Thumper Club Forum

Club House => Chatter => Topic started by: JOOLZ on June 18, 2016, 12:22:30 PM

Title: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: JOOLZ on June 18, 2016, 12:22:30 PM
A question to all of you who have modified your bikes in any way. What do you think your bike is worth. If you were going to sell it. Im not thinking of selling mine but I would be curious. I would list mine for £4000 - £4500 as it is and maybe £5500 with the supercharger fitted. I know the question is a bit like how long is a piece of string, but it would be interesting to hear your views on my valuation and what value you place on your bikes
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: 500 T C on June 20, 2016, 03:52:47 PM
              The more original the bike is, the more its worth I would have thought.  The more its been modified,it would attract less intrest or money,who wants a cast off and not knowing the history. :-\
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: SteveC#222 on June 20, 2016, 05:37:47 PM
Tricky one this.  While I have no doubt that your bike is worth every bit of £4500-5500 in terms of work done, cost of parts and upgrades, blood sweat & tears, I would tend to agree with 500 T C that a really clean original bike might make more in the buyers world. Custom/ tuned bike really are a labour of love and if you plan to radically change one from standard you need to be intending to keep it for a long while.

A mate of mine once rebuilt a Russian Voshkod - normally worth a few hundred quid if you were really lucky. Spent a fortune on powder coating, polishing, paint & chrome and it looked fantasic, way  way better than it ever left the factory.  I think he spent over £2k on the thing and eventually sold it for £800!!
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: CrazyFrog on June 21, 2016, 09:23:43 AM
Mmmmm, I think my two stroke MZ is probably worth at least, oh easily, in the region of, round about.......2/6 and a bag of marbles!

The SilverStar is a more difficult beastie to value. The nearest equivalent is a Harris Matchless and they tend to go for at least £2,500 for a decent runner. The MZ is much rarer, only 30 ever imported into the country, so more difficult to value. I wouldn't let it go for less than £2,500, but have no intention of selling anyway. In fact, the tank is currently of at the painters getting a nice new paint job!
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: manxie on June 21, 2016, 10:21:56 AM
I`ll give you 2/6 and two bags of marbles for the 2 stroker  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;)
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: timbo on June 21, 2016, 12:33:17 PM
Yep, I am definitely of the opinion, that a standard spec bike is worth more, unless you're very lucky and find a buyer who really wants your bike. Doesn't seem right though when you know all the blood, sweat, and tears, and difficult problems solved, when building a special  :-\
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: themoudie on June 21, 2016, 09:45:26 PM
What somebody will bid for it!  ;)

If Richard Branson is after it and deems it "Cool!", you could be "in"!  ::)  If "Joe90" down the road wants it, you could be "in"! But if "Joe90" doesn't know you are selling it and nobody else thinks it's "Cool" or "Joe90" is in bed with the flu, or hasn't a brass farthing, then it's worth diddly squit!  :-[

Look upon your bike as an enjoyable indulgence,  ;D  unless it is your only form of transport that is a necessity to earn a crust. Tis always been the way since beasts were used for transport and then racing and barter.

And how much is an 19 oatcake, oily rag, "Original" patina, left to rust Brough from Somerset worth then? Go look in Bonham's sale results or Cheffin's sales catalogues or Preston's Services online catalogue and say the whole thing is sane!  :-X  ::) The "Kings New clothes" rule applies every time. If your senses are tickled and your pockets deep enough, you'll buy it!  :o

Toodle pip, 'The Anorak'
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: Moto63 on June 22, 2016, 07:14:59 AM
What somebody will bid for it!  ;)

If Richard Branson is after it and deems it "Cool!", you could be "in"!  ::)  If "Joe90" down the road wants it, you could be "in"! But if "Joe90" doesn't know you are selling it and nobody else thinks it's "Cool" or "Joe90" is in bed with the flu, or hasn't a brass farthing, then it's worth diddly squit!  :-[


Yes very good point Bill, a mate of mine who built a life size replica of a racing Manx Norton out of wood. Yes wood. Which he did just because he can. Was told at one point it was pretty much worthless, cos who wants a bike that's made outta wood. Well it turned out that the national motorcycle museum wanted one, hence money changed hands (a fair amount I might add) and he went away a happy chappy. So yes I'd defo av to agree with you on this one, if the right person just happens along at the right time then it's worth whatever that person will/wants to pay.
Cheers, Michael
Ps check out said bike on google images, type in "wooden Manx Norton" it worth a look, oh and the photos don't do it justice
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: SteveC#222 on June 22, 2016, 07:21:19 AM
I saw that last time I was at the National Motorcycle Museum - a real work of art, i loved the little wooden oil can that came with it! Obviously a talented chap.
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: Moto63 on June 22, 2016, 08:14:36 AM
Morning Steve, yes mate he is, (you shud see my gates :) :)) ...very nice with it too. Oh and a good rider t'boot. He said the hardest part of the "build" was trying to get the front inner brake cable where it comes out of the outer cable the correct size. The detailing on it really is quite amazing, especially once you're shown and told how it was all done..
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: manxie on June 22, 2016, 11:32:03 AM
WOW...... this has to be one of the most stunning things I`ve ever seen!!!..... WOW  :o 8) 8)

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: iansoady on June 22, 2016, 01:45:43 PM
Sold for over £20,000 in 2005 - https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/12185/lot/520/ - but I have the feeling he made another one?
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: Moto63 on June 22, 2016, 02:37:29 PM
Well he's actually on with building one Ian, not finished it yet. It's a matchless G50. I could stand here all day and write how he built it (the norton)  but it'd take me all day. If anyone wants to know anything about it I'll happily ans any questions that I can.
Cheers, Michael
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: mthee on June 22, 2016, 10:10:46 PM
What was the "build" time?
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: Moto63 on June 23, 2016, 07:14:00 AM
Morning Matt, it took him five years (approx) but he didn't devote every waking hour on it as he only started doing it as a kind of "pub bet" with another mate that said he wouldn't be able to do it. Just an odd couple of hours here and a couple there so to speak.  Cheers, Michael
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: iansoady on June 24, 2016, 09:36:45 AM
The original's still at the NMM - popped in there yesterday having an hour or so to kill and being in the neighbourhood.
Title: Another wooden bike
Post by: iansoady on June 30, 2016, 01:30:03 PM
Brough Superior: https://www.flickr.com/photos/chibby99/26816910142/

I have no details of this but stumbled across it (metaphorically) elsewhere.
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: manxie on June 30, 2016, 08:49:48 PM
Loving that one too  8) 8)
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: timbo on June 30, 2016, 10:49:17 PM
I don't see the point  :-\
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: iansoady on July 01, 2016, 09:26:08 AM
Because it's not there?

I must admit I prefer to spend my time working on things that will end up being useful but still admire the skill & effort involved.

I occasionally go to model engineering exhibitions and some of the work there is absolutely amazing.
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: SteveC#222 on July 01, 2016, 09:34:21 AM


I occasionally go to model engineering exhibitions and some of the work there is absolutely amazing.

I went to a model show at Lincoln a few years ago and one guy had build a 1/4 scale model of his Suzuki GS750 (I think) completely from scratch. Everything was made by him, built the frame, cast all the engine cases, wheels, made the tyres, the lot. It was as though someone had put the real thing under a shrink ray - absolutely perfect. However it had taken him 12 years ( well 12 winters actually) to do it.
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: Moto63 on July 01, 2016, 07:43:17 PM
Evening Tim, yes mate I totally hear what ya saying as I used to av the same opinion, however once I'd clocked eyes my mates "wooden norton" close up and personal like and showed me how he'd actually built it I took a different view point to this kind of thing. It's the challenge first off and then the satisfaction once it's finished. I've always enjoyed "messin" with bikes as probably most on this forum av, however since I had my accident I (dare I say it) probably get as much enjoyment out of going in the ol workshop and building bikes as I do riding them. Can't beat gettin the  tig welder out.
Cheers, Michael
Title: Re: What do you think your bikes worth
Post by: timbo on July 01, 2016, 09:16:24 PM
I also have nothing but admiration for someone who can dedicate so much effort and time to such a project, as I know I couldn't  ;)