How long do I have to wait?
#1
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How long do I have to wait?
How long do I have to wait before my vintage 1980s Japanese bikes are worth a fortune?
#2
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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Depends on what you have. Some might be appreciating rapidly as you wait but I would not expect to retire on the proceeds.
#3
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Define fortune.
#4
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You only have to wait as long as it takes for demand to far outstrip the supply.
Then they'll be worth a fortune.
Then they'll be worth a fortune.
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#5
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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#6
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May have already passed their peak value.
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#7
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Longer than you have before you need that fortune.
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#8
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Either forever or eternity. Whichever comes first.
#9
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#10
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A miyata ...eternity
A 3rensho...worth some money now but not a fortune
A 3rensho...worth some money now but not a fortune
#13
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You will likely die first based on my market I see a half dozen top end Japanese MTB's and several nicer road's for sale under $200 not moving and a half dozen semi abandoned outside no lock sitting in snow that are acually nicer bikes than this one
#16
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If you're contemplating keeping them until they could possibly become quite valuable, you might as well put Dura-Ace components, nice wheels, and nice tires on them, and ride them for the time being.
Partial joking aside, what were the original components spec'd on each bike? That usually gives a good indication of value potential. As it stands, most anything that isn't 7400-era Dura-Ace or Campy Record will never get the love that you give them, so IMO it's best to just ride them as original pieces or upgrade (if not done already) and enjoy the frameset's character as purely as possible. Maybe some 6400-era 600 will sneak in there (I will always like that groupset), but yeah... Just ride!
Partial joking aside, what were the original components spec'd on each bike? That usually gives a good indication of value potential. As it stands, most anything that isn't 7400-era Dura-Ace or Campy Record will never get the love that you give them, so IMO it's best to just ride them as original pieces or upgrade (if not done already) and enjoy the frameset's character as purely as possible. Maybe some 6400-era 600 will sneak in there (I will always like that groupset), but yeah... Just ride!
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#18
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If you bought the bikes to make a financial windfall, you'll be very disappointed.
If you bought the bikes because you enjoy riding quality vintage steel, you won't be disappointed.
If you bought the bikes because you enjoy riding quality vintage steel, you won't be disappointed.
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First you wait for the values (to others) to stop dropping. Then, buy 5 more.
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#21
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GOOD NEWS! You don't need to wait!
Unless you have something super high end, super collectible, and super rare:
To maximize return, SELL NOW!
To use a stock market term, its like catching a falling knife. Can they go down further? Absolutely.
Now if you bought them for personal use, ignore value. Enjoy the ride. Do you expect to make money on your computer/your car/your TV/your RV/your motorcycle. None of these are investments. All of them continue to lose value. A bicycle, as a mode of transportation AND a piece of exercise equipment will depreciate much SLOWER than the other items I mentioned.
Unless you have something super high end, super collectible, and super rare:
To maximize return, SELL NOW!
To use a stock market term, its like catching a falling knife. Can they go down further? Absolutely.
Now if you bought them for personal use, ignore value. Enjoy the ride. Do you expect to make money on your computer/your car/your TV/your RV/your motorcycle. None of these are investments. All of them continue to lose value. A bicycle, as a mode of transportation AND a piece of exercise equipment will depreciate much SLOWER than the other items I mentioned.
Last edited by wrk101; 03-10-20 at 12:08 PM.
#22
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The only value they have is the potential to make your health (and presumably your life) better.
If you aren't riding them at least periodically, they will always be useless, as financial investments go.
edit: Even if viewed as art, they are pretty much out-of-the-picture.
If you aren't riding them at least periodically, they will always be useless, as financial investments go.
edit: Even if viewed as art, they are pretty much out-of-the-picture.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 03-10-20 at 10:35 AM.
#23
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The best way to make a small fortune in vintage bikes is to start with a large one.
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#24
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Sell before folk get their next mutual fund account statements.
Or, wait till yours is looking good again.
Or, wait till yours is looking good again.