Buellster

So I picked this beauty up today. She is a little worse for wear but I did only pay $50 dollars so I'm pretty happy. I've been wanting a chrome bike in my size and I mismeasured this as a 24" when I picked it up. After I got home I noticed they did not make this model in a 24" and measearued again It is unfortunately a 23". I may be able to make it work but with this mishap in mind I'm interested in what I could resell it for.
From what I see the Voyageur 11.8 was only made in chrome for 2 years. 80 and 81.
the serial number is 81 04 16968. I imagine this means it was made in 81?
At some point it was converted into a three speed with a couple of 26" wheels and a hub from 1962. It looks as though the person who did so may have cut a notch in the rear chain stay. The notch looks quite well done though so perhaps they come with this? Regardless I imagine for resale I'd likley want to put some 27 or 700c wheels back on it with some wrap around DT shifters. Or perhaps the frame alone on Ebay or here is more my best bet?
Thoughts on worth current(3 speed after clean up and lube of course) and post refurb to more traditional?

pics below


I belive this is the right catalogue picture 81











Notch cut in to accomadate chainring. Why not just get a longer spindle?




SA hub says 62 maybe an 8 instead of 6 but I'm doubting it.

wrk101

Notch is not original and depreciates the value a lot in my eyes. I don't sell damaged frames like this on Ebay due to the buyer friendly claim process there. I'd find a better saddle at a co-op, or take one out of my parts bin. Install a longer BB, touch up the gouge, and sell locally.

Positives: Its chrome, and to the 3 speed world, its big.

Personally, I never worry about exact year, 1980 or 1981 has no impact on value. Selling locally, I'd call it a 1981. Serial number similar to Kuwahara, which would make it April 1981. I thought only Bridgestone or Panasonic made these, but I am not sure.

Cost to put it back to original will equal or exceed added value of finished project. So I wouldn't do it.

FBOATSB

I'm weeping a little over that chainstay. And that's about how I would have to have the bars and saddle jacked up to ride that comfortably. Seems 24" in Schwinn geometry is about small as I can go. There's a rather frightening U-bolt right on the down tube. Wonder what that's there for. I'd scrub it up, put a little lipstick on it, have a little fun on it this Spring then move it along, or part it out as you see fit.

Buellster

Just why would a person do the notch!? I mean I see why but I would never consider it "easier" to cut a piece out of my bike than to spend the 15 bucks for another BB, or (in portland) 5 bucks for a different spindle. It's just weird.
Cost to value is ratio is about what I figured with that handy notch.

You and me both! See my above indignation. Haha
24" I could do but this is a 23". I'm considering giving it a try but the smallest im comfortable on seems to be 24" even then I usually have a pretty tall stem. I've read the TT length is the same on these as on the 25" of this model so perhaps I can give it a shot, it looks like somone my height was already giving it a go with how high up it all is.

The ubolt doesnt seem to be doing anything... I guess I'll know when I take it apart to lube it down. I'm hoping it does nothing because a bike with one modification may have other surprises haha

I'm thinking that's exactly what I'll do. I'll ride it around for a bit and if I get my 50 dollars back I'll ne happy

wrk101

My guess is the notch was cut so the drive side crank would clear the chain stay. But guessing why idiots do stupid stuff can be difficult.

Hummer

This frame was manufactured by Kuwahara. Most Voyageur 11.8 frames were manufactured by Bridgestone or Panasonic, but a few were from Kuwahara.

bwilli88 

Me, the notch on the chain stay, puts it at $75 to $100.

Buellster

I've got some decent 27" wheels with a freewheel on them, some decent wrap around shifters and the FD and RD to go along with it. It would be a Frankenstein build and I imagine it wouldnt actually give me angry added value over just turning it around as is? Thoughts?

3speedslow

Buellster

I figured as much when I found 26" tires on it haha
that seems so surreal to me. I redo the set up if I was having that many hiccups, especially on such a beauty.
Somone did take it down to the frame at some point I think, the BB was a sealed Shimano so they made it that far at least. They just put it back together a little haphazard haha
hopefully somone else shares your enthusiasm!

Buellster

Down to frame
polished and cleaned it up. This thing is really pretty. Every swipe of the polish made me that much more disappointed it's not my size. I even have a full suntour set up I could put on it.
oh well, not meant to be. Hopefully the person I sell it too will treat it better than the last owner.


Hard to tell against the ugly concrete but this thing really shines now.


Love that lug work, I can almost see myself in them! Haha


The Voyaguer logo is mostly worn away but this one is still looking decent

bikemig 

That frame is worth more than you paid for the bike on the C&V for sale forum even with the stupid notch. If you put it up for $100 plus shipping, it almost become an impulse buy. Heck I might buy it.

3speedslow

Buellster

Now there is an Idea.
Considered doing so, thanks for the push. If no one bites I'll probably put it back together and sell it local.