Getting a new/old bike, need shipping help

So here's the thing:

I went with @Mike T and looked at a Norton Commando Combat basket case on Sunday. It's missing a bit of stuff and I don't want another project at this time. I want to buy something that ride now. While I could get the Norton at $1750 (it feels a little high but it's a friend that needs a little help) it would be at least a year, probably more until it was on the road.



So I called my brother back in NC and he's like, that's way too much for the basket case (he's still upset at me about Rusty Gold), why don't you just ship your old bike back and get it out of my garage? Um, because I never thought about that! We won't go into the technicalities of who owns the Interstate now, I "sold" it to my dad back in the 90s when I was young and needed money. I took it out to NC and I think he rode it once or twice before getting tired of shifting on the wrong side and went back to his BMWs. Now my brother has it. So it's been out there and I ride it when I visit (like the three trips to Barber).

As for my brother he has a problem getting around his garage, built a shed and still doesn't have room. And yes, it's stuffed with bikes. So I can see why he would like some more room. And he has plenty of bikes for me to ride when I come out there.

So... for your amusement here is a picture from the early 90s when I got the Interstate. Please stifle your laughter. I think this picture may or may not be lurking on this forum for you folk who have been around here a while.



And here's the bike now, well from a couple years ago when we rode from NC to Barber. @Mike T rode it most of the way (when he wasn't on the other Commando). The engine has been rebuilt with some tasty bits and it's a lively one. It scoots (thanks to @comnoz). The rest is mostly original, although upgraded for the important things.



I just need to figure out how to get it to Oregon. I'm trying a couple shipping places but I'm open to suggestions. If I can ship for $500-1000 I'll be stoked. I have thought about riding it back, with the 6+ gallon tank it'll go a long further than I can.

Who do you like for shipping?

SD, I used JC Motors three times (750 & 850 Commando's and 57 TR6) they have a different name now and might be a little spendy but they are no drama and keep you up to date..

https://www.uship.com/

You create your own listing and name your price.
Eventually someone will call you.
There are people traveling all over the country looking for fill ins.
I just did a sample from Myrtle Beach SC to Portland, ranged from 365.00 to 750.00, with a 563.00 average.

It might get picked up on Semi or pick up.
The shipper will show you their vehicle.

I used this only once. I was nervous as hell, worked out fine.
It was deliverd in van from Idaho to California.

Before that I used Eagle One Express, they used to be motorcycle exclusive and family run. Ran around the country doing only motrcycles.
They are a different operation now. Their website differs to Uship..

Good Luck....

I’m already trying uShip. First bid was $2500.

But I have to wait for the later bids.

Not sure bout Uship but , NationalPowerSports ship bikes they have sold for $299 anywhere in USA .... if I lived south of the border I would call them and see who they use or try and work a deal through/with them , maybe a long shot but a call is cheap ....

Time Warp said:

That would be some fly and ride ?

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I’m working out the logistics on a fly and ride. Lot of time off from work. I was planning a fly and ride last year for my sabbatical. Was going to drive my grandpa’s 64 Impala. If only I had six extra weeks off this year!

Craig said:

Not sure bout Uship but , NationalPowerSports ship bikes they have sold for $299 anywhere in USA .... if I lived south of the border I would call them and see who they use or try and work a deal through/with them , maybe a long shot but a call is cheap ....

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They are subsidizing the shipping cost or have a bulk deal with the shipper.

Time Warp said:

I had to google 'sabbatical.... The weather must be getting good this time of year.

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Good and hot.

swooshdave said:

I’m already trying uShip. First bid was $2500.

But I have to wait for the later bids.

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If you don't set a price, you'll get all kinds fo silly offers.

You need to set a price. Pick a middle price you are comfortable with.
Someone will accept it.
Then you decide if you accept them. They will have pictures of their rig and feedback.
Then it's up to you to accept them. You can still say no.

It's a little better than a crap shoot, maybe not much, but you can decline.
I'm not endorsing this BTW, just trying to explain how it works.

Time Warp said:

Yes that method can be a crap shoot.
When I bought my Moto Guzzi it needed to get from Wallkill, New York to Portland for ocean shipping, I had gone through a Australia based shipper (A bike shop in QLD) who would get it picked up and then delivered by sea for $1000 landed.
They used U Ship.

The seller contacted me to say two hillbillies (Whatever a hillbilly is) had picked the bike up with a pick up and some form of trailer, they had to remove the period Dan Brown panniers to get the bike loaded (scratched) and left with it.
The whereabouts of it until it got to the West coast was unknown, with the shipping it was missing for 3 months and even the agent I had gone through did not know anything within that time.

JC Motors on the other hand kept you in touch (tracking) all the way and the new AU agent I used for the next 4 bikes out of the US was only a email away with quick reply.

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So the reason I NEED another bike is because I sold one of my Guzzis. It was my 850-T and it went to Australia. He paid more for shipping than he paid for the bike. Used a company called
Ameroz. They had a hard time getting the wire transfer to me but it worked out and the transporter (not a hillbilly) picked the bike up from me and off it went.

He’s in Townsville which apparently isn’t near the port so there’s more shipping on the other end.

Seller should have never released the bike to the gentlemen in the pickup unless they had more than three teeth between them, which they provide did not...

MichaelB said:

If you don't set a price, you'll get all kinds fo silly offers.

You need to set a price. Pick a middle price you are comfortable with.
Someone will accept it.
Then you decide if you accept them. They will have pictures of their rig and feedback.
Then it's up to you to accept them. You can still say no.

It's a little better than a crap shoot, maybe not much, but you can decline.
I'm not endorsing this BTW, just trying to explain how it works.

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Have you actually shipped with them?

Cancelled and changed it to $550.

swooshdave said:

Have you actually shipped with them?

Cancelled and changed it to $550.

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Yes, once.
Bought the H1 from a retired dealer. He recommended them. I wasn't so sure.
Did as you, just listed and got some silly offers.
Cancelled and listed a number on the lower side and got a hit.
I was a little nervous, OK alot nervous. But it worked out.
If I remember right, I could even track him.
Use your own judgement and intuition...

I've used J.C. Motors more than 20 times, always perfectly done door-to-door. Typically $750 across time zones

grandpaul said:

I've used J.C. Motors more than 20 times, always perfectly done door-to-door. Typically $750 across time zones

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This would be all the time zones.

I just did a quick quote from Federal Motorcycle Transport, guessing at zip codes for NC and Oregon and came up with $1054, with a $7000 no deductible insurance rider.

cyclegeezer said:

I just did a quick quote from Federal Motorcycle Transport, guessing at zip codes for NC and Oregon and came up with $1054, with a $7000 no deductible insurance rider.

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I’d like to be closer to $500.

My suggestion stands obviously who ever does their shipping does excellent work .... I had my Ducati shipped across country spring of ‘17 so I could ride it home ... $652 Canadian all in ,no marks .... company banned from Uship did the job , only work in Canada

Swoosh. STOP.

You have great history with that bike already...

RIDE IT HOME... a great road trip... great bonding with the bike... and more awesome photos for the history file...

swooshdave said:

I’m already trying uShip. First bid was $2500.

But I have to wait for the later bids.

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I've used uShip a few times. The last time I got two bikes from two cities in MI in one shipment for $550 but the first several offers were $1500-$2500. They were shipped inside a panel truck so very safe. Each time I've used them, when I was about to give up, a good offer came in.

Air Canada has a fly n ride program where they will load your bike onto a flight to get it to your destination for ride trips. supposed to cost around same a a standard passenger fare. Not sure if US carriers offer similar service.