Raleigh 531 bike - What do I do with this?

Hi all,

Some advice needed:

My brother-in-law has a Raleigh bicycle hanging off the ceiling - he tells me that he bought this bike brand new over 25 years ago...

The bike is a Raleigh "Ventura" with 531 Reynolds tubing, Weinmann brakes, wheelset (I think) and is measured for him (he is 5' 11")

The bike looks perfect and has all original parts - if I remember rightly the tyres still have those "new tyre hairs" on it.

I know he has never really ridden it either - well it is Athens afterall :)

Now the question - he is happy to let me have it which is cool - however, my brother-in-law is Greek and the bike is in his garage in Athens Greece!

Question is this: Would it be worth my while to pay to get it shipped over here to London?

Is the bike worth much? What would be a typical resale value of such a bike? Any pointers, wisdom, ideas on price welcome...

[Am a newbie to the forum so please temper the flames if I am trangressing any sacred rules]

why would you re-sale something your brother is giving you?

http://www.gumtree.com/london/21/42530821.html

Like this?

or like this

http://www.bumblebeeauctions.co.uk/XcAPViewItem.asp?ID=45419

Yeah - very much like that - but with white handlebar tapes. Weirdly enough, the colour is similar as well.

why would you re-sale something your brother is giving you?

Oh - sorry, I suppose it is not clear why I am selling it - he wants to sell the bike anyway as he is having a clearout - just that there is no market for bikes in Athens. Nothing skanky on my part

I reckon it should cost a bit to put it in Olympics / BA's hold when he comes over?

I flew to Athens a couple of years ago with my bike (and most of my worldly possesions) in a bike box which I had picked up for free from my local bike shop.

I flew on from Athens to Malta, then from Malta back to London.

At no stage did I have to pay for the bike (BA flights), the only thing I had to do was check the bike in at the oversize luggage counter- got a nice X-ray view of the bike also.

If the bike is worth it to you then fly over, shove it in a box and fly back with it.

Thanks Dammit - the problem is that I don't know what the bike is worth - ball park figure even. I mean he will probably get about 30 Euros out there if he is lucky.

What is the story with the bike? Was it one of the better ones? My ignorance frustrates;-)

I certainly don't have any emotional ties to this bike.

Afraid I don't know about these bikes- sure someone else will chime in though.

Worth bringing it back on the off chance if you are going out there, but I would not make a special trip to go and get it.

Do you need an excuse to go out and go island hopping?!

http://www.gumtree.com/london/21/42530821.html

Like this?

That is the sexiest colour known to man.

Do you need an excuse to go out and go island hopping?!

Unfortunately, yes ;-)

Actually just popping over for 3 days to help sort out some house moving stuff...

OK, given the feedback here, I might just turn the other way and let someone from Athens get it for 20 Euros...