Author Topic: Why does the North always have bikes available... (Read 2729 times)

Really? · « **on:** February 09, 2010, 04:04:15 PM »

...can someone start bringing them down here!!!!!

It is tough to find these bikes down here, 'specially the affordable ones.

So, who is it gonna be? C'mon, get ta tralierin' them bikes down this way.

my78k · « **Reply #1 on:** February 09, 2010, 04:37:23 PM »

Probably because we only have a real 6 moth riding season....people don't tend to use them as their primary mode of transport and therefore are far more likely to buy and sell them (I realize this doesn't apply to everyone so no stories of riding through chest deep snow evenryday Andy

)

Dennis

bill440cars · « **Reply #2 on:** February 09, 2010, 05:04:06 PM »

I hear that! I can not tell you how many times I see a bike I can possibly get and come to find out, it's either up North (anywhere up there, North East, Central or North West is too far! Or they are way out West or East Or In Florida (deep southern). I've seen several CB77 parts bikes or CB77 Engines that weren't priced too badly, but way out of reach! I was amazed to find that '80 CB650C AND to find that it was only about 20 minutes away.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #3 on:** February 09, 2010, 05:12:57 PM »

The prices are usually lower here than what I see in other parts of the country and with the short season they stand a good chance of being in better shape. I watch CL just out of curiosity and see a few bikes every week that are good deals. Mostly what I look at are Yamaha XS650's, Honda CB 750's, 450's and 360/350's. They are all readily available. 550's show up a bit less often. What are you looking for?

bill440cars · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2010, 07:00:03 PM »

Well, Craig's List was mentioned and I usually troll there everyfew days, just out of habit and found this '70 SL175 Honda that runs, needs resoration for $1200. I don't know if that's a good price or not. You see, I bought a NICE '72 SL350K2 for not much more than that and the main thig the 350 needed, was to be riden! AND the exhaust pipes (which cost high dollars now days) are MINT! I mean, NO scratches or Dents! The SL175 is in Beebe, Arkansas A few hours East of me.

74cb750 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2010, 07:21:40 PM »

That SL175 looks nice, at a distance. I bought one new many moons ago.
It was crashed by 3 different people! Overheated in the woods, and
overheated on the road. Hate to say it, but it was the worst bike
out of 50+ I have owned.
It did make a nice paper weight though.

77cafe750 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2010, 07:23:48 PM »

cause its cold gre up here though and craigslist in ill has great finds i just picked up my cb750 of springfield cl for 300 and there is another guy on there with a bunch of parts and parts bikes dirt cheap

Don R · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2010, 10:43:28 PM »

It's the same with drag cars, it's better to get one from the northern states because they only get used 7 or 8 months a season tops verses year round down south. I'm convinced it's when they sit all winter and don't start in the spring people are reluctant to spend the money to get it fixed and after a while they need more and more the next thing you know it's sat for 18 years.

bill440cars · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2010, 06:42:26 AM »

Quote from: Don R on February 09, 2010, 10:43:28 PM

It's the same with drag cars, it's better to get one from the northern states because they only get used 7 or 8 months a season tops verses year round down south. I'm convinced it's when they sit all winter and don't start in the spring people are reluctant to spend the money to get it fixed and after a while they need more and more the next thing you know it's sat for 18 years.

Now, IF I just had the Money AND the time to go round and collect a few of each (Cars AND Bikes)!

Inigo Montoya · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2010, 07:07:23 AM »

I think it depends on the area. In ND, you can find used bikes but most people want more than they are worth and there are not that many unless you want something that will cost you almost as much as if you bought it new.

Magpie · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2010, 07:17:30 AM »

There's not more in the Great White North! One of our members has more CB750s in his garage than I've seen in Greater Victoria and Vancouver. Oops - not so white for some of the Olympic venues.
Cliff.

Really? · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2010, 07:21:43 AM »

Quote from: srust58 on February 09, 2010, 05:12:57 PM

The prices are usually lower here than what I see in other parts of the country and with the short season they stand a good chance of being in better shape. I watch CL just out of curiosity and see a few bikes every week that are good deals. Mostly what I look at are Yamaha XS650's, Honda CB 750's, 450's and 360/350's. They are all readily available. 550's show up a bit less often. What are you looking for?

Not trying to be picky;

CB750 SOHC or DOHC
CB900 SS or Custom
Yamaha XS1100
Kawasaki 1000 or ?

Something I can work on that is not too expensive to begin with. I am nicking for a project after momma's bike. I can still work on hers but also i would like a smaller bike to ride. My bike is awsome on the highway but a little cumbersome for daily use.

I have even thought about taking a busted up Venture Royale, stripping it down and doing some cafe style to it but it just might not be worth it even though it is darn near a VMax underneath all that plastic.

SHELLFISH · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2010, 02:35:10 PM »

Just to piss off all you southern boys.

1976 550 K for free; 6500 miles.
I've put $400.00 into it so far just to get it running.
Still needs exhaust and tires.
It sat in an unheated garage for 25 years.
Best thing was I didn't know the PO; he walked up to me asking if I knew anyone who wanted and old Honda. Yeah, me!

In CT alot of folks bought bikes and then lost interest in them so not too many miles.
They don't need the money and they are a nuisance to sell so they sit in the garage...for a long time.
Same thing with boats, jet skis and wave runners in this area.

RatBikeRandy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2010, 05:52:11 PM »

More people seem to have garages to keep them in up North also. Our factory is in southern Minnesota ( I live in Georgia ) and I drool over all of the old bikes in their parking lot when I visit in the summer. Several 30 year old clean bikes on 3 different visits.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2010, 06:05:41 PM »

Recently there was 4 or 5 XS650 all in the $500-800 range. A nice CL450 scrambler listed for $600 that went fast. A few CB750's in the $500-1300 dollar range. They seem to come in spurts.

Not quite as good a deal as Shellfish but I payed $500 for this.

There has to be SOME benefit to having to put up with the winters here.

bill440cars · « **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2010, 06:19:38 PM »

Quote from: srust58 on February 10, 2010, 06:05:41 PM

Recently there was 4 or 5 XS650 all in the $500-800 range. A nice CL450 scrambler listed for $600 that went fast. A few CB750's in the $500-1300 dollar range. They seem to come in spurts.

Not quite as good a deal as Shellfish but I payed $500 for this. There has to be SOME benefit to having to put up with the winters here.

HMMM, Nice reward for putting up with the weather, eh?

BigWaveDave · « **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2010, 06:42:12 PM »

Just lucky I guess! Really though , there are bikes stashed away all over you just need to set up a network. Ive picked up nine 70's Hondas in the last 3 months and my motorcycle junky buddy fifteen!! Talk to people and get them to look around too. A six pack and acouple of steaks goes a long way. Some of the most unlikely people can be good sources, bank teller, pastor and then my secret sources. You will have to find them for yourself, I cant give up all my tricks! Good Luck Hunting.

Prospect · « **Reply #17 on:** February 10, 2010, 06:59:50 PM »

One major problem with the bikes up north is rust. If they are left outside for even longer than one winter -well you know what happens. But yes, people put bikes away for the winter and can't start them next season and let them sit for years. The key is to find one that has been stored well over the years and not ridden for a long time. There is a tonne of crap out there and people thinking they're holding onto a gold mine.

BigWaveDave · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2010, 07:49:56 PM »

Even the rust bikes can return from the dead. Sandblast,powder coating,soda blaster, and the mighty ultrasonic cleaner be praised. Oh and countless hours online hunting down parts and most of all money. I've trailered some rusty's home that made my wife & daughters laugh for weeks. But when they saw them done, it was fighting over who rode or got a ride first. Don't count them out.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2010, 09:53:10 PM »

My 76 Super Sport was stored inside for 25 years before I got my hands on it. A wash, polish, and wax was all it took to make it shine as shown in the previous photo. Unrestored and original. Stored outside though and you have a mess in a few years but I don't see that done to often around here unless it's already junk.

Don R · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2010, 10:07:34 PM »

cold storage

Really? · « **Reply #21 on:** February 11, 2010, 07:28:39 AM »

So, who up there is gonna bring a trailer full of them down to us southern folk???

Bet they would go fast! Greenjeans is nickin' fer a project too.

SHELLFISH · « **Reply #22 on:** February 11, 2010, 12:39:36 PM »

srust58, I think you did better than I did!
That's a gem!

HAIRHEAD · « **Reply #23 on:** February 19, 2010, 07:45:13 PM »

Quote from: bill440cars on February 10, 2010, 06:19:38 PM

Quote from: srust58 on February 10, 2010, 06:05:41 PM
Recently there was 4 or 5 XS650 all in the $500-800 range. A nice CL450 scrambler listed for $600 that went fast. A few CB750's in the $500-1300 dollar range. They seem to come in spurts.

Not quite as good a deal as Shellfish but I payed $500 for this. There has to be SOME benefit to having to put up with the winters here.

HMMM, Nice reward for putting up with the weather, eh?

AWESOME catch,reminds me of an early 70's Triumph Bonnie SCORED for $250 @ a garage sale last year,and now i am haunted by those damn garage sale signs.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #24 on:** February 19, 2010, 08:12:58 PM »

When I first moved here, I had a '64 Volvo station wagon (well- slightly modified, too...). many times -even at red lights- people would come over and walk around my car trying to figure out what it was.
It was finally explained to me that -until relatively recently- people didn't own Volvos down here. No market for much of anthing foreign. Most of the South was rural, sparse, and low-income. People had a choice between Ford or Chevy, and prferably a pick-up.
Also, folks in the South have looong memories. The War of Northern Aggression (sometimes called the Civil War) is still discussed like it was a year ago. In that vein, everyone was quite aware of who attacked Pearl Harbor, and resentment lingered longer than other areas.

By now, most of that is by the wayside. I do know a guy who travels up North and brings back Small and middle-sized Japanese bikes and re-sells them. He's doing OK.

bill440cars · « **Reply #25 on:** February 20, 2010, 08:17:48 PM »

Tipper ( and All) I looked in three basic locations in Arkansas on Craig's List and what I found wasn't too encouraging.

1977 Honda SOHC CB750 light cafe racer - $2500 (Conway)

"This is a 77 CB 750 SOHC with ACE tank and badging. It has a black cherry paint job and a beautiful leather seat, just tuned and runs great. It has the best set of factory pipes I think I've seen on a SOHC CB. I believe it has 30k original miles."

((((( CB 650 Custom Bike ))))) - $1500 (Bentonville, AR)

"I have a 1980 CB 650 Custom Bike for sale. Runs and drives great. Asking $1,500 OBO.

Call (479) 544-7185 if interested ***WILL NOT ANSWER EMAILS - CALLS ONLY!!!***
chopped and bobbed rear end and made new brake and taillight mount will run and drive will need alittle tlc to make it run smoother but wont cost nothing but time. will consider trades of equal value."

That's about it! Sorry! $:-\$

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Author Topic: Why does the North always have bikes available... (Read 2729 times)