The sum total of the parts....

[bagpuss]

Don't read this if you are easily offended :shock:


Tried to sell one of my bikes that does not fit in with what I ride as a classic .
It is fixed /single speed.
Not having any luck in selling it as a whole machine,so it looks like I am going to have to part it out :evil:
Shame ,but as many here will appreciate the some total of the parts will often go for more than the whole caboodle

 

[Spokesmann]

Sadly this is the case these days. I have a couple of bikes probably worth double if broken down...

 

[Jonny69]

Yeah I think this is the case with all of my bikes. It's just the way it is.

 

[Frizzaldo]

Weird economics alright, suppose it's just that most of the market either likes to build up their own or has a need for a specific part and not the full thing

 

[Deleted member 24574]

True of almost any bike, also applies when buying new.

But, never seems worth it to buy, break and sell for profit.

 

[NeilM]

Re:

It was ever thus.

Some years ago when I was doing a lot of engine building on classic British motorcycles, the guy I got all my parts from got hold of a completely original and complete late 1950's 350cc Matchless. Try as he might he could not shift the thing, so despite taking a ton of sh*t off the local VMCC members he broke it for parts, and sold every last bit.

He figured it was better to have 20 project all up and running than a complete original bike that nobody wanted, the VMCC were instant that breaking a factory original bike was sacrilege of the highest order, despite that fact that none of them wanted to buy it.

 

[k-rod]

Re:

Think of it this way, an old British single or twin is a backward, inferior, under-powered rattle-can that needs endless fettling and attention to use. Unless someone is totally passionate about them - and thus, probably already own one ... why would anyone want to buy one in this day and age, when motorbikes are as powerful and reliable as they are?

Now, the collectors out there who have owned their Matchless or Norton or Triumph for decades, and love wrenching on the things and bumping and clattering about the country-side at slightly above legal speeds ... well they are the ones who will need the odd bit or part in order to keep their beloved, oil leaking British steel going ... hence, it is easier to sell the machines in busted up form (unless it happens to be a highly prized collector's model).

:idea:

 

[NeilM]

Re: Re:

Think of it this way, an old British single or twin is a backward, inferior, under-powered rattle-can that needs endless fettling and attention to use. Unless someone is totally passionate about them - and thus, probably already own one ... why would anyone want to buy one in this day and age, when motorbikes are as powerful and reliable as they are?

Now, the collectors out there who have owned their Matchless or Norton or Triumph for decades, and love wrenching o the things and bumping and clattering about the country-side at slightly above legal speeds ... well they are the ones who will need the odd bit or part in order to keep their beloved, oil leaking British steel going ...

:idea:

Exactly so.

Although the growing number of Indian Royal Enfield's on the road, throbbing with their massive 500cc 34 BHP engines, do make you question the first part of your post.

No oil leaks from any of the engines I built, guaranteed. I also guaranteed they would start within five kicks (usually two or three). I had one guy call me to tell me the engine wouldn't start, so I rode to his place to check it. Long story short, no spark, the plonker had forgotten to reconnect the negative lead on the wiring loom to the frame. :facepalm:

 

[roadking]

Re: Re:

Think of it this way, an old British single or twin is a backward, inferior, under-powered rattle-can that needs endless fettling and attention to use. Unless someone is totally passionate about them - and thus, probably already own one ... why would anyone want to buy one in this day and age, when motorbikes are as powerful and reliable as they are?

Now, the collectors out there who have owned their Matchless or Norton or Triumph for decades, and love wrenching on the things and bumping and clattering about the country-side at slightly above legal speeds ... well they are the ones who will need the odd bit or part in order to keep their beloved, oil leaking British steel going ... hence, it is easier to sell the machines in busted up form (unless it happens to be a highly prized collector's model).

:idea:

Strange remark from someone purporting to be interested in old, outdated, anachronistic steel bicycles !

Rk.

 

[bagpuss]

Re: Re:

Think of it this way, an old British single or twin is a backward, inferior, under-powered rattle-can that needs endless fettling and attention to use. Unless someone is totally passionate about them - and thus, probably already own one ... why would anyone want to buy one in this day and age, when motorbikes are as powerful and reliable as they are?

Now, the collectors out there who have owned their Matchless or Norton or Triumph for decades, and love wrenching on the things and bumping and clattering about the country-side at slightly above legal speeds ... well they are the ones who will need the odd bit or part in order to keep their beloved, oil leaking British steel going ... hence, it is easier to sell the machines in busted up form (unless it happens to be a highly prized collector's model).

:idea:

Strange remark from someone purporting to be interested in old, outdated, anachronistic steel bicycles !

Rk.

:facepalm: