Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - '85 Miyata 310... "What's it worth?"

I'm looking to purchase this Miyata hopefully soon, but I'm trying to determine a good asking price. The seller is asking $350.
What do you think? Thanks for the help!

From seller:
"Silver Miyata three ten road bike, silver in color. Chrome-moly triple butted frame, new IRC RedStorm Classic 700 X 23C tires. Wheels are Araya alloy 700, new brake pads and recent complete tune up. The gear block is Shimano 105 ( 12 speed, 2 gears at crank, 52/42 tooth and 6 gears at the rear block from 28 teeth to 14 teeth axle). Friction shifters are located on the down tube above the water bottle holder. Never involved in a crash, no scratches, no rust. Seat is Selle Royale."

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Looks like a solid bike nicely equipped bike the price could be a little high depending on market. Where I'm at in Denver it would likely only be a $250 bike but $350 would be in line with the prices in a lot of hotter markets. The single braze on DT shifters look kinda interesting a lot of these where syncromatic type meaning they had a cam mech to auto adjust the trim when you changed the gears on the front. This could present a minor issue if you ever wanted to change upgrade the gearing.

I've had one for sale in NNJ at $325 for a long time, no bites.

One for sale near me I was very tempted to try to snag this morning when I saw it but I am car free and it's a little ways out of the city. Looks mint and is dirt cheap.

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/3280019036.html

One for sale near me I was very tempted to try to snag this morning when I saw it but I am car free and it's a little ways out of the city. Looks mint and is dirt cheap.

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/3280019036.html

$75!!!? Doesn't matter how good a deal I get, I'll still feel like I'm over paying. Haha!

$75!!!? Doesn't matter how good a deal I get, I'll still feel like I'm over paying. Haha!

Yeah don't base your valuation on that, that price is way low.

I would be willing to pay $200-250 if in good shape. I think 350 is too high.

Is therr anything in particular on this model I should look out for when I view it?

Is therr anything in particular on this model I should look out for when I view it?

Check for rust and crash damage (looks fine in the pic and he mentions in the ad no crashes) or dents. A front end collision is the most common and will typically bend the fork and distort the top and town tubes a few inches from where they intersect with the head tube.

Whenever I'm buying a used bike I check first for crash damage visually and by running my fingers along the tubes in the areas described above. I'll then check if the wheels spin smooth and straight with no wobbles and sit straight in the fork and rear triangle. If it looks like it has sat for a long time or has some corrosion, I will check to see if the stem and seatpost are not stuck.

If you are not mechanically inclined and interested in fixing things yourself, make sure the brakes work well and pads have life in them, it shifts through all the gears and the cables aren't trashed...

Most important thing though is to make sure it fits you. If you're not sure what size range you fit, search here, ask here, search online, download a bike sizing app...etc. Judging by the pictures I would GUESS the frame is a 56-58cm and would fit somebody in the 5'10" - 6' range. This is a guess and a range though, fit is complex topic and not as simple as: X' tall = Y size bike.

Sorry for rambling, best of luck!

The rambling is much appreciated. Thanks for the great advice.

Way to much IMHO.

While it looks to be in very nice condition, the 310 is not very high on the Miyata food chain. At best, a mid level offering. I would probably offer $200 for her, but the seller likely won't bite. He thinks he has something really special for that asking price...

He thinks he has something really special for that asking price...

That's what I figured. When I spoke to him, he was very passionate about the bike... fond memories and all. I'd say he's very emotionally attached to it, as he is the original owner. I'd even feel he'd be insulted by an $250 offer (which I think is a fair market price).

Well I find this a lot on CL people think believe a bike should be worth more because they are the original owner. Yet when it comes to Vintage bikes history doesn't really matter the current condition is what matters. I usually just instantly pass on any add that includes a bikes history other than the year it was made the owners are just a pain to deal with.