Prices going up
- Thread starter dennis d
- Start date
`Tis a little bit surprising, in a way, but a good trend nonetheless. The higher the average resale value, the "mo'better" for all of us. I don't just mean in terms of investment, either. Even at $5K no one's going to fund a lavish retirement by selling a bike...unless plans include "falling off the perch" a few days later:24: Higher residual/resale values translate into more and better options, more "fence-sitters" willing to take a shot, knowing that the investment can be easily recouped if need be and generally better turned-out machines (which in turn fuel more interest in the marque).
hornetgod
Well-Known Member
As my HKO restoration nears completion, I couldn't imagine selling it. I have well over $2,500 in the engine rebuild and other OEM parts. Not to mention, all the hours I've put in to it.
I hate to imagine what would cause me to let it go. It would truely be a sad day. I'm sure most of you feel the same way about your bikes, as well.
I hate to imagine what would cause me to let it go. It would truely be a sad day. I'm sure most of you feel the same way about your bikes, as well.
XSIVE
Member
I bought my 71 H for $900 and now have over $1500 on top of that invested as well. I did not even get to the engine yet and I am not even going for a 100 point restore. I have no plans to ever let mine go as well and if a day did come I had to, I agree, it would be a sad day. Owning my 2 CT's bring back so many memories of childhood and seeing my kids ride my '74 just seems to complete the circle of life. The '71 H is mine, mine, all mine. I might take it with me when I go!!! 
dennis d
120cc
We definetly would not be able to retire by selling these bikes,but it would be nice to see their value increase to what it cost to restore one.Right now,a nice restoration brings about half what it actually cost to restore one not including labor.
I would never sell my current bikes either.I sold a HKO and a HK1 several years ago and regret it to this day.
:2:
I would never sell my current bikes either.I sold a HKO and a HK1 several years ago and regret it to this day.
:2:
hornetgod
Well-Known Member
My current bike and I were born and manufactured the same year (1970). I also had an identical one growing up from the age of 10 to 18. My younger brother later wrecked it and broke the headlight bucket and my Dad sold it dirt cheap. I didn't find out until it was long gone.
Try this: eBay Motors: COMING SOON 1971 CT70H CUSTOM 140CC LIFAN 4 SPEED
It is unfortunate that an image of the entire ebay page cannot be pasted into this thread as the listing details could be changed at any time, subsequent to this post. This is a nearly detail-free listing for a bike that could easily be duplicated for less than $2K and with a better front end, at that. It's a joke:24:
$6.5K is still more than enough to build a world-class bike using a real Honda engine and high-end Japanese aftermarket suspension/brakes/exhaust & rolling stock.
"Caveat emptor" is in no danger of becoming obsolete
It is unfortunate that an image of the entire ebay page cannot be pasted into this thread as the listing details could be changed at any time, subsequent to this post. This is a nearly detail-free listing for a bike that could easily be duplicated for less than $2K and with a better front end, at that. It's a joke:24:
$6.5K is still more than enough to build a world-class bike using a real Honda engine and high-end Japanese aftermarket suspension/brakes/exhaust & rolling stock.
"Caveat emptor" is in no danger of becoming obsolete
As an eBay Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
At this point I can't ever see myself hot-rodding a CT70. These bikes have a one of a kind charm in their stock form. It seems quite irreverent. On the other hand I can imagine the advanced collector who has so many spare parts lying around he decides to build a Mondo Frankenstein small block chevy KO....you know...the only kid on the block syndrome...but it's not for me.
MSZ
Moderator
Restomodding is fun. Most of us who seriously restomod used to restore years ago and grew tired of it.
drewbird911
New Member
A Rule of Thumb
A rule of Thumb, with cars is that it cost twice (x2) what a car will sell for to restore/raise a 'level'. That is with the 6-1 scale of cars 6 being part car 1 being original or day two. So if a car is a 2 (nearly perfect) and is worth $15k and a 1 (Perfect Car) Car sells for $20k it would cost $10k to take a 2 to a 1.
A rule of Thumb, with cars is that it cost twice (x2) what a car will sell for to restore/raise a 'level'. That is with the 6-1 scale of cars 6 being part car 1 being original or day two. So if a car is a 2 (nearly perfect) and is worth $15k and a 1 (Perfect Car) Car sells for $20k it would cost $10k to take a 2 to a 1.
dennis d
120cc
I guess i'll have to agree with all of the above,including Pony Express.I said i was done doing restorations so i guess that's why i plan on doing a restomond Longhorn bike.Parts are getting too scarce and expensive to do another proper restoration.I just lost out on a NOS left fork leg for a KO for $104.00.Damn, the last set i got was left and right for somewhere around $100.I probaly got one of the few left NOS speedos for my blue '69 i'm currently restoring.NOS parts are getting very slim these days.
Seats
Speedos
Cables
Batteries
Handlebars
Horn buttons
Rectfiers
Taillight brackets
Headlight bezels
On and on !
Supplies are drying up !
Seats
Speedos
Cables
Batteries
Handlebars
Horn buttons
Rectfiers
Taillight brackets
Headlight bezels
On and on !
Supplies are drying up !
As supplies for these little babies dry up, the parts will skyrocket and so too the prices for a fully stockrestored Mini Trail. That being equal, the best deals on stuff will be local swap meets and local Craigslist sites. So to finance future bikes as the market climbs, buy, sell.... and keep the rare parts for a restore. And post up parts on eBay and turn a buck or two so you/we:spit: can buy more ziplock bags of goodies from the Dr!! 
Someone needs to start a new topic at this point (hint) entitled: Restore'em or Ride'em ? I absolutely adore Hornet's amazing Salad Shooter HKO but I could never take a machine that perfect and crash through the creek. Three weeks ago I aquired my second mini trail...yeah yeah I know I shoulda told you guys but I have been lazy. She's a blue '70 KO with 1500 mi from ebay in better shape than my orange one. So as I began making out another shopping list for the Dr. I had to stop and ask myself a tough question....how far am I prepared to go ? I mean beauty is expensive. At this point the plan is still to get both my lil' mud mutts in good mechanical shape this winter then have some fun with them at the lake next summer. Maybe I'll change my tune after one of them gets damaged. $
hornetgod
Well-Known Member
I'm a fan of keeping these time capsules in their original condition. To me, they are perfect the way they were when purchased brand new all those years ago.
Even though I'm a fan of a full restore, I won't slam resto-mods. I've seen some really nice ones. I just don't think they will fetch as much money if sold as compared to an all original CT70.
Ultimately, all that matters is what the actual owner wants and likes. Everyone is going to have a different opinion.
Even though I'm a fan of a full restore, I won't slam resto-mods. I've seen some really nice ones. I just don't think they will fetch as much money if sold as compared to an all original CT70.
Ultimately, all that matters is what the actual owner wants and likes. Everyone is going to have a different opinion.
The bottom of the depreciation cycle has been reached and that's changed things, some for the better. What's amazing is just how long it took, about 15 years longer than average for collector vehicles. The worst thing that ever happened to the bikes was the bottoming-out of values circa 2002-2004. There is no way you'll ever see the vast majority of vintage CT70s & Z50s restored to OEM stock, the pool of existing parts is way too small and expecting that to change, universally, is unrealistic. Certain items will become rare, check out CB750 gauges, for example. That's just supply & demand. So hold onto your restos & vintage survivors as they transition from old bikes into appreciating assets, as supply dwindles. The downside is that as values increase and parts vanish, they will become less practical to ride. Everyone is entitled to his/her opnion, the dividing line (for lack of better wording) is collector vs rider value. You only get one #1 priority.
As for the resto/restomod issue, as PE accurately stated, some of us have closets bursting at the seams with "Been There, Done That" T-shirts. Everything has its limits. I still enjoy restoring bikes, they're just not very usable. Not that I expect to change anyone's views, but a truly roadworthy CT70 is something that can only be fully appreciated firsthand. Being able to go for an afternoon trip of 150+ miles, over 45-55mph roads without feeling beaten to death at the end of the day, on a bike this small, borders of the surreal. That I'm still saying that after close to 12K miles on the same bike (with the same engine) just shows to go ya', that, aside from my being seriously warped, there's just no way that could have been accomplished on a bone-stocker. No, it's not everyone's cup of espresso. However, it is one more interesting detail in the mosaic of the small bike scene. One that helps expand its viability. Longterm, restomods will help keep the whole scene moving forward and a lot of bikes on the road that would have otherwise been recycled and covered in decals that read "Fancy White Albacore".
As for the resto/restomod issue, as PE accurately stated, some of us have closets bursting at the seams with "Been There, Done That" T-shirts. Everything has its limits. I still enjoy restoring bikes, they're just not very usable. Not that I expect to change anyone's views, but a truly roadworthy CT70 is something that can only be fully appreciated firsthand. Being able to go for an afternoon trip of 150+ miles, over 45-55mph roads without feeling beaten to death at the end of the day, on a bike this small, borders of the surreal. That I'm still saying that after close to 12K miles on the same bike (with the same engine) just shows to go ya', that, aside from my being seriously warped, there's just no way that could have been accomplished on a bone-stocker. No, it's not everyone's cup of espresso. However, it is one more interesting detail in the mosaic of the small bike scene. One that helps expand its viability. Longterm, restomods will help keep the whole scene moving forward and a lot of bikes on the road that would have otherwise been recycled and covered in decals that read "Fancy White Albacore".