extended welcome to all the new blood..
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
ah coddling......I see it as a soothing sobering jolt into the mechanical world of hard knocks.We were all there once, all bright eyed and bushy tailed.....now that we have our light sabers ...we should remember..... before we were wise.
Welcome to the dark side.....the jet eyes ,amongst us are freindly.
Im so far behind ,that I think Im in first.
Welcome to the dark side.....the jet eyes ,amongst us are freindly.
Im so far behind ,that I think Im in first.
A cheap bike does not stay cheap for long, especially if you don't have TIME or knowledge to do the work yourself. Case in point
1975 honda CB360---$300. Seems like a good deal
Two new tires------$125. Not bad yet
Battery------------ $35. Still a good buy
Shop tuneup, etc $150 OK, time to slow down here
Shop new fork seals $90 Yikes
Blinker lens 5
NY Title fee $50
Used muffler from Coopers
Motorcycle salvage w/ Shipping-
$90 (boy, junk yards get you!)
Now I have $850 invested in a bike worth $500 or so, and I haven't even started on the fun stuff.
Getting my 17 year old son started in Motorcycling----Priceless!
I really hate to think what the "FREE" CB550 will end up costing in the end.
But, this hobby isn't rational at all. It is a disease......the only thing worse is the old sports car disease--they cost more and take up more space--anybody want to buy an Austin Healey Sprite???
Fortunatly, you can fit at least 4 bikes in the space of one car!!!!
Edited by - Jackc on May 24 2007 9:08:24 PM
1975 honda CB360---$300. Seems like a good deal
Two new tires------$125. Not bad yet
Battery------------ $35. Still a good buy
Shop tuneup, etc $150 OK, time to slow down here
Shop new fork seals $90 Yikes
Blinker lens 5
NY Title fee $50
Used muffler from Coopers
Motorcycle salvage w/ Shipping-
$90 (boy, junk yards get you!)
Now I have $850 invested in a bike worth $500 or so, and I haven't even started on the fun stuff.
Getting my 17 year old son started in Motorcycling----Priceless!
I really hate to think what the "FREE" CB550 will end up costing in the end.
But, this hobby isn't rational at all. It is a disease......the only thing worse is the old sports car disease--they cost more and take up more space--anybody want to buy an Austin Healey Sprite???
Fortunatly, you can fit at least 4 bikes in the space of one car!!!!
Edited by - Jackc on May 24 2007 9:08:24 PM
Joined
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4,021 Posts
Do you have a Sprite for sale? My wife LOVES them. I remember when you could get a decent one for a couple grand. Last one I saw for sale was $9000, restorable (... and it was a kind use of the term).
BTW, take a look at the cb360s on eBay. I've just seen a couple go for nearly $2000. I too, have a $300 cb360, but I might think about selling it if I could get that kind of cash for it!
Edited by - judeyramone on May 24 2007 9:08:47 PM
BTW, take a look at the cb360s on eBay. I've just seen a couple go for nearly $2000. I too, have a $300 cb360, but I might think about selling it if I could get that kind of cash for it!
Edited by - judeyramone on May 24 2007 9:08:47 PM
Judy,
I have had sports cars since I was 16. At one time I had 6 sprites in various states of restoration.
What I have left now is a 1963 "square body" sprite. It has side curtains and no outside door handles like a bug eye, but not the bug eye hood or rear clip. I beleive 1961 was the last year for that. It is technically called a Sprite Mark 3 (sq. body, front disc brakes, 1098 engine.
The front end needed to be rebuilt about 10 years ago, so I pulled it out to take to the shop. While in there I figured I would clean up the old grease, etc. It was easier to clean with the fender off, then the motor out....you get the story. Now I have the tub with the rear end attached, the doors on and the trunk lid on. Every thing else is off and I will bet dollars to donuts it will NEVER get back together. To move it I have to make like pushing a wheel barrow by grabing the front bumper brackets, lifting up and pushing. Thats how I put it in the shed 5 years ago, probably couldn't lift it now at my advanced age....
Never thought about selling it, but hey, I could fit 4 small bikes in that space, and move them without needing back surgery..
I have had sports cars since I was 16. At one time I had 6 sprites in various states of restoration.
What I have left now is a 1963 "square body" sprite. It has side curtains and no outside door handles like a bug eye, but not the bug eye hood or rear clip. I beleive 1961 was the last year for that. It is technically called a Sprite Mark 3 (sq. body, front disc brakes, 1098 engine.
The front end needed to be rebuilt about 10 years ago, so I pulled it out to take to the shop. While in there I figured I would clean up the old grease, etc. It was easier to clean with the fender off, then the motor out....you get the story. Now I have the tub with the rear end attached, the doors on and the trunk lid on. Every thing else is off and I will bet dollars to donuts it will NEVER get back together. To move it I have to make like pushing a wheel barrow by grabing the front bumper brackets, lifting up and pushing. Thats how I put it in the shed 5 years ago, probably couldn't lift it now at my advanced age....
Never thought about selling it, but hey, I could fit 4 small bikes in that space, and move them without needing back surgery..
you ain't lying about it adding up -
$50+ shipping on a DID alloy front wheel with hub and good spokes
$50+ shipping on Akront alloy rear wheel+hub
$20 on new intake manifolds
$25 on carb cleaner (bought a big can for my ultrasonic cleaner)
$7 on plugs
$35 on fork seals and dust covers
$25 on filters
$36 on a battery
$55 on title
$52 on new rear spokes (chrome!)
$55 on clip-ons
$0 on front tire (friend gave me a new one, some off-brand)
$50 on tank
$10 bucks on oil
$10 bucks on fuel line
still to come:
* all new cables
* mirrors
* new brake line
* new rear tire
* rearsets
* headers
* mufflers
* seat
* various bits of sheetmetal
* paint
* enough beer to forget how much all this costs
why anyone does this is beyond me <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Edited by - borzwazie on May 24 2007 10:36:59 PM
$50+ shipping on a DID alloy front wheel with hub and good spokes
$50+ shipping on Akront alloy rear wheel+hub
$20 on new intake manifolds
$25 on carb cleaner (bought a big can for my ultrasonic cleaner)
$7 on plugs
$35 on fork seals and dust covers
$25 on filters
$36 on a battery
$55 on title
$52 on new rear spokes (chrome!)
$55 on clip-ons
$0 on front tire (friend gave me a new one, some off-brand)
$50 on tank
$10 bucks on oil
$10 bucks on fuel line
still to come:
* all new cables
* mirrors
* new brake line
* new rear tire
* rearsets
* headers
* mufflers
* seat
* various bits of sheetmetal
* paint
* enough beer to forget how much all this costs
why anyone does this is beyond me <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>
Edited by - borzwazie on May 24 2007 10:36:59 PM
Joined
·
532 Posts
Jack,
I bought a new Bug Eye in 1961 for $1730.00 Great little car, won many trophies at Autocross races. Used to beat up on Corvettes which was great fun.
Then I bought a bike...end of sports car.
Frank
The MkI Sprites are still popular with the sports car racing group. You would be surprised what they will pay for a clean tub, or a good ribcase trans. In the racing world, they are referred to as "Spridgets" for obvious reasons.
I had a '59 Bugeye at one time that I sold in '77 to buy a 3000 MKIII that I still drive on nice weekends.
Dave
84 Nighthawk 650
Bultaco M11
Bultaco M82
Bultaco M105
Montesa 28M
I had a '59 Bugeye at one time that I sold in '77 to buy a 3000 MKIII that I still drive on nice weekends.
Dave
84 Nighthawk 650
Bultaco M11
Bultaco M82
Bultaco M105
Montesa 28M
I was the King of Austin Healeys in the North East for years was Healey tech advisor at Mount Washington Healey meet and have had more healeys and sprites and have restored over 20 big healeys and a dozen sprites bugeyes and spridgits.I was into sprites when the big healey guys didnt consider them part of the Marque .I have also worked on and trained guys that are in magazines now toting themselves as experts.
Bikes just take less time a money.
Now that you guys understand the cost of a vintage car or bike.You need to understand you dont let them go for cheap when you sell them thats what makes the value go up,the guys that hold out and sell their restored or up graded cafe bike "for what it costs you" so you dont lose.
It happens all the time in restoration business a guy restores it then dumps it on the market cheap (not a good idea).
The rich guys hold their asking price till they get it ,the average guys says "you never get out of it what you put into it" wrong wrong wrong just need to market it better.
Do what the rich guys do ....look at the barret auctions thee are shops buying wrecks ,restoring them and getting paid you do the same dont be silly and let it go for nothing after your done .
End of lesson.
Im so far behind ,that I think Im in first.
Bikes just take less time a money.
Now that you guys understand the cost of a vintage car or bike.You need to understand you dont let them go for cheap when you sell them thats what makes the value go up,the guys that hold out and sell their restored or up graded cafe bike "for what it costs you" so you dont lose.
It happens all the time in restoration business a guy restores it then dumps it on the market cheap (not a good idea).
The rich guys hold their asking price till they get it ,the average guys says "you never get out of it what you put into it" wrong wrong wrong just need to market it better.
Do what the rich guys do ....look at the barret auctions thee are shops buying wrecks ,restoring them and getting paid you do the same dont be silly and let it go for nothing after your done .
End of lesson.
Im so far behind ,that I think Im in first.
LiLBull,
Did you attend Conclave in Cincinnati in 1986. I was chair of the event and was excited to have Donald here as well as 'Goldie'
I wonder if you were at any of the races in 1990 for the Healey Challenge. Bill Chatham brought DD300 over here for those events.
I recently saw 2 BJ8s go at Barrett Jackson for over 100K. Your advive is well taken in that it makes sense to hold out and not be in a hurry. Then again.....mine isn't for sale. It's a survivor an I could never replace it.
Thanks for your insight.
Dave
84 Nighthawk 650
Bultaco M11
Bultaco M82
Bultaco M105
Montesa 28M
Did you attend Conclave in Cincinnati in 1986. I was chair of the event and was excited to have Donald here as well as 'Goldie'
I wonder if you were at any of the races in 1990 for the Healey Challenge. Bill Chatham brought DD300 over here for those events.
I recently saw 2 BJ8s go at Barrett Jackson for over 100K. Your advive is well taken in that it makes sense to hold out and not be in a hurry. Then again.....mine isn't for sale. It's a survivor an I could never replace it.
Thanks for your insight.
Dave
84 Nighthawk 650
Bultaco M11
Bultaco M82
Bultaco M105
Montesa 28M
thats the problem when you run your own shop,all my customers went to the events ,showed their cars i restored for them,my wife would be upset we didnt make the events like we did before i owned the shop.
I so happened was invited as a tech spokesman for the North East Healey club.for the Mount Washington event.It was put on by Dave Altman,Bob Abbot .
trying to convince the newbies to switch to transister ingnitions,fuel pumps and electric cooling fans for weekends drives that made their cars "dependable".
I must have fixed three fuel pumps and a starter in the parking lot over the event.Also set some carbs and minor adjustments for guys that drove a long way and mechanical isssues sprung up.
I did speak to Geoff on the phone on a few occassions about the time I was going to import replica frogeye sprites from the isle in britain.(The Frog Eye company) was sold into japan.
I have been into Healeys before there were buyers guides books about them.
My first one was a right hand drive buge eye,I had side curtain sprites ,100-4,and 3000 roadster.
And I have ground up restored so many healeys in my old shop.
Now I moved to Fl a year and a half ago and build a cafe or two.
Im so far behind ,that I think Im in first.
I so happened was invited as a tech spokesman for the North East Healey club.for the Mount Washington event.It was put on by Dave Altman,Bob Abbot .
trying to convince the newbies to switch to transister ingnitions,fuel pumps and electric cooling fans for weekends drives that made their cars "dependable".
I must have fixed three fuel pumps and a starter in the parking lot over the event.Also set some carbs and minor adjustments for guys that drove a long way and mechanical isssues sprung up.
I did speak to Geoff on the phone on a few occassions about the time I was going to import replica frogeye sprites from the isle in britain.(The Frog Eye company) was sold into japan.
I have been into Healeys before there were buyers guides books about them.
My first one was a right hand drive buge eye,I had side curtain sprites ,100-4,and 3000 roadster.
And I have ground up restored so many healeys in my old shop.
Now I moved to Fl a year and a half ago and build a cafe or two.
Im so far behind ,that I think Im in first.
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
