How much are they worth?

[chuck c]

I'm shopping for a beater project bike under $1000. For that much I'd want a decent runner even if it needs tires and other work. I've seen a couple of early 80s non-runners that will at least need the usual battery, tires, and carb cleaning if not electrical and brake work to be roadworthy. Heck, I've seen a rolling frame with a title asking for $700-800 which sounds insane. The question: what's a non-running, late 70s to early 80s GL worth? A running but ugly beater that needs work but is rideable? Can you give me some guidelines?

Here's a non-runner with low mileage for $600. Good deal? https://reading.craigslist.org/mcy/3828947938.html

 

[David Mantle]

That equates to £400 or thereabouts. Cheap as chips ( french fries ). I`d buy it for spares if nothing else. But who knows with a couple of hours work it might be a runner.

 

[joedrum]

that's not bad price if one knows there wings and looks it over

 

[flash2002]

You can make miracles with a basket case.

 

[zman]

You shouldn't have any trouble finding a good project from free to 500 dollars, maybe 5-800 if it runs. These GL`s dont get nearly the respect that other vintage air cooled bike get mainly because of the style(love em or hate them) and the complicity of their design. So with that they can be harder to sell unless it is a 75-76 model which are finally coming up in value, not a huge increase but people are getting out the money they put into restorations on the 75-76 and even some other select early model like the 78-79`s.
Something like that CL listing is a fair deal if he has the side covers and the bike is complete. You`r going to spend a bunch on rebuilding many parts and you dont want to have to hunt for covers and even matching covers if you plan not to repaint it all.
Low miles is a plus if it is actual miles and hasn't turned over, adult owned and not beat up is most desirable..You don't want to open a can of worms.
If you can wait you will certainly find the right deal, my right deal always shows up after I settle for something less so this time I did not sell my other bike till I had a line on the one I wanted.
Good luck in your search.
By the way dont discout bay, seen many nice clean non runners go for 500 range, as well use a seach engine for CL, something like search tempest and do a search of all the CL`s in your surrounding area. Sometimes it is worth a 50-100 mile drive and a one way truck rental or tow.

 

[Ansimp]

Great advice zman. The Rats Nest was $1000 and Dads 82 $900 both seem to be working out well for our projected 5000 mile trip in August. I would of chased cheaper bikes but only if I could of seen them in the flesh before buying them.

 

[Anonymous]

chuck c » Mon May 27, 2013 12:51 pm[/url]":a3x39dtm]I'm shopping for a beater project bike under $1000. For that much I'd want a decent runner even if it needs tires and other work. I've seen a couple of early 80s non-runners that will at least need the usual battery, tires, and carb cleaning if not electrical and brake work to be roadworthy. Heck, I've seen a rolling frame with a title asking for $700-800 which sounds insane. The question: what's a non-running, late 70s to early 80s GL worth? A running but ugly beater that needs work but is rideable? Can you give me some guidelines?

Here's a non-runner with low mileage for $600. Good deal? https://reading.craigslist.org/mcy/3828947938.html

That looks like a nice bike the hondaline fairing is more valuable than the Vetter (even tho we all know he made both) but myself I'm with zman I wouldn't pay $500 for a non running 1100 - the resale value is not there and there are too many around the $350 mark. A non running 1200 would get my attention or a V65

 

[Omega Man]

I'd offer $400. $500 if it's very low mileage.

~O~

 

[slabghost]

bottom line is nothing is worth a dime more than you are willing to pay. If you think it's a good deal it is. If I can find an 1100 or 1200 under $1000 I'm interested enough to at least look. $500 I'm in a hurry to check out.

 

[chuck c]

flash2002: a very handsome machine. Nicely done!

Thanks for the feedback, it's been helpful. Bike prices around here seem slightly inflated for some reason especially on the <$1500 market. Of course, that applies to cars and trucks too. There's a lot of competition for cheap, decent running vehicles of all kinds these days.

I do not like the Vetter fairing and would probably remove it, but the Honda is much more pleasing to my and eye and more likely to stay on.

There are a boatload of these out there and one will turn up that's not too far away. I'll keep looking.

 

[zman]

Found this one in Mohrsville.
https://reading.craigslist.org/mcy/3773131417.html
https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/mcy/3776941427.html

 

[chuck c]

zman » Mon May 27, 2013 9:15 pm[/url]":9s55jxt4]Found this one in Mohrsville.
https://reading.craigslist.org/mcy/3773131417.html
https://jerseyshore.craigslist.org/mcy/3776941427.html

The one in Mohrsville is a possible but still the distance is a problem as I have no easy way to haul a non-runner. I do have a guy with a trailer that's willing but that distance would take up more of his time and gas than I'm willing to ask of him. The one in NJ has no title and while it is possible to get another it's really not worth it. I have to scratch any without titles for any price over "free, please haul it away". I do appreciate your looking and sending me the links.