Re: [CR] any idea why this 1970s Motobecane went for over $1500??

(Example: Framebuilders:Richard Moon)

From: "accobra" <accobra@peoplepc.com>
To: Via Bicycle <viabicycle@gmail.com>, CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <755971e20911170810l12c3a6ffm5499b81ceb1c9ccb@mail.gmail.com>
In-Reply-To: <755971e20911170810l12c3a6ffm5499b81ceb1c9ccb@mail.gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:20:45 -0600
Subject: Re: [CR] any idea why this 1970s Motobecane went for over $1500??


We've talked about this phenomenon before as it relates to Schwinn Varsities and such. My guess is the two high bidders (it takes two to drive the price up) had sentimental reasons causing them to want a mid-70's black Grand Record. Plus, 21" happened to be their size. Maybe they didn't remember a Masi or Colnago from their younger days, but they remembered Motobecanes.

And to them, $1500 would seem like quite a bargain compared to spending $6000 at their local bike shop for the latest 2009 model bike. It's a nostalgia thing and of course that's why most of us are in this hobby. This example looked to be in exceptional condition, so I say well bought for the person looking for one.

It could have also been a Motobecane collector looking to fill a spot in their collection.

Mark Winkelman
Dallas, Texas USA


----- Original Message -----
From: Via Bicycle
To: CLASSIC RENDEZVOUS
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 10:10 AM
Subject: [CR] any idea why this 1970s Motobecane went for over $1500??



> ebay auction-
> http://ebay.com/<blah>
> or item #180430263984
>
> just a stock 1970s Moto. nothing special. it is clean, and has been
> cleaned. but there is nothing special about it? we have 2 here at the
> shop right now.
> I was shocked when I saw it on Ebay at $900, but even more atontished at
> $1500+.
>
> Funny seeing "more desirable" bikes sell for a lot less. I am kind of
> weary to put a couplejack taylors on Ebay now, seeing that there is
> more demand for bike boom era mass produced bikes, then custom or
> semicustom bikes. Let me comb the rafters for Gitanes and the like.
>
> joel flood
> philadelphia, PA
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