This 1981 frame, in UK Raleigh Team colours is up for sale on E-Bay. It looks a bit rough to me, having worn paint and some rust, and has no fork. There is a price of US$ 299 on it.
Having just restored SB6032, I am very aware of the costs and it seems this price is on the high side to me. I had my frame repainted and a new fork made and thought I got away very cheaply for $350. Add in a set of decals (US$45) and shipping and taxes and so forth and you have a new-looking 1981 753 frame for around US$750. Does this make any economic sense? Probably not for me since it would have to be shipped across the border ($$$) and I already have a nice SBDU 753 bike (as yet unridden since restoration), but perhaps someone on the list would be interested. (Usual disclaimer--not my bike).
As a newcomer to the classic lightweight hobby, it strikes me that we are still in the days when hobbyists rather than investors rule. Prices seem pretty reasonable as there are many nice old steel racing bikes out there going for under $2000, and we still seem to be in the stage where it is more profitable to part out bikes than sell them complete. Unfortunately, this means that restoration is something you do for personal satisfaction rather than to get any money back. Will this help or hinder the hobby?
Leslie Reissner
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada