Triumphrat

bushybester

Hi all.

What the best advice? all suggestions welcome.

I'm considering sell a bike, would the best be to complete the bike 100 % back to original or to leave a little work to be done by the buyer say painting polishing?
any query's welcome.

BB

GrandPaulZ

Typically, if a bike is in very good condition, properly running and cosmetically decent, any additional expense to improve it is partially lost in the selling price difference.

If you are hoping to get top dollar for a rough bike, you have to refurbish as much as possible, so a trade-off is inevitable.

"Count the cost" against probable sale revenue.

What are you selling? What shape is it in? How much are you asking for it? Have you got pix?



[ This message was edited by: GrandPaulZ on 2007-01-10 16:37 ]

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KADUTZ

[ This message was edited by: KADUTZ on 2007-01-28 00:19 ]

GrandPaulZ

Okay, if it's the '59 that you sent me pix of, you need to re-paint it in original colors (preferrably from Don Hutchinson), including the oil tank and tool / battery box. I would suggest a few other things like having the engine covers polished and going over a few other details to get it closer to original.

Good '59s fetch amazing money, like KADUTZ said. As it is, it would be considered "rebuilt", not refurbished or restored, and fetch several thousand less.

I would estimate putting $2,000.00 into it would return more than $5,000.00 in increased value when sold. I don't think I'm exaggerating.

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bushybester

gpz

Could you please add 1 or 2 pix i sent you, if you can.

Thanks for the comments, I'm at the stage i must decide what to do.

thx

bb

GrandPaulZ

Here's a Right side shot of Bushy's '59 Bonnie-



...and Left side, along with all the spares & leftovers-

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HeavyG

If you were in the states, I'd offer you my '68 TR6 on trade.
-heavy

KADUTZ

[ This message was edited by: KADUTZ on 2007-01-28 00:19 ]

bushybester

Gpz & Kudutz,

Thanks for the pix & comments.

What would be the best advice?

Export the bike to an agent either in USA or UK at my cost for sale or let the buyer pay the costs of shipping from SA.

Is it necessary to to have the bike in the place of sale or auction?

How would the buyer / bidder know the true condition of the bike at the time of sale? Would they send a local representative to look at the bike?

What would the shipping cost be and where could one get quotes?

Please advise as I have no knowledge of these things.

Thanks for all the advice and help.

BB.

GrandPaulZ

Depends on what you expect to recover from the sale and what the fees are, I have never investigated this.

No, evidence e-bay and thousands of transactions daily. Many state "I'm selling the bike for a friend/relative"

A lot of it is down to your word, you can always have a reputable local dealer provide a certificate of inspection, or they can hire a representative to inspect it (at buyer's cost).

Google search for shippers, there are many.

KADUTZ was spot-on with advice about selling the parts separately, you'll fetch a lot more that way.

I'm going to stand firm on my advice which is - have the paint re-done in original colors, it will make a huge difference in how much the bike will fetch, especially at auction/e-bay.

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GrandPaulZ
Author of "Old Bikes"
Born Again Bikes
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