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What the heck is a 60s Indian Princess

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PhattCatBicycles

Wore out three sets of tires already!
I got a email today from a guy that wants to sale me a vintage bicycle. First of all I'm happy that the word is getting out that I'm looking for vintage bicycles and parts. But like I already said I got a email today from a guy wanting to sale a 1960's Indian Princess. WTF? I've never even heard of them and I'm having a hard time finding any information on them. So I was wondering if anyone out there know's anything about this bike. He says "The seat cover is gone but the original Phillips seat frame is all there. It has the speedometer and light as well"

He's asking $250, seems like a lot to me what but what do I know?
 

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It is a British made 3-speed bicycle by Phillips to sell at Indian Motorcycle stores from 1950-53...your Sturmey Archer hub has a date code.
250 is a decent price to me, but it is a niched bicycle and it's taking me longer than expected to sell my men's "Scout."
Chris
indian main.jpg
 
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Built by Raleigh Industries. I can't rememeber who/how they were sold in the US. There are a couple on eBay, right now. Even in mint, original condition, that bike would be lucky to be worth $150. The one shown is really rough. I don't think I'd be comfortable giving $20 for it. If you're not already messing with English bikes, leave it be, as it's not really worth anything, even as parts.
 
Built by Raleigh Industries. I can't rememeber who/how they were sold in the US. There are a couple on eBay, right now. Even in mint, original condition, that bike would be lucky to be worth $150. The one shown is really rough. I don't think I'd be comfortable giving $20 for it. If you're not already messing with English bikes, leave it be, as it's not really worth anything, even as parts.

This is an example of why value of a particular bicycle is best determined by those that appreciate what it is or those involved in the actual sale.
If a bicycle is not regarded, then the money (or lack thereof) follows, and opinions from such sources irrevelant.

Chris
 
This is an example of why value of a particular bicycle is best determined by those that appreciate what it is or those involved in the actual sale.
If a bicycle is not regarded, then the money (or lack thereof) follows, and opinions from such sources irrevelant.

Chris

Make no mistake, I appreciate what British bikes are, as I have 3. However, that is stupid money, for what it is. Take a look at eBay's completed listings. Completed listings are usually what fair market value is for the item, in a worldwide market; not one's own opinion. You may highly regard the bike as something special, but, don't use your opinion to influence another's purchase decision, when your idea of market value is not the same as what is truth.

I'm not going to bicker about this bike's value, here, out of respect for the OP's thread.
 
First of all, the thread asked for an opinion, and I am not trying to influence the purchase of the bicycle one way or the other.
I don't need advice on fair market value.. asking vs. actual, but I am awaiting your $20 Indian Princess comps (with dynohub/light) as well as the mint original condition Indian $150 comps.

Chris
 
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1960's Indian Princess. WTF? I've never even heard of them and I'm having a hard time finding any information on them

As already stated the Indian Motorcycle Companies contracted with the English company Phillips to build some bicycles for it to sell in their stories about 1950-53?
Phillips was owned by the British Cycle Corp. (BCC).As it turned out the BCC bought Indian so they would have dealerships in the U.S.A. for their brands of British Mororcycles.
Around 1960 the BCC also bought Raleigh Ind. and placed all of their(phillips and others) bicycle companies under the Management of Raleigh.
This bike shown in the photo does look to be a 60s and less valuable than a 50smodel,but with some nice parts like dyno hub and alum/rubber pedals.
 
I have a Scout men's version... and I also believe it was produced between 50-53.

I dont believe the Princess is a 60's model because from what I learned is that the Indian motorcycle company went bankrupt in 1953. And I guess it would be possible that Phillips kept building the Indian bicycles, but not likely in my mind.
 
I'd like to add two things, when I bought my 1949 Indian the guy had an Indian Scout in good condition and I offered him on the '49 and told him I didn't want the other at all. that said, some people like them and they are "real" Indians made under license to Hendee. I don't think the Indian Motorcycle guys are interested in these bikes which is going to take a big part of your market away.

the second thing I would like to add is that there is a bunch of Indian bike literature on ebay at this very minute!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bicycle-Lit...868?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19cd3466cc
http://www.ebay.com/itm/lot-13-bicy...738?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc19ea282
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Ea...032?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19cd3ad010
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Indian-Ligh...766?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item588eaee1b6
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Raleigh-Ind...539?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43a46dc6ab

and a bike and a badge for sale.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1950-Indian...660?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f13208bac
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ind...864?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc19eb688
 
I have a Scout men's version... and I also believe it was produced between 50-53.

I dont believe the Princess is a 60's model because from what I learned is that the Indian motorcycle company went bankrupt in 1953. And I guess it would be possible that Phillips kept building the Indian bicycles, but not likely in my mind.

That bike has the clamp-on, hockey stick chainguard, which is early- to mid-60's. Likewise, the seat and cable housing are from that time frame.

The date stamped on the rear hub will tell the story.
 
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