1968 Sears Spyder 10 speed Muscle bike in Olathe, Kansas

[Bike from the Dead]

Came across this ad on FB Marketplace for a muscle bike I haven't seen before: a 10-speed Sears Spyder. I've seen 5-speed Spyders before, and own one myself, but I've never seen a 10-speed version before. Where's @CRASH at? I bet he'd know a thing or two about this one!

 

[CRASH]

I can't say they are common, but they are around. That one looks complete, but in tough shape. I'd say $400 is more than this is worth in that shape, unless a guy really, really wants it. But it's a neat find!

 

[Bike from the Dead]

I can't say they are common, but they are around. That one looks complete, but in tough shape. I'd say $400 is more than this is worth in that shape, unless a guy really, really wants it. But it's a neat find!

I'm sure they're around, but I rarely even see the 5-speed variants pop for sale within a 500-mile radius of home. Yeah, it's not in the best shape, but aside from the paint, it does look a bit better than the one I got.

What would you say that 10-speed Spyder is worth in that condition?

 

[CRASH]

What would you say that 10-speed Spyder is worth in that condition?

I'm a bad guy to ask. I value bikes based on the amount of work (and expense) I have to put into them versus what I can sell them for. Spyders aren't selling for much. I sold this one I build for my son for $600 because it was all I could get. No one wanted it. I put more than $1200 into the restoration. I recently saw a very good condition 5-speed up for sale for $700. No one touched it.

Everyone thinks they're cool, but no one is buying them.

 

[Bike from the Dead]

I'm a bad guy to ask. I value bikes based on the amount of work (and expense) I have to put into them versus what I can sell them for. Spyders aren't selling for much. I sold this one I build for my son for $600 because it was all I could get. No one wanted it. I put more than $1200 into the restoration. I recently saw a very good condition 5-speed up for sale for $700. No one touched it.

Everyone thinks they're cool, but no one is buying them.

View attachment 257298

Fair enough. I guess since you typically build bikes for clients or restore them to sell, that also means your standard for bikes are higher for you than someone like me who just builds and customizes bikes for fun. I remember thinking that pink Murray you just finished looked like a nice survivor as it was, but since you're all about restoring bikes, you didn't see the patina on that bike the same way that I did.

I guess these bikes aren't as desirable because they weren't as popular as the Schwinn Sting-Ray, and anyone who wants to pay good money for a collectible muscle bike will tend to go for "the" muscle bike that everyone knows. (Personally, I think Sting-rays, while definitely cool, are a bit overrated. I'll take a Sears Spyder or a Murray Eliminator any day of the week over a Sting-Ray!)

 

[CRASH]

When it comes to patina, I'm definitely the outcast on a Rat Rod forum. lol

And you hit the nail on the head when it comes to the "why" they aren't selling.

 

[Bike from the Dead]

When it comes to patina, I'm definitely the outcast on a Rat Rod forum. lol

And you hit the nail on the head when it comes to the "why" they aren't selling.

Well hey, different strokes for different folks. I know I've got some opinions on certain bikes or types of bikes that might not be all that popular, but there's nothing wrong with having a difference of opinion on something like that. Everybody's got their thing, and that's what makes this forum so much fun! Heck, it's the main reason why I like how there's no discussion or debate over what counts as a "rat rod bike" here. It's all-inclusive; it doesn't matter if you're into old bikes, new bikes, shiny bikes, rusty bikes, mountain bikes, muscle bikes, original bikes, Frankenbikes, or whatever! Everyone's invited!

Thanks. Yeah, kind of stinks that so many of these other bikes get less recognition because of Schwinn. But hey, that's good news for guys like me, because then I can usually snag a good deal on the bikes that I like.

 

[CRASH]

For anyone reading this... I did build a rat with my kid. So... I do have my membership stamped to get into the club.

 

[Wildcat]

Came across this ad on FB Marketplace for a muscle bike I haven't seen before: a 10-speed Sears Spyder. I've seen 5-speed Spyders before, and own one myself, but I've never seen a 10-speed version before. Where's @CRASH at? I bet he'd know a thing or two about this one!
View attachment 257267View attachment 257268View attachment 257269View attachment 257270View attachment 257271View attachment 257272View attachment 257273View attachment 257274View attachment 257275View attachment 257276View attachment 257277

If you want it for yourself, then make an offer. To resell it, it's like Crash says, you won't see any profit. But some electrical tape on the seat and air in the tires and you are riding an original 10 speed Spyder! Check out the bike with the Schwinn springer turned backwards too. Maybe a package deal?

Also, I don't think it was repainted, that's how Sears paint aged, you can see where the stripes were on the seat tube. It looks like they changed out the rams bars, but the gear shift knobs are also different from all the 68 10 speed Spyders I've looked at.

It may be a 69 model:

 

[Bike from the Dead]

If you want it for yourself, then make an offer. To resell it, it's like Crash says, you won't see any profit. But some electrical tape on the seat and air in the tires and you are riding an original 10 speed Spyder! Check out the bike with the Schwinn springer turned backwards too. Maybe a package deal?

Also, I don't think it was repainted, that's how Sears paint aged, you can see where the stripes were on the seat tube. It looks like they changed out the rams bars, but the gear shift knobs are different from all the 68 10 speed Spysers I've looked at.

View attachment 257308
It may be a 69 model:

View attachment 257309

Oh I'd love to have it, but I already have more than enough bikes as it is, and I'm happy with the Spyder I got. Plus I can't really afford it, so there's that. The bike with the flipped Schwinn springer did not go unnoticed!

Yeah, I thought the paint was original too. I don't know as much about these bikes as I'd like, so every day is a school day for me!

 

[68z27]

For anyone reading this... I did build a rat with my kid. So... I do have my membership stamped to get into the club.

View attachment 257303

T-shirts? What? RRB T-shirts?
Other than bike stuff, the only other thing I have to hide from my wife is the number of T-shirts that seem to follow me home.....(yes, I know, I'm "not right in the head".......
Cool bike Crash......

 

[Otto (Spelled Backwards)]

T-shirts? What? RRB T-shirts?
Other than bike stuff, the only other thing I have to hide from my wife is the number of T-shirts that seem to follow me home.....(yes, I know, I'm "not right in the head".......
Cool bike Crash......

I would like a line on the T-Shirts as well!

Coolest kid on the block bike right there @CRASH ... nice job!

 

[262paulw]

If you want it for yourself, then make an offer. To resell it, it's like Crash says, you won't see any profit. But some electrical tape on the seat and air in the tires and you are riding an original 10 speed Spyder! Check out the bike with the Schwinn springer turned backwards too. Maybe a package deal?

Also, I don't think it was repainted, that's how Sears paint aged, you can see where the stripes were on the seat tube. It looks like they changed out the rams bars, but the gear shift knobs are also different from all the 68 10 speed Spyders I've looked at.

View attachment 257308
It may be a 69 model:

View attachment 257309

The blue one with the curled bars is a 68 or 69 was first available in the Christmas catalog in 68 those bars are correct for that one