Author Topic: What's it worth... don't want to sell but putting feelers out! (Read 4505 times)

loonymoon · « **on:** February 04, 2007, 03:51:35 AM »

For a long time my bike has resided in my parents double garage in Dorset. However they are putting their house on the market as of tomorrow and may be moving to a place with either a single, or no garage.

So I have to do something with my bike. I am currently renting a house in Herts with what passes for a garage, however it's really just a car port with a garage door tacked on to it and fencing panels round the sides, not exactly secure as the back end has a gap where a door should be and theres gaps between the tops of the fence posts and the roof. It's dry but very very dusty. Not the ideal place to keep a classic 70's bike $:-\$

Therefore I have to make a decision. Can I keep the bike, transport it up to Herts and somehow sure up the garage (reluctant to do too much as we don't own it) or would it be best to sell the bike...

??

The other complication is that my partner may be getting a new job so we may move and who know's if we'll even have a garage in the new place.....

So I may have to sell, I'd do anything I can not to have to sell it but just in case..

What's it worth?? Possibly a difficult question as it depends on the buyer but what would you guys offer for it if you were in the market?? (I'll bear in mind that the dollar is currently $1.98 to the pound!!)

Its got (I think) just under 11,000 miles on it and you can see it in my gallery. http://gallery.loonymoon.org.uk/thumbnails.php?album=2

I recently tarted up the engine so it looks quite shiny now! It is a very good runner, as far as I know the engine's never been out of the frame. It's got a slight oil leak on the fins under the spark plug on the left hand side but it just dribbles a little not too much. It's got pattern 4-4 exhaust silencers and an aftermarket carrying rack (probably from the 70s), everything else is original.

turtle · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2007, 05:12:41 AM »

I do hope it doesn't come to that.

It seems like there are a lot of possibilities out there - it might never happen. Can you find some short-term storage until everyone's living situations are sorted out?

loonymoon · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2007, 05:17:02 AM »

Hi Jane,

Well we could keep it in our garage as it has its "bag"!! That would keep the dust off!! However if and when we move I think we'd be hard pressed to get anywhere with a garage. I've been looking and in our budget some have driveways but none have had garages!!

I don't know anyone who could store it for me! I'm not sure if there's anywhere we could rent storage.

turtle · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2007, 05:18:37 AM »

Surely there's a corner of your lounge-room that you don't need!

loonymoon · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2007, 05:20:20 AM »

lol, that's the problem with renting. I don't think the landlord would be too pleased about that!!

turtle · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2007, 05:23:04 AM »

I can't understand their problem

(Just to hijack the thread, I have posted a couple of pics on your website.)

loonymoon · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2007, 05:25:58 AM »

Cheers Jane, I've approved the upload!!

turtle · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2007, 05:27:04 AM »

Great to talk to you but I need to get some sleep.
Good luck with the bike.

clarkjh · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2007, 05:37:15 AM »

Can't you pick up a storage shed somewhere to set her in? I would hate to see you have to get rid of her.

James

loonymoon · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2007, 05:41:08 AM »

Quote from: clarkjh on February 04, 2007, 05:37:15 AM

Can't you pick up a storage shed somewhere to set her in? I would hate to see you have to get rid of her.

James

Yeah these are options I'll think of before I have to sell. it would break my heart to sell her as the measily money I'd get would disappear very quickly! I'd be very sad to sell and would want to know she was going to a good home!! (Anyone else hear the violins playing??!)

736cc · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2007, 05:56:27 AM »

In the USA, thats a $2000-2500 bike, maybe more if auctioned right. Nice collectable bike like that will only increase in value over time, so don't let it go cheap. good luck.

bill440cars · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2007, 07:10:58 AM »

I hope you can figure a way to either get a small storage building or maybe some place that you could rent to store your bike in. A Classic Bike Enthusiast selling a bike is like a Mechanic selling their Tools. In either case, it ain't good. LOL with your issue.

Later on, Bill

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2007, 08:13:07 AM »

Bleh...
Forget the "classic" blibbity blop. It's your bike. Why do you like it and why do you want it? Would you be happy riding something else, or are you feeling qualms because you you THINK you should be worried about values and such. Bottom line- do you need a motorycycle or not? Do you love THIS motorcycle, or not?
My 2 cents- if you can consider selling it then sell it. Put the money in a seperate account that makes some interest and wait untill you really NEED a motorcycle again.

I had to sell my 400 (or so I thought) when I loaded up 3 bikes and a sidecar to move 2800 miles. Soon after, I missed the 400 so much I traded the sidecar for the one I have now. Now that I know I NEED this bike, this will be my last. If you need this bike, when you move, park it anywhere there's space, put an anchor chain on it and a tarp.

USN20 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 04, 2007, 08:19:49 AM »

Quote from: loonymoon on February 04, 2007, 03:51:35 AM

So I may have to sell, I'd do anything I can not to have to sell it but just in case..

The last resort option for being able to keep your bike indoors is to drain the oil, remove the battery, remove the fork tubes, fuel tank, side covers, mirrors, exhaust, swingarm and rear fender. This will greatly reduce the overall physical size / weight of the bike and it now can be easily placed just about anywhere with the help of a friend. The removed parts can be boxed /stored wherever you can.

Think covert ... hiding in plain sight, as nosy landlords and others will never see a "motorcycle" where it's not supposed to be. It might even be possible to store the semi-stripped bike upright (vertically) in a closet. The cost of "restoring" the bike will be minimal as you already have all the parts. Of course you won't be riding it, but you can still retain ownership until you have better arrangements.

bill440cars · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2007, 08:44:05 AM »

Hey USN, you just unleashed a memory of mine. While in the USAF in Japan, winter came and I didn't want my 66'CB72 out in the weather (SNOW) and so I put it in the boiler room of the barracks. My 1st Sgt almost blew a gasket

So I had to put it back outside. Then, with my roommate's help. I disassembled my bike,(we had 2 metal cabinets that served as closets and a chest of drawers) we positioned the larger parts of the bike against the more narrow wall, arranged the larger furniture in front of it and placed the smaller parts under our beds (we were allowed to use bedspreads as long as they were appropriate and the beds were always completely made when we weren't in them). Come Spring, We took everything out, put it back together and were riding once more. Worked for me.

Later on, Bill

loonymoon · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2007, 09:39:02 AM »

Quote from: Uncle Ernie on February 04, 2007, 08:13:07 AM

Bleh...
Forget the "classic" blibbity blop. It's your bike. Why do you like it and why do you want it? Would you be happy riding something else, or are you feeling qualms because you you THINK you should be worried about values and such. Bottom line- do you need a motorycycle or not? Do you love THIS motorcycle, or not?
My 2 cents- if you can consider selling it then sell it. Put the money in a seperate account that makes some interest and wait untill you really NEED a motorcycle again.

I had to sell my 400 (or so I thought) when I loaded up 3 bikes and a sidecar to move 2800 miles. Soon after, I missed the 400 so much I traded the sidecar for the one I have now. Now that I know I NEED this bike, this will be my last. If you need this bike, when you move, park it anywhere there's space, put an anchor chain on it and a tarp.

The truth is I don't NEED this bike. I have a car and a 250 scooter and could easily get a decentish bike with the money if I sold it and part exchanged the scooter. The bike I'd get I could ride to work in rush hour without worrying about scratching it or it being out in the rain too much.... however this 350 is like part of me. It's like my appendix - pretty useless but none-the-less I'm attached to it and it would be painful to remove it from me.

Selling it for say £1500 even £2000 it'd be a tragedy as the money would quickly disappear and I'd be left wishing I'd never sold it.. I don't ride it much - only maybe 500 miles a year max - however each of those miles is covered with a grin on my face and a smug feeling that I'm highly unlikely to meet anyone else riding on a 350/4 - in the UK they're that rare.

However... if my situation became that bad that I had to leave it outside under a tarp I would sell, as I'd rather it was kept by another enthusiast with a proper place to store it and keep it as special as it is. I'd hate to be the one to let this beautiful bike deteriorate.

Whatever, I'm not going to sell lightly... I just want to know what I should be pricing it at so that I don't get "had"!!!

upperlake04 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 04, 2007, 09:40:16 AM »

Could you pick up a garden shed and put it under the carport next to the house? Your bike would be out of the weather and out of sight too. When you moved again, the shed could be disassembled and taken with you.
http://www.metal-sheds-online.co.uk/storemore/ashdale-steel-sheds.shtml

loonymoon · « **Reply #17 on:** February 04, 2007, 09:49:34 AM »

This is one thing I'd be thinking of. The carport is ok and we could sure it up somewhat. The good thing that even though the back is open no-one could easily get a bike out as the carport is attached to our house on one side and our neighbours on the other so they'd have to wheel it through the fence and through several gardens to get it away, so I think the bike will be Ok at our house it's just if we move we may have a problem, though we'd try our best to find a place with a garage or at least space for a bike shed.... like this..

http://www.trimetals.co.uk/motorcycle-storage.php?m=3&g=8

...however it's a rather expensive solution.... $:-\$

upperlake04 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 04, 2007, 10:07:29 AM »

Those are nice sheds, but yes pricey

I see they are kind enough to offer an easy monthly repayment plan though

Keep the bike

LM

bill440cars · « **Reply #19 on:** February 04, 2007, 10:45:11 AM »

Quote from: upperlake04 on February 04, 2007, 09:40:16 AM

Could you pick up a garden shed and put it under the carport next to the house? Your bike would be out of the weather and out of sight too. When you moved again, the shed could be disassembled and taken with you.
http://www.metal-sheds-online.co.uk/storemore/ashdale-steel-sheds.shtml

Exactly what I was saying Dave, She should try to get a shed of sorts and keep the bike. That 350-4 is definitely a keeper.

Later on, Bill

keiths · « **Reply #20 on:** February 04, 2007, 01:45:59 PM »

Loonymoon,

I know how much you love your little four and I hope you don't have to sell it. I know how rare they are in the UK so if you sell it, I doubt you will find another. I'd buy a small shed if mine had to sit outside.

Good Luck,
Keith

turtle · « **Reply #21 on:** February 04, 2007, 02:42:48 PM »

Allan says if you moved to Queensland, winter storage wouldn't be problem because there isn't any.

USN20 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 04, 2007, 03:55:59 PM »

Quote from: bill440cars on February 04, 2007, 08:44:05 AM

Hey USN, you just unleashed a memory of mine. While in the USAF in Japan, winter came and I didn't want my 66'CB72 out in the weather (SNOW) and so I put it in the boiler room of the barracks. My 1st Sgt almost blew a gasket So I had to put it back outside. Then, with my roommate's help. I disassembled my bike,(we had 2 metal cabinets that served as closets and a chest of drawers) we positioned the larger parts of the bike against the more narrow wall, arranged the larger furniture in front of it and placed the smaller parts under our beds (we were allowed to use bedspreads as long as they were appropriate and the beds were always completely made when we weren't in them). Come Spring, We took everything out, put it back together and were riding once more. Worked for me.

Later on, Bill

Bill440,

That's a great USAF story and reminds me of similar methods that were used back in my USN days. Several times we visited the Philippines and an old Harley, Honda or Indian would sometimes make it's way back to the ship and have to be stashed away (in pieces) down in the engineering spaces for the return trip stateside. Those were the days.

Hopefully *loonymoon* won't have to resort to such drastic measures!

bill440cars · « **Reply #23 on:** February 04, 2007, 05:25:33 PM »

Hey, I hear ya USN. The sad part about my bike is, I was taking it apart to get it boxes up to ship home and suddenly my departure date was moved up and the only things that I got shipped was the front wheel, the front fender and the clip on handlebars that I barely used.

That's exactly why I'm telling loonymoon why she should keep her 350 that she clearly feels is a part of her. To this very day, I wish I had stopped riding sooner, taken the bike apart, gotten it boxed up and shipped out sooner! That bike would have been 41 years old by now and been in my possession for 39 years of it. So, try to find a way to keep it. You deserve it and it deserves you.

Later on, Bill

nickjtc · « **Reply #24 on:** February 04, 2007, 08:56:46 PM »

I feel your pain. Been there done that! The biggest issue is whether you would regret letting it go. As for 'storing' it in rented accommodation....what the landlord cannot see he/she cannot fret about. Put it in your hall, cover it with a tablecloth and put a trailing plant on it. I hid a BSA C15 (for my sins) in my first flat in Harlow like that for a year or so with no grief at all......

If you do let it go stay in touch!!!

News:

Author Topic: What's it worth... don't want to sell but putting feelers out! (Read 4505 times)

USN20

upperlake04

upperlake04

USN20