View Full Version : "original parts" - how important?


Bob Ross
07-19-2007, 01:40 PM
How much does "all original parts" affect the desireability -- or, more specifically, the resale value -- of a 20+ year old bike?

A couple months ago I bought a 1985 Bridgestone 600 that was in original condition, all original parts (quite literally: the tires and tubes hadn't been changed ever!). In order to make it rideable (for me) I put on new handlebars, new stem, new saddle, new seatpost, & new pedals. (As well as new tubes & tires, obviously.) But I saved all the old original parts.

Anyway, I'm guessing that sometime in the forseeable future I'll sell this bike.

So my question really is: Will keeping all those old parts, & re-installing them on the bike when I finally want to sell it (so that once again it's in original condition -- "all original parts") allow me to recoup more of my investment than if I try to sell off those parts individually now, & then sell the retro/modern Frankenbike in the future?

Am I making any sense?

Those parts are taking up space in my closet. I'm sure I can get something on eBay for the old pedals, saddle, seatpost etc if I sold them now...but would I be able to get more for them if I hung on to them & re-installed them as part of complete bike five or so years down the road?

I.e., do the original parts add more resale value to the complete bike than I could get if I sold them individually?

Reynolds531
07-20-2007, 11:35 AM
How much does "all original parts" affect the desireability -- or, more specifically, the resale value -- of a 20+ year old bike?

A couple months ago I bought a 1985 Bridgestone 600 that was in original condition, all original parts (quite literally: the tires and tubes hadn't been changed ever!). In order to make it rideable (for me) I put on new handlebars, new stem, new saddle, new seatpost, & new pedals. (As well as new tubes & tires, obviously.) But I saved all the old original parts.

Anyway, I'm guessing that sometime in the forseeable future I'll sell this bike.

So my question really is: Will keeping all those old parts, & re-installing them on the bike when I finally want to sell it (so that once again it's in original condition -- "all original parts") allow me to recoup more of my investment than if I try to sell off those parts individually now, & then sell the retro/modern Frankenbike in the future?

Am I making any sense?

Those parts are taking up space in my closet. I'm sure I can get something on eBay for the old pedals, saddle, seatpost etc if I sold them now...but would I be able to get more for them if I hung on to them & re-installed them as part of complete bike five or so years down the road?

I.e., do the original parts add more resale value to the complete bike than I could get if I sold them individually?

I don't think it is likely to matter on a Bridgsstone 600. It would matter on more sought-after collector bikes. But you never know; there could be 2 guys scouring ebay right now who are nostalgic for their 1985 Bridgestone 600, and would get in a bidding war and pay a high premium for an all-original bike.