- Joined
- Dec 3, 2012
- Messages
- 3,727
Things have changed
- Thread starter wardch
- Start date
- Status
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2012
- Messages
- 3,727
powerdoc
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2011
- Messages
- 349
It seems from a perusal of the Classic Brit magazines that one of the reasons for the high prices is the demand . Parts prices are just part and parcel of this demand. It is still amazing to me, since I'm doing a "renovation" and I'm looking at these things, the prices for the simplest of things. It doesn't seem to be stopping; the prices seem to be on an accelerating curve.
And as far as the cheap rebuildables the above is also a cause of the lack of those. I once had a Lotus Elan and sold it to a chap, from England, who was going around paying cash for classic Brit cars. I suspect a lot of American spec bikes have ended up back in the Isles the same way. Are the Germans and Italians so gaga for their old bikes too?
And as far as the cheap rebuildables the above is also a cause of the lack of those. I once had a Lotus Elan and sold it to a chap, from England, who was going around paying cash for classic Brit cars. I suspect a lot of American spec bikes have ended up back in the Isles the same way. Are the Germans and Italians so gaga for their old bikes too?
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2012
- Messages
- 3,727
powerdoc said:
I don't think you can even imagine how many container loads of bikes and cars have left the USA in the last 30 years.
Media and the ability to promote a sale have changed.
When I was last in the USA (1984) the main means of available bikes for sale was via 'Trader mag type listings.(That I remember)
I seem to remember going to the main office of the Los Angeles trader and asking for all of the issues for for that region,the woman I recall was somewhat surprised that I would travel that far afield looking at motorcycles. (1600 miles iirc)
(I also seem to remember visiting many old bike shops with wooden floors,long gone now no doubt)
It seemed bikes were sold/traded within local area's or within a smallish radius.
Perhaps things like Craiglist then eBay and other electronic media made things more accessible somehow,that may have also created more opportunities for people to turn things into profitable ventures even if they had no real passion for bikes in general or as a sideline if they did.
The Internet (and television) have a lot to answer for.
You know things have taken a turn for the bizarre when people want to watch shows about profiting from the likes of 'unclaimed airport luggage.. abandoned lock up's.. digging up backyards etc etc
Motorcycles and autos had to follow and so they did,ideas that seemed good at the time were soon exploited.
Of course bargain bikes for true enthusiasts are still out there but by word of mouth and being able to get near any Norton part from folk like Andover Norton is fantastic.
It might be easier to rebuild a Commando now than when they were still available off the show room floor.
powerdoc said:
Yes.
30+ years ago, old BMs especially were all over Greece, including lots of little single cylinders, and the occasional twin.
Now they've all been scoured out, and gone back home apparently.
Although why the little singles would be so sought after is anyones guess, they were no ball of power.
Likewise old prewar Guzzis in North Africa.
Not mentioned yet is currency movements. ?
When the US$ was 2:1 againast everything else, and then everything else was stronger than the $US,
bike sales went this way and that.
- Status
Similar threads
