BigPoser

Hey all,

I'm in the process of restoring a Bertoni Corsa Mondiale frame and will be putting a Campy Potenza group with some nice wheels and finishing kit. The restore will consist of a complete paint strip, respray to factory colors and new decals that will be Bertoni and Columbus.

What is the best way to determine value after I build the bike back up? Searching gets me nowhere so I thought I'd ask you all.

Thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks.

Brandon

zukahn1 

I think you would be way upside down on this project the parts mentioned and repaint will run $1000+, I don't think you could actually sell the finished bike for the cost of the Potenza groupo in most markets. Repainted with newer components $800-1000 is a bout the most you can get for 70-80's era Italian bike in most markets with something like a Corsa Mondiale I would quess more like $600-800.

tmh657

fify.

repechage

What you described reads fun, as an investment, a short sale.

BigPoser

Just curious, but why so little?

Kevindale

Repainted bikes tend to be less desirable to collectors. A quality paint job, from my observations, very rarely raises the value of the bike an amount even equal to the cost of the painting. Also, a complete group set on a built-up frame is usually worth less than the frame/fork and group sold separately. New wheels will also set you back a pretty penny, but will add less to the whole bike value than their cost. It sounds like you're paying retail for these parts, which is not the way to go with a bike aimed at resale.

If you wanted to flip this bike and come out ahead, the best strategy (from reading this forum religiously for a while) would be to carefully clean and (maybe) touch up the frame, remove rust, polish chrome, gently polish alloy, and replace missing/damaged parts with period correct used parts scavenged from other bikes. If the frame is in too poor shape, and must be repainted, then it's a poor candidate for a profitable resale.

Bianchigirll 

While a nice bike, not that I ever had the pleasure of riding one, Bertoni was a boutique brand offered by Univega and doesn't carry the panache of true Italian like a Bianchi or Geurciotti to begin with.

IMHO what you are planning to do is not restoring the but modifying it. Restoring it would be repaint with factory colors ad decals and original components, which I believe on this was Shipmano 600?

As mentioned if it isn't a keeper and you just wish to make money off it a good overhaul is the way to go.

BTW any pics? How bad is the paint?

Bianchigirll 

I wouldn't paint this unless Joe Bell was doing if for free.

BigPoser

This is the best pic I have at the moment. The paint is in decent shape except on the chainstay where is all worn off. Some of the Columbus decals are pretty bad. There are a few other scratches that need some help too. That was the main reason I was going to strip and respray. Touching up isn't really an option for me as it would cost me just as much to make up enough paint for the touch up, I might as well paint the whole thing.

I don't have to sell it, but I was considering it, IF I were to be able to get some "ok" money for it. Maybe I'll just keep it for my cruiser.

randyjawa 

As others have stated, you will spend a lot more than you will get back. The best way to determine value is to start with what you want to get and list it on Ebay and/or locally on Craigslist. My guess is that you will find out that your investment will not even be covered, forcing you to lower your asking price. I guess also that you will be very disappointed.

I am a collector and don't buy repainted bicycles (very often). Once repainted, the value and, at times, the ability to prove the bike's pedigree cannot be proven. You can learn a bit more by having a good look at Should I Paint My Bicycle.

Narhay

Toss one of these chainstay protectors on there and call it a day.

BigPoser

That is actually very nice, and a great idea. Thanks.

jdave5917

Here's a 1986 Corsa Mondiale that I re-did. Not authentic to original factory colors since I like the look of bright red, but it turns heads aruond here and rides nice as well. Thus the quotes around "Restored." My intent from the beginning was to redo and ride it so not concerned about what it's worth to anyone else at this point. Columbus Matrix tubing; 8-sp Dura Ace shifters and derailleurs; Shimano 600 crankset, hubs, headset, levers and calipers; Cinelli stem and bar, Matrix rims. When I started stripping the paint and discovered that the entire frame was plated, I decided to polish the lugs and mask them off before painting. Again - not an original feature but I like the look.
Didn't realize that I hadn't taken updated photos after replacing the green sidewalll tires, so only the side view accurately depicts that aspect of the bike in this set of photos. Have to wait until the 20" of snow that we got yesterday melts to take updated photos.

BigPoser

Nice work! It looks great. In building up mine, the braze-on on the chainstay broke off so now I need to find a knowledgeable person who can braze another one on. I wasn't going to repaint it, but I'm afraid that after I have it fixed I'll have too.

Bianchigirll 

That's pretty

jdave5917

That should be simple fix for any competent frame builder. If the rest of the frame paint is in decent condition, I recommend respraying only the chainstay. I get mix-to-match rattle cans made up at the local auto parts store and have done that with several frames with great success.

jdave5917

Just noticed that Camp Hill address so you know what I mean by the snow comment. I'm just across the river. Can't believe I had tan lines on my legs in Feb (a first, I think) and now this???