Blackspoons

Hello, I'm going to see this bike this weekend, but am wondering what the value would be if it has relatively low rust and minor scratches on the paint here and there. It has Mafac brakes and a Double Butted Vitus 172 frame. Seller is asking $157 which I feel is a little high due to what I've read on here about other bikes and given the condition it's in. I unfortunately cannot post the photos as I do not have 10 posts yet :/

Thanks in advance!

bikemig 

$157 is a deal on that bike if it's in decent condition as you describe.

randyjawa 

This one sold for four times+ that amount. I would already own the bike at that price. I sold mine to make room for a Peugeot PX10. Were it not for that, I would still own my lovely MotoB GJ...

Phil_gretz

Don't trust your feelings. Feelings lie and are based on your brain chemistry. On the other hand, instinct is a form of feeling. Trust your instincts...

bargainguy

I just sold this one for $399 a few weeks ago. A data point regarding your <$157 valuation.

Blackspoons

These bikes you post are beautiful!! And look much nicer than the one I'm going to see.. but also less expensive as you note.

3alarmer 

...I've bought three or four of them here. MY area is considered a high priced area for older classics like a GR. All of them I bought ran in the 3-400 dollar range. They all had good paint, and needed some attention to mechanical issues and cleanup.

The Grand Jubilee's come up less frequently, but run about the same price, depending on components and condition. The most valuable Grand jubilee's tend to be the ones with Grand Jubilee derailleurs and Reynolds tubing frames.

The later ones with Asian components are fine bikes, but less valuable to collectors.

Blackspoons

Thanks, it's helpful to know what to look for. Knowing that this bike has a Vitus frame (which I guess is a later version?) I'm guessing it also does not have jubilee derailleurs. The paint on it does appear to be in pretty bad shape, and again, rust is present. I'll have to take a pretty close look at it this weekend. Road bikes are not in high demand in my area, so I have an advantage.

Phil_gretz

I sold my 1978 (also Vitus 172) for $380 last weekend. It was an 8 or 9/10 for paint and had been fully refurbished. All bearing, cables, brake pads, all aluminum polished, new chain and tires. It had a Brooks Team Pro on it as well. Both the buyer and I were satisfied.

ryansu

I paid $125 a few years ago for a Grand Touring, which is one rung down from the Grand Jubilee, and was happy to do so. Of course those mid 70s 23 inch Moto's fit me like a glove so I am willing to pay for that fit. I would love to find a Grand Jubilee but they rarely come up in Seattle and not for $150. My 78 Moto GT last summer after a complete overhaul

Blackspoons

Thank you for all your input!! I just bought the bike!! I wish I could post a photo of it here.. but it appears to have all original parts, but is hurting pretty bad in terms of paint and rust. The kid I bought it off of didn't know much about bikes and didn't take very good care of it. The bike was given to him about 10 years ago when he was in high school.

She's a beauty and fits like a glove . I'm excited to restore her.

bargainguy

Congrats! If you go to the Intro section and say hello to six of your new friends in their posts, you'll hit the 10 post minimum. Once at 10 posts, click on the Reply button below (not the Quick Reply button next to it), click on Manage Attachments, and upload from there.

3alarmer 

....my suggestion would be to start a thread on whether or not to try to save the paint you have, or to go ahead and fully strip the paint, sand down the rust, prime the entire frame and fork, then paint and apply new decals,

Those threads rapidly balloon into 40 or 50 posts and at least a few pages because of all the various strongly held opinions here about original paint versus repainting. It will be even better if you can't post any photos in the first part of the thread, because then everyone who joins in will have free rein to imagine just how serious are your rust issues.

But these are swell bikes if they fit well, so enjoy in the meantime.

Blackspoons

Awesome! Will do!