Commando prices...

Status
Not open for further replies.
jbruney said:
I know you guys have taken note of these asinine labels that have been put on everyone...Kind of shows the basic ignorance of mankind right there. I only hope you younger folks do a better job of it than we did. We've been riding through waving the laurels & banners of our fathers & grandfathers doing much less than they for sure..
Click to expand...
Speak for yourself.

I have worked HARD, literally by the sweat of my brow, in the South Texas heat, for ALMOST 50 years, up until just under a year ago.

No, I didn't charge any beaches an ocean away, or take any hills surrounding a rice paddy, nor did I dodge IEDs in the desert. I was a peacetime warrior maintaining ground support equipment on a quiet Navy base; but I signed on the dotted line to go wherever they sent me and take one for the team if need be. Thank God, we weren't called during my tour.

I raised my kids to do chores, just like I had to. I raised them to work for their own money when they were old enough, just like I did. I raised them to do the right things, and they wandered off the path a time or two, BETTER than I did.

The only time I wave laurels or banners is on Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, and the 4th of July; honoring those before me, and as humbly as I can, accepting the small honors of a free dinner out with my buddies who also served.

So maybe I did less than my father, who suffered a significant shrapnel injury when his ship was Kamikazi'ed in WWII, but his example and direction made me ready to stand up for MY kids if the need ever arose (I'm still ready).

I'd be satisfied if the younger generation did at least as good a job as I did. I suppose I'd better reserve judgement for another decade or two, there's still a fair chance they can clean up the mess they've made... (mine are certainly doing their part)
 
Last edited:
Fast Eddie said:
Oh well, if there’s no future market for these things then we’d best thrash ‘em and blow ‘em up while we can !!
Click to expand...
Thankfully, over my lifetime owning almost 170 bikes, I'm $50K to the good, and still have 18 of 'em.

So, If I completely trash them all, I'll die ahead of the game.

Maybe I'll chop the Dreer prototype bike, and turn my Interstate into a trike for my dotage...
 
I'll chime in :) Still learning an every day is a learning day but I've gained a bit of experience along the way.

Being 30 an classic bike obsessed.
Had the following bikes an still got a fair few of them.
rs125,gsxr600,gsxr750 k9,cbr1000rr 2011 gsxr 750 L1,rzv500r,rd350lc x2,rd250lc, rd250c, 675 ex tt race bike, 350tz,1200gsate,800gs,883iron, gsx750et,the 650ss an the commando probably a few I've left of the list. in not particular order although my first as a kid restoring with dad was one of the 350lc's.
working 70+ hour weeks to fund them.

So it's been interesting watching the prices on a variety of bikes over the years as well as commando's the elsies have quadrupled from what I paid initially maybe a bit more. The rzv500 which i owned for a week before the shop took it back due to a major issue. Those didnt go as stratospheric as everyone seemed to think in my opinion.

It was interesting watching the H&H auction the other week a SS went bananas bids wise I actually had a bid on that but it outpaced me a bit. Yet a Vincent stalled at 80k I can dream haha one day!

I read something in a mag about a classic dealer mentioning bonnies etc dropping but I don't completely agree not the spot on ones they still fetch strong money.

I think alot has to the amount of bikes in the market at one time the time of year, as much as we all hate to admit it the numbers thing although of little consequence to the performance does affect the value. As does providence I think that's the biggest thing.

To take a look at the elsie market the uk is getting flooded currently by 250lc imports I just let my import go an kept my uk one as the prices have dipped where the uk bikes have shot up a bit all about the rarity factor from a price point of view.


I remember a few years back when flat tankers were cheap to pick up boy do I wish I'd bought a couple same bikes are 10k plus.

I agree with Eddie though saw a couple of Commando's that I thought would fly off stall recently which was weird then others go nuts. The thing the adverts never tell you though is whats properly wrong.

Best case was driving up to Scotland to pick a rd250c 1977 Yamaha up that I won on ebay only to get there to find the bike possibly owned by a enthusiast was at a scrap yard got texted a different post code before 5 mins on arrival and the lovely pictures of the bike running with receipts turned out to have no receipts and it was on a milk crate looking like it had been dragged out of a river lol luckily I walked away and picked a far better one up through the owners club, that still needed plenty of work though from being a runner an regular user, within 30 mins at home found brake pistons seized in on one side, ended up getting the oil pump rebuilt, new tyres as they had a spit in them etc etc before I even went out on her sweet as a nut now but took another grand or so which I'd budgeted.

Then on the flip side my own Commando bought from a self proclaimed 'expert' who was a nightmare to deal with it had been used as a show bike an looked epic. Rocker spindles all fitted in the wrong direction, blast media in the cylinder head took out most of the engine on me promptly after me using her endless amount of over tightened bolts. Luckily I stripped it before she let go but maybe some people with more experience than me at the time would have spotted the signs. Knowing what I know now I would for sure! Although I still would have bought it haha was after a 68' for years just not at what I paid.

Are some great bikes out there though like my 650ss one slight issue now but original owner had her since new stacks of paperwork even the original warranty card brochure bill of sale with the postage stamp etc an a pleasure to deal with.

So maybe that's why some are not flying of the handle yet some are up near 10-13k providence and when viewed everything checked out.

Regarding originality as long as you have the original parts in boxes who cares I remember when I first got my SS an wanted to make her look like a Domiracer I think the interest wained ever so slightly on her from all the constant messages I got at the time over it which was a shame looking back I could have even learnt to make the tank etc and stuff like that which would have produced skills for the future still young enough to learn them though . Looking back I should have got the unity tanks etc as they are now gone an just kept the original gear in the box. Can see me getting another 650ss at some point to go along with my current one. So I guess as much as anything its how people approach getting youngsters into the bikes more than anything nurture interest rather than bemoan it an then hopefully we will have plenty of Commando riders and Dommie riders for generations to come.

I find it really cool next doors lil ones soon as a bikes out they come out with there dad an dive on an sit on them if they broke something so what scratch em so what fixable :) seeing the smiles on the faces is priceless.

It's quite interesting from my point of view as I'm probably going against the trend slightly of Japanese bikes next as I sell the majority of them off for another Norton or a Comet maybe even a flat tanker who knows but I guess the point I'm trying to make is I'm 30 an I'm interested in pre war bikes an know of a few others who are to so not all is lost just up to everyone to keep passing the unwritten info on so all these bikes can still be ran in the future otherwise people are not gonna have a clue. I know for me every day is a learning day :) an I'm always grateful for all the info.

Most of the generation of Brough owners are gone although those bikes are still fetching huge money so guess there's hope for the commando's
 
Last edited:
norton_rider said:
I'll chime in :) Still learning an every day is a learning day but I've gained a bit of experience along the way.

Being 30 an classic bike obsessed.
Had the following bikes an still got a fair few of them.
rs125,gsxr600,gsxr750 k9,cbr1000rr 2011 gsxr 750 L1,rzv500r,rd350lc x2,rd250lc, rd250c, 675 ex tt race bike, 350tz,1200gsate,800gs,883iron, gsx750et,the 650ss an the commando probably a few I've left of the list. in not particular order although my first as a kid restoring with dad was one of the 350lc's.
working 70+ hour weeks to fund them.

So it's been interesting watching the prices on a variety of bikes over the years as well as commando's the elsies have quadrupled from what I paid initially maybe a bit more. The rzv500 which i owned for a week before the shop took it back due to a major issue. Those didnt go as stratospheric as everyone seemed to think in my opinion.

It was interesting watching the H&H auction the other week a SS went bananas bids wise I actually had a bid on that but it outpaced me a bit. Yet a Vincent stalled at 80k I can dream haha one day!

I read something in a mag about a classic dealer mentioning bonnies etc dropping but I don't completely agree not the spot on ones they still fetch strong money.

I think alot has to the amount of bikes in the market at one time the time of year, as much as we all hate to admit it the numbers thing although of little consequence to the performance does affect the value. As does providence I think that's the biggest thing.

To take a look at the elsie market the uk is getting flooded currently by 250lc imports I just let my import go an kept my uk one as the prices have dipped where the uk bikes have shot up a bit all about the rarity factor from a price point of view.


I remember a few years back when flat tankers were cheap to pick up boy do I wish I'd bought a couple same bikes are 10k plus.

I agree with Eddie though saw a couple of Commando's that I thought would fly off stall recently which was weird then others go nuts. The thing the adverts never tell you though is whats properly wrong.

Best case was driving up to Scotland to pick a rd250c 1977 Yamaha up that I won on ebay only to get there to find the bike possibly owned by a enthusiast was at a scrap yard got texted a different post code before 5 mins on arrival and the lovely pictures of the bike running with receipts turned out to have no receipts and it was on a milk crate looking like it had been dragged out of a river lol luckily I walked away and picked a far better one up through the owners club, that still needed plenty of work though from being a runner an regular user, within 30 mins at home found brake pistons seized in on one side, ended up getting the oil pump rebuilt, new tyres as they had a spit in them etc etc before I even went out on her sweet as a nut now but took another grand or so which I'd budgeted.

Then on the flip side my own Commando bought from a self proclaimed 'expert' who was a nightmare to deal with it had been used as a show bike an looked epic. Rocker spindles all fitted in the wrong direction, blast media in the cylinder head took out most of the engine on me promptly after me using her endless amount of over tightened bolts. Luckily I stripped it before she let go but maybe some people with more experience than me at the time would have spotted the signs. Knowing what I know now I would for sure! Although I still would have bought it haha was after a 68' for years just not at what I paid.

Are some great bikes out there though like my 650ss one slight issue now but original owner had her since new stacks of paperwork even the original warranty card brochure bill of sale with the postage stamp etc an a pleasure to deal with.

So maybe that's why some are not flying of the handle yet some are up near 10-13k providence and when viewed everything checked out.

Regarding originality as long as you have the original parts in boxes who cares I remember when I first got my SS an wanted to make her look like a Domiracer I think the interest wained ever so slightly on her from all the constant messages I got at the time over it which was a shame looking back I could have even learnt to make the tank etc and stuff like that which would have produced skills for the future still young enough to learn them though . Looking back I should have got the unity tanks etc as they are now gone an just kept the original gear in the box. Can see me getting another 650ss at some point to go along with my current one. So I guess as much as anything its how people approach getting youngsters into the bikes more than anything nurture interest rather than bemoan it an then hopefully we will have plenty of Commando riders and Dommie riders for generations to come.

I find it really cool next doors lil ones soon as a bikes out they come out with there dad an dive on an sit on them if they broke something so what scratch em so what fixable :) seeing the smiles on the faces is priceless.

It's quite interesting from my point of view as I'm probably going against the trend slightly of Japanese bikes next as I sell the majority of them off for another Norton or a Comet maybe even a flat tanker who knows but I guess the point I'm trying to make is I'm 30 an I'm interested in pre war bikes an know of a few others who are to so not all is lost just up to everyone to keep passing the unwritten info on so all these bikes can still be ran in the future otherwise people are not gonna have a clue. I know for me every day is a learning day :) an I'm always grateful for all the info.
Click to expand...
IMHO different country, different markets
 
norton_rider said:
I'll chime in :) Still learning an every day is a learning day but I've gained a bit of experience along the way.

Being 30 an classic bike obsessed.
Had the following bikes an still got a fair few of them.
rs125,gsxr600,gsxr750 k9,cbr1000rr 2011 gsxr 750 L1,rzv500r,rd350lc x2,rd250lc, rd250c, 675 ex tt race bike, 350tz,1200gsate,800gs,883iron, gsx750et,the 650ss an the commando probably a few I've left of the list. in not particular order although my first as a kid restoring with dad was one of the 350lc's.
working 70+ hour weeks to fund them.

So it's been interesting watching the prices on a variety of bikes over the years as well as commando's the elsies have quadrupled from what I paid initially maybe a bit more. The rzv500 which i owned for a week before the shop took it back due to a major issue. Those didnt go as stratospheric as everyone seemed to think in my opinion.

It was interesting watching the H&H auction the other week a SS went bananas bids wise I actually had a bid on that but it outpaced me a bit. Yet a Vincent stalled at 80k I can dream haha one day!

I read something in a mag about a classic dealer mentioning bonnies etc dropping but I don't completely agree not the spot on ones they still fetch strong money.

I think alot has to the amount of bikes in the market at one time the time of year, as much as we all hate to admit it the numbers thing although of little consequence to the performance does affect the value. As does providence I think that's the biggest thing.

To take a look at the elsie market the uk is getting flooded currently by 250lc imports I just let my import go an kept my uk one as the prices have dipped where the uk bikes have shot up a bit all about the rarity factor from a price point of view.


I remember a few years back when flat tankers were cheap to pick up boy do I wish I'd bought a couple same bikes are 10k plus.

I agree with Eddie though saw a couple of Commando's that I thought would fly off stall recently which was weird then others go nuts. The thing the adverts never tell you though is whats properly wrong.

Best case was driving up to Scotland to pick a rd250c 1977 Yamaha up that I won on ebay only to get there to find the bike possibly owned by a enthusiast was at a scrap yard got texted a different post code before 5 mins on arrival and the lovely pictures of the bike running with receipts turned out to have no receipts and it was on a milk crate looking like it had been dragged out of a river lol luckily I walked away and picked a far better one up through the owners club, that still needed plenty of work though from being a runner an regular user, within 30 mins at home found brake pistons seized in on one side, ended up getting the oil pump rebuilt, new tyres as they had a spit in them etc etc before I even went out on her sweet as a nut now but took another grand or so which I'd budgeted.

Then on the flip side my own Commando bought from a self proclaimed 'expert' who was a nightmare to deal with it had been used as a show bike an looked epic. Rocker spindles all fitted in the wrong direction, blast media in the cylinder head took out most of the engine on me promptly after me using her endless amount of over tightened bolts. Luckily I stripped it before she let go but maybe some people with more experience than me at the time would have spotted the signs. Knowing what I know now I would for sure! Although I still would have bought it haha was after a 68' for years just not at what I paid.

Are some great bikes out there though like my 650ss one slight issue now but original owner had her since new stacks of paperwork even the original warranty card brochure bill of sale with the postage stamp etc an a pleasure to deal with.

So maybe that's why some are not flying of the handle yet some are up near 10-13k providence and when viewed everything checked out.

Regarding originality as long as you have the original parts in boxes who cares I remember when I first got my SS an wanted to make her look like a Domiracer I think the interest wained ever so slightly on her from all the constant messages I got at the time over it which was a shame looking back I could have even learnt to make the tank etc and stuff like that which would have produced skills for the future still young enough to learn them though . Looking back I should have got the unity tanks etc as they are now gone an just kept the original gear in the box. Can see me getting another 650ss at some point to go along with my current one. So I guess as much as anything its how people approach getting youngsters into the bikes more than anything nurture interest rather than bemoan it an then hopefully we will have plenty of Commando riders and Dommie riders for generations to come.

I find it really cool next doors lil ones soon as a bikes out they come out with there dad an dive on an sit on them if they broke something so what scratch em so what fixable :) seeing the smiles on the faces is priceless.

It's quite interesting from my point of view as I'm probably going against the trend slightly of Japanese bikes next as I sell the majority of them off for another Norton or a Comet maybe even a flat tanker who knows but I guess the point I'm trying to make is I'm 30 an I'm interested in pre war bikes an know of a few others who are to so not all is lost just up to everyone to keep passing the unwritten info on so all these bikes can still be ran in the future otherwise people are not gonna have a clue. I know for me every day is a learning day :) an I'm always grateful for all the info.
Click to expand...
I'm afraid a lot of mint looking original bikes just don't run well
I have witnessed quite a few like this and if they are ridden into a show etc they always seem to be set up really rich, chugging out black smoke but a least their numbers match eh!!!
 
Wasn't looking to sever a nerve GP, but we don't belong to the great one. The Texas heat has always been my home and I just wish it had paid a dollar for every gallon of sweat the heat had sucked out....My working ended 11\05\18 and I'm still up at the same time daily, but now I have to find things to do. I do know what work is.
 
No app. :cool::D:p
Commando prices...


(yes, I caught your wry humor.) ;)
 
Last edited:
To those that are triggered and jacked up about labels. It was/is not derogitory to age group categorize, which, was all I was doing making a point, that, like model T Fords, the aging demographics will force a downward trend in price. Due simply to different interests of a different generation. There is/was no disrespect there.
To somehow mine disrespect where none exists, is really reaching for something to be angry about.
 
baz said:
I'm afraid a lot of mint looking original bikes just don't run well
I have witnessed quite a few like this and if they are ridden into a show etc they always seem to be set up really rich, chugging out black smoke but a least their numbers match eh!!!
Click to expand...

One of the things I like about the odd history of my bike (engine and frame numbers aren't factory ones) is it'll never be worth anything to the shiny trailering brigade, so I can modify it how I like and ride it :).
 
NPeteN said:
Just so happens most of those "bankers/CEO's/billionaires/general assholes" are all of a "certain age"...

My cousin is Gen X, he thinks all this garbage is hilarious. I don't blame boomers but man your generation produced some really, really awful people.
Click to expand...

Pete , think every generation produces same percentage of “awful people” and pretty sure that is 1% of each age grouping .... if ya know what I mean ....
 
When I get a new to me bike ( never had a brand new one ) .... I modify it as I want , usually to make it fit my particular body better ,if bike looks better ,than great ... second area of mods deals with performance improvements ,hardly ever do I get a complaint , eh
 
"The world is passing through troublous times. The young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraint. They talk as if they knew everything, and what passes for wisdom with us is foolishness with them. As for the girls, they are forward, immodest and unladylike in speech, behavior and dress."
Peter the Hermit 1274
 
Back to the topic of the market for Commando motorcycles. Unless something changes there will be a surplus of this stuff when the boomers let go of it. As near as I can tell there isn't a huge market for them among younger people. So for those of you who are young punks now...enjoy, you might as well send me a bottle of whiskey once in a while so that I have someone to leave my motorcycles to.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top