Venator44

Hello Bikers!

I'm helping my Father sell his very old bike out of the attic. How can I find out what it is and how much it is worth (for selling on E-Bay)?

It is a French Motobecane Reynolds, all stock and original. The only defect are the wheels are original and the rubber is fading.



Thanks in advance!

oddjob2

What, not enough millionaires in the Palm Springs area to buy that beautiful 1970's Grand Record? Looks to be in beautiful condition, but I would spend a few hours spiffing it up, polish the aluminum components with Mothers polish, clean the rust out of the stem bolt, brake boltrewrap the handlebar tape, and pump up the tires. Then take a lot of photos, like the better ones on this forum.

IMHO, possibly $375-$400, if you take care of the above. But there are a few French bike experts who will weigh in shortly. BTW, that is the favorite color combo of most Moto fans!

wrk101

First, are you an experienced seller on eBay with perfect seller feedback? If you aren't an active seller on ebay, do not underestimate the effort it takes to sell on ebay. Nothing automatic, some items go cheap, others go high, still others get no bids at all.

Second, the model is not a Reynolds. Motobecane catalogs are on line, check them carefully. To get top dollar, you have to get the model right, as buyers will search for specific models.

Are you willing and able to pack and ship a bike, at a reasonable cost? Local pickup only on ebay = waste of time. I have bought some bikes that way, for under $20... To sell on ebay, you need to be willing to ship, or forget it, and sell on your local C/L.

Myself, I buy quite a few bikes, and I will not buy from a seller on ebay (other than the local pickup deals), unless they have multiple positive feedback on prior bike sales.

Selling on ebay can be a royal PITA, we have threads on it every couple of weeks. But in my area, its the only way to get anything near to full market value out of higher end vintage bikes.

Bike has good value for sure, half of which depends on you.

zukahn1 

Welcome to the forums very nice looks just great Nervex lugged 531 is correct. Also some pretty nice bike photos for a first timer. This is great bike just a total time capsule frome the 70's bike boom era. Now for the value part I just couldn't give it more than $350 maybe $450-500 if everything was greased working right with good tires and riding perfect with the origianl components.

mparker326

Folks on ebay that buy a bike like this are going to take it apart and clean everything anyway. I'd fix up the bar tape and wipe it down. $350 to $450 sounds about right. I would list it local on Craigslist first.

FastJake

Big +1 to everything wrk101 said. Are you an experienced seller on ebay? Do you know how to pack and ship a bike? If no, forget ebay and sell it on the local C/L. It is a sweet bike and will definitely still bring good money there.

I think it's easily worth $400, but that all depends on your ability to market it. Market it poorly, and you may only get half that.

Chicago Al 

Someone in Chicago has a very nice looking Grand Record they've been listing on CL every month or so, and not selling, at $500 asking. So evidently that price is too high, or the one person who it would fit, who'd be willing to pay that, already has one. Or something.

I would go with $300-400, cleaned up a bit, as a CL asking price. Anyone who wants a bike like that will probably take it apart to clean and overhaul it anyway, like I did when I got mine. Indian Wells is pretty small so hopefully your local CL reaches a wider region, with people who have money to pursue hobbies!

The Grand Record is not exotic or rare, but it's a classic vintage steel road bike, and there are definitely people looking for them. And that one is very clean and original. Be patient if you don't get much interest at first, the right person may just not have seen it yet.

oddjob2

I'd post the ad in San Diego or OC, both active markets, with more than a few BF members.

lowgear45

BTW folks, the brakes have been replaced (upgraded?) on that bike. Those look like DiaCompes or early Superbs. Orig brakes were Weinmann CPs IIRC. Still, this is a standout model in signature paint scheme from a stand out era. A really good clean up & detailing, then very good pictures should help find a happy owner.

zukahn1 

+1 On expanding your listings of a bike of this caliber to sorrounding markets. When you get into bikes over the $400 value range it is often necessary to expand your listings to get full value. Depending on your skill level and motivation new basic barwrap and tires would likely be a good investment of $40-50 and couple of hours of your spare time.

Venator44

Thank You Oddjob, that color combo is a real beauty!

T-Mar

It is a 1974-1976 model Motobecane Grand Record. You may be able to narrow it down a bit via the patent date on the rear derailleur, located near the cable entry.