Topic: Personal opinion question to color vs. price on eBay

[guitarkev66]

Okay I have been watching the price of these early K0/K1 on eBay of a few years keep going up.  I've seen all colors sell for different prices, is the color a factor on the selling price or is it mostly condition that determines the value?  I've noticed the brown K1/K2 bikes tend to sell for less money than the other colors, and the orange K2 and red K1 sell for what seems like premium prices.  Is there some truth to that or would a low mileage mint brown bike sell for the same as a low mileage mint red or orange?  Also does the rare blue K1 bring a higher premium?  And does the valley green have the same stigma and low price as the brown bikes?  I haven't seen too many blue, and valley green bikes sell on eBay to make my own conclusion !!!!!!  Also on the K0 bikes which of the the three colors bring a higher premium?

[ekpent]

I think the biggest draw probably is condition and originality for a solid high base price. As the saying goes they are only original once.That being the main draw, color I think would play a roll in a persons personnel evaluation also.Lets face it everybody has a favorite. As a collector though I like for instance that the Valley Green in 71 seems to be a harder to find color than the others.Bet the gold and red were more popular then the green and brown though back in the day.Wish there was data as to how many in a given year were made a certain color. For most people spending big money on a nice given example sure they want it with "their" color. Good question to ponder 

[guitarkev66]

Thanks ekpent!!

[guitarkev66]

I was hoping to have more responses to this post

[ekpent]

Probably if it was a "What is your favorite color" thread you would be slammed 

[Lars]

Well, +1. I believe that the brown ones are less popular, the red one real premium. Golden ones and the teal blue/green are also popular, valley green a step down. I have also remarked, that the K2 in orange is very popular.

[greenjeans]

Just my 2c...

If you had identical bikes in terms of originality, conditions etc.  from what I've seen on ebay over the years - Ruby red gets the most $$ followed by the blue green - Brown bikes go for a bit less.   

I like the brown bikes, but the candy colors suit the bike better.    Brown always seemed like a curios color choice to me.

[Dream750]

From my own observations ... When these bikes were new on the showroom floor certain colors were clearly more popular in sales. Going fast forward 40+ years, the used bike market still commands those same original popular colors. I bought my first K1 back in 1971, I absolutely had to have the desirable candy gold, which I was lucky to get. Many of the less popular original colors ended up as custom paint jobs making them even more rare now, but not necessarily more valuable.

 

[guitarkev66]

Thanks guys!!!! Yeah I've had a garnet brown K1 and now have a valley green K1,  I really thought I would like the valley green, but after having one I'm not too crazy about it(its kinda boring compared to the candies) .  I did really like the garnet brown though, and would buy another given the chance.  I have yet to have a red bike yet I guess that will be my next one