1970s Akuzi Gran Sport Resto
09-16-11, 06:20 PM
#1
BALM Co.
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1970s Akuzi Gran Sport Resto
Ok, so i am almost done restoring a mid-70s Azuki Gran Sport.
Complete teardown and repaint. Greased everything, new tires/tubes/chain/cables/bar tape.
Suntour components. Everything that could be has been polished to the 9s.
I am still finishing paint on it so no pics yet, but was wondering what everyone would consider this to be worth.
I restored the bike just as a way to 'practice' restoring before getting on to some of my grail bikes. so no attachment to it, or need for it frankly.
bottom line, im in it for $155. Can i break even?
Complete teardown and repaint. Greased everything, new tires/tubes/chain/cables/bar tape.
Suntour components. Everything that could be has been polished to the 9s.
I am still finishing paint on it so no pics yet, but was wondering what everyone would consider this to be worth.
I restored the bike just as a way to 'practice' restoring before getting on to some of my grail bikes. so no attachment to it, or need for it frankly.
bottom line, im in it for $155. Can i break even?
09-18-11, 10:44 AM
#2
over the hill
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I've read that Azuki was a house brand of Nishiki. Pictures will get you more answers. Definately better than a DSB for $155; assuming it has alloy wheels. Paint may have been a mistake/but since it isn't high end/perhaps a plus......lets see it.
09-18-11, 11:44 AM
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Thrifty Bill
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I would practice reviving original paint before tackling your grail bike.
Repaints rarely have the durability of original paint, then you have the whole challenge of finding reproduction decals, then the cost and the time, and at the end, it is no longer original so the value can decline. But not on an Azuki. Thats more of an issue on the higher end stuff. On the lower end stuff, if I come across a bike that desperately needs a repaint, I just use it as a donor instead. I cannot break even on low end repaints (can't cover the cost of the rattlecans, paint stripper and my time). Instead, I just pull out a frameset with better paint from my stash. I just did that this morning.
Without seeing pictures, and not knowing what the market is like where you live, not sure you are going to break even. Here you would not. Azukis get minimal response in my market.
Repaints rarely have the durability of original paint, then you have the whole challenge of finding reproduction decals, then the cost and the time, and at the end, it is no longer original so the value can decline. But not on an Azuki. Thats more of an issue on the higher end stuff. On the lower end stuff, if I come across a bike that desperately needs a repaint, I just use it as a donor instead. I cannot break even on low end repaints (can't cover the cost of the rattlecans, paint stripper and my time). Instead, I just pull out a frameset with better paint from my stash. I just did that this morning.
Without seeing pictures, and not knowing what the market is like where you live, not sure you are going to break even. Here you would not. Azukis get minimal response in my market.
Last edited by wrk101; 09-18-11 at 11:56 AM.
