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Well...

Posted by Brickboy on March 29, 2025, 8:23 pm

It's a buyer's market, loads of bargains, prices are falling...

Allegedly! Yet there are hardly any bikes I'd give garage room to and endless ranks of ridiculously overpriced junk. What's going on?

Re: Well...

Posted by ChazzyB on March 29, 2025, 8:43 pm, in reply to "Well... "

They're all running scared at the thought of Simon in the market?

To advertise here, please call...

Re: Well...

Posted by Andy C on March 29, 2025, 8:47 pm, in reply to "Well... "

Perhaps just everyone is just depressed

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Well...

Posted by geoff the bonnie on March 29, 2025, 9:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

The bikes being bought at Cheddar Today were mostly Honda stepthroughs. No one wheeled out the old British bikes.
Morini 350 engine complete for Andy and also a DBD34 that had sat for 50 years in a wet barn somewhere.
I did find a pair of CB750 fork legs for the boys bike. Sale was twice the size of Shepton and a helicopter landed to revive a man lying on the floor. Maybe the prices were just too high for him.

Re: Well...

Posted by Andy C on March 30, 2025, 12:12 am, in reply to "Re: Well... "

Did not see the Morini Engine - did see a box of assorted Kawa H1 / H2 bits for sale as a job lot though.

Do you know if the bloke that the air ambulance was called for survived or not ?

I was not that far away when the unfortunate fellow fell from his mobility scooter.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Well...

Posted by laverdabru on March 30, 2025, 8:50 am, in reply to "Re: Well... "

It's a weird thing, as Brickboy says, we are told the market is falling. And given the number of big dealers that have gone tits up recently you'd think we would be flooded with cheap bikes.
Grandson recently got a mortgage, so his modern, very clean, low miles Triumph 675(?) has got to go, as has his Merc. Not trouble getting the Merc sold & buying a smaller car. The bike? Not a sniff. Couple of dealers had a look, didn't get back to him with an offer.
No sign of prices falling at our local large dealer, not that I'd buy a bike from there anyway.

Bru

Re: Well...

Posted by Tonupdave on March 30, 2025, 10:11 am, in reply to "Re: Well... "

Down in Devon Plymouth area is a warehouse full of unsold bikes as at least four motorcycle outlets have gone under Grahams garage has taken some bikes from owners that had bike for on sale . His garage has had no takers but cars are rolling out the doors

Tonupdave..T.U.D.

Re: Well...

Posted by Andy C on March 30, 2025, 12:27 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

Total Triumph in Plymouth was one of the dealers that went last year - that was who I bought my Speedmaster from.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Well...

Posted by geoff the bonnie on March 30, 2025, 11:15 am, in reply to "Re: Well... "

The Morini engine was complete on a stand outside next to the big warehouse. Looked to have been rebuilt as it was very clean. The man who fell off his perch was lying on the ground a long time and he was not on the helicopter when it left.
Someone told me Today, it was a heart attack but not known if he survived. They were not doing much as he was on the ground.

Re: Well...

Posted by nek on March 30, 2025, 12:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

simple fact is there is a glut of bikes out there.

mostly too expensive to run and maintain when old.

Them as have money buy new.

Re: Well...

Posted by Andy C on March 30, 2025, 12:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

Surprised I missed the Morini Engine.

Sounds like the bloke did not make it then, can only hope that if he did not he was doing something he enjoyed when he went.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Well...

Posted by Greeves Rider on March 30, 2025, 2:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

I think the dealers are trying to hold ground, but the likes of Stav Bikes Freddie the fat frog etc have had high priced bikes for sale on eBay for over a year, you would have thought they would cut their losses and move em on. I suppose they are hanging on hoping for prices to rise again, but cant see that happening any time soon, if ever, particularly old British bikes.

Re: Well...

Posted by Will on March 30, 2025, 2:52 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

For the last few years small capacity / lightweight bikes were selling well at the local auctioneers, including the obvious old Brits but also sub-400cc 70s & 80s 4 stroke Japanese bikes.
Now it seems sales of even those have stagnated as buyers are tempted away by brand new bikes that don't require maintenance.
It seems older riders that gave up on kick starting bike old Brits have now have given up fettling as well.
This means they can ride more in the limited active time they have left before their unavoidable appointment with The Grim Reaper.

Re: Well...

Posted by divie on March 30, 2025, 7:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

A Mate sent me a link to the H&H sale at the NMM.
Looks like the scooters made strong money.

Sloper runs again.

Re: Well...

Posted by Andy C on March 31, 2025, 7:05 am, in reply to "Re: Well... "

Probably a lot of truth in what you say Will.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Well...

Posted by geoff the bonnie on March 31, 2025, 7:53 am, in reply to "Re: Well... "

There is a very low mileage Benelli about 18 months old at 2000 pounds travelling around autojumbles but no one has bought it yet. Been on sale at least 9 Months.
Classic cars of the pre 70s have now dropped out of favour so move on if you have a Jaguar E type as they have really dropped off.
A 1970s Ford Escort is now well over 10,000 pounds.
I was thinking of buying a 1960s car but it would just bring hassle with it now.

Re: Well...

Posted by Andy C on March 31, 2025, 12:17 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

Dont buy a 60's car Geoff, have to admit I fancy a Catherham as / when / if I have to give up bikes.

There are some decent ones around at sensible prices, and you don't need the ones with massive amounts of power for them to be fun, in fact I was told by a work colleague who had one that the really powerful ones can be a danger as the back end steps out very easily due to all the weight being at the front.

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Well...

Posted by Lannis on March 31, 2025, 12:50 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

I dreamed of owning and driving a Caterham or other Lotus Seven type car ...

until I actually had the money in my pocket and went to see one for sale.

And tried to sit in it!

Lannis

I don't take health advice from people who think the world is overpopulated.

Re: Well...

Posted by Brickboy on March 31, 2025, 2:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

Lol, Lannis. Back in my poorer days I wanted an MGBGT but could only afford a Midget. I sat in it, couldn't close the roof or indicate right because the indicator stalk was on my knee!!

An MX5 is a different thing though and, although they all rust eventually, they are excellent fun, sound engine and fit even me!

Re: Well...

Posted by Will on March 31, 2025, 3:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

Once a man has reached the stage in life when he can afford a Caterham / Lotus / Ferrari / Lambo etc (delete as applicable) he is usually too decrepit to get in & out of it.

Re: Well...

Posted by Andy C on March 31, 2025, 3:21 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

Best junk the bikes now then Will whilst I am still reasonably fit

Who needs a signature anyway......

Re: Well...

Posted by Lannis on March 31, 2025, 4:12 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

I have an MGC and it is all-day comfortable for me. Triumph TR5 and TR6 are too narrow. XKE Jags...no headroom unless the top is out....

Lannis

I don't take health advice from people who think the world is overpopulated.

Re: Well...

Posted by geoff the bonnie on April 1, 2025, 8:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Well... "

We built a couple of Caterham type cars. One was a stainless steel Robin Hood kit with a 2 litre pinto engine. The other had a 3 litre Ford V6 and a Dutton. Good for short runs but actually crap to use. The 3 litre was exceptionally fast in a half ton body.
I would be looking for something like an Austin A40 like the one i toured all around Britain in back in 1976. 1100 engine and removed the metal cooling fan to gain a few more HP. Quite a fast little car for a 1960 model.
I liked my 2 stroke SAAB and 61 Sunbeam Rapier convertible but best fun was the 65 Mini Cooper and with its wide wheels , it could knock wheel bearings out every 3000 miles and return 24 mpg

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