Prudy

A Question to the collectors:

Assuming the upgrade is as close to universally desirable as possible, is doing an upgrade on a vintage/classic bike generally seen as a positive or a negative?

As an example - I recently acquired this 1992 Bridgestone RB-1 that had been upgraded from the original 8 speed Shimano 600/Ultegra component group to the high-end 8 speed Dura Ace 7402 group of the same vintage.

For general riding I would assume most would find this upgrade desirable - how does it effect the value? Better to have the original components?

Totally subjective depending on the bike/model?

TL179

I would imagine having a period correct upgrade wouldn't hurt value. At least not for my wallet.

lotek 

I think that varies with the bike. If I'm looking at say a 1968 Paramount ( or even a newer one)
I would think having the original components ( as detailed in catalogs etc.) would be preferred by
'collectors'. If the bike was sold only as a frame it shouldn't matter as you could have hung whatever
you wanted on the frame at time of purchase.
then again I'm talking about 'collectors' here, as I'm not a collector I generally hang those
upgrades I would have wanted back when the bike was current.

Marty

cb400bill

In my book, that upgrade wouldn't hurt the bike's value.

cyclotoine

I'd say it increases the value. It's same period parts and a higher level of componentry. I think the only time upgrading hurts value is when you take some highly collectable iconic brands and put parts on it that are obviously non-period. Like putting a modern 10 speed drivetrain on say a 1970s GIOS super record. It's obviously not-original and someone will pay more if it has the original super record or nuovo record kit on it. But if you are riding it and the new parts are going to make it more enjoyable then it doesn't matter. It only matters if you are trying to sell it. In your example, I believe you have increased the value as you kept in the same period and upgraded... like taking a bike that was delivered with campy victory and putting 1st gen. c-record on it... improves collectability and increases value.

Prudy

Thanks for the responses -

The bike is a nice mix of the most desirable original components (Ritchey stem, Nitto bars, etc.) with the addition of the upgraded component group.

My hope was that added to it's value as well but I wasn't certain about that...either way it's a great bike that I really enjoy riding. The 8 speed Dura Ace group is really, really nice.

USAZorro

If you're really concerned about the value, just set the original stuff aside and save it.

I concur that it won't hurt the value on that bicycle, but if you were to take Eddy's hour record bike and upgrade it.... that would not help the value.

wrk101

True collectors prefer originality. Riders want upgraded equipment. So the choice is yours. One market will appreciate what you have done, the other will not.

+1 Box up the original parts. At some point, someone will be looking for them.

Prudy

Thanks, guys -

I'm not so concerned about the value right now - I ride this bike because it's a hell of a bike and I don't do things to hasten it's demise like take it out in the rain, etc.

I'm going to put the original Nitto drop bars back on it this weekend and ride it as far as I can.

iab

I'm with Zorro, Marty, wrk, etc. But in most cases, only the owner knows what was original. Most bikes had multiple trim options or period correct upgrades offered by the LBS. So you can never be certain, what was original.

I prefer original but my bike came with a Huret TdF RD that is such a POS, I had to do the upgrade. I still have the original though.

Prudy

I'm sorry, I guess I should clarify -

This style bike came built from the factory with the lower grade components, but also came as a frame/fork only. The original owner of this bike built it up from the frame and used some of the factory original parts (the cool ones, I think, like the nitto bars and ritchy stem) but opted for the highest-end components otherwise.

The bike isn't built up like it was pictured in the catalog, however...in the catalog it shows it with a Shimano 600 group.

Prudy

RobbieTunes

Well, I have an 85 bike that came with DA and is now all Shimano 600 (tricolor).
If you really, really wanted to go back to 600, I'd make it worth it,...but...

If it was me, I'd stay Dura Ace, a hot setup for a hot rod, and buy the 600 stuff when you can find it, in case you ever want to go back to OEM.

Sixty Fiver

If it is a daily driver then upgrade it as you see fit as this will improve the daily ride.

If the removed bits are rare / desireable then save them should you decide to restore the bike back to period correct condition.