Topic: sell whole or part out? that is the question...

[my78k]

OK guys...need some feedback here.

I know I will get blasted for this but here goes...

Kinda feeling like my "bring it back from the dead" project is taking way too loong and taking too much $'s not to mention that I am sort of suspecting that once (or if!) I get it back on the road it is going to be a labour of well...labour!

I have 2 young kids so know that time is an issue especially considering the climate only makes for a 6-8 month riding season. I am very busy at work etc. so basically I am worried about the fact that I will spend all of my time wrenching and no time riding...I also don't have a ton of cash to put into this to just take it to a mechanic and have him do all of the hard work.

Basically what this adds up to is I am seriously thinking about giving up and either selling or parting out the beast. I will then take that money and combine it with some money that I will be getting shortly and pick up something a little newer and more reliable in the spring...

I am so on the fence about this that it's not even funny...I hate the thought of getting rid of it (A- it's a cool "different" bike B- it will mean admitting defeat or atleast retreat) and then comes the question of do I sell it whole (doubt I'll get a ton for it although it does run but needs a bunch more work to get her street legal) or part it out on FeeBay and hope that I get enough interest in the parts to off set the money I have put into it...

All feedback appreciated (including talking me out of getting rid of it at all)...

Thanks,
Dennis

[ProTeal55]

My 4cents...
U are better off parting it out - then selling it whole.
Can easily make more $$ that way...

[winston]

I've given your question a lot of serious thought and in my considered opinion you should part it out to me first at crazy low prices then auction the rest off on eBay.

[Jeff]

Can easily make more $$ that way...

I agree except about the "easily" part. Imagine having to list hundreds of items instead of just one. Then having to relist some of them, etc. I'd imagine it'd be a pain in the butt, but more money could definitely be had. But if you're short on time...

Jeff

[ProTeal55]

Can easily make more $$ that way...

I agree except about the "easily" part. Imagine having to list hundreds of items instead of just one. Then having to relist some of them, etc. I'd imagine it'd be a pain in the butt, but more money could definitely be had. But if you're short on time...

Jeff

I am used to selling lots of different things at once on "the bay".
At my old parts job at a v-twin/custom shop, I had over 100 items listed on ebay at all times.
It was a full time job, but you get used to it..

[Jeff]

I'm sure with time you get used to it. But your experience was during a full time job. Dennis needs to do this on the side while being with his kids, short on time, etc.

I've never actually listed anything on ebay, although I've purchased many times. I have a crapload of stuff that I need to get rid of, but I really don't feel like taking the time that it'll take to photograph and list every item. I don't see any way around it.

Jeff

[my78k]

That's the way I was leaning as it really only takes a few key parts to go to make up what I would get for the whole bike (like carbs, tank etc.)

One concern I had was what do I do with stuff that will likely not sell? such as the frame etc? My other concern is I have no experience in shipping larger items like an engine!

Actually, I have to admit that I thought the first 4 replies would be death threats for parting out one of these bikes...ofcourse it is a 78k so that may explain why there has been so little opposition!  

Dennis

[winston]

I've had three guys walk up to me in the past two weeks asking if I'd sell them my exhaust pipes...originals go for some heavy cash on the 'bay.

[flyin_]

As long as there is a market for the items off your bike you will make more parting it out.  However....it is way more work to part it out.  I am almost done parting out a 81 Kawasaki that had engine problems and various cosmetic problems and have made just over $1000 profit on it so far with several high value items left.  I only paid $1000 for it in 1995 and rode the hel l out of it for years.  It takes a lot of time...photos and descriptions of every item after dissassembly, listing on ebay, then after the sale keeping tabs on which items have been paid and which you need to harass the buyer the get paid, then packing and shipping.  Then hope you don't have an item get lost in transit and you lost the recipt from the post office or never got a tracking number. 

Research how much parts for you bike are going for on crapbay and see what you will make.  Good luck

[cmorgan47]

more and more, i'm looking at situations like these as "buying spare time."  which is worth more to you?  money? time?

in michigan, we can return bottles and cans to the store for $.10 each, or toss them in the trash, or put them in the curbside recycling bin.  the trash is unacceptable to me, but it's a pain to get them all together, take them to the store, find out that half of them came from a different store so you have to drive across town for those.  personally, i've convinced myself that beer costs $.60 a six pack more than the price tag.....i'm buying sierra nevada and stoudts at $9-$12/sixpack, if $.60 is killing me, i can think of easier ways to save it.

how much extra money are we talking and how much time to list, photograph, disassemble, pack and ship/relist everything?  not to mention dealing with the possible problems of complaints/dead beats/etc.
how soon do you want the money?  if it's soon, there's no question.  sell the bike, not the parts.

on the other hand, like you say, if you can get what you would for the bike out of the carbs, tank, wheels and such (can you?  are they good enough?) you'll do better.

personally, i'd sell the whole thing for a few hundred and dump that into another bike.

[StevieMac]

personally I agree with cmorgan47.

Your situation may be different of course but for me the extra cash to be made wouldn't justify the time requirement.

[6pkrunner]

If you have a job that gives you time to sit on eBay and make multiple listings, then parting would be the way to go. If this is on your own time, and with a wife and two small kids - then your personal time is worth more than what the parts will bring. Only you can decide which is more beneficial for you.

But if its one of those "difficult" nights and you'll help out once you're finished listing parts - well then the few hours listing parts may buy some peace of mind.

[Rocking-M]

I think you ought to hang in there with it. You'll not really regret it down the road if you don't,
but, down the road you could very well be glad you did keep it. We've sold stuff in the past when
we thought we needed the money more than the stuff. Some was good to get rid of, other,
well it really didn't produce that much cash and would have been nice to keep. The bikes I've sold
would be in the, would have been nice to keep list. You could just put it away in the corner till more
you have a little spare time. Your kids might even be able to "sorta help" at least in their minds

[Gordon]

Stick with it, Dennis, you know you want to!!

[750goes]

what was the reason you bought the bike in the first place ??

what's your gut feel on when you can finish it  - one month, two ??

what do you need to do, to make it street legal ??

how much will that cost ??

whats the price of knowing you did it, and not buying it already done ??

my thoughts ??  I dunno it's your bike..

[ChrisR]

I'd just put it in the corner, put a sheet over it and forget about it for a while. In time, when you've fixed it up yourself, the bike will mean more to you than money can buy. I understand you feelings about admitting defeat over it - a tactical retreat is probably a good idea.

[mcpuffett]

take your time  , no rush,   mick.

[upperlake04]

Dennis, disciple of the Mighty K8  - a couple of thoughts..
  With the settling into harness at work and your new young family, if the process is anything like most married guys , I understand completely the changes happening with your lifestyle. When it was just you and your wife, you were #1, then came first born and your instant demotion to #2. Then second child and to the bottom of the pile.  Family unit priorities changed too. The new washing machine jumped to the top of the list. And the education fund, the kids bedroom furnure, the trip cross country to Grammas.... You are off on a grand 20 year adventure that will have some of the most rewarding times of your life. Be sure to enjoy it. Believe me, your kids will be grown and gone before you know it.
  Your K8 is the final version of the mighty CB750Ks and has special place in  mc history. You have already paid for it and the money is spent. There isn't enough money in the bike to make the slightest impact in the family finances long term. If I were you, and was burned out on the project, I would take a break- prepare it for long term storage, put all the parts in a box, find a covered secure shelter, put a good tarp on it and forget it.  No big deal if its out of sight and mind - there will be a day, maybe even 20 years down the road, when the time is right and you have more free time to spend on yourself. It is likely at that time you will have increased earning power and fewer expenses.  Maybe even nostalgia for your young manhood.   The K8  at that time will be far more valuable to you personally than the few hundred bucks you are seeing in it now.  Thats my humble advice, and I would also be discretely buying any missing or damaged original pieces on eBay that would make the put- away package complete.
  You could show your everloving a few sandcast auctions to illustrate what is happening to some sohc bikes now. I expect the return on your investment, over the next years, even a K8 , will be one of the better deals, percentage-wise, that you will make.  Yes, keep it.      David

[malcolmgb]

Dennis, disciple of the Mighty K8  - a couple of thoughts..
  With the settling into harness at work and your new young family, if the process is anything like most married guys , I understand completely the changes happening with your lifestyle. When it was just you and your wife, you were #1, then came first born and your instant demotion to #2. Then second child and to the bottom of the pile.  Family unit priorities changed too. The new washing machine jumped to the top of the list. And the education fund, the kids bedroom furnure, the trip cross country to Grammas.... You are off on a grand 20 year adventure that will have some of the most rewarding times of your life. Be sure to enjoy it. Believe me, your kids will be grown and gone before you know it.
  Your K8 is the final version of the mighty CB750Ks and has special place in  mc history. You have already paid for it and the money is spent. There isn't enough money in the bike to make the slightest impact in the family finances long term. If I were you, and was burned out on the project, I would take a break- prepare it for long term storage, put all the parts in a box, find a covered secure shelter, put a good tarp on it and forget it.  No big deal if its out of sight and mind - there will be a day, maybe even 20 years down the road, when the time is right and you have more free time to spend on yourself. It is likely at that time you will have increased earning power and fewer expenses.  Maybe even nostalgia for your young manhood.   The K8  at that time will be far more valuable to you personally than the few hundred bucks you are seeing in it now.  Thats my humble advice, and I would also be discretely buying any missing or damaged original pieces on eBay that would make the put- away package complete.
  You could show your everloving a few sandcast auctions to illustrate what is happening to some sohc bikes now. I expect the return on your investment, over the next years, even a K8 , will be one of the better deals, percentage-wise, that you will make.  Yes, keep it.      David

well put upperlake, you're not as daft as you look 

[upperlake04]

thanks malc 

[Rocking-M]

Hey upperlake, you sez it much better than I did

Except, 20 years from now, Dennis will have grown children at home

[my78k]

"Except, 20 years from now, Dennis will have grown children at home "  that is a thought I'm not quite ready to deal with...lord knows all of my retired neighbours all have their divorced (or never married) kids back in the house...even a few 35-45 year olds!

I think Upperlake hit the nail on the head...I think I just need to take a break. Even just for a few months...

I dunno...it just seems like it is taking forever and sometimes like I take one step forward and two steps back (G.D. carbs are pouring fuel out the overflows again).

Just a little burnout right now...not enough hours in the day I guess...

Dennis

[DarkRider]

I may be the newbie here but i agree with upperlake...Just put it aside for abit take your mind off of the problems you are having with the bike now and focus on your family then you have the bike to work on as a release from day to day life. I havent delt with this problem with bikes but i have run into it with various project cars. Most recent example is the 94 Cavalier RS that i was building into an autocross car. I sat on the fence about it for a bit and wound up selling it to another club member however knowing hes doing the exact opposite of what i wanted out of the car has me regretting that decision every time i see its stripped out shell. Basicly what i am saying is this..if you truely want to see this thing hit the road take a break from it..think about life for a bit then come back to it with a fresh perspective.

[ElCheapo]

You could forego all the stress of parting it out and all the shipping hassles and just sell it to me whole.  Have passport and trailer will travel. 

[joeson]

here I am 20 tears later... keepr jack....  you own it ,don't sell it ,buy a late model and get back to where you came from and one day you will sell it to me ,hopefully!!!!.