T500 cafe racer on eBay that looks familiar

[jabcb]

Sweet but ouch, the starting bid is $12,499
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1975-Suzuki-T500-/262949217606



See: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=11589&start=141

[Zunspec4]

I remember the bike, a very nice build. If custom creations like this might fetch $12.5k what now for that mega expensive showroom condition build, not seen one at that price. Can you foresee concourse builds being modified for extra re-sale value

[jabcb]

He created his eBay account yesterday & has a zero rating. That might scare off some potential buyers.

I used to track prices of the top tier bikes but stopped lest I might end up buying one. So I’m not sure where the market is now.

[Jimroid]

Jee, I could think of about 37 better ways to spend $12,500. Or maybe 137 different ways.

[rngdng]

Already lowered to 11.5K. Still way high.



Lane

[jabcb]

Relisted for $10,499 or best offer.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1975-Suzuki-T500-/262960270434

[bugspray]

I,ve just completed a second GT500 cafe racer along these lines and can say that if you count costs, there is not much profit selling at 10,000 dollars.
You are working for 1 dollar an hour at best but it,s more fun than collecting stamps.
I,m sure you guys who have restored any of these bikes to new condition know what I mean especially something like a Kettle...

[joolstacho]

That's just the problem. People who do this sort of thing to make money, or even to cover costs are kidding themselves.
There just aren't enough people out there who can afford that sort of money for an old motorbike, however nice it is, and anyway, most people who are interested in this stuff want to do the restoration or conversion themselves. The whole point is the satisfaction and enjoyment of doing the job, not to make money.
The internet is bursting with overpriced restored or modified bikes, many of them are very boring mediocre machines, but the hopeful owners must think there are loads of mugs out there just waving their hard-earned in the air!

So if you ever come close to even covering your costs, you're very lucky.

[Warehouse1001]

That's just the problem. People who do this sort of thing to make money, or even to cover costs are kidding themselves.
There just aren't enough people out there who can afford that sort of money for an old motorbike, however nice it is, and anyway, most people who are interested in this stuff want to do the restoration or conversion themselves. The whole point is the satisfaction and enjoyment of doing the job, not to make money.
The internet is bursting with overpriced restored or modified bikes, many of them are very boring mediocre machines, but the hopeful owners must think there are loads of mugs out there just waving their hard-earned in the air!

So if you ever come close to even covering your costs, you're very lucky.

So true...I have been restoring bikes to factory condition for a number of years and I'm sure I will never begin to recoup my investment. Who cares? Not me. It's my passion. Everyone needs to be passionate about something or retirement would really suck! LOL....

[ConnerVT]

I've said this before:

Q: How do you make a small pile of money restoring motorcycles?

A: Start with a large pile of money.