Classic bikes - a worthwhile investment?

[Screwdriver]

That’s very well said and true in many ways.

I stand by what I said earlier...

What you discover is that they have not lost their charm, we have merely forgotten they didn't have any to start with.

There are very few really desirable motorcycles from the 70's/80's and those that were are now making their money. RD350LC, RGV250, XT500, CR500 are some of the very few that were desirable then and still desirable now. There are oddities like the CX500 (which I honestly do not pretend to understand, they were called "plastic maggot" **) but do not assume ANY old bike from that vintage will automatically become valuable/collectible.

Same is true for old British iron which personally I have never lusted after (like, ever!).

Old motorcycles are like old women; they can't all be Joanna Lumley.

** thanks @dobbslc for reminding me

 

[pedrobedro]

My friend sold his bike shop last year and Dave who has it now has it as a bit of a museum and café as well as doing MOT and repairs. He has a collection of British and Japanese bikes including Kawasaki triples.

 

[roofman]

Very near concluding the deal for a new bike for the wife.. 2017 Z1000 sx in blue....looks a capable bike as an all rounder

 

[selectedgrub]

So who won this thread again?

 

[Screwdriver]

So who won this thread again?

Anyone who has a mint UK RD350LC is sitting pretty. Question is, do you enjoy the bike or prefer the cash.

 

[Cato]

So who won this thread again?

Someone who decided against buying a new GSX or Z1000 in 1980 and used to buy Apple shares at $22 I imagine.

 

[cheb]

Anyone who has a mint UK RD350LC is sitting pretty. Question is, do you enjoy the bike or prefer the cash.

Cash all the way for me. The buyers with rose tinted cash will be dying off soon and the new generation of old nostalgics won't want the last generations' dream machines.

That's assuming a mint one, otherwise enjoy the bike. I don't buy mint, or even good condition, bikes generally.

 

[dobbslc]

"Apple shares at $22 I imagine"
$165 a pop today

 

[redlig]

One dealer I visited in the course of work proudly showed me a Honda 400/4 that he had sat under the bench in its original delivery box for 20 years that he had sold for a tidy sum. I pointed out the for the same money he would sell a current equivalent model and how much profit had he missed by not turning his money over several times a year in the past 20 years. To say nothing of servicing and accessory deals . Spoilt his day.

 

[cheb]

"Apple shares at $22 I imagine"
$165 a pop today

 

[Screwdriver]

One dealer I visited in the course of work proudly showed me a Honda 400/4 that he had sat under the bench in its original delivery box for 20 years that he had sold for a tidy sum. I pointed out the for the same money he would sell a current equivalent model and how much profit had he missed by not turning his money over several times a year in the past 20 years. To say nothing of servicing and accessory deals . Spoilt his day.

The attraction for me is the pleasure of being able to ride a bike (at least it once was) and if it is a valuable machine, I get to experience that value every time I take it out. Keeping it stuck in a box is silly unless it happens to be a machine you really want and you happen to be the lucky buyer.

As a commodity, you really do need to factor in the physical volume of the item which has costs associated with storing it. This is especially true in cities where space is at such a premium, you could rent out a garage for hundreds of £££ a month. While it may seem churlish to interpolate the value of storage, 3 cubic metres of motorcycle space (3x1 nothing on top) is easily worth £20-40 per month. Well, I know for a fact that is true in London…

 

[mangocrazy]

Anyone who has a mint UK RD350LC is sitting pretty. Question is, do you enjoy the bike or prefer the cash.

I'm going to enjoy the bike while I'm able and sell it when I'm not...

 

[Screwdriver]

Wow! That is MINT!

Shame it's a blue one but hey, can't have everything...

 

[addjunkie]

I'm going to enjoy the bike while I'm able and sell it when I'm not...

View attachment 358711

I enjoyed one of those till I bounced it over/ through the top of a stock proof fence. Thank god the posts were rotten!
Very nice. When your bored with it, let me know, I may still have the price of a packet of tabs and a new pair of trainers, to relive the 80s hooligan!

 

[roofman]

I'm going to enjoy the bike while I'm able and sell it when I'm not...

View attachment 358711

I would love to see the face on the tree huggers face when you wind that up to clear its throat

 

[mangocrazy]

Wow! That is MINT!

Shame it's a blue one but hey, can't have everything...

It actually looks better in the photos than it does IRL. The frame, centre stand and swingarm are still the original paint, just touched up with black gloss hammerite in places. Plastics and tank are all original, and all have minor blemishes, but it's had a life. Forks and wheels have been refurbished, as has the engine. This is the engine prior to me starting the restoration in late 2019:

And I did originally want a red one, but it was one of the first batch in the country and you got what you were allocated. But the blue has grown on me over the years...

 

[mangocrazy]

I would love to see the face on the tree huggers face when you wind that up to clear its throat

Can't see them very clearly through the blue haze...

 

[roofman]

Can't see them very clearly through the blue haze...

As long as she is chuffing blue then you can take your two fingers off the clutch

 

[addjunkie]

Can't see them very clearly through the blue haze...

Bin the mirrors..realhooligans dont care whats behind anyway!

 

[mangocrazy]

As long as she is chuffing blue then you can take your two fingers off the clutch

And break the habit of a lifetime? I doubt I could even if I wanted to...