2011 prices in US for excellent restorations & originals

[jabcb]

July 18, 2011 - eBay US
1968 T500 for $6,200 US
Located in Montana.
In very nice but not perfect condition with 1,106 miles. Runs great but has been in storage since 1970. Has dent on front fender, dent on gas tank, and some chips on left side cover. Doesn't have original handlebar & is missing steering lock.

eBay_2011-07-18.jpg

[jabcb]

July 23, 2011 - eBay US
1975 GT750 for $6,625 US
Located in Ohio.
Excellent condition with 10,637 miles. One owner original. Licensed and maintained in running condition since new. Original paint and chrome both in excellent condition.

eBay_2011-07-23.jpg

[jabcb]

July 25, 2011 - eBay US
1975 GT380 for $3,101 US
Located in California.
In great shape with 3,231 miles. Currently registered, just serviced and rides awesome.

eBay_2011-07-25.jpg

[jabcb]

July 31, 2011 - eBay US
1968 T500 for $7,771 US
Located in Connecticut.
Excellent restoration. Sold by Paul Miller and part of Kovach collection. Manufactured soon after T500 production began -- VIN # is 10221.

eBay_2011-07-31a.jpg

July 31, 2011 - eBay US
1975 T500 for $4,400 US
Located in Ohio.
Excellent original with 8,154 miles. Recently purchased from original owner. Near new condition and all original except tires, battery, fuel lines and luggage rack.

eBay_2011-07-31b.jpg

[wvc]

Paul Miller had several nice Suzuki 2 strokes at Vintage Days this year. One of the bikes was a fully restored 68 Cobra priced at $9500. Not sure what the final sale price was, but I saw the new owner walking away with it on Saturday.

[jabcb]

Interesting comparison of NADA excellent prices and these eBay sales.

On average, originals went for $1,442 over NADA prices.
On average, restorations went for $2,444 over NADA prices.

NADAexcellent20110819.jpg

eBaySales20110819.jpg

[geck0]

That is some nice work. I like the trend.

[diamondj]

I agree with Geck0 - nice work! Any chance you are getting the VIN numbers as well? I figure it would be a good guide to VIN number ranges on the T500's after a while...

Jim

[jabcb]

Started this thread because I was curious about the collector market for top tier bikes.
At the time I wondered about the NADA prices. Also wasn't sure about the maximum price I should be willing to pay for the nice riders I've been collecting.

Ended up with some interesting data. The 75 GT380 looks to be a sweet deal -- I seriously thought about bidding but didn't.

Sorry, I didn't keep track of the VINs.

[oldjapanesebikes]

Interesting.

It is worth pointing out that in the absence of some sort of independent verification process, it is a challenge to know just how good some of the eBay bikes listed as 'fully restored' or 'excellent' actually are, as we all know of instances of severe disappointment after delivery. As an example, a local fellow just bought a supposed mint CBX that turned out to be less 'mint' and closer to chopped liver . And unless the seller lives in the same town, if there is a problem usually your options for compensation are limited.

Most bikes I look at fall into the 'Good' and 'Very Good' NADA ranges and as such find the NADA listed prices are actually fairly representative. Certainly that was true for the 1974 GT550 I just sold.

[jabcb]

Agreed.

My avatar is a T350 I got via eBay. Supposedly only needed a rear sprocket. Listing just the issues that I can quickly think of, it needed both sprockets, chain, some cables, tank sealed, and a new top end. Bought it for roughly the NADA "Good" price. Turns out I could have gotten a much nicer T350 for what I have into this one.

Am curious how much lower the off season prices will be this winter.

At some point there might be enough data to see a difference between known restorers/sellers and others.

I've been thinking of also tracking second tier bikes. Haven't quite figured out what would result in interesting & useful info.

[jabcb]

August 21, 2011 - eBay US
1968 T500 for $6,200 US
Located in Louisiana.
Restored & sorted. Rides very nice and cruises at 70 mph. Matching VIN numbers.
VIN T500-14223. Top-rated eBay seller culpspecial73gx, rating 99.8% positive & 5137 ★.

eBay_2011-08-21.jpg

August 23, 2011 - eBay US
1972 GT750 for $7,101 US
Located in Florida.
In great shape with 7,287 miles. Purchased from second owner last year. All original except for tank. Runs great but original tires are dry cracked.
VIN engine GT750-27638 & frame GT750-27509. eBay seller gulfdevelopments, rating 100% positive & 9 ★.

eBay_2011-08-23.jpg

[Joiseygirl]

OMG, I absolutely love that bike! It could be my bike....if only I could learn to repair it when needed. Wonder whereabouts in Florida.

[jabcb]

Wow. Stopped tracking prices during the offseason because I was expecting weaker seasonal prices. Got two new high prices.

December 23, 2011 - eBay US
1968 T500 Cobra for $9,900 US
Located in Connecticut.
Paul Miller restoration with very low VIN. Sharp looking complete restoration. Was listed on eBay at fixed price of $9,900.
VIN T500-10215. Sold by Paul Miller.

eBay_2011-12-23.jpg

December 25, 2011 - eBay US
1972 T350 for $4,750 US
Located in Connecticut.
Paul Miller restoration. Sharp looking complete restoration.

eBay_2011-12-25.jpg

VIN T350-32684. Sold by Paul Miller.

[oldjapanesebikes]

That is a nice looking T500.