Is a bike like this really worth this much?

[Doggy Boy]

For the record I'd rather pay a little too much for a used bike in good shape than a lot too much for a brand new one.

To each his own. Yes a new bike is more $ but to some it is peace of mind and the satisfaction that you are the first owner, first rider. It is a relative thing. I bought a new import, could not afford the domestic - don't see the value.

A new bike costs more - is worth more. Part of the fun of buying new is looking/shopping, negotiating, riding and keeping it new. It is probably the same looking for a used bike.

That bike bought with 39k on it saw a lot of road time and no doubt was worth the $ new if it lasted that long.
A new bike will depreciate sure in the first yrs, but the value levels off after that and if you hang on to it and take care of it you have essentially a new bike. Too many sell that new bike after the first few payments come due during the winter months. A lot of money is left on the table.

I like getting good deals, but don't allways need to.

I've seen used bmw vintage bikes for 6k. For some that is too much $ - for someone with money or who does not have a problem spending money or really really wants the bike or whatever it ain't no biggie. It isn't allways about the $

Just an observation -seems vintage guys are as much about being seen as the chrome junkies.

The road of bike ownership takes many turns

Happy new year.

[cb360]

For the record I'd rather pay a little too much for a used bike in good shape than a lot too much for a brand new one.

To each his own. Yes a new bike is more $ but to some it is peace of mind and the satisfaction that you are the first owner, first rider. It is a relative thing. I bought a new import, could not afford the domestic - don't see the value.

A new bike costs more - is worth more. Part of the fun of buying new is looking/shopping, negotiating, riding and keeping it new. It is probably the same looking for a used bike.

That bike bought with 39k on it saw a lot of road time and no doubt was worth the $ new if it lasted that long.
A new bike will depreciate sure in the first yrs, but the value levels off after that and if you hang on to it and take care of it you have essentially a new bike. Too many sell that new bike after the first few payments come due during the winter months. A lot of money is left on the table.

I like getting good deals, but don't allways need to.

I've seen used bmw vintage bikes for 6k. For some that is too much $ - for someone with money or who does not have a problem spending money or really really wants the bike or whatever it ain't no biggie. It isn't allways about the $

Just an observation -seems vintage guys are as much about being seen as the chrome junkies.

The road of bike ownership takes many turns

Happy new year.

Are you saying I bought a 20 year old Magna 700 wit 39k on it for $900 because I wanted to be seen on it? Um... ok. It runs great and starts every time and I love riding it. If I didn't love it and it wasn't reliable and the price wasn't low enough, well, then I wouldn't have bought it. My motorcycles come out of my discretionary income - I'm a frugal dude when it comes to vehicles, always have been and it serves me well. Perhaps I know a little too much about economics, but I'm not paying retail for a brand new vehicle no matter how much cash is in the bank. I realize you think differently about this. That is totally fine.

[flynrider]

I'm of the opinion that the popularity of the 70s and 80s UJMs comes from folks that used to ride 'em back then and are getting back into motorcycling. I'm in that crowd, except that I never stopped riding. The bikes are still popular because you can't really buy a good ol' standard motorcycle anymore. In the mid to late 80s bikes diverged into cruisers and sportbikes and the standard bike virtually disappeared. The factories make standard-like bikes these days such as the XV-650 and the Z750s, but it's not quite what us old geezers think of when we think "standard". The last real standards were Kawaski's Zephyr series and Honda's Nighthawk retro bikes in the 90s.

One of the other things driving the popularity of the old UJMs is that they were built in large quantities and they were cheap (and should still be so). If anyone tries to sell you a UJM for big bucks by telling you it's valuable because of its rarety, just move on. The UJMs that are truly rare, are that way because nobody bought 'em. Those are the ones you'll have trouble finding parts for.

[cb360]

The bikes are still popular because you can't really buy a good ol' standard motorcycle anymore.

Amen flynrider. I get on the 700 if I need to go far or fast or take my wife. But if I just feel like taking a little ride for a few miles for the fun of it I go for the cb360. I really like sitting up tall on an old standard and the sportbike seating position just doesn't suit me. I'm really envious of the European market for their access to midsize standard motorcycles.

[paul246]

It is worth whatever the market will bear.

Older Japanese bikes ARE steadily going up in value. I know a fella that has an internet business based solely on NOS parts from old dealer stocks and bikes that he buys up and restores or parts out. He is very busy and making a tremendous profit over his original investments. Some people just have that kind of foresight, wish I did.

I buy used and brand new, just depends on what I'm after.

I like older Japanese bikes for the simple fact that they are very similar to what they were when new... they start right up and run like clockwork.

That is also why I buy new Japanese bikes, plus a number of other good reasons. But hey, I like 'em all if they are motorcycles!

[Doggy Boy]

CB360 wrote "Are you saying I bought a 20 year old Magna 700 wit 39k on it for $900 because I wanted to be seen on it? Um... ok. It runs great and starts every time and I love riding it. If I didn't love it and it wasn't reliable and the price wasn't low enough, well, then I wouldn't have bought it. My motorcycles come out of my discretionary income - I'm a frugal dude when it comes to vehicles, always have been and it serves me well. Perhaps I know a little too much about economics, but I'm not paying retail for a brand new vehicle no matter how much cash is in the bank. I realize you think differently about this. That is totally fine."

Not saying anything about you or your bike; though it doesn't come to mind as a vintage.
MSRP is just that, a suggested retail price. I have seen/heard of bikes go way below that. That is a function of economics too. What I am trying to say is, it is not allways about that. Hey why to guys spend $$$ modifying perfectly good brand new bikes? They love doing it. Buying a new bike was a joy - it cost me, but I got/get a lot of enjoyment out of it - for me it was worth the money.
That said I drive a beat up truck. I could afford a newer one but don't want one it is just going to end up the way the one I have looks. I don't see the return on that investment. Frugal is good, I would not advocate for cheap though.

cheers.

[cb360]

No harm, no foul doggyboy - different strokes and all that. Older motorcycles certainly aren't for everyone and if you don't know a little bit about what you are doing you can end up spending more on the old ones than you do on the new ones. That's all part of the journey for me. If I had the time to take longer rides and do some serious touring I'd be looking for a new bike... of course 'new to me would be something 3 or 4 yearls old with low miles, but you know what mean.

Paul246 - that are some sweet bikes and a sweet pup! Gummiente has me spoiling for a Ural so I can take my golden retriever for a ride What are the models of those old hondas? Is that a cl450 on the right?

[paul246]

Paul246 - that are some sweet bikes and a sweet pup! Gummiente has me spoiling for a Ural so I can take my golden retriever for a ride What are the models of those old hondas? Is that a cl450 on the right?

Thanks,

The bike on the far left is a 1965 Honda C200 (87cc cast iron cylinder and head with pushrods) and the bike on the far right is a 1973 CL350.

I tried to get Hannah, my dog, to ride in a bicycle trailer..no way!!
Before I invest in a sidecar set-up for her I'll see if I can rent one for half a day from a guy I know that has one. Anybody in the market for a nice dog trailer???

[cb360]

Thanks - I love those high pipes. I'll have an old scrambler one of these days...

[storysunfolding]

Ok,

So I went to look at the bike, and it's not quite what I expected. If I wanted to fix it up to ride a bit until spring and then sell it, what do you think I'd be able to get for it assuming the following

-40k miles
-good tires
-small rip in seat
-Broken kickstand
-grey primer sprayed on rusting screws with a bit of overspray on the blacked out engine. Is that something alittle acetone would take off without taking off the engine paint?
-no rust in tank
-chrome in good condition
-paint in good condition