Author Topic: Question on Selling vs. Parting out Basket Case Bikes (Read 1549 times)

CBJoe · « **on:** January 03, 2015, 12:45:06 PM »

So I've made a decision to do a big clearing out of the garage before moving on to a future CB750 Project bike. Going to purge myself of all the CB650's (3 bikes) that I've had floating around for years. I would like to put the effort into something that I really want.

I realize this is sort of an open ended question, but in the market today, is it worth it to try and sell them off piece by piece? or to just put a random $$ on someone coming to haul the whole package away? The Bikes are completely in pieces. I have almost everything from the three bikes except for a gas tank, seat, and a lot of the random nuts and bolts. Also have some extra sets of forks, valves, and piston Rings. I have the titles for all three frames.

Haven't sold stuff for years, so curious what others who've been buying / selling recently think.

Cheers, Joe

rb550four · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2015, 01:15:38 PM »

I myself, never sell anything.... but I am always happy to buy what I need.
I am limited in space as are many others, and always like to see a list of what parts are available with a reasonable price ( we all pay shipping) . That way I can buy what I want without trying to figure out how to get a package deal of someone else's clutter home, especially from a distance. Remember, if you bundle them into a package , your audience will be local , and you may sit on it for a while or just get peanuts because you just want it gone.
I suggest a list of what you have for us guys on the forum first, wide audience, interested in your parts. Sell what you can to us, you know they'll be put to good use, then put it as a package deal when you have what doesn't sell.
There are a lot of 650 guys here. I have a 79, 80, 2-81's and an 84. I never know what I might want until someone makes it available. Try us out.

Stev-o · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2015, 01:20:56 PM »

I'm not much of a seller [I like to buy!] but this is how I see it:

If you want it all gone asap, not so much concerned on how much you sell for, put a number on it and try to sell all in one shot locally.

If you'd like to "get the most bang for your buck" and have the time to list, pack and ship, have an online garage sale on this forum, your local CL and list some of the valuable parts on ebay. Not real familiar with 650's, but titled frames always are a popular selling item [at least $100 or more]. 650 engines, if not stuck, should sell to and good cams will go quickly.

Good luck.

CBJoe · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2015, 01:27:52 PM »

Not really rushed to clear space until spring when I'm hopefully doing a revamp on workshop. Probably start making a garage sale list tonight and get it posted in the sale section.

rb550four · « **Reply #4 on:** January 03, 2015, 01:28:10 PM »

Okay! I'm interested to see what you have.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 03, 2015, 01:31:26 PM »

basically, the deciding factor is whether you feel like hauling stuff to the post office several times a week for an average of $15 a pop or would rather get rid of it all at once at a probably lower price...be aware that 650 stuff is not commanding collector/restoration level prices like a 750 or even a 550 (except for maybe useable camshafts and whole engines

I see Steve-O beat me to the essence of this

CBJoe · « **Reply #6 on:** January 03, 2015, 01:33:32 PM »

I have everything for 3 bikes pretty much

Cheers, Joe

CBJoe · « **Reply #7 on:** January 03, 2015, 01:34:58 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on January 03, 2015, 01:31:26 PM

basically, the deciding factor is whether you feel like hauling stuff to the post office several times a week for an average of $15 a pop or would rather get rid of it all at once at a probably lower price...be aware that 650 stuff is not commanding collector/restoration level prices like a 750 or even a 550 (except for maybe useable camshafts and whole engines

I see Steve-O beat me to the essence of this

This is understood. I'm not looking to haul high prices for most things. But I suppose that $5 and $10 can add up.

rb550four · « **Reply #8 on:** January 03, 2015, 01:41:28 PM »

I'd be up for a titled frame or 2 What years do you have?Carbs, always like more of those,handlebar controls?good wiring harness?coils? guages and shocks... let me know .
to 12122, Thanks, RB
Looky, you're moving stuff already.
I can't get to Indianapolis, but I can get to the mailbox.

eigenvector · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2015, 02:11:44 PM »

I think you'd make more money if you sold it in pieces, but personally I'd be inclined to sell the whole thing in one big heap. I'm not a merchant type of person, so even if I took a loss it would be worth it for me.

CBJoe · « **Reply #10 on:** January 03, 2015, 02:31:06 PM »

Quote from: rb550four on January 03, 2015, 01:41:28 PM

I'd be up for a titled frame or 2 What years do you have?Carbs, always like more of those,handlebar controls?good wiring harness?coils? guages and shocks... let me know .
to 12122, Thanks, RB
Looky, you're moving stuff already.
I can't get to Indianapolis, but I can get to the mailbox.

PM Sent

I need to get all the bits a bit more organized and shipping materials gathered. Once I have a basic list and am ready to offer things I'll post in the for sale section of the site.

Cheers, Joe

Stev-o · « **Reply #11 on:** January 03, 2015, 04:55:01 PM »

Frames can ship relatively cheap by Greyhound bus.

754 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 03, 2015, 05:57:47 PM »

I figure 20 min work to pack in survivable manner and get to the point for any fragile parts. So a 20 dollar sale is hard to get excited about. Plus you may endup with half a truckload for the scrapper in the end.

CBJoe · « **Reply #13 on:** January 03, 2015, 06:05:35 PM »

Quote from: 754 on January 03, 2015, 05:57:47 PM

I figure 20 min work to pack in survivable manner and get to the point for any fragile parts. So a 20 dollar sale is hard to get excited about. Plus you may endup with half a truckload for the scrapper in the end.

Well..I've got to clean and organize everything anyway....so time will get eaten up whether I'm sell something or not.

MoMo · « **Reply #14 on:** January 03, 2015, 06:14:19 PM »

Selling it piece by piece can take up a lot of time and as 754 mentioned the return on your time could be minimal. I would make a list of everything and try to sell it all to one buyer, either on here or CL. If no sale, then part it out and scrap what is left(or offer it free)...Larry

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #15 on:** January 03, 2015, 09:32:31 PM »

I'm in the same boat. I have an old CM250 I took apart. A couple pieces worth a bucks but that's about it. This bike as in real rotten shape though, I'm sure you're stuff is much better.

As mentioned, the 650 never seemed to garner the popularity of the other old Hondas. I liked them, I had two at one point and ended up trading them for a flatbed trailer I needed. I still have a camshaft, that's easy money there...

faux fiddy · « **Reply #16 on:** January 03, 2015, 09:56:52 PM »

I always figure if someone wants a bike then sell them the whole pile for them to sort out unless there's bits you want to keep.

754 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 03, 2015, 11:24:17 PM »

The less people you got to deal with the better. Certain venues excel at bringing out the lowballers, lateshowups, nevershowups, brokeskis...... The buying elite..lol.

ekpent · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2015, 05:36:27 AM »

I am with the try and sell it as one lot crowd. Your few good pieces will get cherry picked off the top and you will be left with all the more undesirable things to still deal with. If you don't get your price you can still piece meal it out later.

CBJoe · « **Reply #19 on:** January 05, 2015, 03:54:59 AM »

I should send thanks...you all made me re-think selling the whole package as one deal early yesterday. At the same time I got on Facebook and randomly saw a post from a guy I know from the local vintage bike community. Him and other guy are apparently starting up a shop and posted a haul of some barn find Japanese bikes they're going to fix and sell. I hit him up and it appears that he'll come pick up the whole package for an agreeable sum. Talk about good timing....didn't even need to post a craigslist add.

So problem hopefully solved. Thanks for convincing me on direction

Cheers, Joe

faux fiddy · « **Reply #20 on:** January 05, 2015, 10:54:10 AM »

Quote from: CBJoe on January 05, 2015, 03:54:59 AM

I should send thanks...you all made me re-think selling the whole package as one deal early yesterday. At the same time I got on Facebook and randomly saw a post from a guy I know from the local vintage bike community. Him and other guy are apparently starting up a shop and posted a haul of some barn find Japanese bikes they're going to fix and sell. I hit him up and it appears that he'll come pick up the whole package for an agreeable sum. Talk about good timing....didn't even need to post a craigslist add.

So problem hopefully solved. Thanks for convincing me on direction

Cheers, Joe

Yeah, craigslist can bring in some people who waste your time. Well done, and hopefully you will see your junk rolling down the road some day.

rb550four · « **Reply #21 on:** January 05, 2015, 02:44:16 PM »

FF, That was written a little funny, couldn't help but laugh....no one wants to see their junk rolling down the road, I'm sure. But we know what you meant. Thanks for the laugh.

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Author Topic: Question on Selling vs. Parting out Basket Case Bikes (Read 1549 times)