Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - January 2008 - (Page 35)

MONTHLY FEATURE STORIES Triumph TT Special, a highly coveted motorcycle today. “It was sold without lights,” Ron recalled, “so that’s how I rode it, and I was always being pulled over by the local cops who kept asking when I was going to get lights.” Finally, Ron complied and installed a set of aftermarket lights sold at the time, but he didn’t use them. “Every time I turned on the lights, the bike stalled,” he explained. A Voice of Experience Having deep experience with both car and motorcycle collecting and investing, Ron is a storehouse of vital knowledge to anyone interested in old motorcycles, and he was very eager to share his expertise. One point Ron made quite clear was the advantage cycle collectors have over their car collecting cousins. “You can see it; everything’s there,” Ron said of one major cycle difference between cars and motorcycles. With cars, Ron said it can be very difficult to detect hidden defects like rust inside of body panels and a myriad of other places the more simple cycles don’t have. Actually, Ron further explained, the much less complicated motorcycle brings numerous other advantages when it comes to restoration and collection. “Cycles don’t deteriorate like cars,” Ron said, noting that this is often due to the way cycles are stored, inside of garages, as opposed to cars that are often exposed to nature’s harsher elements. Ease of storage is another great advantage of cycle collecting as even extensive collections can fit inside of a modest garage as opposed to the huge structures more elite car collectors are forced to maintain. As for restoration work, Ron said cycle enthusiasts have another great advantage: far BIKER OF THE MONTH less expense in dollars and time to complete a given restoration. “If you sit a car for five to ten years, Ron explained, “it can cost $1,000 to $5,000 just to get it started.” And once it’s started, that’s only the beginning of the money drain as Ron said interior work on a car alone often exceeds $5,000. With an old motorcycle Ron said it’s common to have one up and running again for $500 to $1,000 and, of course, there’s no interior to worry about, and many fully restored motorcycles can be had for $10,000. What this all means, Ron said, is that the average Joe can participate in the classic cycle world without having to mortgage the house. Ron also said there are many cycles that are very affordable today that are not only great just to own and ride but also serve as sound investments. As for particulars, Ron thinks the real bargains today are Japanese bikes and also some others that in the past weren’t considered highly collectable but are appreciating in today’s market. For example, he mentioned two Suzuki cycles having “fantastic investment” potential: the 750 cc Water Buffalo and the rotary engine RE5. Ron explained that the Water Buffalo is highly coveted in Europe and consequently many are leaving the states for this part of the world. As a general economic tip, Ron said that today’s favorable exchange rates abroad have greatly increased European interest in the American marketplace and this has led to a rapid increase in cycle values for many bikes of interest across the pond. Another hot prospect Ron recommended was any Honda 750-4. “They changed the cycle world,” Ron said of what is frequently considered a revolutionary series of motorcycles. Although Ron believes the British market is “quite flooded” there are still reasonable opportunities for many old Brits and deals to I WALNECK’S CLASSIC CYCLE TRADER® WALNECKS.COM I JANUARY 2008 35 http://WALNECKS.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - January 2008

Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - January 2008 Contents Message from Heidi Boe, General Manager American How to Use the eBook - See The Buzz The Buzz w/ Buzz Walneck Bench Racing w/ Mark Zimmerman Mid America Auction’s Ron Christenson Biker of The Month Tip of The Month 1971 Harley Davidson Baja 100 3rd Annual Barber Vintage Festival Recap Event Listings & Advertisements British 1956 BSA Goldstar 500 European 1975 Ducati 860 GT Rhinebeck National Antique Motorcycle Show & Swap Meet Recap Japanese 1966 Yamaha YM-305 Competition Motorbikes & Scooters Antique Cycle Clubs Antique Cycle Club Listings Parts, Accessories, Want Ads How to Place a Word Ad How to Place a Photo Ad Area Code Directory How to Subscribe

Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader - January 2008

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