If you think your Norton is expensive...

And at that price probably going on a display only machine.
 
Just had a read and wasn’t aware just how rare or expensive they are.
Ironic that something built to celebrate racing success is doomed to be a static display.
 
It will be about 5300 US$.
Obviously at least two owners needed the correct carbs.
A Vincent is not cheap to buy but spares are readily available and at a decent prize.
 
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There were 4 bidders showing in the listing, I think an original Duke is valued with 5 zeros on the end these days.
 
when you say bevel drive you say big money, round case more than square case, sport is more than a GT and a green frame SS is absolutely stupid money. I told a friend that told me he bought an 860 IF you need a part for it and IF you find it don't question the cost just buy it.
 
Only 3 things more expensive than a Norton .....

Airplanes

Yachts

Women

I never had a yacht, but friends who have, said they were bottomless holes in the ocean which you filled with money.

"Most of my money, I spent on women and booze, the rest I just wasted." ..... anonymous

Slick
 
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Basally, any Ducati bevel bit gets much more expensive as soon as you can hang a "greenframe" tag on it. Boranni rims for example - if they have the magic 4777 marking on them they will cost upwards of $1800, just for one bare rim. An Aprilia JOD Duplo headlight (just the glass and reflector) often go for $1200 and upwards.

Since many of these bits were used on other Italian bikes in the '70s, there is quite a good market in these, let alone making new "fake" copies. Looking at Boranni again for example, there was a new production of various Boranni rims several years ago, where the rim was made in China then sent to Italy to be drilled and stamped. There are differences in the style of stamping which can reveal this, just as there is a slight difference in the rim profile for genuine rims made in the early 70's and the late 70's, all of which tends to drive prices upwards.
After all, if you have invested in a $100 000 plus bike, paying a couple of thousand for the original rims or switch or carb or whatever is small change :)

It's something of a mixed blessing though to those of us who a) own a roundcase and b) want to use it. Many parts are available, but they can cost an arm, leg and a kidney, plus your firstborn if it's a genuine NOS. Personally, my Sport is, to put it politely"well used" and far from the highly polished display bikes you so often see. I just prefer it that way. After all, when all is said and done, it's just a motorbike!
 
Graham late of TGA? Wonderful bloke, had some amazing stories, of which I heard all too few. Much missed.

Lovely bike that, just goes to prove that these originality fanatics really do not know what's the good stuff.
 
SteveBorland said:
Graham late of TGA? Wonderful bloke, had some amazing stories, of which I heard all too few. Much missed.

Lovely bike that, just goes to prove that these originality fanatics really do not know what's the good stuff.
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The very same...a gentlman sadly missed
 
One recently sold at auction for $198,xxx. Might have been the same one I saw sitting in the sun and dust at Mid-Ohio a couple of years ago with a $250,000 price tag.
 
I am never going to own an RVF750 Honda. The magnesium carbs on it cost more than I would ever pay for any complete motorcycle
 
I have come to realise I worry too much. I was talking to a guy at Winton after I told him I really liked his car - a Lamboghini. He said 'if you've got money, you need to spend it on something like this''. About 12 months later, his name appeared in the newspaper. He was done for insider trading. I don't think he even ended up in the slammer.
 
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