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Leader Marquis ser.# ?
I have recently come across a Leader Marquis, mfg by Victoria Precicision Works in Montreal. Unfortunately, the bike was "worked on" by prev. owner so it's a frame and boxes of parts, presumably all there. Sorry no pics yet ( I haven't picked it up). It is Not banana seat/Mustang type, just a std cruiser w/ 20" wheels, chrome fenders, chromed steel rims (very heavy), frame is brown. Serial # 502074. Can anyone direct me to a serial number guide for Leader, or tell me the year, I'm guessing '74?
More importantantly, is this bike worth the effort to rebuild? I can't find much on Leader bikes, except that a couple "Mustang" types of similar vintage are asking $200-$350 range on Kijiji. I expect this style would command a lower price.My intention is just to put it together and sell it. Any advice?
I have a 1977 Leader catalog. The 3 speed banana seat bikjes were caled the " Marquis". The single speed banana seat bikes were labeled "Whisper". There is a brown boy's 3-speed depicted. Perhaps your bike was initially a banana bike and somebody swapped parts at some time.
The 20" wheeled 3 speed racer was also called a "Marquis". I had one still in the original box and converted it to a banana seat bike with correct NOS parts except for a sissy bar.
I have a NOS 3-speed wheel, shifterand cable I could sell.
The only other kid's bike shown is a convertible bike and these were called the "Cordoba". I don't recall seeing any regular Marquis bikes, usually the convertible Cordobas.
My favorite thing about the Leaders was their choices of colors. (bright and shiney metallics in most cases. I sold a metallic yellow single speed last year, just sold a metallic red "Bronco" last week and currently have an orange/copper metallic 3 speed in my collection.
I don't have any knowledge of the serial numbers to assist with the exact year of production.
In cases where manufacturers use a numeral as a year indicator, it is typically the first number and open format. In your case, the serial number suggests the bicycle was manufactured in 1965 or 1975., with the latter being more likely.
Another way to date bicycles is to check for date codes on components from major manufacturers. In most cases something like a 3 speed hub would have a date code on it. However, be aware that these date codes often pre-date the model year of the bicycle, as manufacture of the new models often starts in the fall of the previous calendar year.
ccmusclbikes, it looks like the top left pic, but with a std seat/low rise bar. You may be right that it had the banana seat & high rise bar scavenged for another bike or sold off. This is a 3-spd, BTW. Don't know if it needs the cable and/or shifter - if it does, I will get back to you. Thanks for the info about the bike!
T-Mar, I will definitely check out the date stamp on the hub. And yes, I remember as a kid, checking the date stamp on tail lights of cars to get the year, knowing that the date could be a year or more older than the car, if the model design had not changed.. ;-]]
If the bike looks like the picture posted, then it is likely have a Shimano 3 speed hub. These did not have date codes. At least none of the mid to late 70's ones I've seen had codes.
LOL Overlook my poor grammar. I was changing my thoughts as I typed.
ccmusclebikes, no worries, my mind filled in the blank and I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't mentioned it! I thank my ADHD for that ;-]]
So, would you mind giving me the link for NOS parts, specifically, banana seat and high rise bars, and what you paid for them? Sorry if I put you on the spot or broke etiquette in some way, just that the price of the parts will be a deciding factor in taking on this project as a musclebike rebuild (which is what it should be, by all accounts, and makes the most sense).
All your help is appreciated, believe me!