| Author | Message | ||
     Lake_bueller |
I can't believe I'm even contemplating selling my prized S1W. But the reality of the situation is that I haven't ridden the bike more than 300 miles in the past 2 years. Here's what the bike has to offer: Frame was sandblasted and re-powder coated about 4 years ago. Looks also like new. Tank has been professional repainted with a vapor barrier undercoating to eliminate tank bubbling in the future Complete top end rebuild at same time from was done. Included .05 over bore with new cylinders (work done at Appleton Buell); head work with 3 angle grind, new springs and larger valves(done at Hoban Brothers Racing), all new gaskets. Mikuni Flat Slide carb Stock header pipe with Daytona BOSS slip-on muffler. The muffler is nearly impossible to find. A new (and better) bracket was fabricated a few years ago because of stress fracture. New rear rim (only because it was cleaner, the old rim is used for track tires) Super clean bodywork. Just a few pebble chips in the front fender. Pro-Series Carbon Fiber air cleaner. Crossroads Performance race bars. EBC Brake rotor. Rebuilt transmission to replace 1st & 2nd gears (worn dogs were creating some slippage). Custome "trimmed" rear pully (reduced weight by about 1/3)not shown in pictures Banke Frame Brace Tons of powder coated bits & pieces (handlebars, clamp, dash, intake manifold, frame brace, rear pully) This bike is ALMOST a show quality ride. So what do think it's really worth on the open market?   | ||
| Hootowl |
I would make the buyer sign a contract stating that it could never be turned into a chopper. No idea what it's worth.  What do you want for it? | ||
| Jos51700 |
$3-5K, depending on market. | ||
| Fahren |
I think getting a good price would depend on finding someone who likes the mods (cosmetic and performance) that you have done. There's a pretty much stock S1W asking $2850, and it's been on the market for a while. There are nicely modded S1's going anywhere from $3000 to $4000. I don't think anyone is re-couping the cost of their mod's. Not trying to depress you - it's just the market that's depressed. | ||
| Kalali |
It's a type of bike that is hard to sell on paper - You need to have it parked somewhere high traffic in sight so people can see it. BTW, I see a V&H on there. What does the BOSS look like? | ||
| Lake_bueller |
I tried getting $5k for it about 4 years ago. I had a few lowball offers but nothing that made me get excited enough to sell. While I really don't want to part with the bike, I also hate to see it not getting it's fair share of attention. Too many toys and not enough time. | ||
| Blake |
I'd not consider selling it for less than $8K. That bike is going to be worth more and more as time goes by. Beautiful! Classic! | ||
| Mm128 |
Lake, That is the EXACT S1 I have been looking for. I got rid of my 98S1 - Black w/ Nuke Blue Frame and Wheels. I had wanted a ALL white lightning but could not find one.... Anyways... a relationship issue with a PAST woman forced the sale.... NOW... I would LOVE to get ahold of one. If and WHEN you get close to that $3K mark... let me know... I sold a 97 S1 last year for NOT much over that... and it had 2K original miles... and PERFECT condition... Nice bike... and let me know if and when you really look at moving it. I WOULD sign a contract to NOT sell or CHOP! Matt (LEO SOUTH GA.) | ||
| F_skinner |
I can't believe I'm even contemplating selling my prized S1W Me either, I have alway admired that bike and all the work you put into it. | ||
| Zaphof |
Just as a matter of interest how much are you contemplating that you might sell this for? And what sort of mileage/ history does it have? | ||
| Mm128 |
Skinner, Are you starting to think of selling your S1W ???? Lake, I'm interested as well.....just let me know if you decide to. Move it.. | ||
| Jos51700 |
I'd not consider selling it for less than $8K. That bike is going to be worth more and more as time goes by. Beautiful! Classic! While I do agree that values will go up, I think you'll be sitting on it for a long time before it reaches that kind of value. Will it be worth the maintenance, storage, and upkeep costs to keep it cherry? Probably not. And if you ride it, potential future value goes down. My advice, accept current pricing and sell it, or follow Buell's principles and ride it. I've yet to run the numbers, but I'm suspicious that the Liberace S1W is probably the most common S1 made (and therefore the least valuable), any year, any color. I'm also suspicious that the '98 S1 (non S1W) are probably significantly more rare than S1W's, in general.} | ||
| Bads1 |
Storing costs nothing when its in your own garage and stored right. The Liberace is not the most common.... maybe the most remembered. Dennis th bike I know owes you nothing. You may not ride it much but it is there if you want to. The economy doesn't help for resale on any motorcycle right now for the matter. I'd just hold on to her for awhile anyways. | ||
| The_italian_job |
Lake, as said, I'd keep that beauty, it'll worth much more money in the near future, as soon as the economy will pick back up. but if you really wanna sell it, I wouldn't consider anything less than 4500-5000. I'd buy your bike right away, if I didn't have 3 already... :-) but I swear, I'd think about buying another S1! | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Lake, I've also admired your bike for a long time. You've done great work making that bike shine, the market really won't give you what it's value should be. I'd be very surprised if you could get $4500-$5500 unless there was someone here that knows its history and wanted your bike specifically. I say this with some selfishness, you should definitely hold on to it (at least until I get my XB paid off). | ||
| Lake_bueller |
I agree that I'll never get what I want for a price. Heck, I couldn't get what I wanted 4 years ago in a good economy! What I really need to do is get her out of storage and take a nice long ride. I'm sure I'll forget all about wanting to sell her after that  | ||
| Jos51700 |
Storing costs nothing when its in your own garage and stored right So your garage was free?? Where can I get one? You've obviously not dealt with many vehicles that have been stored for 20+ years. Rubber rots, leaks happen, corrosion happens, mice, plastic breakdown, etc., and that's if you're not firing it up every once in awhile. Check around the vintage car circles for plenty of cost/benefit analysis. | ||
| Kalali |
What is the point of having "toys" if you don't have time to play with them!! Share the wealth... | ||
| Bads1 |
So your garage was free?? Where can I get one? Yep my garage is free. It dry insulated, and heated if need be. As far as old cars?? Yeah I've owned a few. 68 old 442.70 F-85 W3-31,71 Cutlass S, 73 monte Carlo,77 Z-28 and a couple other's. Fact is we aren't talking classic cars. We're talking a Buell that doesn't cost a fortune to keep up.LOL | ||
| Jos51700 |
Yeah I've owned a few. 68 old 442.70 F-85 W3-31,71 Cutlass S, 73 monte Carlo,77 Z-28 and a couple other's. Owned? Great. And how many of those did you keep in suspended animation for 2 decades plus? Those are two FAR different scenarios. We're not discussing old cars. We're discussing the merits of storing something long enough for it's value to reach X number of dollars. The most common S1W colors made? Check. The most common S1 model for the year? Check. Original and unmolested (the true collectible status)? Not check. Time spent waiting for the value to essentially double? Undetermined. Degradation during that time period? A sure thing. We're talking a Buell that doesn't cost a fortune to keep up.LOL Right. We're also talking about making a lousy 4 grand or so. Letting someone else park in that space in your free garage and pay you for storage would net you more money, and it's a Sure Thing. But.....We'll look at your scenario, for giggles. So, assuming you bought low and sold high (don't sell it for less than $8K), if you STOLE it for $2K and Sold it for $8K, you'd make $6000. You won't spend any money heating and cooling that garage? (Because things age so well when the climate is not controlled, right?) You won't ever have to put a roof on that garage? You don't need insurance on the building or contents? It never ever ever ever ever ever cost you one single thin dime to buy OR maintain the garage???? (I highly doubt that the garage cost you nothing. At some point, most people pay for the things that they own, unless they live with their parents. Is that the case?) And you'll never spend (on the low side) $200 putting tires on the bike? (which, BTW, reduces it's originality). Someone gave you the stands to put the bike on so the tires don't flat-spot. If it's blessed you'll never have to do Repair One to it (we'll say that theoretically you got it for $2K with 0 miles). If it takes 10 years for it's value to double, the bike costs ZERO in maintenance and upkeep, and you spend just $50 a month for climate control (the garage was free and extremely well-insulated) (hell, let's include pure Nitrogen storage for that, so there's no corrosion of paint degradation), you JUST spent SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS to keep it cherry for that decade ($50x12x10), for your theoretical BEST CASE, BEST PRICE, BEST PROFIT, BEST APPRECIATION RATE scenario on the LEAST COLLECTIBLE of all White Lightnings. And that is, of course, assuming it's actually worth $8000 and you're still alive to collect your $6000 "profit" in ten years. Yeah, it's a sure thing....(not) I stand by my case: Either sell it as is now, for fair market value, or do as Buell intended, and ride the ••••••• thing. (Message edited by jos51700 on April 01, 2010) (Message edited by jos51700 on April 01, 2010) | ||
| Bads1 |
Wow!!! Are you on any meds??? I think your taking this alittle far.LOL You might need to talk to someone. Check your you Yellow Pages for a physician in your area.lol I'm out of here.lol | ||
| Jos51700 |
I just see people bank on foolishness, and I like to see people riding Buells  | ||
| Jos51700 |
Besides, it was just common sense  | ||
| Bernard |
Even if we neglect the garage thing completely as well (he has the garage, he has an empty spot in there, he heats it anyway, etc), if he sells the bike today and puts the $4K in his 401K, that will allow him to get $10K, $20K, or more out in 20 years . . . My Ford stock alone quadrupled in the past year. |
