I'm in the process of building up a custom frame (a Melton) from the late 70s or early 80s. I'm not exactly sure of the date. I bought the bike frame new from a shop but it had been hanging in the shop for over 10 years when I bought it. I'd like to use more or less period correct parts. I'm lucky enough (or old enough, ) to have the parts I need in my parts bin. But then I see how much people are asking on ebay and I think maybe I just need to sell my old NOS parts.

Now I have no idea whether these parts actually get the prices for which they are listed on ebay. I wouldn't mind going with campy derailleurs but a nos campy rally RD runs a few hundred on ebay. Simplex retrofriction shift levers and suntour xc pro rear derailleur also appear to be fairly expensive. And so forth.

So I'm curious. In building up old bikes. do you ever choose between selling off old gear or using it for a build? Do you ever worry about trashing old parts and end up using "newer" parts instead?

Build the bike, forget about the ebay crooks.

Depends upon how quickly you want to put it together; don't ask me how I know

But if you take your time, look around for deals - and can accept less-than-perfection in the components - then you won't break the bank. You've already gotten the major cash outlay out of the way already.

DD

It's probably less expensive to buy a whole bike with the parts you want rather than one-at-a-time off ebay.

I wanted to get a period-correct Campy headset for my Jack Taylor build, but used ones in questionable condition on eBay were fetching way more than a high quality new Chris King or Cane Creek headset. So screw that, I just installed a $20 Tange Levin Alloy headset, which from five feet away looks like a Campy.

They absolutely do. I have a Black Lightning missing its original saddle and take a look at this:


https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40

+1. its mostly the 9/10 or better parts that bring crazy money. Relax, be patient and you can finish your build at a reasonable cost. A donor bike will keep costs down.

Agreed. If you have a bunch of NOS parts (Campy, etc.), I would probably consider selling them for crazy money and buying some good condition used parts for the build

Wow, I had no idea. I'll be adding that one to the list of things to look for in grainy CL pictures.

Completed listings start at $35....

if you're into really vintage parts from the 1920's - 1950's, it can definitely get prohibitively expensive. Early Simplex, Huret, Nivex, and Osgear derailleur set-ups can all run into the high hundreds of dollars for certain models. Or try finding a complete Campagnolo Cambio Corsa derailleur for under $500... not gonna happen.

and of course, any Rene Herse components are very pricey - like $150 for a single cantilever brake arm.

I actually sold an extremely rare Sugino 75 road group I had on a Zunow, because the cost of replacing any components that got damaged in the regular use of the bike was too expensive and time-consuming that I wasn't riding the bike.

buying 'nos' stuff is dumb.

i've done it, stupidly, before i knew how to overhaul a rear derailleur and polish a stem.

i might do it again, but only for tires or something with a finite life.

selling nos stuff, though, is smart. lots of folks out there, either without knowledge or with deep pockets.

^ I won't go so far as to say buying NOS is dumb. There are people with deep pockets who want to build a show piece. Who am I to say what they can do with their money. I'm just not one of those people. I like my bike's to look good and am willing to put in the time to clean and polish up to a point. But I don't need or want a perfect, pristine bikes since all my keepers are meant to be ridden and paying NOS prices for a flip bike is folly.

I agree with what Catnap says about 1920s-1950s bikes. As much as I would love to own a classic from that era, I would be very reluctant to pick up a frame/fork with the intention of finding period-correct parts for it.

It's only too expensive if I don't have enough money.

After seeinf tarot sets, astrology classes and wiccan retreats running into thousands of dollars for pure, unadultered bull**** I'm happy to have a hobby that costs a few tenners a shot and gets my body (and spirit!) in shape.

Yeah if you want one that is torn and in bad condition. I have had an ebay watch on these for 2 years. In a shape I would consider acceptable they go for $100+ every time seem $155 is about the average. NOS just triples that price.

Compared to modern stuff, even the "expensive" C&V stuff can look like a deal.

I guess you missed out the one I bought in the C&V classifieds for about $50

Sure did haha you are really lucky, are you looking to move it? I never even thought to check here figuring they wouldnt pop up.

while on this topic... During my hunt to restore my Black Lighting I found this.

NOS Superbe Pro black and gold factory parts kit sealed in the original blister pack? Looking back on it the price was pretty fair and ridiculous at the same time.

Yes, components and parts can be prohibitively expensive these days for bike build projects. And it's not getting any better every year as prices seem to continue to go up in almost exponential amounts for the better C&V stuff. I think the renaissance that C&V bikes had been experiencing with both old and new cyclist might be one of the reasons for this, as the market had expanded on what might have been considered some years ago as not really sought after "Old stuff" to now being considered as cherished, rare parts and components by both C&Vers and new "retro" cyclists.
These days, I usually depend on my instincts when I come across and interesting C&V component that seems to be priced reasonably. I usually just bite the bullet and buy it if I have a hunch that it might get really expensive in the future. Not for re-sale, but for use in a future project. because I feel that if "I snooze, I could lose"..... I would not have been able to complete projects in the recent past if I did not get a lot of my parts this way.... but it's been getting harder and harder to do so every year as the good stuff just keeps going up n price.....

Shoot wish I would have know you needed that. There was one on CL here for far less than that.

Don't worry I know where he lives!

Man it seems like im missing these all over the place. I have been actively looking for years and nothing in my area. Thats the way it goes sometimes though. This is one of the reasons I listed my black lightning for trade. I finally gave up and thought there was no way I would find one at a reasonable price.

I'll be on the lookout for you.