I was shopping for a vintage track bike yesterday and spotted a tandem stuffed behind a pile of junky frames. It's in an unheated barn. It was a Butler...I couldn't see the rear of the bike as the guy was reluctant to move the stuff. I asked to buy it and he said he had to contact an old friend first to give him first dibs and wouldn't give a price at this point. What I could see was that it had 650 wheels, Resilion cantilevers, Major Taylor stem, matching Brooks saddles, campy high flange front hub and single shifter, unknown single chainring on the front (left side drive), front and rear racks, and a bad repaint.
If his friend declines, I get the next offer on the bike.I would love to buy this bike and give it the attention it needs but I would like an idea of the market value of the bike. Judging from his price on the track bike, I suspect he wants full pop on this tandem. Any opinions as to what it's worth, assuming that the bike is all there, straight, and in need of a full restoration? Any speculation as to what years Butlers would have specced (sp) Resilion cantis?
TIA
Warren Young