Topic: Noticed how prices for parts on ebay are going up?

[clarkjh]

i think it is just dumb people afflicted with what i call the ebay disease...

example: i bought a brand new dyna S ignition for 110 shipped to my door
i watched an auction the other day for the same ignition USED... some dummy paid 150 bucks
that means they paid 40 dollars more than me and got no warranty and a part that could be as old as 30 years.

Isn't that called "Not doing your research"?  Always check the price New, NOS, or re-pro, then decide if the price on Ebay is worth it.

James

[heffay]

yes... it would be   
i too used ebay though... cyclepartzguy

[chung]

I have sold literally hundreds of CB parts on the Web, almost always here, only once on egay. I sold an air filter assy from santee or one of those old chopper guys. I think the frenzy drove the price to $60 bucks, I was asking $50. Not worth the bull#$%* for the extra $10.
If I can't get what I think is a fair price then I will set it on fire before I would sell it on egay for $4-10 bucks.

I am not saying that I'm a tightass, I sold an early set of very nice K0 carbs to a guy who was restoring his Dad's bike. I think the asking price was $500, I think not at all unreasonable for such a desireable part. (many parts on that rack that are extinct and it had all the cables in fine shape) But he was nearer to tears than $500

I think I let the set go for $150 which is what I sell a standard set of K0-6 carbs and these looked like they had only had gas in them for a couple months.
 
I don't think that we are drivimg the price up, we are simply running out of $4 parts and are willing to pay more. FUCH EGAY

[Jinxracing]

I don't understand why everybody #$%*es about eBay...I think it's great. I can put the occasional odd part from my CB750 up on there and use the proceeds to finance the purchase of other parts.

Doesn't seem to be anything sneaky or underhanded about it; people put stuff up for sale, other people bid on it. Simple as that. Sure, sometimes the people are stupid or running some sort of scam, but it doesn't happen all that often and that kind of stuff certainly isn't exclusive to eBay.

[GNXFan]

Before I discovered E-Bay in 1999 I only bought and sold parts on a website called Motorcycleshopper.com and had great success with it. They also had a small magazine similar to Walneck's that complimented the website or drove people to the website. I sold everything I ever listed there. The website is still there but no where near the site it used to be. I miss the simplicity of selling there and without paying 20% in BS fees to do it.

[xtalon]

I don't understand why everybody #$%*es about eBay...I think it's great. I can put the occasional odd part from my CB750 up on there and use the proceeds to finance the purchase of other parts.

Doesn't seem to be anything sneaky or underhanded about it; people put stuff up for sale, other people bid on it. Simple as that. Sure, sometimes the people are stupid or running some sort of scam, but it doesn't happen all that often and that kind of stuff certainly isn't exclusive to eBay.

I agree with you Jinx.  It's just another option and a good option at that!

[turtle]

I love Ebay. I haven't had a bad deal yet although I am a comparative novice. It has enabled me to get all sorts of otherwise unobtainable parts for my bikes including a brand new (28 year old) headlight and fork ears for my CX. They have a bad tendency to rust in our humid climate. It gives me access to a worldwide market at the click of a button and I never have to leave home.

[TomC]

Hi E-bay Fans
     "Isn't that called "Not doing your research"?  Always check the price New, NOS, or re-pro, then decide if the price on Ebay is worth it."
     Back when our bikes were new I went to auctions looking for tools. I would see people with Sears Tool Catalogs in there back pocket. Later I would see them leaving empty handed. The last bid I remember making was an opening bit at my limit. Then I watched as the bids zoomed up.
          TomC

[WJL75]

Without eBay, many of the bikes here would not be on the road, they would still be sitting in garages or barns, or the junkyard.  Prices go up, don't buy it if you think it is too much.  Adam Smith was right.  We all end up paying for the parts we need, some are just more patient looking for deals. 

[BulleyCafe]

I have definately noticed a shockwave of interest in the local postings on craigslist for old japanese bikes, and with that, I have seen fewer and fewer being advertised on craigslist. And thats comming from someone that lives in northeast ohio where these bikes are incredibly common. I just happen to live 30 mins from a cycle graveyard that must have over 200 CB's just rotting away, and whenever they get a new one youd be surprised at the condition they are in. People just give these bikes away. Anyhow, Im just glad I got my two bikes when I did, and I know Im gonna have to part with one by summer, can't wait to see what kind of $ Im gonna get.

[wardmoto]

I have shelves of parts from my 350F project...perhaps now would be a good time finalize my sellers account! 

[BobbyR]

Without eBay, many of the bikes here would not be on the road, they would still be sitting in garages or barns, or the junkyard.  Prices go up, don't buy it if you think it is too much.  Adam Smith was right.  We all end up paying for the parts we need, some are just more patient looking for deals. 

Did Adam Smith ride a Honda? I thought he was a Vincent guy. Oh well live and learn. You are right you do need to be patient.

[WJL75]

They were a bit after his time, but he would have!  An excellent value in any decade.  Capitalism at its best!

[Andoo]

You can buy a parts bike and cut the inflation off at the head. I think E-bay is a good tool for parts.

[slarty-bart-farst]

For me ebay has made it so simple to run my KO.  I just let the search send me details on stuff and I have my price. I check stuff out price wise with Dave Silvers first, dont get bid fever!

A spare K2 engine for £50 is good for me, if the KO blows I'll nick bits off the K2 to keep the KO running that gives me time to hunt the KO bit on Ebay at my price latter. If your not in a rush you have no need to pay $$$$.

The buzz for me is run the bike as a means of transport, throw £500 a year at it because it saves £2000 a year in other transport costs, I know for others they want to achive pristine and keep it that way, well to each his own and the CB750 can provide all things to all men/women, respect for keeping the beasts alive!

If the my bike was a not used I could not justify spending on it and I would find myself polishing it and only taking it out on dry days.  I have had so many fantastic rides this January, such good memories, check it out it will be on U tube I'll post soon, the TT course some ice! some 110 mph sections.

I think the general press including the internet on the CB750 has pushed up interest and prices, so many books with "Ground breaking" and "Standard setting" most bikers know the bike is a KO and I like that.  I like it that Honda have the recognition for the work and effort they put in and the vision back in 68 69 and for what was a well designed piece of machinery.

These bikes are the "real deal" still capable of being used practicaly today, still maintainable, and with a classic beauty all of their own and Carpy is an excellent ambasidor showing how cool is not following the crowd or the fastest or the most expensive it's all good for the CB750.

Wo there give me another beer!

Slarty

[Bikebuff]

Hi All,

I've been reading this thread the last few days and have been pretty fortunate to know what I need, check prices before bidding on ebay.  I gotta say, I'm disappointed tonight, but there is a silver lining.  I've got a 1970 cb750K0 with a crushed speedometer.  It's not rebuildable and not even in good enough shape for parts.  Anyhow, I found one on ebay the other day (it has the idiot lights in the speedo itself, which is what I need).  So, I bid frequently but stopped after I got outbid past $130.00 US dollars.  I figure I can get a digital speedo setup for that kind of money (hence the silver lining in the cloud).  But, after the bidding ended, I find out the winning bid is $228.00!  My point is that I do like ebay for better or worse, but I'm amazed at what people (including myself) will pay for parts, and it concerns me what the long term effect this will have on sellers and buyers alike. 

[WJL75]

Bikebuff be glad you got outbid. $228!!! For another couple of dollars that person could probably get the whole bike.  Ok maybe not that low, but what some people are willing to pay for parts is sometimes amazing to me.  My 550 was just a little over double the cost of that speedo/tach combo...and it included the speedo and tach!

Oh well, sorry you got outbid, but there are deals to be had if you can be patient.

[techy5025]

I find that the K0 parts bikes on eBay are missing most of the sought after
unique K0 parts such as the plastics, tank, key switch, and gauges. Also, a
few bidders are obviously stockpiling these parts for later sale. And , most people buying
parts for the K0's are, at least to some degree, restoring them so alternate
parts are not acceptable.

If you want a very acceptable SOHC rider, you can get one for 1-2000 bucks, but
I doubt it will have like new original parts. Usually the first compromise is the four
exhausts which are 8-900 new now.

I doubt if prices are going to get any cheaper as the available supply will keep
getting depleted. Having said that, just when I think the plastic gauges are all
gone, a NOS one shows up and goes for $600 bucks. 

I guess its the last 10 percent of a restoration that represents 90 percent of the
cost.

Jim