vintagerando

This came from a high-end Jeunet bike from the mid 1970s. I searched ebay; could not find any matches. I figured it was run of the mill, low end component. But, recently I was looking at sold listings of Alex Singer bikes from the 1960s and 1970s on ebay. What do you know....the same shifter was on several Alex Singer bikes. Anyone have an idea of value?
Thanks.

vintagerando

crickets

Metacortex

Looks like they are worth about $15 including shipping: Sachs Huret Clamp Friction Downtube Shifters France Vintage | eBay

vintagerando

Mine are a bit more refined. Mine seem to have been a higher end than the ones in this Ebay link.

lostarchitect 

Even so, I don't think they're all that valuable. If I really needed them for a project, I might be willing to spend $40... But only if I really needed them.

Bianchigirll 

Your pics are too big, I can't really see what makes them more refined than the ones in the ebay listing. I would agree though $15-20ish for used Huret shifters seems about right. Most people who work on bikes have a a few sets of basic friction shifters laying around. Normally they get replaced with CampI ones or better still Simplex or Suntour retrofriction type shifters.

What happened to the bike?

repechage

For big money, it's Huret jubilee shifters.

vintagerando

This Huret shifter come off what I believe (Randy from Old Ten Speeds.com gave me direction) to be a Jeunet 630 (1977). The frame shows craftmanship and is very light. It may be Reynolds 530. Unfortunately, the frame was painted black; a very bad paint job.
I bought it at a yard sale for $10. Why does the shifter seem "special" or of a higher grade? Though not an expert, I have owned enough vintage bikes to be able to indentify that the bike and components were higher end when new. The way the shifter is assembled tells me it was an expensive component; there are brass washer, it shifts smoothly, there is a luster on the anoinized parts....I dont know. I had a Campy shifter on my desk right next to this Huret, and to my somewhat educated eye, the Huret seemed of similar quality.

repechage

Do not confuse quality, perceived or actual with market demand.

vintagerando

I have a bit more faith in cyclists/collectors of vintage bike. I think they are more savvy and know good quality and functionality. Over time, wrenching and riding, I think the cyclist/collector knows what components are higher quality and sold prices out there on Ebay reflect that. But, I guess there coud be trends/fads were some particular component gets popular and prices get pushed up.

vintagerando

So, I have the frame, minus all components. As I mentioned, its got a bad paint job. I wonder if there is a market for a Jeunet 630 with a bad paint job.Where I am, Hartford, Connecticut, I think it would be tough to sell via CL.

repechage

The savvy are few and far between.


The frugal are plentiful.
Over time, the high appreciation has gone overwhelmingly to Campagnolo.
For others the market is there but demand is thin.
Your best potential client would be an owner of a decades old Alex Singer in need of some Huret down tube shifters.
To an owner of a repainted Jeunet needing parts, the desire may be there but it would be much cheaper to buy a complete example in original paint.
I have plenty of terrific bikes that I purchased and could part out for more than the cost of the whole, the market spoke, and the awareness and therefore demand was not there. A benefit as a buyer, painful as a seller.
The collective wisdom you asked for has in general not offered a monetary value that you think is appropriate.
Perhaps like owning a fine French wine, patience is a virtue.
Watch the eBay transaction prices, when to offer something up is right after there was a bidding war, the runner up may still have desire, then you can obtain your expectation of value.

Bianchigirll 

If you could indeed prove it was 531 throughout it might have some value despite the paint. Another important consideration is does this have a Simplex or CampI style hanger? If it has a Simplex that might be tough sell regardless of the paint condition.

vintagerando

Do you mean the rear dropouts? The front and rear dropouts are marked "simplex".

Bianchigirll 

But is the derailleur hangar CampI or Simplex style.

vintagerando

Here is a pic of the rear dropout. Take me to school. I guess its Simplex??

oddjob2

I believe BG meant the mounting for the RD, as one is threaded and the other is not. In your frame's case, neither apply.

If you believe your shifters are worth more than the consensus here, put them up for sale with a BIN and a best offer. You can lower the BIN every month until it sells. The four respondants above are among the most knowledgeable C&V enthusiasts on BF and share there generally impartial knowledge unselfishly, as opposed to a few others who are partial to certain manufacturers and components.

repechage

That bike has had a difficult life. The dropout slot should have parallel sides. My guess from recalling the Jeunet bikes I saw years ago, this one may have Reynolds 531 main tubes only, I do not recall if straight or of the butted tube type. Not a bad thing, but not top of the line either. They ride reasonably well, but there is not an eager market for them.

vintagerando

I need to figure out what to do with these middle of the line, re-paint/heavily used frames I am ending up with. There isn't a co-op in my area....I would donate, without hesitation. Guess I have to do some research.

wrk101

Two words:
Road trip.

One other word:

Google.

There is a bike co-op in Bridgeport, CT, 55 miles away.

My nearby co-op is 40 miles away, was 105 miles away before I moved.

As far as the value of parts, I have yet to see utility be a factor. People want certain parts, often the choices make no sense as far as utility. Its all about brand, style, cache. So I often see great stuff at reasonable prices, while crappy stuff people want go high. I can't change the market, I just cooperate with it.

vintagerando

Road trip it is...as soon as I find 3 free hours from my full time job, my part time job, my 2yr and 4 yr children, the lawn, house repairs......

repechage

There is another thread elsewhere with an original paint Jeunet 620, and it had a French Reynolds 531 full double butted frame transfer... But is referenced to have a 26.0 mm seat post... The two don't really match, it also was noted to have a Nervor steerer. No surprise to me on the steerer, the French in the early 70's to my experience played fast and loose with actual compared to claimed tubing. Same dropouts on that bike by the way as yours are, but in better shape.
So, when it comes to 70's French, one must believe, and the bike will be as you think it should.
Make it a fixed gear, not many braze ons I bet, perfect as a quick grab and go bike, short trip, undersized lock, low maintenance bike.

vintagerando

I want to thank all who offered information in this post. Thank you. Your sharing of information is much appreciated.