No meat left on the bone
Moderators: Whiskerfish, ascot, Forum Moderators
- dontwantapickle
- Silver Member
- Posts: 957
- Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2017 9:26 pm
- Location: Colorado
No meat left on the bone
I have been buying, fixing and selling bikes for over 40 years, but the game has obviously changed.
Now.... it seem that everyone thinks that their junkers are worth their weight in gold.
( Thanks stupid american pickers TV show).
Craigslist has decent condition . running Goldwings for around $2500.
However, all of the project / fixer upper Wings that I see are over $1000.
These old bikes always need the same thing to bring them back to life:
carbs, battery, tires, brakes, fluids, belts, water pump, cosmetics, etc....
The investment in getting these old motorcycles back on the road is just too high to be able to quickly "flip" one for a profit.
Bummer, because they are great bikes, just no resale value.
Where is the money in these things? it's not in parting them out because there are zillions of them out there,
and it definitely isn't in restoration.
Rant Complete.
Now.... it seem that everyone thinks that their junkers are worth their weight in gold.
( Thanks stupid american pickers TV show).
Craigslist has decent condition . running Goldwings for around $2500.
However, all of the project / fixer upper Wings that I see are over $1000.
These old bikes always need the same thing to bring them back to life:
carbs, battery, tires, brakes, fluids, belts, water pump, cosmetics, etc....
The investment in getting these old motorcycles back on the road is just too high to be able to quickly "flip" one for a profit.
Bummer, because they are great bikes, just no resale value.
Where is the money in these things? it's not in parting them out because there are zillions of them out there,
and it definitely isn't in restoration.
Rant Complete.
- CYBORG
- Moderator
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- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
- Location: Muskegon mich
Re: No meat left on the bone
They are harder to find at a price that allows flipping for a profit. But often a conversation with the seller, making him aware of what you are trying to do, and the cost involved, a deal can sometimes be reached. But I agree, it has become much harder
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
- desertrefugee
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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- Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
- Location: Chandler, AZ, USA
Re: No meat left on the bone
The funny thing is, the game changes that you refer to really only happened in the last 10 years or so. It happened very quickly. And it is not just American pickers. Them and others like them.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
- wingrider
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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- Location: Maple Lake, MN USA
Re: No meat left on the bone
There is an 80 or 81 covered in cobwebs on our local Marketplace for $500...but I do agree, most project bikes are going for a lot more money than they ever had before.
2002 1800 Wing
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
2001 Valkyrie Interstate
1978 1200 EFI Wing with Motorvation Coupe Royale sidecar
1977 1200 Wing cafe/bobber project
1974 Suzuki GT550
- flyin900
- Gold Member
- Posts: 1489
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 3:50 pm
- Location: Canada
Re: No meat left on the bone
The same thing has happened in Canada too. In the area known as the GTA where I live and home to the greatest concentration of people in Canada it has really gotten silly in the past 5 years. I have been doing this for 12 years as a hobby. I see it as an opportunity to learn new skills and enjoy riding a variety of the vintage Honda bikes I have restored.
Just too many hours are put into my restorations to recover any profit. I won't lose any invested capital. Yet based on buying a bike and the parts needed, I normally make about $1000.00 if/when I sell a bike and I usually have hundreds of hours of work in the restoration.
I have recently found a few deals on kijiji, yet I am constantly looking and find if one comes up for sale you need to act fast. Even that quick response isn't any guarantee, as many potential buyers will tell the seller they have under priced the bike and are willing to pay way more than the asking price.
I have walked away more than once if a seller gets greedy based on feedback that they have received from potential buyers. The demand for some models is driven as Mr Pickles (Arlo?) noted take on the marketplace with some models really detached from reality. There is a quite nice very clean low mileage 1978 CB750K with a asking price of $12K just been posted on Kijiji. Sandcast 1969 CB750's were selling less than that not too long ago, so how does a 1978 command such a price now???
Just too many hours are put into my restorations to recover any profit. I won't lose any invested capital. Yet based on buying a bike and the parts needed, I normally make about $1000.00 if/when I sell a bike and I usually have hundreds of hours of work in the restoration.
I have recently found a few deals on kijiji, yet I am constantly looking and find if one comes up for sale you need to act fast. Even that quick response isn't any guarantee, as many potential buyers will tell the seller they have under priced the bike and are willing to pay way more than the asking price.
I have walked away more than once if a seller gets greedy based on feedback that they have received from potential buyers. The demand for some models is driven as Mr Pickles (Arlo?) noted take on the marketplace with some models really detached from reality. There is a quite nice very clean low mileage 1978 CB750K with a asking price of $12K just been posted on Kijiji. Sandcast 1969 CB750's were selling less than that not too long ago, so how does a 1978 command such a price now???
Last edited by flyin900 on Sun Jun 23, 2019 5:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
Current Bikes:
1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.
1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.
- CYBORG
- Moderator
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- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
- Location: Muskegon mich
Re: No meat left on the bone
Asking price, and selling price, are often different. Another phrase comes to mind, "a fool and his money are soon parted". oh ya, I know it happens, but not to me. In 1980 I paid $600 for my 78....and I still have it. A few years back I went thru an 85 for a guy charging him $600 plus parts,....and bought it from him a few months later , after he had a fight with his girlfriend, for $500. I didn't buy these bikes to flip. I bought them to ride and enjoy. I have also passed on a good number of bikes. It is not a business for me. Everything in this world should not be about making money. Somethings should be left to enjoying the time we all have on this earth. (I guess this is a little bit of a rant as well)
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
- Oldewing
- Secretary
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- Location: Gahanna Ohio
Re: No meat left on the bone
I have a large stack of "bones" at my place.
I agree with the above. Market price is so soft, you can't do a "full" redo of a bike and make it worthwhile. I just try to make my work pay me enough to pay for my play with bikes..
I agree with the above. Market price is so soft, you can't do a "full" redo of a bike and make it worthwhile. I just try to make my work pay me enough to pay for my play with bikes..
82 GL1100 Interstate-Oldewing October 23 BOTM
06 GL1800 Road bike, as in Rode alot...
Sometimes I wrestle with my inner demons.........
Other times we just hug.......
Team 898
Team LTD 993
Team 76 R2B3
And always remember: beer has some food value--but food has NO beer value...
06 GL1800 Road bike, as in Rode alot...
Sometimes I wrestle with my inner demons.........
Other times we just hug.......
Team 898
Team LTD 993
Team 76 R2B3
And always remember: beer has some food value--but food has NO beer value...
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- Platinum Member
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- Location: Rhode Island/Vermont
Re: No meat left on the bone
Agreed.CYBORG wrote:Asking price, and selling price, are often different. Another phrase comes to mind, "a fool and his money are soon parted". oh ya, I know it happens, but not to me. In 1980 I paid $600 for my 78....and I still have it. A few years back I went thru an 85 for a guy charging him $600 plus parts,....and bought it from him a few months later , after he had a fight with his girlfriend, for $500. I didn't buy these bikes to flip. I bought them to ride and enjoy. I have also passed on a good number of bikes. It is not a business for me. Everything in this world should not be about making money. Somethings should be left to enjoying the time we all have on this earth. (I guess this is a little bit of a rant as well)
Too many are just trying to make a killing on a bike they paid little for.
Around here there was a breaker who bought every bike he could find and charged as much as he could for the few parts that most people wanted.
He's now long gone and you can't find an older bike for parts or repair.
So I have no sympathy for the quick flip artists.
78 GL1000 Original Owner 131k
- Whiskerfish
- President
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- My Album: http://www.ngwclub.com/gallery/v/wingmans/whiskerfish/
- Location: Norfolk Va
Re: No meat left on the bone
I have 2 in the shop I picked up last summer but have not touched yet. Starting price was right but even with that it will be a challenge to make anything on them. What makes it even harder is that the rebuild kits for stuff have not matched the market. I think Front wheel Master Cylinder rebuild kits have doubled in the 15 years I have been playing with this stuff.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
"Yea I do dance awkwardly, and I am having more fun than you" Taylor Swift
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1984 GL1200 Standard
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
"Yea I do dance awkwardly, and I am having more fun than you" Taylor Swift
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1984 GL1200 Standard
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
- 5speed
- Honored Life Member
- Posts: 5315
- Joined: Sat Jul 11, 2015 2:37 pm
- Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Re: No meat left on the bone
I don't plan on selling the 3 wings I own. My 82 is going to remain stock but I do plan to semi restore it.
My 76 is going to be my longer ride bike with hard bags and a corbin seat, backrest and batwing fairing.
My 76 is going to be my really custom cafe build. And by really custom I mean for me. lol I'm not doing anything to either bike that can't be undone to bring them back to stock.
I've had my 02 shadow ace for sale for over a month..a few tie kickers but no one has come ride it and I dropped the priced from $3200 to $2800.
My 76 is going to be my longer ride bike with hard bags and a corbin seat, backrest and batwing fairing.
My 76 is going to be my really custom cafe build. And by really custom I mean for me. lol I'm not doing anything to either bike that can't be undone to bring them back to stock.
I've had my 02 shadow ace for sale for over a month..a few tie kickers but no one has come ride it and I dropped the priced from $3200 to $2800.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)
2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)
2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
- Liam
- True Blue Steel Biker
- Posts: 2073
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2013 11:23 am
- Location: Ireland
Re: No meat left on the bone
Hmmmm. I see this getting more common. People are looking for top money for project bikes that need a lot of work.
Here is a bike for sale over here for 1800 Euros. The 3 main components that can be seen from the picture as wrong are the seat, exhaust system and the carbs.
There is way too much work and money to be spent to make it worthwhile.
Here is a bike for sale over here for 1800 Euros. The 3 main components that can be seen from the picture as wrong are the seat, exhaust system and the carbs.
There is way too much work and money to be spent to make it worthwhile.
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- Platinum Member
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- Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2012 8:25 pm
- Location: Rhode Island/Vermont
Re: No meat left on the bone
Altho if it runs well, seems like a decent price for being in Europe.Liam wrote:Hmmmm. I see this getting more common. People are looking for top money for project bikes that need a lot of work.
Here is a bike for sale over here for 1800 Euros. The 3 main components that can be seen from the picture as wrong are the seat, exhaust system and the carbs.
There is way too much work and money to be spent to make it worthwhile.
1000 yellow 01.jpeg
78 GL1000 Original Owner 131k
- pidjones
- SUPER BIKER!!!!
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Re: No meat left on the bone
Recently, so many bikes that I've looked at had tires old enough to vote, but advertised with "good rubber). That's about $250 right there. Minimum $100 in carb parts, another $100 - $200 for caliper and MC rebuild kits and new brake lines and pistons. $75 battery, $35 plug wires and caps, $15 air filter, $15 petcock. The $500 project now has $1140 in it not counting paint, plugs, cleaning supplies, new fluids, etc. And saddle prices are really unrealistic! I'm just getting started in this, and only as a hobby because I love working on them. But I don't expect to make a profit or even anything for my labor. If you want to make money flipping bikes, buy up small displacement bikes that can be turned into "cafe racers" and sell them to wanna be hipsters. Low investment, and they won't put over 200 miles on it before a new fad (already electric scooters) comes along.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
- calif wingnut
- Platinum Member
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- Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2011 10:10 am
- Location: Patterson, Calif 44 years winging it
Re: No meat left on the bone
I have No Comment 8^
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- dontwantapickle
- Silver Member
- Posts: 957
- Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2017 9:26 pm
- Location: Colorado
Re: No meat left on the bone
i just saw this one.5speed wrote: I've had my 02 shadow ace for sale for over a month..a few tie kickers but no one has come ride it and I dropped the priced from $3200 to $2800.
1998 Honda Shadow ACE 750 - $1500
https://westslope.craiglist.org/mcy/d/c ... 23127.html
and this one:
1973 Honda CB750 CB 750 K3 motorbike AND parts bike - $1600
https://westslope.craigslist.org/mcy/d/ ... 93058.html
A running honda 750 for $1500. or a project for $1600.
I think a normal person would pick the ACE.
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