Topic: The best deal ever

[jameseb444]

I wanted to put this in a form of a poll but didn't know how to form it. I was wondering what the best deal you got buying your Honda. I'm lucky enough to have had 2 great deals so far. I won't count the 22 pistol I traded for a '78 RM 250, only the Honda's.
The first deal happened while I was with a friend looking for parts for either his ratty old CJ or his ratty old VW, can't remember which. I noticed a motorcycle leaning against the fence but got distracted and didn't look at it again. About a week later I remebered the bike while I was getting new tires on my old CJ. I got home and called the junkyard and was lucky enough to have the bikes owner working that day. He told me it didn't run but I told him I didn't care and asked if he would be interested in trading it for four used 33" recaps. He said he was interested so I drove to the junkyard with the tires in the trailer. When I got there he looked the tires over and asked me if I was sure I wanted to trade them for a bike that doesn't run. I couldn't beleive he asked me that, they were recaps for gods sake, and used. He lifted the bike away from the fence, turned the key and it started on the third try. His eyes opened wide and told me his buddy said it wouldn't start. I figured this deal is off now. Then one of his friends said he didn't know he wanted to sell the bike and he might want it. Again, I figured the deal is off. The guy said he already made the deal with me and if I wanted it I could take it, which I did of course. So, I loaded up my first Honda and took it home. A 1980 XL 250. The best woods bike I ever had. My wife wants me to come out and drink some coffee with her now so I'll have to mention my other Honda deal at the next sitting. Tell me about your "Best deal", I would love to hear it.

[Honda!]

This'll be fun...

Pulled 3 old bikes (no Hondas) out of a friends barn.  Price:  He never wanted to see them again

My dad traded a case of beer and $5 to one of his friends for a '73 CL-350, which I now ride.  It ran and had a clear title, even.

The best one of all:

My buddy's 750 died a horrible, painful death(oil-starved head), so he gave it to me.

I have more, if this thread gets boring...

[DammitDan]

Brother in law got an awesome barn find:

1969 Kawasaki W2 (650cc Japanese copy of a pre-unit BSA) with a clean title.  It didn't run and it was pretty dirty from sitting for 30 years, but it was all there.

The price?  He had to buy breakfast for the owner. 

He sold it a few weeks later with no wrenching or cleaning or polishing for almost $5000.  He's regretting that he sold it now, though!

[754]

i got a 69 750 out of a barn for 500.00

I got a lot of nice deals on other bikes too.


But the best deal was my 73 750.. paid I think 1300 for it in 76, and owned it for 32 years..took me all over & then some.. more smiles & miles per dollar than I ever imagined possible..

[troppo]

Maybe not my best deal but a mate got one hell of a deal....
His neighbor had a xj110 think it was early eighties, he loved that bike and looked after it like it was his child, dealer service every 2000 klm`s cleaned as soon as it looked dusty and new tires sprocket and chain every year regardless.
Well about 2 years ago it wouldnt start, took it to the dealer (by now they have forgotten all about these antiques) and the dealership couldnt work out the problem. He took it home and put it lovingly away where it sat for 18 months. My mate bought the house next door and the pair struck up a friendship, when told my mate was thinking about getting a bike again, the neighbor said i got one you can have cheap, wont start though, its yours for $500. My mate is the electrical guru at work and it took him about 2 hours to narrow it down to a fractured wire from the kill switch, seems the wire got pulled hard enough to break the copper but only stretch the coating. 3 hours work, $2 worth of parts and you have one hell of a bargain.

[Raul CB750K1]

Just last week I was offered a free Suzuki GS500 (10 year old or so). The guy told me he hasn't ride it for a while, the battery is shot, the drivetrain is shot too, and he is planning to buy a more convenient scooter. He was reluctant to pay to have it repaired before selling, so he told me i could have it for free because he knew I'm into bikes.


I accepted on the spot, but two minutes later I refused the offer. I told him that, with 5 bikes, I was not going to ride it, and if I fix it I would sell it and he would not be happy with that.

[my78k]

I have had 2 within the last couple of years and both were free. The first was what dragged me into this madness...my78k (wow so that is how I came up with that name!). It had sat for MANY years outside and my buddy just wanted it gone. He did want to restore it but doesn't have any skill (not that I do) but I was able to get it running but it needed more than I was willing to put into it to make it ready for the street so I sold it to a guy who wanted to do a ground up rebuild into a cafe...still waiting to see if he has had any luck.

The second is my current project...a 1980 CX500. Brother in law blew out the rear shaft drive and the local stealer quoted him like a grand in parts and labour. I got it running in a few hours, hunted down a new final drive which took another few hours to change out....still have a few minor tune up things to do (i.e. set valves and cam chain) and one larger job (fork seals ugh!). But for less than $300 I think it will pass certification and be ready for the road!

Dennis