I need help
05-03-18, 11:06 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I need help
I know where there is a lot of old bikes I know nothing about is this the place to ask for help I'm not interested in money I just want honest people. These bikes aren't mine and I stand to make no profit I'd be selling for a widow so they go to good home
05-04-18, 03:47 PM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 3,265
Bikes: '82 Univega Competizione, '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '83 Mercian KOM Touring, '85 Univega Alpina Uno, '76 Eisentraut Limited
Mentioned: 57 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,205 Times
in
701 Posts
Take a look at some of the postings in this appraisal forum to see examples of what good posts look like. Typically, pictures are necessary for a good evaluation -- always start with the drive side, and then take detailed shots of lugs (where one tube meets another on the frame) and components. You'll be amazed at how knowledgeable folks on this forum are. They can help identify the most arcane stuff.
05-04-18, 06:55 PM
#4
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,523
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
Most old bikes have very little value. The higher value ones tended to be owned by very serious riders and enthusiasts. Brand alone means very little. And to the untrained eye, the basic stuff looks a lot like the valuable stuff. And the bigger the pile the bigger the discount. Most buyers want just one bike. To get someone to buy ten, they will want a hefty discount.
Many people think old = valuable but often old just means old.
finally in any financial transaction the person with the most knowledge wins. So if you don’t have this knowledge there is a higher chance of being taken.
Many people think old = valuable but often old just means old.
finally in any financial transaction the person with the most knowledge wins. So if you don’t have this knowledge there is a higher chance of being taken.
Last edited by wrk101; 05-04-18 at 07:03 PM.
05-04-18, 07:21 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18354 Post(s)
Liked 4,502 Times
in
3,346 Posts
As always, pictures are worth a thousand words.
As mentioned above, there are many levels of "old bike stuff", A lot will depend on what it is, and the actual condition. If you're selling, are you willing to put in some work to clean and tune the bikes? Doing a good tuning can be costly if you're buying things like new tires, but can sometimes double the value.
Of course, there is also a market for "Barn Fresh", and many people dislike repaints, or substituted parts.
Many different vintage markets. There are a lot of really old 3-speed Raleighs, and they aren't worth a lot, but can still be nice bikes.
Old balloon tire bikes from the 50's, often with "tanks" have a certain following, especially with some of the more exotic ones.
Old BMX bikes may also have a cult following. And, Schwinn sting-ray "KRATE" bikes can go for silly prices, again depending on age and condition.
For the basic "ten-speed" bikes, they can be a dime a dozen... unless they are exotic racing bikes (Italian?). Still, some good Japanese racing bikes aren't to be ignored. Schwinn Paramounts are good.
In general, Schwinn Varsity, Huffy, and Murray bikes are cheap, but still sell as good commuters, but don't expect a lot out of them.
Old MTBs also are a mix. Usually worth only a small fraction of the original purchase price, even if they were very expensive when new.
As mentioned above, there are many levels of "old bike stuff", A lot will depend on what it is, and the actual condition. If you're selling, are you willing to put in some work to clean and tune the bikes? Doing a good tuning can be costly if you're buying things like new tires, but can sometimes double the value.
Of course, there is also a market for "Barn Fresh", and many people dislike repaints, or substituted parts.
Many different vintage markets. There are a lot of really old 3-speed Raleighs, and they aren't worth a lot, but can still be nice bikes.
Old balloon tire bikes from the 50's, often with "tanks" have a certain following, especially with some of the more exotic ones.
Old BMX bikes may also have a cult following. And, Schwinn sting-ray "KRATE" bikes can go for silly prices, again depending on age and condition.
For the basic "ten-speed" bikes, they can be a dime a dozen... unless they are exotic racing bikes (Italian?). Still, some good Japanese racing bikes aren't to be ignored. Schwinn Paramounts are good.
In general, Schwinn Varsity, Huffy, and Murray bikes are cheap, but still sell as good commuters, but don't expect a lot out of them.
Old MTBs also are a mix. Usually worth only a small fraction of the original purchase price, even if they were very expensive when new.
05-13-18, 10:22 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: City of Angels
Posts: 4,870
Bikes: A few too many
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1364 Post(s)
Liked 2,178 Times
in
1,182 Posts
OP,
Without any pics the Forum will be of little help in valuation...take some photos and post the pics...that is the best way to determine what your friend has.
Best, Ben
Without any pics the Forum will be of little help in valuation...take some photos and post the pics...that is the best way to determine what your friend has.
Best, Ben
__________________
"EVERY PERSON IS GUILTY OF ALL THE GOOD THEY DID NOT DO"
Voltaire
Voice recognition may sometimes create odd spelling and grammatical errors
"EVERY PERSON IS GUILTY OF ALL THE GOOD THEY DID NOT DO"
Voltaire
Voice recognition may sometimes create odd spelling and grammatical errors
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gerdiazmiron
Classic & Vintage
9
06-20-13 02:21 PM
