iamjethro

https://littlerock.craigslist.org/bik/4308804677.html

I sent email asking sizes. Any clue what they are and worth?

Good weekend riders and commute bikes?

howsteepisit

Look to be older 70s/80s entry level bikes, 100 seems on the high side but cannot tell much from the pics. The mixte may bring a decent return if reconditioned. I doubt the "600 type components but cannot tell from the pics.

oddjob2

Looks like the seller is emptying out a storage unit. Offer him $200 for all three, recondition the white mixte, with $50 in new consumables, sell it for $200. Two bikes for $50 out-of-pocket.

PatTheSlat 

I'd be all over the Kabuki Submariner (which features a frame consisting of stainless steel tubes bonded to alloy lugs), but that's just because I have a thing for weird bikes.

jj1091

I agree with oddjob2 on the Raleigh. It would sell quickly here in N Fla for $150 and up. I'd offer them $75 on the Raleigh, and rejuvenate it. More and more female riders starting to buy vintage bikes here. The others would just sit and sit on C/L.

rekmeyata

I like odd ball stuff, I would buy the Kabuki, definitely a superior bike over the others, it was a stainless steel frame made by Bridgestone designed by Grant Petersen owner of Rivendell. The Kabuki does have one odd ball part and that's the seatpost, it uses a quill post like stems did back then which could be a pain to replace if need be. But the bike is a very unique looking bike and has a conversational quality to it.

You could buy the Raleigh too, get both, and like what others said, sell the one and the Kabuki will end up costing you just $50. If you buy both tell the seller you would take two off his hands for $150 total and see what he does. If he agrees the Kabuki could end up costing you next to nothing.

digger531

I like the all three for $200 approach. I showed the mixte to my wife and she immediately asked if it was her size....as if I don't have enough projects.

TugaDude

Not trying to be disagreeable, but the Submariner was way before Grant Petersen worked for Bridgestone. I owned a 1975 Kabuki Submariner so I know. I think there's a thread somewhere with pics. IIRC, Petersen went to work for them in the late 80's.

The bike sold back then for over $400.00, had VGT Luxe RD and nice alloy components. I'd go for the sub for sure.

Chombi

The sub's a cool bike being so unique back then....but be aware that it's quite heavy....
I still remember me and my brother lifting it form the dealers floor when first came and being shocked how heavy it was and thinking.....WTF!!
I would have seriously considered buying it if it just weighed even close to a midlevel CrMo steel bike, but IIRC, the weight was well into gaspipe frame territory.... So anyone buying it should not be looking for a "lightweight" bike......

rekmeyata

Depending on the year of the Sub, I thought Grant was involved in the later models like the 12 series starting at around 81. Anyway, I couldn't find anything on the internet other than a bunch of sites, mostly forums and owners of the bikes, claiming he did, which is what I was always lead to believe, but nothing from Grant or insiders, so I sent an e-mail to Rivendell and see if they respond, if they do I'll let you know what they say.

rekmeyata

They weighed as much as 30 pounds, which is still quite a bit less then most of the bikes Schwinn put out like the Varsity, Collegiate, Suburban, Continental, and a couple of others, and less than most department store bikes. But in return for that weight you got a high quality stainless steel frame, and the bike itself was very reliable. I had a friend who owned one of those since he was 18 and he still rode it the last I heard about a year ago, he doesn't ride as much as I do but the bike is still going; and on the internet I read similar stories. I do know that if the components are all original Suntour VGt that stuff is bullet proof.

iamjethro

owner emailed me and said he would check sizes and get back to me. Heard nothing since. Not sure what the deal is yet. If the seat post needed work is it a worthless project?

zukahn1

Considering the level of these bikes if a seatpost is stuck or has issues it likely isn't worth the time and trouble to deal with.

TugaDude

I think some folks conjure up images of Grant Petersen in order to sell their bike, due to his being involved with Bridgestone. I double-checked and my Sub was a 1974. There were slight mods to the bike, for example mine had fake ears on the seatpost collar that looked like a clamp. Its only function was to hold the rear cable hanger. It had the quill post that was common to the Submariner.

rekmeyata

It depends, if the owner doesn't know it's a quill seat post he may not know how to release the quill to loosen the seatpost. You could try to do it your self with his permission on the grounds that if it works you may be interested in buying it. Here is video, it's the same for the seat just remove the seat first, the only difference is where the lock nut thing starts because there is none on that seat post which shouldn't be needed if the quill isn't corroded onto the frame. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GRbdnTRH-4 Once that bolt is loosened, but don't remove the bolt it could cause the wedge to drop down into the frame, only have to turn it maybe 4 times. All you should need is a 13mm box wrench. You can still find used quill seat posts for about $25 on E-bay for the original, but other companies made them too, just not sure if another brand would fit. Those quills are pretty reliable so if it comes out it should be serviceable.

You might want to take a few box wrenches along if you decide to try this stunt so you can get the seat off as well.

If I ever find one of those bikes in great condition I know I would buy it because it was a very unusual and unique looking bike, and they're cheap to buy.

rekmeyata

I never ask what size the bike is, I ask a simpler question...how tall is the rider, they usually know how tall they are! That answer will get you in the ballpark. While I agree none of the bikes are compelling deals but if all you want to do is spend around $100 you may be hard pressed finding anything better, though depending on where you live you might, but in some places like where I live or worse like Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, etc, it would be pure luck and happen chance to run into something better for $100, I've seen Schwinn Varsity's go for more than that where I Live and I wouldn't pay for the gas to get a Varsity for free!!!