Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 1974 Raleigh Gran Sports Survivors Twins

I got these beauties from an older couple's storage unit, probably untouched for 20+ years. They are in great condition, appear to be mostly original even including what I think are the original tires. The handlebars are not original however. I have not done anything more to them then clean the cobwebs off.
They are very small size 20-1/2" (I am 6'4" and cannot imagine practically ever riding them). They have been in my garage for a couple years and I need to sell them on craigslist or ebay. What would be a fair price? Should I do any restoration?

check out flickr for all the photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/moseisleyband/sets/72157626360176924/with/5562954988/

Specs from the catalog:

Frame: 21-1/2”, Reynolds 531 Butted main tubes, forks and stays
Lugs: Bocama Professional
Fork: Reynolds 531 Taper Guage with forged Vagner Crown
Handlebars: (Missing) GB Randonneur
Stem: GB Forged
Brakes: Weinmann Center Pull with Q/R levers
Crankset: Stronglight Cotterless
Rear Cluster: 14/28T
Chain: ½” x 3/32”
Pedals: Atoms 440 w/ alloy barrel
Rims: Weinmann Narrow Section Alesa High Pressure Alloy
Hubs: Normandy Sport Large Flange
Tires: Clement Narrow Section gumwalls
Saddle: Brooks b17 Leather
Cable and tape: White
Extras: 1 set of toeclips and leather straps, Raleigh frame air pump
Weight: apprx. 23

Wow, very cool. Overhaul only makes sense if you already have the tools and experience to do the work yourself. Otherwise, you will be upside down on tools, little parts, etc getting these two bikes ready to be sold. Or you want to start overhauling and/or flipping bikes.

As-is, they will take a huge hit compared to ready-to-ride, but you have to figure out how much work you want to put into them.

Those are in outstanding condition.
Probably both early '73 with the GranD SportS tt decal and Nervar crank. These are great bikes, bit the downside is the size (smaller than the small size people consider desirable these days) and the very unfortunate loss of the GB rando bars -(which really are important in distinguishing the GS model).

The prices I have seen for GS Raleighs are all over the map, ranging from $35 to $400. (I just saw a nice 54cm go for $40 on Albany's CL :rolleyes:).
If the bars were still there (and it was just a little bit larger) I think you would be able to sell for $400 easily in that condition - but as-is, probably about $250.

Insofar as restoring them, I would leave that to the next owner if you are intent on selling, because you would not recoup the cost of the expendables in your margin. (New tires/tubes/shoes/cables/hsg/chain and FW).
I would however make sure the seat post and stem were free. It is always scary to see a seat post slammed home like the ones in the picture.

thanks for the input, I agree with you guys that for me to restore would add little value over the cost of restoration, not to mention the hours of labor involved. And since I can't ride them as they are so small my knees would hit the handlebars, I will try to sell them as-is unrestored to someone who will cherish these vintage rides. The seat post mover freely enough and whomever buys them can find the GB handlebars on ebay for about $40 - $50. Hey, thanks again I didn't know much more then theses bikes needed saving as they likely could've ended up at the local dump.

I sold a 1973 Grand Sports about a month ago. It didn't have the original GB handle bars, front wheel or Brooks B17 saddle. The front derailleur was Campy Record instead of the original. It was in pretty good shape though with no rust, dings or dents. I paid $95 for it and sold it for $320. The Twin Cities it a pretty hot market. If yours are pretty much original and clean up well you should be able to get $400+ in a hot market.

Thanks Travis, I live in a affluent college town in California and bikes are pretty hot, most college kids are turning junk vintage bikes into fixes. e.g. I sold a "beat-to-hell" 78' Grand Prix frame a couple years ago for $80. I am going to start the Grand Sports pair out at $1000 dollars as they are almost entirely original and have extremely low miles=solid frame. but I won't sell them to someone who is just going to make a "fixie" out of them however.