Vitus U959
 

Has anyone heard of this model bike and if it worth restoring? The bike is in great shape and everything works fine, it has a sticker that reads "Reynolds 453 tubes renforces", I would just like to have it painted or powdercoated but was just wondering if it is worth doing. If anyone has any knowledge of this model bike please let me know.

Mitch

I say "heck yeah"! The 959 was the bike of my dreams back in the day. Super light and super strong. I again say "go4it".

anyone know what it might be worth when all fixed up?
 

anyone know what it might be worth when all fixed up?

Let's see some pics, before and after the fix-up. I've never seen one of these (453 bikes) in the flesh.

I'm selling this one on craigslist right now: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/364572680.html
so far no bites...

Norskagent's is the commonly seen Vitus with anodized aluminum tubing, but a 453 Reynolds bike is built from single-butted main tubes of steel-manganese-TITANIUM alloy, and I for one have only seen a pic of the sticker, never a bike built with that tubeset. Further surprise that Vitus would make a frame from Reynolds, since they made their own steel and aluminum tubesets for years...that's why I ask for pix!

Keep in mind that if you repaint, it might be difficult to find a replacement 453 sticker.

I will post some pics of the bike and components later on when my battery to my camera charges up. I have stripped the bike down to the fram so I could get a good look at everything.

Mitch

It has an air filter? Sweet! :D

If the bike is in great shape as you say I would not paint it. I would just touch it up. If you are concerned about value well painting it will definately decrease it's value. It's not that I personally think painting devalues a bike, a proper repaint (which will cost more than you will be able to sell it for) is always nice, it's just the way of the collector world.

here are some pictures
 

Here are some pictures that I posted on photobucket. You can click on them and enlarge them to get a better resolution picture.

http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb218/mitchlemoine/