New 1970
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 7,904
From: Long Island, New York
This topic interests me because this happens in my business as well. You would know what it takes physically / mentally and financially to buy and make a bike as correct as you're wanting. You know its not possible without losing money to restore and sell such a bike so the question is are there others on the market for that asking price that fit your expectations? Where does someone draw the line and walk away saying its too much? You can't buy and restore that bike today for 22K so why is it such a bad deal? To me unless someone is selling a dead relatives bike you wont get that bike for 15K. Its nice to score a deal and we all have but I would rather just pay close to, if not the asking price, to get the bike I want NOW because tomorrow I could be dead. If the bike checked off the boxes and I had to pay to get it then I would, then its in my garage knowing I got it for less than it would cost to do myself not to mention the time factor to restore it.
And I agree with you, you probably couldn't duplicate that bike for $16k, but that doesn't mean it is worth $22k. As always, my opinion only.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,055
Likes: 8,080
From: Canada
I agree it is one pretty bike and if it runs and rides as well as she looks, worth all the money. But I believe all the money for a 1970 is $16k. That bike has been on the Bay for at least 2 months at $22k, to me the market has spoken that $22k is too much for 1970, genny shovel and she would have sold two months ago. Most of the items I listed to fix are $100/$200 items, so my question is why didn't we do it right if we went so far with the rest of the bike. The black jugs are a serious oops in my opinion for a high caliber restoration. Which would then make me question other potential issues etc, etc, etc.
And I agree with you, you probably couldn't duplicate that bike for $16k, but that doesn't mean it is worth $22k. As always, my opinion only.
And I agree with you, you probably couldn't duplicate that bike for $16k, but that doesn't mean it is worth $22k. As always, my opinion only.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 16
Likes: 2
From: connecticut
First I want to thank everyone for your comments. I am clear on how to ensure I can register it. As to what it is worth, for me that is the eye of the beholder question. I want a good looking, good riding, vintage bike. If I pay more then some think it is worth so be it. My shopping around has not seen any in this shape at any price. I have seen a few in the 16-18 but all need significant work, which I am not interested in doing. Again I appreciate everyone's input. Denis
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,055
Likes: 8,080
From: Canada
First I want to thank everyone for your comments. I am clear on how to ensure I can register it. As to what it is worth, for me that is the eye of the beholder question. I want a good looking, good riding, vintage bike. If I pay more then some think it is worth so be it. My shopping around has not seen any in this shape at any price. I have seen a few in the 16-18 but all need significant work, which I am not interested in doing. Again I appreciate everyone's input. Denis
Congrats in advance.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
Craig Jackson said something one day that stuck with me (among many things he said that I disagree with) when he said "You can never pay too much, you can only buy too soon". There's some truth to that statement that if carefully applied to each situation can help make sense of a purchase. I guess something that comes into play for me is the availability here at the north pole. That can drive up the price and it only hurts when you write the check.
in my business I have sold many many to soon as well - it works both ways but at the time it was right money for the piece
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 8,055
Likes: 8,080
From: Canada
I agree it works both ways. And 2 months isn't very long in my opinion to have a luxury item listed for sale. So now to turn the saying around that I absolutely despise," its only worth what someone is willing to pay". It's always tossed around when a bike or car sells cheap and everyone agrees thats what its worth based on what it sold for. What about if this bike sells for 21 or 20K? Isn't this now going the other way and now its worth that raising the bar or if something sells high its an anomaly but correct if its low?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 2,168
From: australia
i have at times looked at buying a bike and looked at the asking price and thought "he must be tripping", only to see the same double in price after five years......surely an original shovel is a desireable thing but as IMO the shovel would have to be the most customized bike in town. i paid a small fortune for my 82 flh with 3900miles the only thing non original was the carb, BUT iam a very happy customer .So if you are happy with it .....buy it
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 12,878
Likes: 5,449
From: la la land jerzey
been in that seat both ways - we had talked about that - in 1995 I got 19,500.00 for a flat side 1969 FLH was it a stunning - yes - was that over the top money not to the guy who wanted it
