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Updated 1.18.2023 BASICS 1.) Original condition,
in general, is very important in both components and finish
including decals. Restoring, in other words “repainting”, can
greatly diminish value, especially if braze-ons are added. This
is especially true for bicycles which are common enough that
original examples are available. Extremely rare bicycles with
well executed and painstakingly accurate restorations may be an
exception; although even then an original with an appealing but
worn finish will be more highly prized by collectors. In
general, choose to repaint a bicycle for your own satisfaction
and not for any enhancement of it’s future selling price.
6.) Predict what the selling price
might be is extremely difficult for any bike. On occasion,
a particular bike might sell for a very high $ amount, but we
cannot assume all similar models will match that high price.
In various venues, we see very high prices placed on For Sale
bikes, but too often we find that was not the actual selling
price. To find out
what a similar item has actually sold for (not just what was
initially asked)
we can check "sold items" in
eBay Advanced Search.
7.) Owners often exaggerate their bike values (it must be an ego thing?) In the end, your bike is only worth what a specific person is willing to pay, right now, today. Anything other than that is just wishful thinking. Be realistic! 8.) If nicely asked and supplied with very good pictures (see #2 below), most vintage lightweight bicycle enthusiasts will give you an opinion/an educated guess of what your bike might sell for. It takes a little research to find those people. Unfortunately, as per the rules, the Classic Rendezvous Google forum members are not allowed to be asked "value". But the individual members may be asked privately.
GETTING READY TO SELL:
2.) Many high quality digital pictures are needed, of whole the bike plus many details of frame, decals, and components. Find a very plain background and shoot on a slightly overcast day. (Avoid "scenic" backgrounds; grass, trees, seascapes, etc. and do not shoot outside on bright sunny days) Use natural light and no flash. It's best to upload these pictures to a photo-hosting web site like Flickr, Google photos, Smugmug, etc. and then offer link to potential buyers. They can also be linked in some online selling sites. A secondary benefit is that good pictures can start discussions in online forums, then stimulating interest in new potential buyers. Onlookers can learn & discuss your item, this then helping your selling effort. 3.) List and describe in detail the make, model and dimensions of every component part.
4.) List the physical bike
frame dimensions. At minimum, include the seat tube length
,center-to-center
and center-to-top, the top tube c-to-c, the bottom bracket height, the chain stay length and the fork rake or offset.
See this diagram. Ask a cycling enthusiast to help if you
do not understand this stuff.
1.) Person-to-Person
2.) Online Best of luck!
Thanks to the Classic Rendezvous Google group members who assisted in compiling this information. |