In Japan, the aggressiveness with which people will go after bikes and what they are willing to pay as a result of purchase competition, seems to be much affected by the condition of the economy. The economy is improving (they say), but in general the market is considerably down from what it was some years ago. A very rare species like Brian's bike, or an old favorite brand much in demand like a Herse, will still bring the bike eccentrics out of the closets with their booty, but at the Japanese auction I see very desirable bikes with reasonable starting prices reappearing week after week with no bidders, or selling for not much above the initial asking price. The few shops that carry classic bikes don't seem to be moving their items with regularity either, though they tend to put very high prices on and wait for the odd fish to come along to get snagged. Were the economy to start booming again, I would expect the budgets to go up considerably, with more people back in the market. Spending is currently way down on recreation goods. The cost of living in Japan is very high, but many folks often have a lot of money to spend once they are convinced to spend it, hence the enterprising high price Italian and French designer fashion showrooms that are still opening in Tokyo, but in general, the spending is considerably more conservative when the economic conditions are not so conducive. You would think that the average collector would say to himself that the market is down, so now is the time for opportunities. Japanese people are unusual in that respect. People tend to move more in a mass consciousness modus operandi. When it is observed that others are spending on certain goods, it becomes a, "I have to have it too", frenzy. During the bubble years, I remember seeing the first cherries of the season going for one hundred dollars each! If those times should roll around again, for ten percent I'll be bringing a tour bus of collectors around to see Brian's Masi. I hope he doesn't mind thick tobacco smoke from the guys with the briefcases chained to their wrists. When I read about CR members finding classic bikes at their thrift stores or waiting for the trash pick-up at the curb, I think to myself that you guys have got it made. There are almost never such opportunities on this side. It is more a 'pay to play' situation here.
Dennis Young Hotaka, Japan
> Chuck,
>
> As always, I got several calls from persons who were potentially interested in
> this machine about my opinion of it. I sort of figured on account of it's size
> and whatnot, that a Japanese buyer would most likely be interested in it. The
> last Masi this size that was offered up as frame only (with maybe a headset,
> paint and graphics original) went to Japan for $1275. This is one of those
> (few) cases where it doesn't pay to be a little guy; unless you expect to pay
> (thru the nose). Glad I got mine a while ago and NOT on eBay, fortunately.
>
> So I wonder what a 1962 Masi Special (with chromed Nervex lugs and rare
> version fork crown), completely intact and 95% original (wheels probably
> relaced once and a lower gear freewheel installed)is worth? It's black with
> pristine paint and graphics and a genuine!! 50cm c-t! DEFFINITELY NOT for
> sale, but I wonder what the market would be on this sucker?
>
> Brian Baylis
> La Mesa, CA
> http://www.VintageCycleStudios.com
> Don't be small if you dig old Masis or Rene Herse.
>
>
>
>
> -- Chuck Schmidt <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net> wrote:
> David Bilenkey wrote:
>>
>> http://cgi.ebay.ca/
>>
>> US $3,320.10 (Approximately $4,042.72 CDN)!!
>>
>> Anyone care to comment? I figured this would fetch a fair dollar but I'm a
>> tad surprised. Anyone else?
>>
>> Wow.
>
>
> Side view:
> http://www.wesellit.ca/
>
> There must be a lot of small guys that want a Masi Special? A lession
> in supply and demand in all its glory; the bike's on its way to Japan.
>
> Chuck Schmidt
> South Pasadena, Southern California
>
> .