Why Did This Bike Sell for So Much?

[Danimal]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

So it's more or less a 20" Spaceliner Muscle Bike. Nice shape for sure, but that seems pretty high doesn't it?

I only happened to find the auction since I was researching these frames. I have a chance to get one for not much cash.

 

[mrfritz]

For one week there was a mistake in production and and several were plated in platinum instead of nickel with a clear coat. You can identify the few hundred that were then confused in that months thousands produced due to the lack of rust in the area around the crank if you look very closely. Even though each of these bikes has something close to $115K in platinum on it the asian producer decided to eat the cost. They show up very rarely and although the seller invariably thinks they just made a killing selling a $70 bike for a few hundred little do they know. The head of the plating company is reported to have gone insane and bankrupt on a trip to try to recover them by going from store to store and buying them. He was reportedly arrested for beating a boy in a store for one that turned out to not even be platinum plated.

Ok, I made that whole story up and have no idea other than... It had to be worth very nearly that much to at least two people and I've spent more for less though not on a bike. Who knows it might be the kid and the owner both trying to recapture the nostalgia of their encounter unknowingly bidding against each other.

I like chrome bikes... FUN!

 

[outskirtscustoms]

You mean Flightliner, The Spaceliners were different. :wink:

 

[user 135]

Fritz... you could of pulled story off if you didn't mention asian supplier (No outsourcing in 60's)

 

[mikesbikes36]

yeah he had me goin for a minute ...i was like no way ....LOL :mrgreen:

 

[wheelymarko]

A chrome Sting Ray with flames on the seat, (sears) That bike is hot! for real. It's nice and I wish Schwinn would have made one in chrome too! I'm cereal Dude...

 

[pickle]

:lol: MrFritz that was a good one!!

 

[kingfish254]

For one week there was a mistake in production and and several were plated in platinum instead of nickel with a clear coat. You can identify the few hundred that were then confused in that months thousands produced due to the lack of rust in the area around the crank if you look very closely. Even though each of these bikes has something close to $115K in platinum on it the asian producer decided to eat the cost. They show up very rarely and although the seller invariably thinks they just made a killing selling a $70 bike for a few hundred little do they know. The head of the plating company is reported to have gone insane and bankrupt on a trip to try to recover them by going from store to store and buying them. He was reportedly arrested for beating a boy in a store for one that turned out to not even be platinum plated.

Ok, I made that whole story up and have no idea other than... It had to be worth very nearly that much to at least two people and I've spent more for less though not on a bike. Who knows it might be the kid and the owner both trying to recapture the nostalgia of their encounter unknowingly bidding against each other.

I like chrome bikes... FUN!

That is hilarious. You actually had me going until the boy was beaten up.

 

[heyslugger]

For one week there was a mistake in production...!

I woke up this morning laughing about how this one totally got me. Well played, sir.

 

[Bicycle808]

The platinum joke was hilarious, but on a more serious note, I think the sears bike sold for a lot b/c:
-it is very original and almost entirely complete
-it is not a very common bike, but it is of a recognizable name and style (plus, musclebikes are going for a lot these days!)
-the auction was well-executed. Good pics, thorough yet concise description, no BS

Take the same bike with grainy pics, plus a vague and/or dubious sales pitch, and the same original/complete/desirable bike wouldn't have gone for nearly as much, I reckon.
-rob

 

[jerrykr]

Ratrod clean, very good pictures, somebody wanted it, all reasons it sold so well.

Only thing is I can't understand why they did not fix the front brake issue and make it perfect????

 

[gcrank1]

A buyer with 'more dollars than sense', IMHO..............

 

[NewOrleansFlyer]

Mr. Fritz....you had me for a minute. Great story......

 

[Gold Street Customs]

Gotta be the Flamed seat.... :roll:

 

[user 135]

Ratrod clean, ?

+1

Gotta be the Flamed seat.... :roll:

+1