Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Newbie wants to sell vintage bike

I have a green 1972 Schwinn Varsity 26" with all original parts (yes including the tires, seat, everythig original) and garage kept all these years; I am the original owner. My parents gave it to me Christmas 1972 and I would like to sell it, but not sure what it is worth. LOL they couldn't part with it, other than to give it back to me when they downsized. Any advice?

Moving to: http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php/273-Classic-and-Vintage-Bicycles-What-s-it-Worth-Appraisals-and-Inquiries : From Intro


Good photos of the bike would be a great help to all.

If it were mine and I owned it from day one, I would hang on to it . If you do put it up for sale , it might pull $125-150 , if it is in excellent shape. Personally, I really like the green Varsitys.

If it is really, truly, 26 inch, then it is freakin huge, and bikes that large are extremely hard to sell. I would lower the estimate above if it is that size. I have a 26 inch Continental right now.

Been sitting and all original = will need extensive ($$) service before returning to duty.

+1

26" frame size? That is enormous, will be a hard sell. Varsitys typically sell for <$100 around here regardless of condition.

I'd sell that bike if: 1) you need the cash, 2) you never ride it or it doesn't fit, and 3) it has no sentimental value. Otherwise, I'd hang on to it. As a teenager, I had a green Schwinn of about that vintage, probably a year or two older. (I think it was a Collegiate.) Kinda wish I still had it.

If it is really, truly, 26 inch, then it is freakin huge, and bikes that large are extremely hard to sell. I would lower the estimate above if it is that size. I have a 26 inch Continental right now.

Been sitting and all original = will need extensive ($$) service before returning to duty.

26-inch Schwinn Varsity = 25-inch c-t size. Not huge, just the largest stock size.

Varsity's were not great bikes even when new. They were 45 pounds of gas pipe with lowest possible grade of components that were constantly breaking and needing repair. Yet I've seen those bikes sell for $125 to $150, of course condition plays a lot into it. The reason these bikes are selling for so much is because the baby boomers were raised on them so now their trying to buy back their youthful memories. I'm a baby boomer, 59 years old, I remember those bikes quite well, I wouldn't pay more then $15 for one even if it's in great condition!! But that's me, there are people out there who will pay a lot more then that.

The size of the frame shouldn't be a problem, the size only takes away from the largest portion of the public who may want to buy the bike, in other words you shrink your marketed audience dramatically, but that shouldn't effect the price, if a tall baby boomer wants it, he'll buy it.