RunForTheHills

My Dad bought this bike new in the mid 70's and hasn't ridden it in 20 years. I am not sure what year he bought it, but I will call and ask if he remembers tomorrow. The serial number is *405483*, but I can't find a reference to read the year from the serial numbers. He is 84 and doesn't ride it anymore and it is too big for me (60cm).

He has replaced just about all the components on it. I think he did that in the very early 80's. He may have the original components, but he has no idea what box in his garage they would be in if he still has them. The equipment that is currently on it is listed below. He asked me to sell the bike for him, but I am not sure what it is worth and if it is better to just part it out. I live in Southern California, but work in the Bay Area and sometimes stay over the weekend up here. I drove home over the Labor Day weekend and brought the bike back up to the Bay Area with me (I rent a room in a house up here so I have a place to keep it).

EDCO Competition Headset
Campagnolo Crank
Campagnolo Brakes
Phil Wood Hubs
Phil Wood BB
Shimano Deore XT RD
Campagnolo FD

coolkat

Probably better to part out. Not only are the replaced parts (the bars, mostly) going to hamper the sale, but so is the Italvega name, which is somewhat obscure, and not super high end. The parts are pretty nice, though.

TugaDude

Gonna disagree with the notion that Italvega is a negative. Maybe for noobs, but there are tons of well-versed bike fans in the Bay Area that would lick their chops to get a Italvega. In my area they rarely come up and when they do, sell same day.

RunForTheHills

Thanks for the replies. So, would you sell it as is, replace the handlebars with a downtube, or just part it out? What is a good starting price?

TugaDude

Parting it out is obviously more work. You might reap more $, but you would have to remove items such as the cranks which you might not be able to for a lack of tools. Those cranks require a fairly skinny socket to remove the crank bolts also.
You might list it as-is for $250.00 and see what happens. IMHO if you are wanting more out of it, parting out is necessary.

RunForTheHills

Thanks. That helps a lot.

bikingshearer 

I agree with TugaDude that parting it out is more effort and would likely also net more $$$. As far as the tools go, if your Dad did his own work, he may have the crank tools you need.

Also, to the right buyer, the Phil Wood hubs and bottom bracket would be quite desirable as they are all but indestructible. Check eBay for comparisons (look at the completed/sold auctions) to get a better idea.

RunForTheHills

He did a lot of his own work, but also had a friend that owned a bicycle shop he could take it to. He gave me his bag of bicycle tools. I will go through it and see if there is a tool that will work on the bottom bracket. I assume I could just sell the wheels without taking off the rims and spokes to someone who wanted the hubs.

Bianchigirll 

If it was close to me I would be really really tempted at $250. Is this SL?

RunForTheHills

By SL, do you mean Superlight? It is an Italvega Superlight. If you mean "sold locally", that is what I was planning to do unless I part it out. The bike is in the San Francisco East Bay right now.

RunForTheHills

The bike is in the SF bay area right now. I have a perfect reputation on eBay, but have not sold any bike parts in the past. I am mechanically inclined, so I don't think I would have a problem disassembling it. I am putting together some tools to work on my own bikes. I just ordered a work stand and some other stuff. I have an old Raleigh International with a Campy bottom bracket. If I don't have the tool in the bag my Dad gave me and had to buy one, would the same tool work on my Raleigh in the future. As far as time goes, some weekends are better than others but there isn't any urgency to this project.

TugaDude

In my estimate above I totally missed the Phil hubs and BB. They add considerably to the value. My bad.

juvela

this machine could be appended to the "show us your torpado" thread.

at last check it still did not have any italvegas.

btw - Bianchigirll meant sl as in a.l. columbo sl frame tubing.

RunForTheHills

How can you tell if it is A.L. Columbo SL frame tubing? I would add it to the torpado thread, but I am not going to keep the bike. It is way too big for me.

juvela

the Superlight model is Columbus SL tubing. no sticker required.

mentioned the torpado thread because marque enthusiasts there would enjoy seeing the bicycle. does not matter that you will not be keeping it.

Campagnerdo 

Recommend you do the search in the garage for the original parts that the italvega came with. This model is known for having customized drilled parts that would make a complete package very desirable. Original cockpit including brake levers, as well as the rear derailleur, will garner additional interest.

RunForTheHills

You are probably right, but I am 500 miles away and my Dad wouldn't be able to move boxes. There are a lot boxes including up in a rafter storage area. I am not going home this weekend because my wife is coming up here. If the parts are that valuable and I find them, wouldn't they be worth more off the bike than on it?

juvela

one can nearly always get more out of a given machine by doing a part out. it is also more work, time and trouble. the bicycle was a very top top model from this label at this time and as such has some collectability. italvega bicycles were done for a distributor in located los angeles.

perhaps it would be best not to be in a hurry and wait until you can check your dad's garage before listing the cycle for sale. a complete machine with all of its original bits would garner the greatest interest.

RunForTheHills

In this case, the parts are already off of the bike (if I can find them in the garage), so it would be more work to put them back on. I understand that the bike would be more valuable with the original components, but is the value greater than the sum of the parts?

juvela

part outs are perhaps best done by those who sell bicycle merchandise on a regular basis as they know values, desirability, advert composition, best places to advertise and such.

they are more trouble and the proceeds come in via dribs and drabs through numerous transactions. with a whole machine sale it all happens at once and one need only communicate with that single buyer.

it would be nice for the bicycle also if it could be sold as a unit with its original fittings. it would likely go to a buyer who would value it for what it is rather than what it could be turned into...

RunForTheHills

I appreciate your help. I will be back down there next weekend and will try to look for them, but I usually have a lot to do on my weekends home and won't be able to go through every box. My Dad is not even sure if he still has them. He hasn't seen them since he moved into that house fifteen years ago.

juvela

best o' luck with it.

sounds like it could turn into one of those scavenger hunt adventures.