ak_cowboy

Hi, I'm new to this forum but not to bikes.
My campus was running a bike shop where they took donated bikes and allowed anyone to come in and use whatever parts they wanted. The guy who started it has graduated and its pretty much died away. I would like to keep it going, but I'm leaving in a month also.
Anyways, I was looking through the frames and saw some that looked interesting. All are at least 25 years old and road bikes.

Novaro
Empire
Peugeot
Raleigh
Motobecane

Should I try and salvage any of these before they go away forever? I'll try and get some pics later today.

Thanks

Chris_in_Miami

Do you have to limit it to one? Pics and model names will help greatly. What are the plans for the ones that don't get "saved?" I assume you're in Alaska, so the market for road bikes is probably small, but do you have a freecycle program there?

EjustE

Depending on the models of the Raleigh, Peugeot and Moto, I'd say one of these 3, with the Raleigh being the easiest to restore. The "Empire" is probably an old Columbia (Westfield Manufacturing Company) bike, whereas the Novara was a private REI label. Depending on what all these 4 bikes are, the Novara could very easily be the keeper here as well...

Pictures will help a lot, so would be model names and frame material stickers.

Good luck!

ak_cowboy

I'm not sure what the "Freecycle" program is, so I'm guessing that we dont have one... I'm going back to take some pictures today, didn't have my camera the first time... I already have a Motobecane with the mixte fram'e, but am pretty interested in the Peugeot, though I know they're both French and weird.
The reason I'm limited is simply time. The ones that I don't grab have an unsure life, since nobody is in charge of the program, they'll probably just stay in the barn and get used as part bikes. I have a beach cruiser and a mtn bike already, and just wanted a road bike to commute on, nothing too serious.

BigPolishJimmy

www.freecycle.org it's about 'free recycling' and not specific to cycling as a sport.

Chris_in_Miami

Doesn't sound like they're in any danger of going to the scrapyard then. I'm inclined to agree with E, look for the bike with the best tubing and go from there. Nothing wrong with French bikes, it sounds like you're aware of the compatibility issues.

roccobike

Honestly, without pics and models ID, this is almost impossible. The raleigh could be a 1974 Record and the Novara could be a late 80s, double butted chromoly frame with index 600 tricolor. Please post pics.

wrk101

+1 Its all about models and condition. Novara is a nice brand, but its a store brand (REI). So just recognize it has limited upside long term. Once you get to the mid 1980s, some of the issues with the French bikes are gone. Raleigh quality is all over the place, from something special to bottom end.

In the end, depending on condition, the Novara could be the best bike. Look for decals on the frame telling you what it is made out of.

old's'cool

The Empire could possibly be quite decent also. I'd like to see pics of it.

ak_cowboy

Alright I got pics. The best I could do right now...

Raleigh


Motobecane


Another Raleigh


Schwinn


Empire


Gary Fisher


Peugeot

jish1969

Save the Moto and the Empire for yourself, put the rest putside with a free or make offer sign and youre all good...

old's'cool

The Empire frame quite likely is double-butted and has a Shimano 600 groupset. Do see that it finds a good home. If all else fails, let me know, maybe we can work something out.

DRietz

Yeah, definitely take the Empire. Can't say anything about the others, but the Motobecane would probably be nice as well.

ak_cowboy

Ok, I'll grab the Empire at least.
Old's Cool - I'll let you know if I want to keep it or what shipping is going to be to the Lower 48
Razor from KC - What kind of Raleigh? Because the brown one has front and rear fenders, I could determine shipping on those also (expensive lol)

Chris_in_Miami

+1, those are the standouts by far, and the OP's instinct about the Peugeot is on target, but I think it's a few notches below the others. I know you already have the MTB base covered, but the Yokota is also decent.

cudak888 

I don't agree with putting the Empire forward of the Moto. The Motobecane, though nicked up a bit, appears of better quality.

Note the cheap, stamped fork crown of the Empire. Seat stay caps don't speak of high quality either, and the crankset/FD is definitely a replacement. The Moto definitely has good-quality forged drops - I can't even make that out on the Empire. The finish of the long point lugs might be in question as well.

That said, I wouldn't ignore the Empire at any rate, but I'd put the Moto ahead of it.

-Kurt

P.S.: The Raleigh 3-speed in the lot is a 1977-79 Sprite - the only generation of Sprite ever to be offered with a 3-speed option. They're not anything special by virtue of this, but a nice oddity that is worth saving if you can; a frame made specifically by Raleigh for use with an AW hub and 630mm wheels.

ak_cowboy

I think I'll grab both (Empire & Moto) and clean the frames and such up. Throw on some of the wheels laying around and see what price they'll fetch. Then keep the Peugeot, just to be different I'll try and get some pics of the Moto I already have, camera battery died tonight

Razor - I can guarantee that shipping would be more than $15 lol, sorry

old's'cool

Thanks! When you check shipping, also check to Comox B.C. (trans-border but closer, who knows?)

EjustE

If you are planning of selling them, get the cranks off the Moto and sell them separately... you will not regret it

cudak888 

What benefit is he going to get by selling a cheap Motobecane crankset? It's worth $20 tops.

-Kurt

ak_cowboy

I went back today and spent a lot longer than I realized haha. Nobody had been through for awhile so it was pretty messy, I spent some time cleaning things up and then picking out parts and pieces. The Empire is looking like a really nice bike, the dérailleurs are super clean and the BB spins great. I might end up keeping it also! The Peugeot needs a little more work, but I like it for its oddity value, probably fix it up and store it. About the Moto.... It needs a new front fork, the right side is broken off. I was also working on my g/f's new bike (Kona Lana'i) and didn't feel up to the extra time working on the Moto quite yet.
I've got some more pics that'll I post up soon for your viewing pleasures.

ak_cowboy

Peugeot


Empire


Gary Fisher X-Small


Random Closeups

shopgirl

I would grab that Gary Fisher. But that could be because it's the only one that's my size.

robatsu

I agree with Moto #1, Empire #2.

ak_cowboy

The Moto has a broken drop out on the fork... Idk if it's worth the work to replace it or not