How Much!!??

**Tomcat** · 14-05-12, 12:26

Originally Posted by Screwdriver

I could throw a thousand pounds at my Gixxer and maybe make an extra grand on resale.

You could throw a grand at that and make an extra 10K.

That's why.

Screwd.

I'd modify that a bit from my own experience restoring a Commando and an LC to original and pristine.

You could spend a grand on a modern bike and drop its value by £500.

You could spend a grand on a "restoration project" (POS) and add £800 to its value.

For some reason IME project bikes go for an inordinate amount of money compared to what they are worth fully restored and the cost of doing it properly. People seem to be seduced by the notion of a project and the fanciful expectation they are a pot of gold if you put a few hours in.

That said, that bike is quite a nice example, clearly not a rusty hulk and would be more a case of tidying up to make it nice rather than sourcing dozens of unobtainable parts.

**Milky82** · 14-05-12, 12:59

The finest Norton Commando Cafe Racer available. Stunning! | eBay

Are they worth it ? I think so and even if they aren't this Norton sure is pretty

**Screwdriver** · 14-05-12, 13:14

Originally Posted by Tomcat

I'd modify that a bit from my own experience restoring a Commando and an LC to original and pristine.

Ah. Yes the LC in particular is the exception that proves the rule. A nasty old LC is basically a money pit for starry eyed middle age bikers. A nice tidy one is worth throwing money at if you can find one at a sensible price but if you have to pay a premium rate, it isn't ever going to turn a quick profit. Having said that, I wish I'd held on to the few which have passed through my hands recently.

Screwd.

**Thermostat9** · 14-05-12, 13:15

Originally Posted by Milky82

The finest Norton Commando Cafe Racer available. Stunning! | eBay

Are they worth it ? I think so and even if they aren't this Norton sure is pretty

I have seen that for sale before (last year?) presumably didn't sell the ad looks the same.

It's worth what someone want to pay for it. I would not spend £13k on a Commando special myself, I'd rather get a runner and work on it to my spec, but there you go. A quick look at the 'Completed listing' suggests the value sellers are putting on Nortons exceeds that of the purchasers by quite a margin.

**Thermostat9** · 14-05-12, 13:20

Originally Posted by Tomcat

For some reason IME project bikes go for an inordinate amount of money compared to what they are worth fully restored and the cost of doing it properly. People seem to be seduced by the notion of a project and the fanciful expectation they are a pot of gold if you put a few hours in.

This is very true. I think the buyers are enthusiastic and naive.

The finished example will not be as much of a draw as they think they will be able to 'make some money' by 'doing the work themselves'. They might, but chances are there usually a reason a bike has not been done!

**rodbargee** · 14-05-12, 17:35

Originally Posted by Thermostat9

Still better than money in the bank.

Still, I think it is clear that eBay does find the level that people are prepared to pay currently. Arguably rodbargee's £8½k Shadow was underpriced back then but the seller did not have access to a world-wide market.

Spot on! Where I've dropped off was in all the bikes that I've had in that period of time, pre Internet that go for a fortune nowadays. At one time I had in the garage, a Z1b, Laverda Mirage sport, a part finished H2, a GPZ 900 and to finish off a CBX 1000. Some of which appear in my Gallery photos. I let them go in a job lot and have been kicking myself ever since. Put together I would have had more than enough to buy the Norvin....

**Thermostat9** · 14-05-12, 18:00

Originally Posted by rodbargee

Spot on! Where I've dropped off was in all the bikes that I've had in that period of time, pre Internet that go for a fortune nowadays. At one time I had in the garage, a Z1b, Laverda Mirage sport, a part finished H2, a GPZ 900 and to finish off a CBX 1000. Some of which appear in my Gallery photos. I let them go in a job lot and have been kicking myself ever since. Put together I would have had more than enough to buy the Norvin....

You are not the only one. I sold a Jota for £1400, a T160 for £1200 (mind you I also paid a grand for the Laverda and £450 for the Triumph!)

I had a Difazio converted Suzuki GT750 that I paid £250 for, chopped the HCS off it and sold that for £200 through a small ad in MCN, and fitted the (generic mid 70's) Suzuki forks and front wheel and brakes (which I paid all of £50 for IIRC) and sold the bike, again through MCN for £600. Saw the Difazio owners club at Beaulieu a few years ago and they were really pissed off, they have been looking for that bike for years!

**ink ink** · 14-05-12, 18:01

Originally Posted by Tomcat

That said, that bike is quite a nice example, clearly not a rusty hulk and would be more a case of tidying up to make it nice rather than sourcing dozens of unobtainable parts.

Yeah, condition is good enough for me! If I was eccentric enough to buy it I'd put it back on 19" rims just to annoy the people who put 18" ones on.