"All original parts" - how important?
#1
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"All original parts" - how important?
How much does "all original parts" affect the desireability -- or, more specifically, the resale value -- of a 20+ year old bike?
A couple months ago I bought a 1985 Bridgestone 600 that was in original condition, all original parts (quite literally: the tires and tubes hadn't been changed ever!). In order to make it rideable (for me) I put on new handlebars, new stem, new saddle, new seatpost, & new pedals. (As well as new tubes & tires, obviously.) But I saved all the old original parts.
Anyway, I'm guessing that sometime in the forseeable future I'll sell this bike.
So my question really is: Will keeping all those old parts, & re-installing them on the bike when I finally want to sell it (so that once again it's in original condition -- "all original parts") allow me to recoup more of my investment than if I try to sell off those parts individually now, & then sell the retro/modern Frankenbike in the future?
Am I making any sense?
Those parts are taking up space in my closet. I'm sure I can get something on eBay for the old pedals, saddle, seatpost etc if I sold them now...but would I be able to get more for them if I hung on to them & re-installed them as part of complete bike five or so years down the road?
I.e., do the original parts add more resale value to the complete bike than I could get if I sold them individually?
A couple months ago I bought a 1985 Bridgestone 600 that was in original condition, all original parts (quite literally: the tires and tubes hadn't been changed ever!). In order to make it rideable (for me) I put on new handlebars, new stem, new saddle, new seatpost, & new pedals. (As well as new tubes & tires, obviously.) But I saved all the old original parts.
Anyway, I'm guessing that sometime in the forseeable future I'll sell this bike.
So my question really is: Will keeping all those old parts, & re-installing them on the bike when I finally want to sell it (so that once again it's in original condition -- "all original parts") allow me to recoup more of my investment than if I try to sell off those parts individually now, & then sell the retro/modern Frankenbike in the future?
Am I making any sense?
Those parts are taking up space in my closet. I'm sure I can get something on eBay for the old pedals, saddle, seatpost etc if I sold them now...but would I be able to get more for them if I hung on to them & re-installed them as part of complete bike five or so years down the road?
I.e., do the original parts add more resale value to the complete bike than I could get if I sold them individually?
#3
Decrepit Member
That about sums it up. Speaking for myself, having all the original parts for an expensive or rare vintage bike would mean a lot. I might change/modernize some of them for myself, but I'd certainly keep the original stuff boxed up to give to a new owner if I decided to sell it.
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From my observation, with a 20 or 25 year old bike, in general, it probably means less than for a 40 year old bike or more.
For a 20 or 25 year old bike, a good classic rider is likely to be a good bet as long as the general look and feel is retained with relatively period correct parts. All bets aare off if it is of specific historic importance or a real high end bike or extremely old... in which case, original carries a lot more importance.
But, since you have the parts, unless space is at a real premium, I would keep them.
For a 20 or 25 year old bike, a good classic rider is likely to be a good bet as long as the general look and feel is retained with relatively period correct parts. All bets aare off if it is of specific historic importance or a real high end bike or extremely old... in which case, original carries a lot more importance.
But, since you have the parts, unless space is at a real premium, I would keep them.
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People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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From my observation, with a 20 or 25 year old bike, in general, it probably means less than for a 40 year old bike or more.
For a 20 or 25 year old bike, a good classic rider is likely to be a good bet as long as the general look and feel is retained with relatively period correct parts. All bets aare off if it is of specific historic importance or a real high end bike or extremely old... in which case, original carries a lot more importance.
But, since you have the parts, unless space is at a real premium, I would keep them.
For a 20 or 25 year old bike, a good classic rider is likely to be a good bet as long as the general look and feel is retained with relatively period correct parts. All bets aare off if it is of specific historic importance or a real high end bike or extremely old... in which case, original carries a lot more importance.
But, since you have the parts, unless space is at a real premium, I would keep them.
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On a related note, what does it mean to be "period correct"? I'm sure brifters on a PX-10 aren't. But let's say someone buys a bike in the mid 70's and then 5 years later when less cash strapped swaps the steel wheels for some new alloy wheels. Are those wheels "period correct" or not?
#7
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On a related note, what does it mean to be "period correct"? I'm sure brifters on a PX-10 aren't. But let's say someone buys a bike in the mid 70's and then 5 years later when less cash strapped swaps the steel wheels for some new alloy wheels. Are those wheels "period correct" or not?
As for the correct parts, it all depends on the collectability of the bike. Changed parts to my 1989 Klein or 1985 Falcon don't lower the value. But, andy changes, even period-incorrect parts of the right model affect the value of my 1978 Schwinn Paramount. Look on eBay - "All original" Schwinn Paramounts from the 70s go for 1000+, but ones with replaced parts can be had for as low as 200+.
I would think there would be similar effects on old Italian bikes (Colnago, e.g.) and really old bikes and any other collectable bike.
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No, they are not correct. But, if they are the correct model, that is almost as good.
As for the correct parts, it all depends on the collectability of the bike. Changed parts to my 1989 Klein or 1985 Falcon don't lower the value. But, andy changes, even period-incorrect parts of the right model affect the value of my 1978 Schwinn Paramount. Look on eBay - "All original" Schwinn Paramounts from the 70s go for 1000+, but ones with replaced parts can be had for as low as 200+.
I would think there would be similar effects on old Italian bikes (Colnago, e.g.) and really old bikes and any other collectable bike.
As for the correct parts, it all depends on the collectability of the bike. Changed parts to my 1989 Klein or 1985 Falcon don't lower the value. But, andy changes, even period-incorrect parts of the right model affect the value of my 1978 Schwinn Paramount. Look on eBay - "All original" Schwinn Paramounts from the 70s go for 1000+, but ones with replaced parts can be had for as low as 200+.
I would think there would be similar effects on old Italian bikes (Colnago, e.g.) and really old bikes and any other collectable bike.
I'm still confused as to what qualifies as "period correct". To me it implies some period of time around when the the bike was purchased but I'm not sure what the outer edges would be.
In other words, I always assumed that replacing a Simplex RD with a Suntour RD of the same vintage is "Period Correct" even if you would never find the Suntour as original equipment on the bike. What I don't know is what qualifies as the the same vintage. Is a '78 Suntour the same vintage as a '75 Simplex?
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I would understand "period correct" as a pretty loose standard -- a bike of a particular era could have been equipped with those parts. So no brifters on the PX-10. A stricter standard would be the factory-spec parts of the original bike. An even stricter standard would be the original parts themselves.
The late 80 Paramounts, which were shipped frame only, would call for period-correct parts (or the actual original ones) because as I understand it there were no factory specs. Same with many custom frames.
The late 80 Paramounts, which were shipped frame only, would call for period-correct parts (or the actual original ones) because as I understand it there were no factory specs. Same with many custom frames.
#10
Campy NR / SR forever
Well, without serial numbers or even date codes on many items (some Canpy items excluded), it's IMPOSSIBLE to VERIFY that some items are original with a bike. I mean like my brake pads are no longer originals as are the tires - but do those items really matter?? Likewise, i replaced the freewheel & chain (but i kept these in the boxes the replacements came in). I'm not selling the bike so it doesn't really matter to me, except when I replace or "upgrade" (hard to do on an all Campy bike), I'm only getting items that were made in 1977 or 1978 (if they have a date code).
Oh, and the handlebar tape is not original either
Oh, and the handlebar tape is not original either
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No, they are not correct. But, if they are the correct model, that is almost as good.
As for the correct parts, it all depends on the collectability of the bike. Changed parts to my 1989 Klein or 1985 Falcon don't lower the value. But, andy changes, even period-incorrect parts of the right model affect the value of my 1978 Schwinn Paramount. Look on eBay - "All original" Schwinn Paramounts from the 70s go for 1000+, but ones with replaced parts can be had for as low as 200+.
I would think there would be similar effects on old Italian bikes (Colnago, e.g.) and really old bikes and any other collectable bike.
As for the correct parts, it all depends on the collectability of the bike. Changed parts to my 1989 Klein or 1985 Falcon don't lower the value. But, andy changes, even period-incorrect parts of the right model affect the value of my 1978 Schwinn Paramount. Look on eBay - "All original" Schwinn Paramounts from the 70s go for 1000+, but ones with replaced parts can be had for as low as 200+.
I would think there would be similar effects on old Italian bikes (Colnago, e.g.) and really old bikes and any other collectable bike.
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How much does "all original parts" affect the desireability -- or, more specifically, the resale value -- of a 20+ year old bike?
So my question really is: Will keeping all those old parts, & re-installing them on the bike when I finally want to sell it (so that once again it's in original condition -- "all original parts") allow me to recoup more of my investment than if I try to sell off those parts individually now, & then sell the retro/modern Frankenbike in the future?
I.e., do the original parts add more resale value to the complete bike than I could get if I sold them individually?
So my question really is: Will keeping all those old parts, & re-installing them on the bike when I finally want to sell it (so that once again it's in original condition -- "all original parts") allow me to recoup more of my investment than if I try to sell off those parts individually now, & then sell the retro/modern Frankenbike in the future?
I.e., do the original parts add more resale value to the complete bike than I could get if I sold them individually?
Either way--the odds are that the next owner will enjoy having the original parts.
I'm one of the latter group--I've customized my 1982 Schwinn Super Sport S/P.
Bagged and tagged in the closet are its: KKT Super Vic pedals/clips, Suntour Cyclone MK II GT rear derailleur, Suntour 'gold' 13-28 five speed freewheel, Dia Compe Gran Compe brake levers, original rear wheel and skewer, unusually nice stem and bars.
Replacement parts have run about five beans. Parts in the closet are worth, maybe, a buck and a quarter or a buck fifty on a good day, plus the usual time/effort ebay hassles.
I ride the bike everyday. Its my six hundred and fifty dollar three grand Rivendell, with its v. 1989 suntour command shifters up on the hoods, 48/38/28 new front triple on the original Sugino AT crank, 48 cm noodle bars level with the seat , 7 cog custom spaced custom hg 13-14-16-18-21-24-28 XT cassette and 700c x 35 mm slicks under its 64 cm frame.
I don't begrudge the parts in the closet. They are on hold for the next guy who by his purchase--or my direct bequest if I'm lucky enough to run into someone when I'm too old to ride who is a fitting beneficiary and who fits the bike--gets to enjoy this ride.
Now that I've rambled on, the answer to your question is clear. The decision is entirely ours, each of us, to make. Good luck with yours.
Last edited by mrmw; 07-20-07 at 06:13 AM.
#13
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To me "period correct" is a pretty loose standard, it must only meet 2 criteria. the parts must have been available at the time the bike was relatively new, and they must have been something someone was likely to have put on a similar bike when it was relatively new. For instance, upgrading steel wheels to aluminum might have been a common upgrade, but for it to be period correct, the wheels in question would have to have been available at the time the bike was relatively new. Suntour barcons on a bike from the early 80s which originally came with downtube shifters woul be an excellent example of a period correct mod.
For me though, period correct doesn't really mean much. It's mostly an aesthetic thing. keeping a bike period correct does little or nothing for resale value, and while period correct mods might improve performance ore useability of a bike, limiting those mods to period correct ones also limits you in how you can set up your bike. Back in the 80s I put the best stuff I could get on my bike. Now that that bike is 25 years old why shouldn't I still do that? I like to keep a vintage look on vintage bikes for aesthetic reasons, but if I want 9 speed indexed shifting on my bike I won't let period correctness stand in my way.
On the other hand having the original parts for a bike may very well effect the value, and the older it gets, the harder it will be to find a bike like that with it's original parts, so if you have them by all means keep them. It's actually probably better to use modern parts,a nd save the old opnes, thus saving the original parts wear and tear. Right now old shimano 600 components aren't hat hard to find. in 20 years though they will be, and putting your bike back to original would become quite difficult and costly if someone wanted to try and track down all the 80s vintage parts that came on it. Having all that with the bike and in good condition will indeed make it a more valuable collectible some day. In the meantime though, just ride it and enjoy it how you like it. Them's my 2¢ and a bargain at half the price.
For me though, period correct doesn't really mean much. It's mostly an aesthetic thing. keeping a bike period correct does little or nothing for resale value, and while period correct mods might improve performance ore useability of a bike, limiting those mods to period correct ones also limits you in how you can set up your bike. Back in the 80s I put the best stuff I could get on my bike. Now that that bike is 25 years old why shouldn't I still do that? I like to keep a vintage look on vintage bikes for aesthetic reasons, but if I want 9 speed indexed shifting on my bike I won't let period correctness stand in my way.
On the other hand having the original parts for a bike may very well effect the value, and the older it gets, the harder it will be to find a bike like that with it's original parts, so if you have them by all means keep them. It's actually probably better to use modern parts,a nd save the old opnes, thus saving the original parts wear and tear. Right now old shimano 600 components aren't hat hard to find. in 20 years though they will be, and putting your bike back to original would become quite difficult and costly if someone wanted to try and track down all the 80s vintage parts that came on it. Having all that with the bike and in good condition will indeed make it a more valuable collectible some day. In the meantime though, just ride it and enjoy it how you like it. Them's my 2¢ and a bargain at half the price.
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IMO, having all original parts means more the higher the value (or the more collectable) the bike and the higher end the original group set of parts used by the manufacturer.
Your Bridgestone by name alone will likely yield a little more than a comparably constructed bike of the same vintage. Typically, Bridgestone is known for specing a mix of decent value components over a manufacturers high stuff.
The bike would likely get the most at resale with a matched high quality set of components on it. The parts that you are referring to (handlebars, stem, seatpost) are probly nothing special and wouldn't fetch much on thier own.
So to answer your question... it all depends......
IMO, set it up with parts you are most comforable with and ride it. If you can conveniently hang onto the original takeoff's, fine. But, don't sweat it either way, ride, enjoy and maintain the bike, either way it'll sell when you are ready to replace/upgrade it.
Your Bridgestone by name alone will likely yield a little more than a comparably constructed bike of the same vintage. Typically, Bridgestone is known for specing a mix of decent value components over a manufacturers high stuff.
The bike would likely get the most at resale with a matched high quality set of components on it. The parts that you are referring to (handlebars, stem, seatpost) are probly nothing special and wouldn't fetch much on thier own.
So to answer your question... it all depends......
IMO, set it up with parts you are most comforable with and ride it. If you can conveniently hang onto the original takeoff's, fine. But, don't sweat it either way, ride, enjoy and maintain the bike, either way it'll sell when you are ready to replace/upgrade it.