Hello All,
My 2 cents (well 3 cents, I'm canadian) on the whole valuation issue, is relative. I think the ebay thing is great, but it really makes it hard to say what anything is 'worth'. I've found things on Ebay that I would never have dreamed about finding, not because they are that rare, but how does one stumble across vintage stuff so easily as you can on the 'bay. Do you buy a Confente at $4000 because you have the money and want the bike? Auctions are a tricky thing, it's all about the audience, which is very big plus for Ebay.
Jim Cunningham (who has my utmost respect, he refinished a '81 colnago super for me last year) makes some very good points about why it should be valuable, but for me that almost sounds like a rationalization for what really drives value, which is someone wants that bike more than that amount of money.
ps. I have an 80's 3Rensho, which unfortunately had the mavic bb tapers cut into the shell. Frame is in nice, but not amazing shape, and can be built as is. I have the 'period-correct' dura ace group in original boxes to build it up, question is, should i get the frame fixed? Sacrificing original finish? (any thoughts Jim?)
Grant Mclean
toronto, canada