1966 (?) Schwinn Rams Horn Fastback
 

hello - I am the original owner of this bike and am wondering how I can find out what it is worth. Thanks

Condition is everything on these bikes. Need to see. Also how original is it?

Everything is original except for the pedals. The original pedals fell apart. The bike has not been used for many years and will definitely need lots of clean up, but i was told it is worth more as is because the new owner will want to restore it themselves. Any truth to that?

yes, don't clean it, buyers like to have that vision of how it will look after, sometimes its great, other times not so much

something like this? Pic is from the internet

Not all buyers like patina on their bikes. To me a dirty bike is a sign that it may issues like bad bearings or overly worn chain. Which means I’m probably not going to pay near your asking price


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...86f95b01a.jpeg

to each his own on the cleaning, I doubt someone looking at a ramshorn schwinn would be to worried on the condition of the chain or bearings. a lot of collectors get stoked to see that 50 year old bike untouched, dirt and grime included. yes sometimes a good cleaning uncovers a beauty,sometimes lots of flaws. I always tell someone don't touch it, but that's usually if I'm the interested buyer. then does the seller know what their doing, I've seen decals scrubbed off, original tires throw away, etc. good luck with the bike which ever way you go

"Collectors" only want a dirty, untouched bike because they don't want to pay market price for a clean, ready to ride bike. To get the most out of your sales you're not targeting them. You want the guy who doesn't deal in these bikes but wants ONE because he had (or wanted) one when he was a kid. This buyer wants a ridable bike that looks as nice as he can afford, and he will be shopping around. So definitely clean it up. See what comparable bikes are selling for on the sites you plan to list it, and list yours at slightly less so it moves.

I sold a nice original Stik Shift Fastback with the standard riser bars on CL for $450 several years ago. The Rams horn bars on your bike add quite a bit to the value.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f908447dd2.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ba940b84c6.jpg