project bike qquestion
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Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: chicago
project bike qquestion
Looking for a late winter project. What Im looking for is something to work on that I can sell in the spring or early summer. Im not looking to make a killing, but I can't affort to take a hit or be stuck with a third bike(although Id love to have a third bike, its just not in the financess now) What Im wondering is if this is even possible being a buyers market. Been watching craigslist and the prices are all over the place so its hard to get a grip on what these bikes are going for. Thinkin about a shovelhead, or a 1990z softail or dyna. Any thoughts ?????
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: La Verne, Ca
I'll probably get flamed for this, but if you want to make money, buy up cheap rice, rattle can them flat black, drill speed holes in the side covers, affix the appropriate SOA stickers and list them on CL. Profit!
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: La Verne, Ca
I wasn't kidding. I know this is blasphemey but it's hard to flip Harleys. Almost every Harley on CL, junk or finished, is overpriced. If not, it's gone in seconds. There is almost no way to score a bargain. If you don't buy cheap, you won't make money, you will lose it. Most people who would be interested in the vintage you are talking about are usually more than capable to wrench the bike themselves. Why would they pay you what your time is worth when they could just buy a bike and do the same? Add parts to the mix and you're out of the ballpark for pricing and profit.
You can pick up Japanese junk out of suburban garages all day long for a couple hundred each. Clean the bike, clean the carbs, change the oil, the battery, do the brakes, air up the tires, and they are good to go for at least a thousand. If the gauges,fenders, fairings, or side panels are missing, turn them into "Bobbers" or "Cafe Racers" and you go up to $1500 to $2000. If you wind up with a bike that's to far gone, part it out on Ebay.
You can pick up Japanese junk out of suburban garages all day long for a couple hundred each. Clean the bike, clean the carbs, change the oil, the battery, do the brakes, air up the tires, and they are good to go for at least a thousand. If the gauges,fenders, fairings, or side panels are missing, turn them into "Bobbers" or "Cafe Racers" and you go up to $1500 to $2000. If you wind up with a bike that's to far gone, part it out on Ebay.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: La Verne, Ca
I just checked Chicago CL and the asking prices for junk are insane. I went through 5 pages and couldn't find one candidate. It looks like this guy is already doing it without even cleaning them up:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mcd/2807600261.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mcd/2807635510.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mcd/2810946099.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mcd/2813998149.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mcd/2807600261.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mcd/2807635510.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mcd/2810946099.html
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mcd/2813998149.html
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: FL
Yeah d bc58 is right....thought I could fix and flip an 80' sporty...picked one up for $1600....spent $700 and alot of time/effort...after 6 months...sold it for $1600....fun project and I learned alot....real beast to ride BTW...like a brick with a torquey motor....
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Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: chicago
Thanks for the advice, kinda what I thought i would hear. Ill keep my eyes open, ya never know.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
I agree with dbc58 regarding a jap bike and here is one that would be perfect if the bidding doesn't get crazy on it. I was even thinking about putting a bid in on it.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180803018047...84.m1438.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/180803018047...84.m1438.l2649
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 8
From: Vancouver Island British Colombia Canada
If ya get a barn find or an estate sale, your doin' good. If you take a Goldwing & rip all the tupperware off & turn it into a bobber, you have one of the fastest bar hoppers for miles around!
You can look at trike kits for bikes & think about that route. Could make some coin that way!
what I do for fast cash is look for ugly ol' trailers that are $50 or free. I weld em up strait, re wire them. new plywood & paint all for about a hun, than flog them for $500 within 3 days.
Hatch.
You can look at trike kits for bikes & think about that route. Could make some coin that way!
what I do for fast cash is look for ugly ol' trailers that are $50 or free. I weld em up strait, re wire them. new plywood & paint all for about a hun, than flog them for $500 within 3 days.
Hatch.
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