Quote:
Originally Posted by sitzmark
Wouldn’t say your appreciation for the 7/11 days is misplaced - it was a special time for American cycling. Monetizing that appreciation is a different beast. The average Joe has little knowledge or appreciation for those days and the average person looking for a bike is the same. Like vintage automobiles you’re looking for someone who emotionally connects with that era irrespective of advancements in technology. Basically a collector who isn’t concerned with the resale/monetary value of the bike. An “investor” knows there is little financial value to the bike ... at this time. Maybe some day, maybe never.
Have you seen the Leno’s Garage episode pitting vintage GTO against a modern grocery getter Avalon or Corolla (forget exact vehicle). GTO got smoked by average modern technology. The average person is more inclined to drop $50K on contemporary performance than 50+ year old tech. Nostalgia is fun, but a risky investment. Better suited to people with the resources to take a major financial hit if/when fickle desires of others change. Items with really really unique history might have enough of a collector base to support ongoing financial valuation, but most things don’t. Truly rare items are more than likely already out of affordability for the average person.
If you need to sell or no longer covet the bike, part it out and move it along at the best offer you can get. If you’re willing to wait for someone who shares your passion for the bike and the era, hold onto it as it is - some day fate may connect you.
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This was extremely well-written. I also would borrow from it to form the basis of a new ad when the time comes. Many (perhaps most) viewers are unaware of that era's importance. You are inviting potential buyers to own a functional piece of history.