ergillma

Just picked up this Univega Gran Turismo for $60 on Craigslist. It has the "Made in Japan" frame, and paint is in good shape. Looks like it will only need new tires/tubes/cables, and one pedal. Wheels are 27" and true, and all gears/brakes work great. How did I do? Also, will the serial number reveal the year it was made?

howsteepisit

If you do the work yourself probably OK, otherwise you can get under really quick needing both parts and labor. But nobody can tell much from that picture.

TugaDude

What do you mean "How did I do?".? Do you want to keep it, flip it? How you did depends on the answer. If you intend to ride it, you did good. Otherwise, so-so.

oddjob2

Nice bike, IMHO, you paid FMV for a fixer upper.

CliffordK

I agree, you got a nice $60 bike.

Add $100 worth of tires, bar tape, tubes, pedals... and you may almost have a $160 bike.

It should be a good rider/commuter, but I wouldn't go overboard with the upgrades.

One note.
Check your handlebar stem to see if there is an "INSERT-TO" mark, and make sure that it is inserted below that mark.

ramzilla

You did real good on that deal. The chrome fork tips & head badge are nice touches. To get that bike in really top shape should only cost about $200 in parts and around 10 - 20 hours labor. (DIY prices). If it was fully restored it would be a really valuable bike. But of course, you may have a hard time getting it's true worth.

Old Univegas have a great reputation for value and durability.

Here's one on e-bay for $400 check it out: Univega Gran Turismo Lugged and Butted Steel 58CTT 56CTC Square | eBay

oddjob2

As the experienced veterans here will repeat over and over, asking prices on ebay are meaningless. And more often than not, a pipe dream. Look up closed sales transactions.

daf1009

Try these...

1983 Univega Gran Turismo 15 Spead Touring Road Bike 53cm | eBay

Nice Univega Gran Turismo 15 Speed Touring Bicycle Gray Silver | eBay

These are the real comparisons...

ergillma

Thanks for the feedback. I have it stripped down to the frame and it looks like it will need: tubes/tires, brake pads, one pedal, seat, and handlebar tape. I also plan on replacing the Shimano Tourney rear derailleur with a Suntour V-GT since that's what came with the bike.

ramzilla

Don't let all these experienced veterans get you down. We all know you can get a brand new "Schwinn Varsity" with beautiful alloy wheels at WallyWorld on sale for $200. However, only a select elite few will ever be able to enjoy riding your Univega Gran Turismo. And so what if it's not worth the money you put into it. I guarantee its a better bike than a new "Schwinn Varsity" will ever be.

If you really want to lose money try restoring an old Italian bike.

TugaDude

10 to 20 hours labor? Are you kidding? $200.00 in parts? Sorry but that is patently absurd.

daf1009

From a "not quite" experienced veteran...but getting there...

I could have that bike out and safely riding it for probably 5 hours and <$100 of parts...now...to fully redo it...and take more time, sure...

Also...the points about eBay...NEVER look at asking prices...and that is NOT to get "someone down"...that is to help people face what the market truly will bear. I sell on eBay constantly...and asking prices are completely useless. I have seen (to your point about Schwinn Varsity's) old Schwinn Varsities, in very rough shape, with an asking price of >$500...with a complete rebuild in its future. I have seen the "Wally World" Varsities on eBay with an asking price of >$400 (which is more than you would pay at Wally World for a completely new one). So...when looking at eBay, look at sold listings to really understand the market.

oddjob2

Tires = $20-$45/pr
Cables/Housing = $8-$10 (purchased in bulk)
Bearings = $4, for 2 hubs, bb, reuse headset retainer
Bar tape = $7-$12
Brake pads = $4

Labor
Dismantling = < 1 hour, with nothing stuck
Cleaning = < 1 hour
Reassembling = 2 hours
Test and tune = .5-1.0 hour

ramzilla

I'm totally ********. I can spend way more time on mundane items than most other people would. I've got Q-Tips in the shop. Everything has to be absolutely perfect !!!!!!!!!

Live life. Be good. Ride hard. Have fun. Love.

pdxpsyclist

Hello all - first post on the forum!

I just finished a top-to-bottom rebuild on this all-original 1983 Gran Turismo that was given to me by a family member who bought it new. It had likely been sitting for 20 years as every part with a bearing needed to be disassembled, cleaned, and relubricated. So far, I've spent

$21 - Delta cables
$64 - Panaracer Pasela PT tires
$8 - KMC z51 chain
$8 - Cane Creek lever covers
$40 - SKS longblade fenders
$10 - Velox rim tape
$0 - bearings, grease, tubes, cable housings, bar tape, bottle cage (all sitting in my parts bin waiting for a project bike)

Anyway, for a little more than $150 spent, I am super-pleased with the outcome and feel that it was worth every penny. I hope you feel the same when you are finished with yours!