I would take pictures outside, against a neutral background. I would change out the bartape, it is dirty and new bartape is cheap. Also I would use a color that brings more of a contrast to the bike. I get bartape for $4 or less, so it is a very minor cost for significant pop.

At the $200 level, I would probably switch out the brake levers and install aerolevers. But every market is different.


Here's an example of a neutral background and bartape with some contrast.

I gotta find a neighbor with a clean garage door. Mine is covered in mold or mildew, and my driveway looks so white-trash!

Craven Moarhead, you really need to retape those bars. The saddle isn't pristine, either, and it's forgivable, but the bar tape is not forgivable, in my book. I'm not talking sentimentally. If you put new tape on, the bike will look a lot better and could sell more easily.

I disagree that bar tape is cheap, though I finally might have found a good source:
https://www.lickbike.com/productpage....=%271200-02%27

I bought several rolls at once to justify the shipping. Here's hoping it looks and feels good.

The 27" bike I have is a Nishiki Sport. My friend brought it to me and asked me to fix it up for him. The one crank is stuck on, so I may have to destroy it to get it off. I told him I don't want to fix it for him, so I'm selling him a 25" Univega, which I think fits him better anyway.

The Nishiki has chrome-moly tubes, though it doesn't feel light. Maybe the weight is because of the size. I suppose there is good chromo and cheap chromo? Alloy rims, alloy brakes, alloy crank, steel derailleurs, steel handlebars. A good commuting bike, I suppose, but it could be a lot of work to get it road-worthy again. I think I'll keep at least the frame around for that desperate guy looking for a bike to fit him. But if any of you folks want it, yes, I'm happy to make a very decent deal for you.

The Sport has straight gauge chromoly tubing so there's not much weight loss. Still, it should provide a softer ride. If you were close by and it was my size, I'd be tempted.
EDIT: I just noticed you're in NJ and I might be there in a month to see relatives. Hmmmmmmmm.

Turkey levers, steel pedals, steel(?) seat pin with steel clamp, bolt on wheels, stem shifters, stamped dropouts, garbage saddle, steel(?) bars, swaged cranks.

C'mon man!

It's a beater bike, and people want it cheap. I do think the overhaul is worth something, but not $200.

Another example. I sold this 63cm, unreconditioned, Dawes I believe, in one day. Asking price and price received was $60.

eh i've got a spare roll of black bar tape...I might throw that on. There's no way I'm gonna change any components though, Its wearing all its original stuff and I'll keep it that way. I'm not horribly concerned about anything other than spending much money to sell it. The only reason I got this bike is that it was attached to a really nice Brooks B67 at a garage sale. I paid what I paid to get the saddle so I consider the bike a freebie. I've got about 50 bux in the bike and I got a summers worth of good times out of it, so honestly I'd accept trades for a nice set of wheels or something but I don't think I want to express that to the masses of weirdo's on CraigsList for fear of what I'm gonna be offered.

JunkYard, you've got a fine point and I agree. It's not worth 200 bux to me either. But perhaps it is to someone else...

I'm in no rush to sell it...i've got room...so I don't need to drop the price just yet.

I would say it all depends on the market you are selling too and what the price is. Most people don't want to pay a lot for a bike and any collector wont want to pay a lot for a dang Miyata. you best luck would be to screw some noob looking to build a fixed gear. Also more people might want bikes in the spring so you could wait till the too if you want.

Well, if you watch CL closely and know which listings are mine, you know I'm not categorically opposed to optimistic initial pricing.

thats exactly where I'm at. Optimistic Initial Pricing

...just because I ask it, doesn't mean its worth it...pops always said (of course this was about baseball cards when we were kids) "It's only worth that much if you can get someone to pay that much"

Lots of grades (and weights) of cromoly frames. You have one of the lower ones here. Much better than the gas pipe bikes, but heavier than the better cromoly frames out there.

My email address is noglider@pobox.com. Let me know if you're interested. I'll supply pictures and whatever else. I can probably supply some components, too. Note that the left crank is toast and you'll have to replace it just to get to the bottom bracket.