eBay prices on the rise, good time to sell old junk?

[frailer5]

Best Apollo I've ever seen!

That frame has some pretty nice features.

Indeed, one of the nicest Kuwapollos....

[Rob74]

Variety
vague
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder…FUGLY?
Big Gas Pipe …but still Gas Pipe
Thats gotta hurt
high end ultra light ladies =>> Huh? Steel rims, bottom end RD, low level cranks
Its all about the bars
&…speedo included
Wheeling

Hillman Mixtie
Bling
Pug Infinity Butted
Batavus Reynolds 501
Shogun Katana Infinity Butted
Rossin
?Elan or so it says
Vitus
Ricardo Tange 900

Wait for it....
**Apollo IV 57cm**

Rob

[grantw]

That Apollo is quite interesting. I remember seeing a V in my local WOW dealer (Hadley cycles in Adamstown) when I was in my teens. It was gorgeous.

[cray-]

Dawes Galaxy tourer in WA, needs work:
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/yokine/b ... 1010970998

[Rob74]

APOLLO-KOSCIUSKO =>> very Xy

Rob

[singlespeedscott]

That Apollo is quite interesting. I remember seeing a V in my local WOW dealer (Hadley cycles in Adamstown) when I was in my teens. It was gorgeous.

I have a V awaiting some love. I too remember Hadley's at Adamstown. Ironically my dad bought me an Apollo from there. Sadly not a V.

[singlespeedscott]

APOLLO-KOSCIUSKO =>> very Xy

Rob

Nice though. Just not at that price. Very similar to my 85 Himalaya. I love the geo of those old MTB's.

[wqlava1]

APOLLO-KOSCIUSKO =>> very Xy

Rob

Seller likes his shift key

[scratchman]

APOLLO-KOSCIUSKO =>> very Xy

Rob

Seller likes his shift key

That's A Lot Of Hard Work

[Rob74]

Re Rob74 » Thu Dec 13, 2012 9:41 pm
"...Wait for it....
**Apollo IV 57cm**..."

Should you be considering....look at Killanyvale on spam elgoog, think non sealled shed and note proximity to the salt water......ask questions!
Ceavat Emptor!
* Seat post seized in frame
* Stem seized in frame, (quill section releases though)
Should you be successful, you will need a bucket of penetrene and a long long time..... probably necessary to resort to a CO2 fire extinguisher, plus big hammer and timber dolly.....even then dicey.
Donor parts anyone?

Rob

[Kermit TF]

That white apollo is definitely not a V ...
Its more than likely some sort of un-decaled IV at best and would have just preceded the concords and jaguars, those brakes are terrible The 80-84 gold decal IV's where more nicer in my opinion than the 85 and on models.
Theres a gold 87 apollo V also on evilbay and its very poorly specd like something from Big W..Quite sad actually.
The 83 model V however is a work of art....just need to find one. ...My 5 cents.

[Rob74]

Merlin...Merlin...Merlin

=>> (Spectrum Titanium Classic Custom bike Dura Ace Mavic Merlin Mavic Not Litespeed)

RX100 Brifters = Huh?

Rob

[plasticmann]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110987254010?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_779wt_932

There's a beautiful bike hiding behind the yellow paint and black transfers. Bit big for me though.

[munga]

Merlin...Merlin...Merlin

=>> (Spectrum Titanium Classic Custom bike Dura Ace Mavic Merlin Mavic Not Litespeed)

RX100 Brifters = Huh?

Rob

not many fans of the early merlins re: durability (stays cracking). was interested until i did some homework. will probably go for price of components :/

[grantw]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110987254010?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_779wt_932

There's a beautiful bike hiding behind the yellow paint and black transfers. Bit big for me though.

A paino? I am sceptical.

[frailer5]

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/110987254010?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_779wt_932

There's a beautiful bike hiding behind the yellow paint and black transfers. Bit big for me though.

For some reason he wanted it lo-vis on the Serengeti Plain. Too big for me too. Nice lug-work/fork crown, by the looks. Would be an easy pickup, too.

[Rob74]

Unicorn 1 =>>

BNA Reto Apollophiles Pg4 by PawPaw » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:11 am & PawPaw » Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:43 pm(Supported by me per by Rob74 » Mon Jun 04, 2012 11:56 pm also on BNA Reto Apollophiles Pg3 )

And my "Original Catalogue"
APOLLO NEWS - World of Wheels (WOW) Catalogue
Warren Norris Advertising 9 84
Printed in Australia by John Sands Printing Sydney NSW
APOLLO VI – 12 Speed
Colour: Pearl White
Frame: 019 CrMo double butted frame - "019" Sticker at top of seat tube
Forks: CrMo - "CrMo" stickers on both sides of the top of the fork blades
Ensemble: Suntour Superbe Pro
Sealed bearing B.B. Hubs & Pedals
Derailleurs: Superbe
Brake Set: CB3000
Panaracer Leger 230 GSM tubulars

Unicorn 2 =>>

"Apollo ?Imperial? "1983 American release"...Dura-Ace EVERYTHING, made by Kuwahara, Osaka Japan" per Rob74 » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:59 pm BNA Reto Apollophiles Pg4

Now this Evil Bay thread………Re the White Vintage Apollo (by frailer5 » Wed Dec 12, 2012 8:31 pm

Attention Retro-giants in Sydney. Something noice, unusual, different. 'Bernard Hinault' Simplex RD, no less)

=>> I want to believe in the third Unicorn as much as others…BUT I doubt this is it.

Discussions with the Seller
1st Attempt
Me "What is the 'Frame Serial Number" where is it located?....."
Sell "Underside of Bottom bracket 2-369"
Me "What is the diameter of the seat pole?"
Sell "28.6mm"
Me "Stampings on wheel hubs?"
Sell "F Suzie, R Shimano"
Me "Can I come and look at it on Friday or Sat at a time to suit?"
Sell "Sorry not available, the bike will not be at my place until Monday night"

2nd attempt
Me "Can I come an & look at it on Monday after 18:00"
Sell "No response"
ME "Is it gloss white or Pearl White"
Seller " Pearl White,"
Me "Araya 27 x 1 1/4 Japan? Are there red Araya Stickers on the rims, do you think the rims and hubs are original or have you or the previous ownner replaced the rims, was expecting 27 x 1 1/8 rims"
Sell "There are no stickers on the rims & unsure if they have been changed."
=>> Now I can see red stickers on the rims fitted to the APOLLO VI, APOLLO NEWS - World of Wheels (WOW) Catalogue Warren Norris Advertising 9 84.
plus the rims are eyeletted on the Apollo V from 1985 and I'd be very surprised if the rims on the Apollo VI were not eyeletted…however an Apollo III from that era had non eyeletted plain jane Araya 27 x 1 1/4 rims. The photos of this bike clearly show non eyeletted rims.
Seller statement " the information i have located on this bike it does not resemble any Apollo's I've seen, It was possibly built as a custom with leftover parts fitted as all the running gear is from the same era."
Me "Agreed the component mix on the bike is somewhat odd……Did you build or the previous owner, or replace the brakes or rear durailer or any other components with those presently on the bike?"
Seller "No response"
Me "front hub is Suzie..any other descriptor?"
Seller "Front hub is a Suzie Date code 6"
Me "the rear hub Shimano ..any other descriptor?"
Seller "Rear Hub Shimano via Date code JJ"

Seller Offers the following statement unprompted "You possibly already knew this but have been told that this frame & fork combo is quiet rare Apollo VI 1984 which was there top end bike."
=>> Given this and the mis information above…… I thought all right ……game on for the 3rd Attempt

3rd Attempt
Me "I have the 1984 WOW Apollo Catalogue. The components on your bike do not match the spec of the 1984 catalogue.
Further a 1985 Apollo V which has the same "019" frame as far as I am aware and its serial number is on the non drive side of the seat tube =>> in the correct format for Kuwahara built Ishiwata "019" eg "85 10 8820"
The 2-369 serial number you have mentioned on the underside of the bottom bracket is more like what I have seen on Apollo II & III frames which are not "019". Yours has an "019" sticker affixed.
=>> Not saying that it is not "019" just that the information available to me on which to base a decision is conflicting."

Seller Response "Don't want to mention persons name but gave him part serial number of the left hand lower side of seat tube which reads either a 2 or 8 then 4 then a space another illegible number the 5 then space then what looks like 62635 this is without total destroying the paint work. Yes the parts don't correspond but he went of the serial number."
=>> So now seller has now changed both the location and detail of the serial number (ie from "Underside of Bottom bracket 2-369" to "left hand lower side of seat tube which reads either a 2 or 8 then 4 then a space another illegible number the 5 then space then what looks like 62635 this is without total destroying the paint work")
=>> Did Apollo really build 62635 bikes in 2 or 8 then 4………to quote it perfectly "Flying Bicycles"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me "What does the bike weigh? (Park Tools bike scales or similar preferred, if not stand on the bathroom scales with and without the bike)"
Seller "Don't have scales in the house so can't verify the weight"

Me "You said "The seat tube inner diameter is 28.6mm"
=>> Are you sure? I am expecting something different for a Kuwahara built Ishiwata "019 Frame"."
Seller "My dyslexia must have kicked in the seat tube is 26.8mm."

Me "I always prefer to inspect old bikes/vintage bikes before buying, could the bike be inspected after 18:00 on Monday?"
Seller "My son will have the bike so can't say wether inspection will be ok have to wait until Monday arvo."

***************************
Summary:
The frame appears unique.
As for the forks? there should be stickers on the fork blades there are none in the photos. No one in their right mind would have removed them.
As for the parts mixed bag...some Apollo III stuff

Everyone loves a good illusion........
=>> Is it worth a 4th attempt???? else suggest limiting your bids to the worth of an Apollo III

On Evil BAY
Caveat emptor!!!

Rob.

[plasticmann]

A paino? I am sceptical.

The lug work has the right cutout shapes for a Paino.

[grantw]

A paino? I am sceptical.

The lug work has the right cutout shapes for a Paino.

No they're don't - and they don't look to be thinned as they are on Paino frames - oh and the bb on Paino's are manually stamped with a serial number on the drive side of the BB which is in turn slotted, and the der cable guides are on top of the bb. Anyway the market hath spoke - $137 for the win. It's a nice bike for that price in any case (sora brifters aside)

[ironhanglider]

Merlin...Merlin...Merlin

=>> (Spectrum Titanium Classic Custom bike Dura Ace Mavic Merlin Mavic Not Litespeed)

RX100 Brifters = Huh?

Rob

Which aspect of the RX100 Brifters = Huh?
They were a mid range 8 speed Shimano Brifter from the mid 90's, just below 105. Not bad for what they were.
My confusion is why they were put with the 7400 (8spd) derailler. This is a combo that shouldn't work according to Shimano, Sheldon and other sources. I actually got that RD to work adequately with a 9spd DA shifter for quite a few years.

Cheers,

Cameron

[feelthewheel]

Looks like a pre-WW2 2-star (squared-off headset lugs) for sale on that 'bay' thing:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vintage-Malv ... 3f2037ae3e

No connection to seller. Merry Christmas all!

[plasticmann]

No they're don't - and they don't look to be thinned as they are on Paino frames - oh and the bb on Paino's are manually stamped with a serial number on the drive side of the BB which is in turn slotted, and the der cable guides are on top of the bb. Anyway the market hath spoke - $137 for the win. It's a nice bike for that price in any case (sora brifters aside)

Shows how much I know. Lucky it was too big for me. Would love a Paino in my size. Grew up in the Shire and a few of my mates rode them when we were at school but they were out of my reach. From memory Frank had his shop up at Miranda. My 5 speed water pipe Raleigh Rapide was my limit. $115 which took a year of delivering papers.

[grantw]

Shows how much I know. Lucky it was too big for me. Would love a Paino in my size. Grew up in the Shire and a few of my mates rode them when we were at school but they were out of my reach. From memory Frank had his shop up at Miranda. My 5 speed water pipe Raleigh Rapide was my limit. $115 which took a year of delivering papers.

Every-time I take mine out for a run I get nostalgic comments about it from various shire cycle folk, mostly guys my age who couldn't afford one at the time but used to hang out at the shop and dream. He sold a range of bikes at different spec levels (and you see a few on the bay lately - think Ultima), but the Paino branded ones, with columbus SLX tubing, cast fork crown and seat stay ends and campy dropouts are the ones to covet. The build is superb, stiff yet flexible and light as a feather.

Now back to the carnival...

[WyvernRH]

- oh and the bb on Paino's are manually stamped with a serial number on the drive side of the BB which is in turn slotted,

This is not always strictly true. I have two Paino bicycles that don't have the frame number stamped there, only on the steerer.
These are definitely Paino frames, unless someone has gone to the trouble of panto graphing the stay tops as well as faking the decals (not the same as Greg's), the paint and the patina and then selling them cheaply to me
From the stories I have heard Frank Paino was probably not the most meticulous chap with stuff that did not pertain to actually building the frames, where he was punctilious. Certainly his paint jobs varied in quality quite a lot.
Cheers
Richard

[WestcoastPete]

Quality custom made commuting/touring bike, not sold, in Sydney. Good for anyone around 6ft.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/261142446269 ... 500wt_1300