Paco01

Think this is a 84 bike with the Olympic Insignia on the front. All components are Dura Ace. In very good condition for over 28 years old.
Any thoughts? Have it on ebay right now for $2499

Bianchigirll 

Was it rebuilt at one time? Why would a team bike with Campagnolo sponsorship decals be festooned with Dura Ace? Also isn't '84 a bit early for not only indexing but a cassette rear hub?

Is that ruse ot just dirt?

Paco01

Bill - Really appreciate the input. I was thinking that keeping it as original as possible would be best is that not the case? The bike has not been ridden in probably 20 years and just replaced the tires three years ago (Matching of course)

Bianchigirll 

I think if you had documentation that Andy Hamstead or Davis Phinney actually rode it then keeping it original might be worth while, but otherwise someone paying $2500 for a bike would probably want to ride it.

I went back to you and notice there is no information about the bike. What size is it? Tubing material ChroMor? matrix? Alle? 8spd? how long are the cranks and what are the rings? \bar size and brand? stem?

Paco01

Thanks again I appreciate the feedback.
I have had that same Dura Ace question on eBay. I work for 7E and these bikes were made available to us in the 80s. This is the way they came from the team (maybe minus the look pedals).

T-Mar

A team like 7-Eleven would often be race testing the latest equipment a year in advance of its commercial introduction, so indexed shifting on a 1984 team bicycle would not be unusal. As for freehubs, Shimano introduced them back in 1978. However, IIRC 7-Eleven didn't make the switch to Shimano unitl 1987, the same year they switched to Huffy. I recall all the Murray era bicycles being Campagnolo equipped. Very strange, unless my memory is faulty (wouldn't be the first time) or this was just an old bicycle that they were using as a test bed.

KonAaron Snake 

I don't know Bill - most of us took those caps off. If you mean it didn't come that way...yes...but it was probably raced as it sits. I don't think condition is too bad and it has a number hanger. Definitely needs better photos - and tieing it into an actual rider would help. It's pricey, but it's a REALLY cool bike. I'm biased because of my Merckx, but I think bikes like this should go at a premium.

T-Mar

I can't get excited over the missing crank bolt caps. In fact I'd be surprised (and suspicious) if they were there! Team mechanics routinely discarded them.

blilrat

That is a cool bike.

I looked up your ad to see more pictures and... you need better pictures to ever get that price especially when your ad says look at the pictures for condition. Another tip - put Serotta in your Ebay title somewhere.

wrk101

While most probably tossed the caps at some point, a collector looking for a wall hanger is probably going to desire everything to be as close as out of the box as possible.

+1,000,000 If it can be tied to a specific racer, then straight from the racer, with every scratch, missing part, whatever, would be how some collectors would want it.

I would put max effort into documenting provenance, up to and including pulling the ad until I could get the documentation. Then I would put max effort into the marketing of the bike (high quality pics mainly), and repop it onto ebay at perhaps a higher price.

I edited out my prior comments, as if this bike can be shown to be a legitimate race bike, then that is where I would put my efforts.

Good luck with the process!

Paco01

Snake - Thanks for the input - It was ridden by Canadian Ron Hayman. His initials are above the crank and I have an email from him. Is it possible the Dura Ace components were used vs Campi?

KonAaron Snake 

I'm not sure Paco...I remember those as being Campy bikes, like T-mar, but I'm not at all certain. It's possible that another previous owner switched the Campy to DA 7400...a lot of riders were making that switch then.

My Merckx should be DA and someone built it up Ergo

canyoneagle

That is a really cool bike.
I think there is some potential to get some decent cash for the bike. Certainly stepping up the game on your Ebay ad will help. Take better pictures - hastily snapped shots of the bike leaning against a white wall don't help - take some time, find a good environment to take the pictures - either a backdrop with good lighting or a beautiful outdoor setting will help, as will using a nice camera that really shows the bike's beauty. Take some time to get some nice text in your ad, pehaps some pictures of Ron in action or on a podium. Get a backdrop for the ad and integrate a gallery rather than simple pictures. Take detailed closeups with a good macro - really show it off.
Clean it up really well. Install some new bar tape IMO - pros would have their tape changed out frequently during the season, so new tape would be a nice touch.

Also, get some more facts about Ron in there. He was one of the founding members of the 7-Eleven squad, and was team captain for a while.
Spending a little more time (and perhaps money for a nicer ebay ad) will help. It sounds petty, but subtle things can really help bring people in to your ad.

Finally, check back with Ron (since you have made contact with him) and ask about the Dura Ace vs Campy - he may offer some insight.

I also agree with adding "Serotta" to the title.

Best of luck - it is a sweet bike and should be able to get some decent money - maybe not $2,500, but you never know.

jyl

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Hayman

I think you need to figure out how to market this bike to Canadian cycling fans. Seems like Ron Hayman is not a nobody in Canada . . .

Cool bike. Don't skimp on the marketing.

Paco01

Great guidance! Thanks much!

IthaDan 

To piggyback on Bills deleted, but quoted comments, I don't pay much mind to dirty bar tape, but I do get concerned with things like the levers being on the wrong side of the bars and the cables following the back of the bars. It raises a lot of questions, and if you're seeking top dollar, those questions shouldn't come up.

That said, mention it's a serrotta and toss it up over at paceline, they'll eat it up.

wrk101

I deleted my comments as the thread went from how to present a bike to get full value to how to market a rare, race team bike. Totally different market, and the small things that prevent a bike from getting full value probably do not have much effect on the value of a team bike.

On regular bikes, I believe the small details really add up. Neglect, dirt, minor rust, etc. all = hefty discount. But again, on a team bike, different market.

+1 To below, ebay is the land of the buyer always wins. So over-disclosure of any/all defects is critical, or the sale could go south on you.

T-Mar

I went back and checked through my race photos and as far as I can tell, it should be a 1985 model. Hayman was racing for GS Mengoni in 1984 and returned for his last year with 7-Eleven in 1985. Componentry was Campagnolo in 1985, as it was in 1984. Of course, it's always possible that Hayman was handed down a 1984 model. The 1984 and 1985 models seem very similar, if not identical.

1986 was the last year for Murray sponsorship. Componentry was still Campagnolo, though the frames received distinctive white fade panels for black Murray logos and the head badges lack the Olympic rings.

I have relatively few 1983 photos, but the Olympic rings are clearly visible in one and the bicycles do not have chromed stays. Componentry was Campagnolo.

Strangely, pedal selection seems to have been left up to the rider. I have photos of Raul Alcala using Look in 1986, while other team members (same race) are using clips and straps.

Hayman's team affiliations corrobate it being used by him for 1985, though it could possibly be a handed down 1984 model. I could find no evidence of 7-Eleven using Shimano during their sponsorship period with Murray. While it may not provde any insight, it certainly would be interesting to know the date codes on the components.

jet sanchEz

I have an old Telekom Merckx that was ridden by Olaf Ludwig (his name is on the top tube) and I have changed a few things but kept everything in a box in case I do sell it. I would assume that the heritage of the bike makes it valuable, not the bike itself.

Somewhere out there is a fan of Ludwig or of early '90s cyclign or of Team Telekom or German racing and, for that person, they would probably want everything on the bike as Ludwig rode it. I did throw out the bar tape though, it was pretty ratty

Paco01

T-Mar - Ron said he used this bike as a "Guest Rider" in 85. The serial numbers on the bottom bracket say 4 1207. I am told by a collector it probably means it was an 84.

FredyCro

Hello, just another small input for E-bay selling collector items for **** $. You already got some valuable tips. Make sure you also show the down side of what you are selling - sometimes this may be price lowering, but it will make you trustworthy and down the road it will bring you a good feedback, which is crucial. Also make sure that you know what law is applicable for your sell and get yourself a valid disclaimer.