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Is it getting really, really silly?

4K views 50 replies 20 participants last post by  squariel 
#1 ·
#3 ·
Yep - Brit bikes in even the worst condition in the UK are now being sold for stupid prices. I'm not sure if there's a big shortage of Triumphs/BSAs/Nortons etc bikes here or if dealers have suddenly realised that they can easily sell heaps of rubbish for big bucks. I looked for a decent 1968 T120 project for almost 2 years before having to pay £4000 for an incomplete basket case that cost another £5000 to get sorted.
If I had any relatives in the US I'd go into business with them to find bikes in the US and ship them to the UK for me to sell - at the moment it would seem like a licence to print money.
Unfortunately I don't think things are going to improve any time soon so I guess we just have to get used to it.
Tony
 
#28 · (Edited)
Today, I called in to see the dealer that I bought my '69 from. They are good friends of mine and I've dealt with them for over 20 years.
Since they've been trading (more than 40 years), their main business has been importing classic British bikes and Harley's from the USA.
Over a coffee, we got to discussing prices. It seems the simple fact is, that the collapse in the value of the British pound, has killed the supply of old Triumphs here in the UK. Up until a year ago, these guys were bringing in an average of 10 - 12 classic triumphs a month so, over 120 a year. They were always in the US, buying from dealers, at swap meets and from classified ads.
Now, no matter how they use the calculator, there is no way they can afford to bring in any more. However, the demand is definitely growing. Therefore, it's a simple case of supply and demand.
They have slapped 5% on their remaining stock and they are still selling well. At the moment, it will be a case of "When they're Gone, They're Gone".
Don't expect prices to fall anytime soon. . . . which is fine for us that already own one, but not good if you're looking to buy one.
:|

John
 
#4 · (Edited)
#7 ·
That Tiger is a gem. It would fetch $ US11,000- $13000 down here if a dealer had it.
 
#5 ·
Down here in southern Oz there are 3 main Brit Bike dealers. They have US scouts working for them locating & shipping bikes.

Same old story of supply & demand. These prices might not be so objectionable 3 years from now.

It's only a problem if you don't own one right now.
 
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#6 ·
I have been watching prices and have put that Tiger 90 that was on last week at £5200.Of course,it runs perfectly and could be ridden 100s of miles home if you have the stamina.A 67 T120 just sold at under £5000 with a lot of parts missing.There is a TR6 locally to me at £3700 but the advert says its a T120 but the frame and engine are TR6.Again,its all in various bits.These bikes in boxes cost more to build up that one already to go but some people think its just a few parts until they go into all of it and need an engine and wheel build.
A bike came up on ebay this week at a good price,by the time i was organising a journey to get it,it had sold.It was a Moto Guzzi though and not a real bike like ours.Just fancied one.
The T90 will see if there are buyers at the higher prices for a roadworthy bike with a new test today and it was ridden 60 miles.
Used parts are the best investment if you find good ones cheap and keep for 2 years,you can double your money.With the old ones going so high now,and needing the maintenance a bit more often,for another extra bike, i am looking for something new or newish .Could be a Thunderbird 1700 or a 1200 T120 but not desperate yet,i have some holidays to go on soon.
If only the local man would offer some of his 130 old bikes soon.Its all at a farm and a lifetime collection of a man now in his late 80s who cannot ride at all.In the Summer,i must go and take some pictures of this rusty old collection of non runners that would sell for £500,000.He is still buying non runners to tinker with as it keeps him going with an interest.The money is not important.
 
#8 ·
I live in California and the prices for the vintage British stuff have increased the last couple years.

Strange thing about that, the vintage HD stuff went down, stuff that went for $10,000 a few years ago, can be had for $5,000 now. Bottom really fell out of the shovelhead market in my area. People decided they just don't want the old HD's, because they can find something 10 years old for the same price without the mechanical issues. Early Twin Cam stuff can now be found in the 5 to 7 thousand range, you can find a zillion of them on any Craig's list or local for sale lot.
 
#9 ·
Box up those old HDs and send them to the UK.Some people are paying well over £10,000 for the 1970s items.There is a local dealer in Exeter bringing container loads over at the moment.Lots of Norton Commandos and Triumphs,a few Enfield connies all falling to bits and ready to rust some more in the UK while the buyers chase around for parts for the next 10 years.
 
#11 · (Edited)
If the market keeps going like this with the shovelhead stuff, I'm sure someone will figure out how to fill up a shipping container and double their money in Europe.

Things are going to change with import taxes. I heard some country in Europe charging a 100 percent import tax on HD's. Trump announced that he is going to change those tax practices, free trade, but it will be fair as far as taxes on imports. We don't import tax vehicles, they come in free and then some of these other countries clean or clocks when we try to ship stuff over there. Not sure how England tax the incoming HD's? The Triumph's come in here free of charge, that could change, stay tune.
 
#13 ·
I'm surprised at the OIF market, those are pulling good money these days.

You could still find a rolling basket, but those are far too much work. You end up dealing with bad cranks, bearings, transmissions with parts missing, headache from hell. You will end up with 8 grand in a bike like that by the time you get done.
 
#19 ·
Just like everywhere else guys here want the bikes they were drooling over in their youth. GS, Z900, CB750, Kawa triples are making big money. If it has 'Made in Japan' stamped on it they can't put any import duty on it.
A nice T140 would fetch about $10,000us here.
 
#16 ·
I have found that its better to buy the best of the example you are looking for and keep it for four or five years. It will appreciate and you will even make some money along with having a bike you can ride and maintain for years. Buying basket cases and getting them to nice condition has rarely made anyone any money if they value their own time at a minimum wage. Many guys have restored bikes for sale that seem like to much but in reality they are less than it costs to restore to a similar state.
 
#17 ·
When I retired at the beginning of '08, the plan was, amongst other things, to buy an old bike to 'do up' and sell on. Well that didn't happened. Sure, I bought an old bike, three of them in fact but I just couldn't bring myself to sell them on. I enjoyed taking them apart and rebuilding them but most of all I enjoy riding them. At this point in time, I'd barely break even on the cost of the rebuilds. I've probably got £7000 in the T120R, about £5000 in the T90 and £4000 in the AJS M18.
So I've just bought another basket case... A '54 Matchless heavyweight. It had been dismantled and stored in a UK garage for close on 3 decades... It includes a 'matching numbers' 350cc engine, frame and Burman gearbox with a 'spare' 1960 500 engine and AMC gearbox. A lot of the tinware has rusted away but I'm sure it's recoverable. It only cost me £500 for the lot but '50s and '60s AMC bikes don't command the high prices similarly aged Triumphs, BSAs and Nortons do. A total spend of £3500 would only just break even. I know it will cost more than that to get it back on the road in the sort of condition I would like... but hey, it's only money :D
 
#18 ·
Bikes brought into the UK from the States need what they call a Nova certificate and generally,the importer has paid any taxes.The bikes then have to get a dating certificate and MOT test in order to get a registration at a cost of another £55.Recently,the surge in Jap bikes has seen a lot of imports from the States also with Kawasaki triple 2 strokes at very high prices.
Some unusual and rare bikes turning up at Exeter now and that importer just puts them all on ebay UK.
I would always try and buy a good condition running bike although,often they could have a few problems.My current T120r was a good looking example back from the States and rebuilt here.It was a roadworthy bike.The only immediate fault was a rectifier faulty so it broke down on the first day when the battery discharged.
Since i bought it,i expect that i have spent double its original cost.Worth every penny though.If this one got lost or severely damaged,i would buy another 71 model as i need that high frame.
 
#21 ·
Besides many used british bikes I bought several brand new ones. A 1960 BSA SUPER ROCKET, A 1960 TRIUMPH T120 that I bought in late 59, A brand new 1979 TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE 750. I liked the 60 Triumph T120 the best. However the 79 Bonnie was actually just fine. I never had or even rode a unit 650 Triumph of the 63 to 70 vintage although that will soon change as I have a 70 Triumph Tiger that will be finished in a few more weeks. I also had many Harleys, 2 Vincents, a VELO Thruxton, a DB 34 GOLDSTAR, a 750 Matchless Twin, a 38 INDIAN FOUR, and some others I am forgetting. In my opinion the best British ever made is a Triumph. There are many good ones but the Triumph twin 650"s were just all around great bikes. Vincent's were expensive, rather complicated, and over rated in my opinion. BSA's were good but not as good. The big singles were good but not as good overall as a slightly larger twin. The INDIAN FOUR was beautiful but like a tractor. The other British twins were always just not quite as good and clean as the Triumphs. HARLEYS have had many models but back in the sixties and seventies they weren't really all that good. I loved em all and still do but that is my opinion. The prices just reflect desirability which can be manipulated by many things and availability.
 
#22 ·
The Triumph twin is the biggest survivor which means it was a bit more reliable than others of its era.In 60s form,it is much more common than the BSA twins.Comparing my Triumph and the 67 Spitfire,i have to say the BSA is smoother running but the Triumph just does a better ride and gets more outings.
The OIF does have excellent handling which,with a little alteration and experiments,can be made just a little better than original.
 
#23 ·
.............The OIF does have excellent handling which,with a little alteration and experiments,can be made just a little better than original.
My OIF '72 TR6R came with a used Dunlop K81 on the rear and, compared to the new K70, the K81 felt a little "slower" into the turns than the K70. And when it comes time for replacement, the K70 may well be replaced with the K81.

For the overall ride, both tires felt great on that old OIF.
 
#30 ·
I think it was good that the old bikes were going back to UK. The less there is here the better. The UK has the customers for them but I guess the dollar exchange and shipping has caused the US bikes to be less profitable. The good thing is in either country that the fairly high value the bikes will insure that they will be cared for and not left outside to rot.
 
#31 ·
Back in the 90s,many of the repatriated Triumph unit twins would arrive with the timing chest cover removed for repairs.It would appear that a lot of these bikes were having repairs that stopped at getting the crankshaft pinion off and were then left until the buyer came along and brought them back.
During the 90s,it was also noted that many complete bikes were coming back and had just been parked up.These were the 60s bikes and my theory was that they may have been owned by young men sent to Vietnam who did not return.Then,parents would just leave the bike in the garage until they passed on before they were found again..No evidence of this theory,but when seeing these unmolested bikes with no faults apart from a little decay after a long storage.This might explain it.This type of bike is not found so often now,as it was in the 90s era.
When these bikes showed up,there was never any history to check.
I know my current T120r came back with extended forks in 91 as i was buying from the young man who bought it and fitted normal length stantions. Apart from that,the bike was very standard and complete.
 
#48 ·
True, in a sense. Yet, when I'm riding my 77 Bonny or Superglide it feels fast to me unless I just got off my Busa or Monster. If I had to choose one bike I'd go with the Monster, but mostly for the electric start, not because I consider my Triumph deficient in any way. I do think it's the best looking bike I own.
 
#50 ·
I like the Ducati Monster for it's intense mechanical feel..And the sound... well, the electric start is nice....But on the tight back roads a Triumph is very enjoyable...
 
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