A good compromise might be to buy an old rolling chassis, and throw in a new Chinese engine. I have noticed that the people who inflated the prices of the originals to $3-4K have subsided, and running bikes can now be had in the $1k-1.5K range, with old, non-running bikes for a few hundred $$.
I think that I had always had the $400-500 wholesale figure in my head for a new clone, rather than the $1k that dealers of the clones want for them.
However, dealers that I know from Chinariders.net, who happen to deal in American Lifans, as well as Redcats, have stated that the quality of the trailbikes have been superior to the Chinese enduros (I know, I know, that doesn't sound like much, but the enduros hold up better than one might think
) and ATV's that they sell.
Unlike the muscle cars which had started to go up in value since '87, and have continued to today, I think the "craze" for original or restored Honda trailbikes has subsided, and the bikes can be found for a decent price by looking around. If a great deal comes up with a clone or an original, I will be tempted....
I think that I had always had the $400-500 wholesale figure in my head for a new clone, rather than the $1k that dealers of the clones want for them.
However, dealers that I know from Chinariders.net, who happen to deal in American Lifans, as well as Redcats, have stated that the quality of the trailbikes have been superior to the Chinese enduros (I know, I know, that doesn't sound like much, but the enduros hold up better than one might think
) and ATV's that they sell. Unlike the muscle cars which had started to go up in value since '87, and have continued to today, I think the "craze" for original or restored Honda trailbikes has subsided, and the bikes can be found for a decent price by looking around. If a great deal comes up with a clone or an original, I will be tempted....