riteph

I’m writing this post to ask what this Schwinn Tempo might be worth. I’ve seen similar such models for sale between $150-300.

I’ve removed the wheels for the time being, as one of the spokes on the rear wheel bent slightly during a fall and the wheel distorted to the point that the bicycle became unrideable. I brought the wheels into a cycling shop and was told they were quite nice, hand-made wheels that might be worth fixing but the mechanic did not know who had made them—any way to tell? Are they of any value, now that one is broken?

Anyway, any estimates of the bicycle's value in its current state? Would it be worth more if I somehow fixed it up, without spending too much on it?

If more photos are needed to assess the value, please let me know. I suspect I may have missed some key shots. Thanks in advance.

Doohickie

I would think the low end of the range you cited ($150) on an as-is basis, maybe even down to the sub $100 level. Basically people expect the bike to be rideable. If it isn't, the pool of people willing to buy the bike goes down quite a bit. Hopefully others will chime in soon to tell me how wrong I am (as is usually the case).

Kobe 

If you get the spoke on the wheel fixed and they are relatively true, it looks to be in ride shape. Kinda rough, but ride able. With just the spoke fixed it is a $125 bike.

The cost\benefit of fixing depends on who is doing the work and where they get the parts. If it is you and you know what you are doing, including the proper tools, then have a go at it. $40-50 on tires,tubes, cables, and brakes will add $100 the bottom line. You should be in the $250 neighbourhood. If you have to pay the shop, don't even bother, you will never recoup that money.

tugrul

1987 Tempo specifications cited Maillard hubs so I'm guessing it's all stock.

Project bike, project price, $100 is pushing it.

Cleaned and overhauled, included an intact saddle, should be in the $225 range.

riteph

Thanks for the responses.

It seems the consensus is that it's not worth too much as it is. I may try to list it on Craigslist for $100-150 or so as is and if nobody is interested then try fix it up...I see the same bike (in better condition) listed for $270 and $400 on Craigslist, which I suppose speaks to the value of a ready-to-ride bicycle over a disassembled one:

$270
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/2525203127.html

$400
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik/2527222659.html

rccardr 

Are you in SFO? If so, then those asking prices are pretty typical. Keep in mind that an asking price and what the seller walks away with in his pocket are often some distance apart. Both of your examples are larger frames, both are in ride-away condition, and both appear to have been better maintained than yours. I agree with Tugrul: around here that's a project bike; project price, $100+/-.

On the other hand, if the bike fits you, fix it up and ride the darn thing. You won't get your money back out of it, but properly repaired it will last you for, well, decades.

riteph

For anybody w/ a 1987 Schwinn Tempo who might be interested or might search this forum down the road, I thought I'd post a follow-up: I listed the bike as it is on Craigslist and within 12 hours had a number of inquiries. Even though I realized that I had probably underpriced it, I sold it to the first buyer for $150, as I had decided I didn't want to go through the process of repairing it and was not selling it for profit.

To the poster who asked about my location, I'm originally from the SF area, so I referred to the SF Craigslist, but I'm currently in Denver.

Okay, thanks everybody.