clamp detail, brake bridge all say low end. I'm surprised it isn't a 1 pc crank.

+1 crimped stamped drop outs, steel looking stem and seat post, post clamp detail, brake bridge all say low end. I'm surprised it isn't a 1 pc crank.

+1 This one may not be worth building up unless you can get a really cheap donor bike for parts.

+2 More and better pictures would help.

A couple of more pictures:

http://i41.tinypic.com/23s6blw.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/1zchh7l.jpg

Thanks in advance on any input.

+1. Department store level per features previously noted plus steel swaged crank and lugless frame.

So it would not be worth my time to use this frame as the basis of a project? I was looking to remove the paint, chrome it, add wheels/tires, new chain, new handle bar etc etc.

Thanks y'all.

Japanese crank

I say if the frame fits you and you have the parts, why not use it? You can always transplant the parts to another frame when one comes along, and ride in the mean time

Japanese crank
And Sugino is one of the better Jap cranks.

So it would not be worth my time to use this frame as the basis of a project? I was looking to remove the paint, chrome it, add wheels/tires, new chain, new handle bar etc etc.

Thanks y'all.

That would be correct. Building up frames in general is a costly undertaking. It is critical IMHO to start with a good frame, with good paint. If you want chrome, find a chrome frame, a good one, and go from there. I picked up a chrome frame myself a few months ago and built it up. I controlled cost by using parts out of my bin, that came from other bikes (donor bikes) that I had picked up. So out of pocket, I spent very little building up a pretty nice, handmade, Japanese cromoly chrome finished frame.

Department store level frames like the one you have above are not worth the time and money to refinish and build up.

It takes the same time and money to build up a crappy frame as it does to build up a nice frame. But the quality and value of the finished product is dramatically different.

This started as a $75 chrome frame off Craigs List.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6101/6348919589_8e86c3540a_b.jpg

I say if the frame fits you and you have the parts, why not use it? You can always transplant the parts to another frame when one comes along, and ride in the mean time

Because the OP mentioned stripping all of the paint off of it, and having the frame chromed. That's a pretty serious investment in time and money into a crappy frame. For the cost of just having the frame powdercoated (forget the chrome part), the OP could find a used frame of much, much higher quality.

I've seen pricing on chroming a frameset of anywhere from $250 to $750.

If y'all think this is a cheap frame I'm afraid to show you the bicycle I currently ride lol

Chromoly matte black, single speed bicyle.

Here it is, minus all the stickers that are on the rims/frame:

http://www.roadwarriorbicycles.com/uploads/5/8/0/8/5808109/1750505_orig.jpg?365

Here it is, minus all the stickers that are on the rims/frame:

http://www.roadwarriorbicycles.com/uploads/5/8/0/8/5808109/1750505_orig.jpg?365

I hope the front wheel gets better soon. It's sad to see a sick bicycle having to get around with a rolling aid.

Seriously, that bicycle is so much better than the project bicycle.

I hope the front wheel gets better soon. It's sad to see a sick bicycle having to get around with a rolling aid.

Seriously, that bicycle is so much better than the project bicycle.

LOL! First funny/sarcastic post I have seen...all the others were very 'critical'.

Thanks; I love this bicycle.

Here it is, minus all the stickers that are on the rims/frame:

http://www.roadwarriorbicycles.com/uploads/5/8/0/8/5808109/1750505_orig.jpg?365

I've been recommending bikes like this one to anyone that asks about building a single speed. I like it.