Good deal?
 

http://dallas.craigslist.org/bik/571641659.html

Not to versed on the classics. What do you guys think about this?

Looks nice for what it is; I don't know much about Schwinns; probably ok price if you like it and it fits well...

It is a beautiful frame. The rear derailleur is a pretty solid performer but it is a heavy one. I would offer 150$ to start and see what happens. I wouldn't pay more than 175 knowing it is going to need several hours of time to clean up, possibly new chainrings, tires tubes etc...The wheels might need to be repacked or possibly the cones are shot. You never know.

For 250$ you can often find higher quality japanese made frames with better components. The frames might not be as crafty as the Schwinn but the tubing will be a lighter guage and old Shimano 600 is pretty damn hard to beat.

Make a low ball offer of 150...If he says no then offer 175 cash ASAP. I think others on this forum will give you a thumbs up if you decide to rebuild/modify the bike. Those old frames are pretty beautiful.

I can't see the pics due to firewall issues.

I paid $160 for a later/"lesser" 1986 Voyageur... but it was almost NOS. I bought it mostly for the frame.

In 1973, the World Voyageur sold for $275, which was higher by $55 than the Sports Tourer, which is a model that a lot of people seek out as a nice bike. The only bikes higher in the food chain that year were the Paramounts.

http://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/...7074.html#1973

So, in my opinion, it is worth it if it is in good shape, and your size. I think it would be a nice vintage bike...

I have one and I like it very much. $250 is about the top of the range for them on ebay. I would offer less and see what happens. Keep in mind this frame has no water bottle or rack mounts even though it is a touring bike. It also has 27" wheels versus 700c on newer bikes and the shifting is not indexed, it is friction.

If you're buying it to ride, I personally think $250 is rather steep. It weighs 28lbs. For $250, you ought to be able to find a much newer used bike in decent shape that would be lighter, have better wheels, and have indexed shifting.

I have no idea of its value from a collector perspective.

I didn't notice the weight... That is 4 pounds heavier than the catalog weight of my "lesser" Voyageur...

That bike has been on the Austin CL off and on for a couple months now. I'm not sure why it hasn't sold yet but if I recall correctly it previously had "several/many chips in the paint where the chrome was showing through". It sounds like he's since touched them up.

If I didn't live 60 miles away and wasn't going on vacation next week (thus lack of extra funds), I would have already gone and looked at it. I get the impression though that he's not going to come down much or it would have already sold.

Well the cranks, barcons, and RD have some value. The SR royal seatpost is nice too. The full chrome frame and forged drop-out make it pretty nice. Personally because there are no shifter bosses I think it would make a beauty fixed gear with fenders and moustache bars. I have always wanted a bike which chrome lugs and I still don't have one. If it fits you perfectly I would consider picking it up. I don't think you'd be doing too bad if you got it for $200. I think that would be fair.

From a Schwinn collector's perspective, the 1973 World Voyageur is unique in that it's the first bicycle Schwinn ever imported. Schwinn was so sensitive to the "Made in the U.S.A." company reputation that it wasn't even branded as a "Schwinn", but rather a "World". Here's what the head badge looks like:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7...ageurfront.jpg

The next year (1974), Schwinn introduced the imported "Schwinn Approved" Le Tour model.

I'd probably buy it, especially if the chrome was in good condition. I'm a sucker for chrome lugs.

It is similar to my Nishiki Competition with a nicer frame.

$250 is cheap. I mean a nice dinner with your girlfriend or wife is going to run you that. A 73' is a classic. BUY IT!

make the guy and offer and see if he bites

$250 for dinner with the wife!!!!!:eek: Damn! And I thought that dinning in Europe was expensive. SO... are $250 dinners what I should expect once I move back to the states?? :D

New York city, sushi at Nobu, with some sake...I'm sure that would run $250 per head.