Commando Inflation?

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rvich

rvich

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Is it my imagination, or are project bikes rapidly getting more expensive? It doesn't seem that a mature, well sorted bike is fetching a whole lot more, but the raw projects are. Right now there is a MkIII on Ebay bidding at near 5-thousand dollars and it isn't running. There is no title. But the good news is the motor is not seized.

Nobody here would ever admit to paying that kind of money for a project bike. So who is? I'm not even sure at 5k that you could part that bike out and come out on it. Although the custom drink holder attached to the handle bar with a hose clamp is a real nice feature.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Norton-N ... 45fa2a96bc
 
Must have been the Skoal tin sitting in the battery tray. Probably come kind of rare find for those who collect such things.
 
Yeah.... to me the starting price was stupid @$2400. that was a $1500 bike... max. (in the old days)
When it's fixed up, will he want $12,500? Who's going to buy it...not me!!!
Are they going to put a good cam in it?

My first MKIII bought in 1994? was $700.( ancient history)
Last spring I bought a 75 MKIII for $2250, it was never registered, it only had 5 mile on it.

However, to me the prices have more to do with the value of the US$ going down the toilet, rather than the "value" of the bikes going up....
If the dollar was worth anything then a gallon of gas would be $2 and a NHT oil pump would still be $150...I just got one through the official norton parts network...list $485?
 
The economy isn't exactly booming along. I would think that stuff like non-running vintage motorcycles would be a buyers market rather than a sellers. I really don't get it. It is had to track Craigslist but Ebay prices have gone up a lot in the last year.

Russ
 
Coming up on Ebay, Rare 750, 850, Norton cup holder. And under that, Rare 750, 850, Cup holder clamp. What you see is what you get, No returns
 
You will notice price increases when you are buying. When you are
selling prices go down.
Some people can make a profit on a bike sale but most of
us just lose money. It is a hobby not a business. It cannot be far
off when us oldsters either cannot ride or are dead and those
younger will not be interested in Commandos. Vincents and
other exotica will hold value, "regular" bikes will not.
Enjoy it now and remember in your rocker later.
 
It says 'mach 111' so it's the fastest Commando that's ever been on here. :)

The bike is relatively un-got-at. Most Commando owners are constantly fiddling and changing and this forum is proof that the majority aren't that bothered by 'matching' numbers' or parts from the same year.

If there is someone out there who wants an original lardy MkIII rather than someone else's interpretation on the Commando theme then there aren't that many out there any more. The new owner will be able to measure and make his own templates for the tank lining and match the colours to his own satisfaction.

There may also be the element of paying for the fun of the project. Why does a jigsaw puzzle cost more than a poster ? It is a phenomenon that has been visible for some years now (in Europe at least) with pre-war bikes. There is hardly a premium paid for a complete bike in good condition when compared with a project.
 
Maybe mach 111 cause it is made by Kawasaki (H1)...then it is really fast and smoky!
Philippe
 
dynodave said:
Yeah.... to me the starting price was stupid @$2400. that was a $1500 bike... max. (in the old days)
When it's fixed up, will he want $12,500? Who's going to buy it...not me!!!
Are they going to put a good cam in it?

My first MKIII bought in 1994? was $700.( ancient history)
Last spring I bought a 75 MKIII for $2250, it was never registered, it only had 5 mile on it.

However, to me the prices have more to do with the value of the US$ going down the toilet, rather than the "value" of the bikes going up....
If the dollar was worth anything then a gallon of gas would be $2 and a NHT oil pump would still be $150...I just got one through the official norton parts network...list $485?
Click to expand...

The problem with $12,500 for a commando is I have to ask what else can I get for that amount......many other choices. In 1997 when I bought my non-runner the going price for a "builder" was $1200.
 
That's crazy. I've only got $5k in mine (including purchase price) and I'm done restoring it!
 
Hi All

Here in Australia good Nortons are selling for over $12.000 and some that need rebuilding are well over $8,000, but some times you can be lucky and get a good project bike cheap, I got a cheap 62 650 for $1,000 only thing missing is the head but so far it has been a chellenge to find a head for it.

Ashley
 
Maybe because the Dollar is weak internationally? More of the Commandos are being taken offshore and sellers are taking advantage of the stronger demand.

JD
 
But that bike was a Norton Commander, not just an ordinary Commando like most of us own. It is worth more, just like the Harley Davisons, and Sporsters that I see for sale. Not to mention the Electro-Glides
 
Onder said:
It cannot be far
off when us oldsters either cannot ride or are dead and those
younger will not be interested in Commandos..
Click to expand...


I am going to be waiting for those days :lol:
 
In 1986 I bought my ugly notrun MK III for $150.00. Then three thousand bucks later I had a runner. I paid $112.00 for a new starter back then cuz mine was rusted up. I've spent a lot more on it since 1986 just to keep it a rider but Like you said, asking prices are high until you want to sell yours... :?


Tim_S
 
Yep Nortons are certainly hot property over here. And yes hundreds of " Imports " constantly coming over.
Sales pitch... "All of our bikes are low millage, because the yanks don't get enough good weather to ride them often "
39 Year old bikes with less than 10,000 mls.... How many do you want sir.
Bit contrary to what you guys say. I often read here about bikes doing 50,000 and more.
No kidding there are more Classic bikes, of all makes, in Australia now than there ever were.
But one with a Beer holder,... Now that might be worth something.
AC.
 
The importation of classic bikes from the US certainly is big business here in OZ. It includes British, European and even 70,s Japanese bikes for Baby Boomers. There are also businesses now importing late model Harleys. They are all making money, probably loads of money.
The rise and rise of the Australian Dollar, just about to hit $1.10US, is also contributing to the import boom. We here also have weathered the GEC much better than most. :mrgreen:
 
Inflated dollars and a very weak economy have combined to solidify the buyer's market here in the 'States.

At least I won't lose as much on my '72 Commando project as I lost on my last ZRX1100 salvage build. It'll also be my last spec bike ever. Good thing I've just about used up all my good spares, I've started new projects with a gas cap, clutch lever and left piston before.
 
Well it seems that my local bike shop here in the UK is sourcing many Commandos from the US plus 450 Ducati street scramblers as well as many others. I bet he pays a lot less than $5000 for them as well. Recently I enquired when the next shipment arrives and he said that there was no point as the Commandos sell before they are put on the ship stateside. Either this one is a one off or someone is selling themselves short in the US on these bikes that are being exported.
 
Madnorton said:
Well it seems that my local bike shop here in the UK is sourcing many Commandos from the US plus 450 Ducati street scramblers as well as many others. I bet he pays a lot less than $5000 for them as well. Recently I enquired when the next shipment arrives and he said that there was no point as the Commandos sell before they are put on the ship stateside. Either this one is a one off or someone is selling themselves short in the US on these bikes that are being exported.
Click to expand...

You can buy Commandos all day long for around $4000 here. With better deals available all the time. That same bike will be how much over in the UK? £6000? Instant profit when you ship in bulk.
 
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