Topic: Any thoughts on establishing a value for 1924 Excelsior Henderson frame?

[zoo mob]

I've got a line on a frame, handlebars, front end, rear wheel and rear fender. Any thoughts on what the heck this stuff is worth? The usual method of checking the completed listings on ebay doesn't really work on stuff this rare.

[754]

 That is a pretty good lump, enough to start building a bike with.

 What kind of condition, was there a plate on it/ how do you know the year?? What are you planning to do with it??
 grab it if its reasonable.. .

[Frankencake]

Without seeing it and trying to gauge it to Harleys that are just as old, I'd wager those parts are worth 4k to 8K.  That's my guess.  I could be wrong.

On second thought, it's worth nothing.  You pay to ship it to me and I'll discard it with all of the other scrap bikes here.  It really is garbage.
(I'm really sitting here eating popcorn waiting for someone to give the real answer.)

[scottly]

Maybe you could find some info from Walneck's Classic Cycle?

[zoo mob]

All good ideas; and after looking closer at pics online, I think the guy that is selling was wrong, it appears that it is more like a 1917 Excelsior, not a later Excelsior Henderson. Don't know what he wants, and its not actively advertised. I've got a crazy idea he'll come off it for well under $1000, we'll see, I'm going back to check it out and talk shop with the guy after lunch.

[754]

 You cant lose at a G-note, well worth the 1000 bux..

[Frankencake]

Post pics please?

[gerhed]

Got to be worth one Large.

[Frankencake]

If you don't buy it for $1000, I will.

[Terry in Australia]

If you don't buy it for $1000, I will.

If your husband lets you.............. 

[zoo mob]

Here's the pics I got today. He threw out a number of $3000, but said he really didn't know since he was selling it for a friend. Might try and come at him with a really low number under a grand and see what happens. This is too much for me to take on as a project, and needs to be a money maker. Also, my memory deceived me, there was just a rear tire, not the whole wheel. What's thoughts here?

[Terry in Australia]

Maaaate, as long as that frame isn't rusted out (very common here for bikes that old) it's worth 3K, a complete bike is probably worth 30. Keep in mind though that you're dealing with a rare bike, so you need to find a buyer for it. I had no problem selling my cousins Henderson 4 engine and box for 5K, and his 1918 Indian Power Plus for 7500 10 years ago, (both were non running "projects") but these bikes were more common and easier to sell. I'm not saying you won't sell it, but it might take a bit longer. Cheers, Terry.

[754]

It looks in amazingly good condition..

If that is not rot on lower part of fork left side.. , it is easily worth 2K or a bit more.. meaning, if you sit on it a bit, ie, sell it properly.. you can make some bux on it..

 Its belt drive, pedal equipped, , could be before 1918.. will try to find out..

 grab it if you can even to flip it..

[Frankencake]

If you don't buy it for $1000, I will.

If your husband lets you..............  

Ouch, Terry.  Just ouch.

[Terry in Australia]

If you don't buy it for $1000, I will.

If your husband lets you..............  

Ouch, Terry.  Just ouch.

Ha ha, you know I'm just teasing you mate!

[zoo mob]

Well, here's a picture of a single from 1912, the bike looks to have the same frame etc.

[754]

Pre 16 stuff, is worth more (& highly desireable)than late teens and up.
 The saying is if you got a frame, you got a bike.. Motors far more abundant than frames..

 I find early American bikes, far more interesting than Japanese..

 Grab it if you can, then decide what to do.. you are at ground floor to having an early bike, with a great start.. dont let the chance slip away..

[HAIRHEAD]

Pre 16 stuff, is worth more (& highly desireable)than late teens and up.
 The saying is if you got a frame, you got a bike.. Motors far more abundant than frames..

 I find early American bikes, far more interesting than Japanese..

 Grab it if you can, then decide what to do.. you are at ground floor to having an early bike, with a great start.. dont let the chance slip away..

I second this angle.Grab and run-but do NOT restore until you are sure you cannot put together a nice "patena laden "machine.Just last week here in Minnesota i saw a fellow RIDE up on a 1924 Harley-in original unrestored state-you could barely read H-D on the tank-yet putt-putt-putt.

[greenjeans]

Have you tried contacting the Barber motorsports museum in Alabama ?
They have 3 full-time restoration guys there that might be able to help you out with some information.
I know they have more than 1 Henderson in their collection.

[Terry in Australia]

Have you tried contacting the Barber motorsports museum in Alabama ?
They have 3 full-time restoration guys there that might be able to help you out with some information.
I know they have more than 1 Henderson in their collection.

That's a point, and if you want to flip it, they might want to buy it.

[zoo mob]

I think I'll send those guys an email and see what they say. Thanks.