Thinking about commando prices , what’s your opinion ?

I have been thinking about commando prices .
I see restored bikes , nice ones , for sale in a range of prices .
when I see them at 10-12,000 I think that’s a good price , 15-20,000 I do not think is unreasonable .
there is likely a small market for these older , restored bikes .
likely the older guys want them more than the younger generation .
I know that a total restoration is costly and the selling prices need to reflect that .
I hear guys say some of these prices are too much .
I don’t think they are . I think they are often too low for what you get .
the 71 I am doing now had the engine rebuilt , the trans rebuilt , the front forks rebuilt .
all new tires , rims , SS spokes , new fork tubes , new wiring harness , headlight bucket , handle bars , cables , brakes , rear sprocket , chain , seats , isol mounts , new 750S style exhaust system , tailight , SS fenders ,
I replaced most of and everything I did not like items .
also the best part was the CNW electric starter kit and clutches .
i have not totaled the receipts but in my head it’s about 13,000.00 .
the Bike itself cost me only 600.00 .
the bike belonged to George Harrison , but sadly not the beatle.
came with a title , so was a good deal .
when all done I expect it to cost me about 18,000.00 .
I still have to get the disco ball paint job , and will send out to Brent Budger .
Question now is , if I want 25,000 or more , is that too much ?
in my mind , no it’s not .
I don’t want to sell it anyhow .
the bike will not be an origional restoration .
I am changing up a number of things from it origional manufacture .
But I am doing it the way I want it . For myself .
I think many of the Nortons are underpriced .
interested to know how others feel about prices of these collectibles .
I rode my 69 750S for many years . ( bought it new ) still have it origional .
just watch some UTUBE videos on how wonderful they sound .
I saw two 69S models a few years ago at auction go for over 20,000 each .
I will be working the Las Vegas Mecum auction again this year and maybe buy another ? Likely not .

$ Cdn. 28,500 into my MK 111 . 2022.
Including purchase price of $800.
Had to leave my gorgeous girlfriend as collateral as I walked over to the nearest bank. His phone was ringing constantly , I told him to say already sold. Did not run.
Ran back from the bank.

I think there is a group that has the money and will pay a high price for the right restoration and use it. I also believe as time passes that group is getting much smaller and the next couple of generations could care less about these machines. By 2035 with gasoline becoming a smaller percentage of what powers vehicles, old motorcycles will be just museum pieces. So ask yourself if you are a rich collector or should you think about grabbing a chair before the music stops.

ILLF8ED said:

I think there is a group that has the money and will pay a high price for the right restoration and use it. I also believe as time passes that group is getting much smaller and the next couple of generations could care less about these machines. By 2035 with gasoline becoming a smaller percentage of what powers vehicles, old motorcycles will be just museum pieces. So ask yourself if you are a rich collector or should you think about grabbing a chair before the music stops.

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By 2035 I will hopefully be slowly dying on a beach in Mexico or Spain.

I don't know if I'll see 2035 or not. Maybe you can judge my age from my avatar picture. It was taken before the advent of color film though.....

Personally I think 10-15k is very reasonable for a nice clean example of commando even more for a matching number bike that is as original as possible. 5-9k for a running but rough condition bike is fair price, not like you can just pop on down to the nearest dealership and pick one up. I wish I would have got my commando project for $600! I also believe old motorcycle will always be cool, the older they get the cooler they are. I’m 37 and like the bikes made before I was born far better than anything new!!! Norton just happens to top my list

I think the question on the table is can you FULLY restore a Norton and sell it for more than you have in it?
With the odd exception, the answer is no.

When I was searching in the UK, early 2021, there was only 2 price brackets:
- c.£8,000. This contained a range of bikes from badly maintained, thrown together for sale, through to honest, highly presentable.
- £12,000 - £13,995: Dealers

I've not seen anything higher than that in the UK.

The only thing that matters is the selling price. Asking can be anything at all.
Vast sums can easily be spent on restoration/renovation. Easily.
At this point in time, resale will likely be a lot less than what you have into it
and you may well have to wait to get it.

Norton's are going up in prices well here in AUS anyway but some are so high I wonder if they are getting the prices they are asking for them, seems not so around $12k to $15k is seems the be the norm these days, you will never get what you put into it but some think they can and most of the time they don't sell and a few months later see them for sale again at the same high price.
If I every sell mine I would want $25k + with all that I have spent on it over 46 years but really I have no intension of selling at all so really I don't care what people are willing to pay, some just have to much money to spend, I just sold my 2013 Triumph Thruxton put on a fair price with 40K on the clock and looked better than when I bought it new, had $8k on it and the first person to come and look at it bought it even without taking it for a ride because it was set at the right price and in great condition.

Ashley

I paid $8300 for a very clean '74 MK II survivor that had frame, engine and gearbox matching numbers. About 80% original. It ran great although after a few hundred miles the layshaft bearing decided to lock up. I was expecting to do the replacement over the winter anyway and no additional damage was done. So far I have spent about $1500 US in repairs and upgrades and expect to spend another $200 US before spring arrives. I will have about $10,000 US in the bike.

Dan1950 said:

I paid $8300 for a very clean '74 MK II survivor that had frame, engine and gearbox matching numbers. About 80% original. It ran great although after a few hundred miles the layshaft bearing decided to lock up. I was expecting to do the re[placement over the winter anyway and no additional damage was done. So far I have spent about $1500 US in repairs and upgrades and expect to spend another $200 US before spring arrives. I will have about $10,000 US in the bike.

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After following your threads with the upgrades the bike already has and the ones you are doing now you will a very good bike for the money

I turned down $15k at a local bike show, but I have a strong sentimental attachment as I bought it new when I was 30.
No interest in selling.
Jaydee

TBH price doesn't interest me per se, but need to keep a reasonable eye out for the purposes of 'agreed value' insurance should somebody less scrupulous think it's of a value worth committing a crime for...
Having said that, my insurance company was happy to 'agree' at £10k, but when I tried to increase that to £12k (with a couple of dealer ads for similar bikes to show possible 'replacement' cost) they drew the line and wouldn't raise it....

FWIW I insured my '72 Commando (older refresh) for $6500 (what I paid in 2020) and the insurer now says the average (condition) is $7700. So that is an 8% YoY appreciation... at least keeping up with inflation.

Also FWIW, my older son (26) wants to inherit my Commando. He can't afford (and doesn't have time) to maintain older bikes so he is buying a '22 Royal Enfield Interceptor. But when he visits from afar, he wants to visit and complement its beauty. He (we both) got hooked watching Mike's Mighty Garage... ha ha so at least Mike is doing his part to help the market.

Also FWIW, my 850 Commando 'outlaw' build is on ice due to the cost for components. I may find a home for it with someone who has all the missing bits. I now have 850 barrels and head which was the most difficult to find in the condition. I doubt I will recoup the costs.

Stephen Hill said:

I think the question on the table is can you FULLY restore a Norton and sell it for more than you have in it?
With the odd exception, the answer is no.

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I used to think that, but more and more we've been sing "typical" restorations sell pretty decently above $10K...

As long as the market sustains CNW's prices of $30K, I believe very-well-prepared Commandos can fetch $20K and upwards in certain markets, including the big auction houses. They do have to have provenance in the engine build that more or less guarantees the buyer that they aren't going to explode. Leo Goff engines add a good deal of that provenance.

I'm ever hopeful that the bottom will fall out of the classic bike market which will leave only the genuine enthusiasts owning them
I get sick of people asking how much is it worth mate
And it must have the all important matching numbers etc etc
Who really cares unless you are looking to sell for the most money
I've sunk so much money into all my bikes that I have no idea how much
I don't keep bills , don't worry about it
I have only ever bought one restored bike and it soon became apparent that it'd never been ridden but I got lucky most of it was done right but needed setting up
I paid the market value for that particular bike

Yeah, most of the time you won't recoup what you spend on a vehicle you fall in love with. Used Commando's have rebounded from their low's in the 80-90's. My son will get my '71 and get to ride the '73 when I complete the restoration of the '71.
From what I see with new members on the Forum, those desiring one mainly buy one for 10k or less and begin the love affair.

I think the value of any bike is whatever you can sell for , we can fill page after page of evidence of value but in the end whatever you decide to pay or sell for is what it worth …. auction sites, for sale sites are great for establishing a ball park number … after that it all down to who selling and the buyer ….