eleets2144

I purchased an older specialized sequoia yesterday and was curious what sort of value people would put on this.

I don't have a lot of info on it yet since I haven't picked it up, but it is a 17in (very small) with all the original parts. I purchased it from the original owner who hasn't ridden it in 20 years.

I plan on restoring it for my fiance, but am still interested in the value.

T-Mar

Looks to be circa 1983 but the serial number will tell us for sure. Small frames are a boom or bust proposition. In season, in my region, it would bring $150-$200.

tugrul

If those are 27"/700c wheels, I find it hard to believe that is a 17" frame. My guess is 21".

And in the Boston area, I'd double T-Mar's estimate. My member might be fuzzy, but I think a clean one went for three times his estimate at a Boston co-op.

orcas island 

Looking at the photos, I'd have to guess the frame at 48cm. Look for a two digit code on the underside of the bottom bracket near where the chainstays exit. Many early Specialized's had a size code stamped back there; this is not a part of the serial number, but rather a stand alone two digit number. As to value - I'd have to peg it at $4-500, but again, finding the right buyer is everything... Good luck!

eleets2144

Thanks for the help, I should have the bike in hand on the 23rd. I'll definitely post more info and pictures as I restore it.

wrk101

+1 Finished, all sorted out, cleaned up, $400 to $500. Current state, $250. Small size is a plus, Sequoia of that era is highly thought of. Has front and rear racks. Vintage front racks like that one can be hard to find.

prathmann

Looks just about like my touring bike which is an '84 Sequoia. Only differences I see are that the shift levers sit above the downtube - on mine they're level with it, a slightly different model of rear derailleur, and mine is a 60cm frame. AIRC, Suntour used the shift lever arrangement on this one so that moving the shift lever for the rear also made a slight adjustment to the front derailleur so the chain wouldn't rub.

Apparently Grant Peterson of Rivendell once called the '83 Sequoia the best production bike made.

JunkYardBike

That's worth at least another $100!

I'd agree with the $4-500 estimates, depending on condition and location. I think a pristine example might pull $6-700 on ebay if the right number of bidders are competing.

If you think this estimate is high, look at the retail price of the '83 model below and compare that to the current Expedition market value. Your Sequoia was built with topshelf components: alloy headset, cartridge bearing hubs, cartridge BB, Suntour Superbe brakeset and pedals (yours are MIA), Mavic E2 rims, Sugino AT cranks.

You might be interested in joining this Yahoo group, the source of the scan below: https://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/MiyataSpecTour/

beech333

I'd estimate the bike to be worth at a minimum of $300 around here, possibly $350, during riding season. Of course, I would remove the front rack prior to sale and possibly list it separately to bring in just a little bit more. Of course, I assume that you will be leaving it for your fiance.

I'm thinking that the fuzziness of your member has nothing to do with the value of his bike. It's late, so I may just be tired.

andypop1

I have a 81/82 model. The frame size was included in the serial #.
my frame is 47cm, so I am not sure this one would be a 48, especially top and bottom lugs,
my guess is a 49 or 50, although it is easy enough to measure..

https://www.flickr.com/photos/56316722@N02/5207596742/

tugrul

eleets2144

I picked up the bike today, the serial number on the bb is M2M00036.

yroc

Just curious what did you pay?

eleets2144

$150

yroc

What a deal, nice work. please post pics as you rebuild thx.

eleets2144

Does anyone have know what this serial number means? I can't seem to find any information on it.

wrk101

Serial number really doesn't matter. If you want to verify the age, just look up the component codes. Every manufacturer had their own numbering system, and most of them changed their own numbering method many, many times over the years.

OK, just a total wild guess: 36th bike of December 1982. Letter code is often the month, a lot of manufacturers skip the letter "I" to prevent confusion with the number 1. But I really have no idea.

Great deal on a really nice bike, in a desirable small size. Well done!

leaping_gnome

Perhaps T-Mar will provide some insite into the serial number. I believe that at least some of the Sequoias from 1983-1986 were made by Miyata and that may be borne out by the similarity in the serial numbers. My own 1984 Sequoia is serial M4C20194. I think yours may be an 83 because of the blue color but it is not the same as the earlier Sequoias like andypop1. There are many construction details like how the chain stays are formed and how the seat stays are attached, and the chrome chain stay and dropouts that are more akin to my 84 (dark slate metallic blue). You can check out the specs for yourself at the Yahoo Miyata-Spec group here:
https://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group...983-1986/1983/

In any case you got a terrific deal. The Sequoia is a great bike.

Jim

T-Mar

This is not a Miyata manufactured Sequoia. Two different manufacturers used that serial number format. However, if there is a country of orign label, the manufacturer can be identified. Regardless, the frame was manufactured in mid 1982.

leaping_gnome

Well, now I am curious. T-Mar, can you elaborate? If the bike does not have a "Made in Japan" label then where would it have been made? I know that Specialized began moving production to Taiwan but I did not think that was until the mid 80's. Could it be Merida? Is the serial number format XYZ where X=factory, Y=year, Z=fortnight? But if that were true it would have been made in December 1982.

Not trying to argue here, just curious. I have an early Allez (ie 1979-1981) with the serial number 58K1 0094 (separate stampings) and I am not sure what factory it may have come from.

Jim

eleets2144

I will do my best to look over the bike more this weekend and post more pictures.

One issue I ran into is that the freewheel seemed to be locked up when I received the bike (the wheel wouldn't "coast"). I was able to break it free, but now the entire freewheel spins when pedaling the bike. I ordered a freewheel removal tool and plan on taking it apart this weekend, but wasn't sure if anyone here would be able to give me an idea of what is causing this issue?

prathmann

Most likely is just that the grease inside has solidified and is gumming up the operation of the pawls that provide the ratcheting action. You might try spraying WD-40 or another very light lubricant into the freewheel as it's spinning - aim the spray into the little crack between the part that rotates and the part that's fixed to the hub. Frequently that'll free things up well enough so you don't have to disassemble. If it does then add some regular oil lubricant.

I would also be interested in any further information on how to interpret the serial numbers on Sequoias. Mine is M4C20059.

wrk101

Search is your friend. You can service that freewheel without removing it from the wheel. I usually remove them to do the service, as you will need to remove it anyway to service the bearings.

A sluggish freewheel is typical on just about any bike that has been sitting idle for a while. 99% of the vintage bikes I find need the freewheel flushed and serviced.

leaping_gnome

Looks like a Suntour Winner freewheel? If I was close by I would loan you a removal tool. They are cheap and a good thing to have anyway. Unless a spray with WD-40 loosens things up then you may still have to remove it and soak it in light oil. I have used Auto Trans Fluid or Marvel Mystery Oil also. If it is a Winner Pro FW then there is an oil hole in the backside that is accessible after removing the FW from the hub.

BTW - have you dated any of the components? If you are interested in learning more about your bike (and telling us about it) you can go to www.vintage-trek.com and look and the Component Dats tab for info. Of course all of your original components will pre-date the assembly date by some amount of time.

Good luck - Jim

Gthoro

Nice catch eleet2144. I picked up a Sequoia this summer as a part of a lot of bikes that I purchased. When I saw it I knew if was worth the price of the whole lot of them. I'm glad to see the other appraisals confirm the value. I haven't spent any time on it, but I do plan on flipping it. I'll post the serial # tomorrow.