Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
Reload this Page >

1973 Volkscycle Mark 100 Made in West Germany Rare find All Original.

Notices
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals. Use this subforum for all requests as to "How much is this vintage bike worth?"Do NOT try to sell it in here, use the Marketplaces.

1973 Volkscycle Mark 100 Made in West Germany Rare find All Original.

Old 08-08-14, 10:27 PM
  #1  
johnson430
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
1973 Volkscycle Mark 100 Made in West Germany Rare find All Original.

I bought this from a man who got it from his boss. He said his boss bought this bike new in Hurst, Texas at The Bike Rack (still has the sticker)
in 1973-74 for $390.
(2014 value: $2100)

Made in West Germany
***Kalkhoff frame (edit)
All original
Unmolested

Brooks saddle with truss rod adjustment
Full Dura-Ace brakes
Shimano quick release 'flared mag' (unique looking) hubs. I was told by the seller that this was Shimano's first year quick release hub.
Shimano Wheels
Thunder Bird FD
Eagle GTO RD
Strange crank/large sprocket. Missing teeth. I have never seen this before, See photo.

Anyone have any information on these bikes?
I have looked on the internet but have had no luck.

Please help to give me any additional information and an estimated value.

This appears to be a rare find with better than average components. With a hefty original price tag of almost $400 US in 1973-74.
As stated by the seller, this bike was bought new for what translates to around $2100. He also told me his boss is a seasoned cyclist with money to spend.
Thanks for any help,
Johnson =)
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
DSC_5502.jpg (33.7 KB, 330 views)
File Type: jpg
DSC_5503.jpg (21.4 KB, 253 views)
File Type: jpg
DSC_5504.jpg (21.7 KB, 260 views)
File Type: jpg
DSC_5508.JPG (79.3 KB, 252 views)
File Type: jpg
DSC_5510.jpg (21.8 KB, 261 views)
File Type: jpg
DSC_5513.JPG (93.4 KB, 250 views)
File Type: jpg
DSC_5515.jpg (32.9 KB, 243 views)
File Type: jpg
DSC_5516.jpg (23.1 KB, 236 views)
File Type: jpg
DSC_5520.jpg (27.2 KB, 236 views)
File Type: jpg
DSC_5523.jpg (34.4 KB, 245 views)

Last edited by johnson430; 08-13-14 at 06:58 PM.
johnson430 is offline  
Old 08-08-14, 10:33 PM
  #2  
NormanF
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,737
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 147 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times in 8 Posts
Beautiful bike in nearly mint condition! German-made bikes seldom come up in the States, so this is quite a find.
NormanF is offline  
Old 08-08-14, 11:04 PM
  #3  
johnson430
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks Norman. I guess that is why I can't get any info. I bought the bike to fix up and ride but I am wondering if I should sell it if it has some value. Do you think it has any value as is?
johnson430 is offline  
Old 08-08-14, 11:08 PM
  #4  
no1mad 
Thunder Whisperer
 
no1mad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NE OK
Posts: 8,847

Bikes: '06 Kona Smoke

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 275 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 2 Posts
Moved to Appraisals from C & V.
__________________
Community guidelines
no1mad is offline  
Old 08-08-14, 11:20 PM
  #5  
Uncle Randy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 315

Bikes: '74 Schwinn Le Tour, Fuji Newest 2.0, Fausto Coppi Torino,Bridgestone RB-2, CB-1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Germany_chris might be able to help you out.
Uncle Randy is offline  
Old 08-08-14, 11:21 PM
  #6  
howsteepisit
Senior Member
 
howsteepisit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 4,335

Bikes: Canyon Endurace SLX 8Di2

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 509 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times in 14 Posts
Low end entry level bike in poor condition. Not even !00 in current condition. As to mint condition, nope not no but hell no.
howsteepisit is offline  
Old 08-08-14, 11:57 PM
  #7  
johnson430
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by howsteepisit
Low end entry level bike in poor condition. Not even !00 in current condition. As to mint condition, nope not no but hell no.
With an original price of $390 in 1973-4. How can you call this is an entry level? What is your reasoning? I can understand if it was a Japanese made but ts is West German made and has some unique components. Including a Brooks truss rod saddle. That doesn't sound low end. And it has been in a warehouse since the 1970's, hence the dirt. The brake pads show no wear. The tires look never ridden. I do not understand your assessment of value.
Please explain.
Thank you,
Johnson

Last edited by johnson430; 08-09-14 at 12:02 AM.
johnson430 is offline  
Old 08-09-14, 12:38 AM
  #8  
3alarmer 
Friendship is Magic
 
3alarmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,930

Bikes: old ones

Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26245 Post(s)
Liked 10,228 Times in 7,097 Posts
...sorry to pee on your parade, but VolksCycle bikes show up from time to time here at the
bike co-op as donations, and while sort of interesting, I've never seen one that was anything
other than bike boom level stuff.

Yours is no exception, but thanks for the photos because I've never seen an early Dura Ace centerpull
brake before, which is kinda interesting if you follow the manufacturing history of bicycle cycles.

It would take a long time (longer than i have right now) to explain to you the difference between this
and a high end bike from the same time period. maybe someone else will take a shot.

And ridden much or not, it is not what most of us consider as "good condition", but it might clean up better.

What you need to understand is that the Shimano company, and the Japanese in general, started out
making stuff that was an imitation of the European stuff of the time, and they got better and better at it,
but this early in the scheme of things, their stuff was still pretty primitive.

Historically interesting is not the same as high end or worth a lot of money.

Good luck with it. Current value is not the same thing as "what it cost adjusted for inflation".

If it were, my Raleigh Sports would be worth well over a thousand bucks.
__________________
3alarmer is offline  
Old 08-09-14, 12:40 AM
  #9  
dddd
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
 
dddd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,170

Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.

Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1554 Post(s)
Liked 1,273 Times in 845 Posts
Originally Posted by johnson430
With an original price of $390 in 1973-4. How can you call this is an entry level? What is your reasoning? I can understand if it was a Japanese made but ts is West German made and has some unique components. Including a Brooks truss rod saddle. That doesn't sound low end. And it has been in a warehouse since the 1970's, hence the dirt. The brake pads show no wear. The tires look never ridden. I do not understand your assessment of value.
Please explain.
Thank you,
Johnson
It is what it is, a low-end bike from the waning bike-boom era of the early 1970's.
I bought one at Goodwill some years ago, I took the brakes off and saved them, then used the bike's BF (Belleri-Franco) stem on my Gitane TDF. I had to really go at the crude stem with file and sandpaper to correct the jagged casting, but that's what I bought the bike for. I used the wheels on a flipper I think, then put the frame in the trash with the remaining parts still on it.

These bikes were unusual to come with that first almost-Dura-Ace brakeset (really a re-badged Tourney brakeset?), but overall these were low end bikes that sold for perhaps $140 in the US, not $200, not $300 and certainly not $399.

I might be a great-riding bike to restore, but it has a pretty low market value, perhaps $80 to $100 as it sits. I've restored and ridden bikes of similar quality, and some of them are worth the trouble.

Here's the bike's stem on my Gitane TDF:
[IMG]DSCF0133 by dddd2002, on Flickr[/IMG]
dddd is offline  
Old 08-09-14, 12:41 AM
  #10  
3alarmer 
Friendship is Magic
 
3alarmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,930

Bikes: old ones

Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26245 Post(s)
Liked 10,228 Times in 7,097 Posts
...OTOH, it ought to make a fine, functional rider, which is what you bought it for originally.

Needs total overhaul, though, which will take probably 20 hours or so to do correctly.
__________________
3alarmer is offline  
Old 08-09-14, 04:45 AM
  #11  
Bianchigirll 
Bianchi Goddess
 
Bianchigirll's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 29,716

Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.

Mentioned: 191 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2910 Post(s)
Liked 2,830 Times in 1,457 Posts
I have to agree. I am not expert on German bikes sold during the /70s 'Bike Boom' but my cheap Royce union had Eagle and Thunderbird derailleurs. The QR wheels and Dura Ace calipers may make this a bit more upscale but it is still a basic lower tier bike.

So you paid $2100 for this? Or did the seller just look on ebay and find a bike with Dura Ace brakes selling for $2100 and decided his was just as good?

Personally if you paid over $50 I think you should get your money back.

Volkscycle sounds a lot like Volkswagon which was meant to be a cheap affordable mass produced car so everyone could own one.
__________________
One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"

Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
Bianchigirll is offline  
Old 08-09-14, 06:43 AM
  #12  
big chainring 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wilmette, IL
Posts: 7,318
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 746 Post(s)
Liked 717 Times in 347 Posts
1973 Volkscycle Mark 100 Made in West Germany Rare find All Original.

People have strange recollections of what they paid for things 40 years ago.

My 1974 Motobecane Le Champion with full Campagnolo components was $425. Unfathomable amount to pay for a bike at the time for most people. The Volkscycle was perhaps a $130-50 bike back then.
big chainring is offline  
Old 08-09-14, 08:54 AM
  #13  
howsteepisit
Senior Member
 
howsteepisit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Eugene, OR
Posts: 4,335

Bikes: Canyon Endurace SLX 8Di2

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 509 Post(s)
Liked 30 Times in 14 Posts
Big chain ring is right on with price. I worked in a shop back then, and its 130-150 is pretty close. If the OP friend paid 390 for that bike the shop saw him coming all the way from the turnip patch in Arkansas.
howsteepisit is offline  
Old 08-09-14, 10:15 AM
  #14  
johnson430
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks for your help everyone.I do not have much money in the bike and it was purchased as a cheap get-around. I just didn't see anything about Volkscycle, now I know why.
The bottom line, it is my size and I like it.
=)
johnson430 is offline  
Old 08-09-14, 10:22 AM
  #15  
bikemig 
Senior Member
 
bikemig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,505

Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones

Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5877 Post(s)
Liked 3,445 Times in 2,066 Posts
Originally Posted by johnson430
Thanks for your help everyone.I do not have much money in the bike and it was purchased as a cheap get-around. I just didn't see anything about Volkscycle, now I know why.
The bottom line, it is my size and I like it.
=)
It's a nice piece of history well worth fixing up and riding. The value is meaningless as long as you like how it rides.
bikemig is offline  
Old 08-09-14, 11:21 AM
  #16  
dddd
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
 
dddd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern California
Posts: 9,170

Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.

Mentioned: 132 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1554 Post(s)
Liked 1,273 Times in 845 Posts
Originally Posted by bikemig
It's a nice piece of history well worth fixing up and riding. The value is meaningless as long as you like how it rides.
What I hoped to hear all along, that perhaps the bike is a good fit for the new owner, and that it's serviceability will hopefully justify any and all needed upgrades over time.

Some of these lower-end "gas pipe" bikes as they are called, turn out to be great in the long term, with owners bringing them to a more-evolved state at minimal cost.
They're particularly useful because they don't attract thieves, ...the way that higher-end bikes are thus limited in their overall utility.

Welcome to the "gas-pipe riders" club, and enjoy your unusual Volkscycle! The bike actually looks pretty good with the chromed "socks" at the front and rear of the frame, and it surely has potential whether you keep it entirely stock or indulge in some level of upgrades.
dddd is offline  
Old 08-13-14, 06:57 PM
  #17  
johnson430
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by wrk101

Weigh the bike on a good scale, that's the first clue.
6lb. Fame only****

Weighed at my LBS.
What does that tell you?

Thanks.
OP

Last edited by johnson430; 08-13-14 at 08:30 PM.
johnson430 is offline  
Old 08-13-14, 08:03 PM
  #18  
randyjawa 
Senior Member
 
randyjawa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,672

Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma

Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,743 Times in 934 Posts
6lb.

Weighed at my LBS.
What does that tell you?

Thanks.
OP
To me, a weight of 6 pounds for a Volkscycle suggests that the bike shop's scale was broken.

I have owned a couple of Volkscycles and found them to feel heavy (never weighed one though) and sporting features that were not indicative of what a Quality Vintage Road Bicycle looks like. I have weighed lots of bicycles and none have come even remotely close to a single digit figure. Even today's carbon fiber wonders miss that mark by lots.

I can't really add anything other than agree with the BF member who questioned the original price, which to me, seems like an awful lot for such a bicycle.
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
randyjawa is offline  
Old 08-13-14, 08:58 PM
  #19  
juvela
Senior Member
 
juvela's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,318
Mentioned: 414 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3780 Post(s)
Liked 3,284 Times in 2,145 Posts
mods -

the forum now has a twenty post thread on this machine here at appraisals and OP has begun a new thread on it at C&V.

is it necessary to have two threads on one cycle? it would be less confusing for readers if the two threads could be combined.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...n-project.html
juvela is offline  
Old 08-14-14, 08:07 AM
  #20  
3alarmer 
Friendship is Magic
 
3alarmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,930

Bikes: old ones

Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26245 Post(s)
Liked 10,228 Times in 7,097 Posts
Originally Posted by juvela
mods -

the forum now has a twenty post thread on this machine here at appraisals and OP has begun a new thread on it at C&V.

is it necessary to have two threads on one cycle? it would be less confusing for readers if the two threads could be combined.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...n-project.html
__________________
3alarmer is offline  
Old 08-14-14, 03:05 PM
  #21  
johnson430
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by juvela
mods -

the forum now has a twenty post thread on this machine here at appraisals and OP has begun a new thread on it at C&V.

is it necessary to have two threads on one cycle? it would be less confusing for readers if the two threads could be combined.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...n-project.html
My post was originally in C&V but then was moved to here.
I started a restoration process and therefore a new thread as I do not think my restoration needs to be placed in A&I.
Who are you? The forum police. =P
johnson430 is offline  
Old 08-14-14, 03:32 PM
  #22  
3alarmer 
Friendship is Magic
 
3alarmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,930

Bikes: old ones

Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26245 Post(s)
Liked 10,228 Times in 7,097 Posts
__________________
3alarmer is offline  
Old 08-14-14, 03:44 PM
  #23  
johnson430
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 3alarmer
=)
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
images.jpg (8.6 KB, 171 views)
johnson430 is offline  
Old 08-14-14, 03:56 PM
  #24  
3alarmer 
Friendship is Magic
 
3alarmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,930

Bikes: old ones

Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26245 Post(s)
Liked 10,228 Times in 7,097 Posts
...no really, if you find it to be a thing of beauty and value, I'm in.

Sounds like a lot of work you plan on doing, but enjoy it and then ride it with panache and joy.
It's ten times better than the first bike I had...and I that bicycle cycle.
__________________
3alarmer is offline  
Old 08-14-14, 05:32 PM
  #25  
johnson430
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 15
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by 3alarmer
...no really, if you find it to be a thing of beauty and value, I'm in.

Sounds like a lot of work you plan on doing, but enjoy it and then ride it with panache and joy.
It's ten times better than the first bike I had...and I that bicycle cycle.
FYI, most of the work is done. =)
I think it is a thing a beauty. Waiting on bearings to come in for the rebuild.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
DSC_5584.jpg (97.8 KB, 206 views)
File Type: jpg
DSC_5559.jpg (74.9 KB, 200 views)
johnson430 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.