Retro Bicycle Thread

[eddy]

JAVADUDE JUST KILLED ME...

 

I tried to base my sales price on not only what I paid for the bike but for the time it took travelling, hunting, cleaning etc etc. No magic formula but a hypothetical based on expenses and what I would think as logic.

 

 

From your earlier posts your appear quite young and naive. Also thin skinned. Please accept the following comments constructively.

 

First, how much a bike cost you and how much time and effort you put in has NO relevance to what you can sell it for. None, zilch, F@kol.

 

The only determination is what it is worth to someone else.

 

In the "old" bike market, as with all "old" things, there are (for simplicity's sake) three distinct sets of buyers.

 

The first are poor and need something (even if it is junk) as cheap as possible. They try and buy to a price point and look for the best they can get at that level. You will struggle to make money out of this group as there is an infinite number of bikes in that pool and they can always find one cheaper somewhere else.

 

Second are collectors, or passionate buyers. They want something specific and are prepared to pay for it. Typically, this is an emotive decision.

 

These buyers don't usually buy crap but concentrate on the top end bikes with top end components they may have lusted over as kids but could not afford. To sell to them you need to understand what desirable was and thus is. Fashions change, quality remains.

 

Third are the specialist dealers/brokers who know their market and shop wisely for underpriced stuff they can on sell. They have lots of experience, lots of knowledge, know their customers and their desires, know the price and value of each component. As with all broking businesses, knowledge is key.

 

Figure out who you want to sell to. You will struggle to sell profiably to the first group; IF you happen to have something the last want, you will get out negotiated by a pro; and if you don't know what the middle group lust after, you will end up with a room full of rusty pieces.

 

You are still at the level of needing to ask what an STI is or failing to understand why a set of handle bars have "made in Italy" stamped on them and why it says nothing about where the frame was made. My suggestion is to find a bike shop you can hang around in, maybe even help out there and get some exposure to bikes and biking terminology.

 

Go to eBay and spend some time looking at bikes, look at the frame builders, the components, the values asked and sold for, then read the comments and google any terms you don't understand. Follow the links, read what others have said. Build you knowledge that way, it is far more effective than asking others to give you the answers because it shows you how to find the answers to all questions.

 

Happy learning, it is fascinating. Good luck

 

Oh, and research what it costs to ship a bike internationally and subtract that from what people in Europe or the USA are getting for their bikes. Unless it is very special, it is not worth the cost to ship internationally.

Edited August 1, 2014 by eddy

[Loose cog]

Eddy, that's a very valuable summary of the market . Thank you for taking the time and effort to post.

[HeyYou]

Eddy, that's a very valuable summary of the market . Thank you for taking the time and effort to post.

 

+1 I told Bradley much the same myself, but in far less detail and a lot fewer words.

 

Thanks

[HeyYou]

I found this Bianchi and want to start a renovation project. Give me some advice on what price can I offer for it. Thanks

 

Hi Broker

 

Good idea to read Eddy's post.

 

Is the Bianchi from Coimbra cycles, George? If it is, they were asking R3k for it, but I don't think it's worth that.

 

It's a low end model, probably Thron or ChroMo tubing, with low end components. That's not to say it won't give you a very nice ride, it almost certainly will.

 

But, IMHO it's probably worth R1.5k as is.

Edited July 31, 2014 by HeyYou

[danthunders]

I would have to agree with eddy too, I've learnt a lot over the last year.

 

Yes I have ask guys on the forum for help, but most of my knowledge was and is gained from doing research into parts, brands etc. With all the research I've done and do, I've become more passionate about vintage bikes.

[Broker]

 

 

Hi Broker

 

Good idea to read Eddy's post.

 

Is the Bianchi from Coimbra cycles, George? If it is, they were asking R3k for it, but I don't think it's worth that.

 

It's a low end model, probably Thron or ChroMo tubing, with low end components. That's not to say it won't give you a very nice ride, it almost certainly will.

 

But, IMHO it's probably worth R1.5k as is.

Thank you - was exactly my thougts as well He's asking R2.5k and no it's not from George

[Chro Mo]

Hey, Retro people

 

My Olmo is up for sale if anyone looking for a one of a kind beauty. Huge amount of extras included.

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/index.php?app=hubmarket&module=core&do=view_item&item_id=99143&new=1

 

Thanks a lot

 

B

[danthunders]

Hi guys

 

Hopefully someone can help me.

 

I'm looking for a replacement lock nut for my dura ace 7400 rear brake caliper.

 

I'm currently use a normal nut which works perfect. But cosmetically it looks well, you know what......

 

Does any one have a spare or know where I can find one?

 

Thanks

 

Dan

 

Edited August 2, 2014 by danthunders

[DJR]

Hi guys

 

Hopefully someone can help me.

 

I'm looking for a replacement lock nut for my dura ace 7400 rear brake caliper.

 

I'm currently use a normal nut which works perfect. But cosmetically it looks well, you know what......

 

Does any one have a spare or know where I can find one?

 

Thanks

 

Dan

 

If you cannot find one, you can always make something that will look quite good by getting a stainless steel nut and shaping and polishing it with a dremel tool. Basically you round it off but leave just enough flats to be able to use a spanner on it. The stainless polishes up nicely and keeps looking good forever.

[Skylark]

Hi guys

 

Hopefully someone can help me.

 

I'm looking for a replacement lock nut for my dura ace 7400 rear brake caliper.

 

I'm currently use a normal nut which works perfect. But cosmetically it looks well, you know what......

 

Does any one have a spare or know where I can find one?

 

Thanks

 

Dan

 

 

That's called a dome nut, pretty much run of the mill nut, a good industrial supply store/fastners shop will have them in various metals, incl s/s. I'm pretty sure I have some in my box of bits, you can glady have it if you pay the postage, or collect if you are in George. Pm me if you are keen.

[Guest notmyname]

JKM in Randburg is you're in jozi.

[MTB0007]

interesting posts of value market.. Etc..

My 2cents after riding a lot of the retro bikes as a kid..

and in the last few years buying a good coupe restoring them..

Then selling them with a second lease on life..

I look for mid range complete older bicycles with complete upper end

(Shimano 600 ) etc group sets . hubs and seat posts / stems brakes etc must all be of same group set and working .. Then strip sand polish sprayr grease.. Polish build. Ride .. Enjoy ..

I have sold S.A. Built 1990's bicycles with exage and Shimano for good return even after new tyres and refurbing of saddles / bar tape cables .

I have found a good reception in the 4 to 5 k market for decendly refurbished mid range old school bikes and some retro cruisers .. Even singlespeeds..

The better you restore the better the market.. Don't be shy to do the work yourself

Stripping sanding painting polishing ..make sure your finish looks the part and is

Correct and keep the bike looking like it did when new

Collectable bikes fetch much more if kept original

Edited August 2, 2014 by MTB0007

[Guest notmyname]

Just picked up my fork from Sheffield and it looks brand spanking new! If all go's to plan the frame should be ready for collection a little later this eve. Pics to follow.

Edited August 5, 2014 by small fry

[quintonb]

Just picked up my fork from Sheffield and it looks brand spanking new! If all go's to plan the frame should be ready for collection a little later this eve. Pics to follow.

Keep us posted, I am interested in seeing how it looks.

I have managed to polish my head lugs on my Master, but now am wondering if I shouldn't just get it all re-chromed...

Decisions, Decisions.

[Loose cog]

Echo that. Small fry you must have pulled some strings with Annette to get your frame sprayed so quickly!

[Guest notmyname]

I couldn't afford any of the aforementioned bike paint specialists. An old family friend who owns a panel shop painted the frame. Sergio has been painting bikes and cars for the last 40 years and is a perfectionist. I went to collect but he'd given it a buff and another clear coat so I left empty handed. I'm still beaming, can't wait to get it back!