Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Nishiki Headset area discoloration/valuation

Anyone ever seen any discoloration near the headset like this? Is this just an artifact of staining on the paint? This is on a Nishiki Tri-A I'm considering picking up, full SunTour GPX, but I haven't had the chance to look at it in person.

Also, I have very little experience with GPX. Is it a good group? What would be a decent price for a good-to-very good shape Tri-A with the GPX group? Thanks for the help!

247270

Suntour GPX is a higher end groupset and imo a very nice one. The Tri-A's were pretty high on the Nishiki food chain and used Tange 1. The one you're looking at looks like a 1989. I'd say in an average market in great, ready-to-ride shape you'll do fine paying 250-300. You can adjust this a little up or down depending on the condition and how active your local used bike market is.

yes this discoloration was/is kind of common on white and lite colored bikes from this area. I believe it is actually the grease used to install and fill the headsets.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=247270&d=1335679870

+1 Common discoloration. +1 Desirable bike, and desirable components.

Hard to find size which around here brings a premium.

Take some polishing compound with you when you look at it if you have concerns. It should clean up.

Thanks folks. I'm going to pick it up tomorrow.....now over to the regular C&V thread to see what's stock and what's not....:)