Classic bike prices, why do they rise and fall & does it really matter + what my Cub cost to restore

[@Honkawsuzyamal]

Spend as much as you like on YOUR Cub. It's YOUR Cub and your passion. Ignore gossip

[@williamnethercott4364]

There was much wisdom in that video. You're right, the price is really between the buyer and the seller, nobody else's business. In the past, I never broke even on selling a bike but I didn't mind because I had all the experiences shared with that bike. I bought my modest 350 just over 2 years ago, it was worth what I paid for it, to me, at the time. Now, when I've bonded with it, repaired it, improved it (hopefully), formed an idea of what is good about it and what is less good, it is worth more to me, irrespective of whether the market price has gone up or down. Hardly necessary to say that I will not be selling it.

[@rickconstant6106]

It doesn't matter to me what my bikes are valued at, because I don't intend to sell them. I've had 32 years of use, so far, out of my 1978 T140V, and that's what I bought it for, so I think I've had my money's worth. As a retired car mechanic, I've had enough of working on other people's old crap, so restoring a basket case doesn't appeal to me, too much hassle and expense, but I respect someone who chooses to do it. When I wanted a second bike, 3 years ago, I found a running, complete 1980 Suzuki GS550, far from showroom condition, with quite a few non-original bits, but usable. After a bit of fettling, I now use it all year round as everyday transport. It didn't cost much, and it will never be worth much, but it does exactly what I want it to.

[@chrislaunders8283]

That and "investors" as well, I recall a Vincent Black Shadow selling at an auction for £115.000 and a few years later the owner struggling to get £65.000 for it. I'm much like you in that I only buy and build what I want, and keep them, the last bike I sold was 30 years ago, I still have eleven ranging from the 1930s to the 1980s

[@graemetoobux8953]

well said, myt r 6 r v has been with me 30 years and will remain with me a lot longer the value to me is in what it is and what it does for me, now in my 70s with no intention of being separated from this friend.

[@ZedHead1968]

Ride it, look at it, polish it... Priceless 😊

[@multilecful]

Social media has killed prices of anything. Back in the day when people's got their news on paper, we scoured the for sale section and go and have a look. No emails, no fb. Now, the sellers price check what they think its worth.

[@750triton]

Ah the 1980's. I remember seeing an ad for a Vincent for £80,000. I laughed, saying to my dad, somebody is going to get stung. It was the period when yuppies were seeing investment opportunities in old bikes and, quite rightly, they were stung when they bottom fell out of the market and the true enthusiasts left the yuppies sitting on something that was actually worth a fraction of what they paid.

[@angelsone-five7912]

I`m glad to hear you say that you could pick a Cub up and walk it away cos I`m collecting one this week to replace my previous bike on account of that one being too heavy for my aged limbs! Keep at it mate.

[@paddywuk]

Owners always value their bikes in cash terms very highly,especially when they are buying and selling,older people like myself understand that they are not worth getting upset over as we pass them on in the end.I’m going to look at them every day as they are in the house.

[@roysmith4716]

In North America it’s disposable income, the lack of actually. Times get tough the toys go.

[@grateberk6435]

Keep rebuilding those BSA 650 engines Paul, love a Hornet.

[@rodneygunn788]

My bike priceless supprise present from my late wife over 29 years ago

[@michaelking7499]

I have owned my 1978 T140 from new, As you said Its difficult to name it price , So unless you have to sell it, it’s priceless 👍

[@roverchap]

Prices only really matter if you are a bike trader with machines in stock. For most of us private owners and enthusiasts the value of a bike is in what it offers us in riding and ownership experience. I have a BMW R90S which I paid top money for when prices were silly. Adding on what I have had to spend to get it into properly usable condition it probably owes me twice what I could sell it for. Occasionally I rue this, but then I go and look at it in the garage, or better still take it out for a ride, and I think it is worth every penny of what it has cost me.

[@haraldvogt7371]

Hello everyone. Well, prices also depend on supply and demand. When the inner-German border fell here in Germany in 1989, no one wanted a Trabant, an MZ motorcycle or a Simson moped. Some of the vehicles could be given as gifts. Now that there are not so many of them anymore, prices are being charged that are sky-high. In the early/mid 90s I had an MZ ETZ 150, from 1988 with around 10,000 km on the clock, which I bought for 500 DM (now around €250). It was a reliable motorcycle. One can argue about the appearance. After 7 years and around 35,000 km, I sold the part again for 600 DM to buy my current motorcycle, a Suzuki GS 500 E from 95. Back in 2001 it had 9700 km, was 6 years old and I paid €750 (or 1500 DM) for it. It now has almost 70,000 km and is almost 30 years old. It is now worth around €500 to me. I see her for what she is. A used motorcycle from 1995 with 70,000 km. When I see that comparable motorcycles are being asked for €2000 and more, I can only shake my head. But I wouldn't buy the MZ or the Suzuki again. Quite simply, it is outdated technology. I have absolutely no emotional connection to my vehicles. These are everyday objects. I also can't understand why someone would pay more for an old vehicle than for a newer, better one with no spare parts problems and a higher usage value. I am not a collector or museum. I want to drive as smoothly as possible and not have to spend months looking for replacement parts or making them myself. I also don't want to pay huge amounts of money for rare spare parts.

[@Steve-le3jq]

Paul good Video , it's not just motorcycles it's the current economy all over the World , cars are suffering , antiques everything..... Utility bills , mortgage rises , food bills , a lot of people don't have the disposable income so everything is struggling at the moment, anyone with a family as barely enough to survive so not as many can go out and buy leisure things so everything is bound to suffer.... Great Video by the way ! Happy New Year...

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thank you, and Happy New Year!

[@norsehall309]

G'day Paul, well said, Classic motorcycles in Australia are still fetching good prices and sales are strong, might be cashed up older blokes building up their collections but also people in there 30s and 40s have been joining our Classic club and that's promising, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.

[@alienmoped5769]

Prices are not falling at all. A quick scan through Ebay or Autotrader motorcycles will clearly show that. However I have noticed the market is slower it seems to be taking longer for people to sell.

[@kitchencapers7183]

Thanks Paul

[@hermangibbs8163]

Thanks Paul.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks for watching, Herman and Happy New Year!

[@deanroberts2021]

I think the old saying goes "it's worth what someone will pay" Looking at eBay I'd say "modern" classics are very expensive (1990s CG125s going for £1200? How are poor young kids supposed to get a start?) Older classics seemed to of dropped a bit . I think one of the (many) reasons kids don't get into bikes is the lack of cheap old stuff available, when I started everyone had old 60s to 80s mopeds we rode on local wasteland & woods, those virtually free bikes don't seem to exist now.

[@chrishart8548]

I paid £310 for a H reg honda mt5 in 1996. Found one on Ebay F reg £2,495

[@bobmurphy9380]

It was down to your vids of your cub that made me buy my mountain cub. Bought it in South Wales and got it registered for the road. Got a bargain as the guy selling it said it wasn't a proper mountain cub but had it inspected by The Vintage Motor Cycle Club who said it was an original mountain cub.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Great stuff - thanks!

[@simonbirt6121]

The value of a bike only matters when you buy or sell it. I am sure that I have paid too much for a couple of mine, one of which you worked on for the previous owner. I don’t care, I love to ride them and that pleasure is priceless.

[@martinhughes-games8541]

I like your gentle confusion! prices are coming down, its clear if you look at what bikes sell for at auction. You can't argue with this. Also, in my humble opinion, old blokes are dieing and their collections are coming onto the market (property of a deceased says the auction blurb). so the market is being flooded. the potential buyers are getting older and have already got most of the bikes they want. its getting hard to kick up the thruxton etc - an electric start or a nice 400 triumph etc is a very attractive option if you want to keep riding. Younger folk have little interest in old bikes. Other activities, golf, boats etc have never seen their hardware as an "investment" a financial investment I mean. Like Paul I see my bikes as an emotional investment, they give me enormous pleasure that is not defined by pounds shillings and pence. For that reason the drop in prices of my classics is of no concern - they give me great joy every time I ride them.

[@Countrymouse123]

💯 right definitely dropping

[@erik_dk842]

The clientelle is simply dying out. The youngest people who were 18 when these bikes were current are all well over 70.

[@borderlands6606]

My impression is small bike prices are holding up better than bigger stuff. This may be because small bikes were considered semi-disposable, and there are fewer around. It's well known in collecting circles that prices of a commodity peak in line with the age who aspired to it own it when young. When they've made a few bob in their 50s, people want the thing they aspired to 30 years before. As they age and die off prices fall, and the next era's youthful unobtainium kicks in. As you say, it's also easier to waggle a 100-250cc machine in your 60s and 70s than an Ariel Square Four.

[@erik_dk842]

THIS. Do you also have insane prices for at least 45 year old Yamaha 50 Fizzies in the UK?

[@borderlands6606]

@@erik_dk842 Yes, one went for £12k in recent years. I remember the FS1e costing £212, new.

[@maskedavenger2578]

It doesn’t matter what bike it is , I only value & pay the amount the bike is worth to me . I couldn’t care if the bike isn’t worth a carrot to anyone else , it’s what it’s worth & what use it is to me that counts . I have never bought a bike & expected to make a profit on it ,if or when I decided to flog it or trade it in . Happy new year by the way .👍

[@daveharriman2756]

Nice one Paul, I love my Cub too!

[@bonditltd5346]

I looked at the cub, but needed something that would keep up with traffic and be useful on the motorway if needed, so 650 triumph. I don’t think prices increasing in the past were due to lottery winners. It’s more the fact that some bikes are rare. Prices always fluctuate and that’s just the nature of it. Newer classics are becoming the old classics and the old classics are becoming the collectors items. I bought an old , low mileage shovelhead FLH before Christmas for 15% less than a year ago, but prices may drop lower or may increase; but it’s not an investment, bikes are my passion.

[@edwardellery3032]

I remember in the 1960's we as youngsters alway's after the modern bikes forget the 1920's but when you saw a Vincent it was something else, in 1972 my brother and I was offered a Rapide for £175 in good condition I asked brother to go halves but he said why the hell buy something we got to share,he never forgot it but even the younger guy's know what a bargain is and there will be chances in life now at the moment,remember what they say abou share prices they can go up and come down same as classic vehicles,when no one wants to buy is the right time to deal.

[@ernestwilliams3112]

She looks great! What mpg can a cub attain?

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks - they can go north of 100 mpg, if you try, but usually 70 - 80 mpg would be about average.

[@PeterTaylor-p4s]

In the last 15 years I've been building motorcycles,some out of bits off ebay and other sites.plus some complete basket cases.when I do sell one I'm lucky to get enough for it to cover the parts let alone time.buts it's my hobby.if I spent all my time in the pub instead of the garage, how much would that have cost me ?.I normally sell to make room for another one.

[@ZedHead1968]

Ditto !

[@gordonsuddery4635]

Nice video Paul, my son bought my 65 Norton Atlas from me at a price i was happy with so he could keep it in the family as he loves it as much as me which all so made me very happy. My best wishes to you from the Philippines ❤️💪👍😉😄😁🏁🏍️🛺🐏🇵🇭🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿⭐

[@philipbrackpool-bk1bm]

When investors move in prices go up, £5000 for an FS1E is nuts as far as I’m concerned.

[@barrypearson8262]

Wise words however it is model dependant. You have to remember that the demand sets the price and the people who create that are progressively dropping off the perch and so as you say a 50s BSA will loose out to a 70s Suzuki GT 750 kettle. But that’s investor speak so buy and enjoy.

[@marcheighton6436]

Hi Paul as with all things it depends upon what the buyer will pay or the seller eill let it go for. Value well that is iin the eye of the owner it is easy to restore and spend way more than the intrinsic value particularly if its concourse and not just a daily rider. But if you value it highly enough then you probably wouldnt sell it anyway. Till the next restoration comes along. All the best 👍👍👍

[@topcappy100]

BSA Gold Star on Marketplace yesterday £12000.

[@jjrider6758]

The prices have dropped in general and bikes at the moment aren't going for prices they once did, but I have noticed a slight 'upward trend' of late.. Those who have had bikes for sale for a good long while at the price they bought it for, say in the early 2000s - are just not selling them.. I'm not complaining though because the prices have become much more sensible and realistic, so much so that at long last I've been able to afford my dream bike !.. I've not bought it for a show-ready restoration or for an investment, I've bought it to ride and after I've finished a real thorough 'going-through' that's exactly what I'll be doing !..

[@davidrennicks2484]

I have had over 50 classic bike's past through my garage over the last 35 years and have moved one on and bought another as you do over the years and up until the last couple of years that was never a problem. However! I have had 4 machines up for sale in the past 18 months advertised on " carandclassic" eBay and facebook market place and I can tell you I have not even had one serious call/message regarding any interest what so ever? The bike's are Yamaha XS500 all original with just 8500 ml. Moto Morini 2C 250 again lovely condition. Yamaha SRX 400 lovely clean example. Royal Enfield Clipper 250 1959 (Redditch) model and my asking prices have reflected the declining market trend. So something has definitely changed ? Yet the classic bike dealers still seem to be asking silly over inflated prices , what's going on ???? Referring to your point about auctions, I am very anti auction as in my opinion they are largely responsible for inflating prices in the first place , then the person who payed too much at the auction tries to recoupe when selling on and so inflation then just carries on. Ok I had my rant! I'm 76 now and I'm done with classic stuff.🥵

[@nickmarshall9192]

Classic bike prices falling is a good thing IMO even though it affects me Itll hopefully make them more affordable to those thatd like one but can't afford one And those that buy them purely as an investment would be stung I love to see classic bikes being used on the road not wrapped up in a garage and trailered to shows Im sick of seeing over restored shiny ornaments that either dosent run or dosent run well

[@shingerz]

good video well said

[@kristophertrout7328]

Well... at least with the heavy rain you might get some of that salt washed off. 🤔😎

[@stevec-b6214]

I have seen a fair few classics for sale recently by people who have inherited the bike and just want shot of it quickly, that might affect price expectations. I actually don`t care, I don`t treat bikes as `investments`.

[@maxring837]

In any hobby if you can break even you are doing well.

[@lancelongfield5550]

its same every time the economy goes down, the first thing that goes are the toys, motorbikes, motorhomes boats classic cars ect. it will pick up again

[@yellowperilbiker]

Everything is down at the moment. Folk have no loose money, or, feel like they have not. Until we get our country run properly, all leisure/hobby kit expenditure will be stagnant.

[@stuartosborne3013]

Andy Tierman seems to be doing very well of late.

[@Eustus2000]

When I was a kid, I thought vintage classic bikes would go up in price forever. The shift in generations has not been kind to bike values unfortunately. Now I see people here in the states go nuts for monkey bikes. A honda from the 70's brings more than BSA or Triumph ever did. Very discouraging.

[@erik_dk842]

It's all about feelings a re-living the lost youth. Very few people have had personal experience with the large and difficult to ride and maintain large bikes.

[@DrRobert7898]

Same thing happening with classic cars

[@MichaelCairns-fv2vi]

Here in Brisbane Australia....the market is afloat with American imports..most of them still overpriced and all of them unkown content. Restored or refurbished..are meaningless terms unless there is a documented rebuild

[@reuel7544]

Something will only sell for what the buyer thinks it’s worth, no matter what the seller believes it’s worth.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Yes, and then the seller can decide to keep it ...

[@billysolhurok5542]

To me,it's a matter of what the market will bear. Which is no reflection of reality. Do what your heart tells you,without jeopardizing your personal situation Avoid Debt!!!!!!! I have invested a great deal of time and money into a few different situations. Some I've won,and some I have lost. To me, NEVER look at the money aspect. "He who knows the cost of everything,knows the value of nothing" Credited to Oscar Wilde The armored car,does not follow the hearse. When the money aspect,entered the hobby,it seemed to be the driving factor for reproduction spares.Very good. Yet,how many of these 'enthusiasts' ride,or turn a wrench??? Investing does not = passion I'm with you Paul My 2c.

[@williamharris4426]

Tiger cub`s seem to be holding high

[@neilmcintosh1200]

Opinion presented as fact crops up everywhere in this age of social media. The sellers have little defence against such rubbish. Hopefully truly competent bikes will sell for a reasonable price. I do wonder the people flogging cosmetically good but otherwise dodgy bikes have had any influence on this apparent downturn. There is a tool for them: Fork stanchion to 't back of t' 'ead!

[@kass9722]

what some guy says on a comment makes no difference, what you say on your youtube channel makes no difference, no one cares what you or any else that is not a buyer thinks. what is a buyer? a buyer is someone with cash, not credit, not swaps... cash! where do you find these buyers...well, you find them at the only places where all sales are final...auction houses. so when someone wants to find if prices of old bikes, or cars, or tractors they simply look it up online, where all sales are published. it would appear however that most of the goons that make videos or watch said videos seem incapeable of such actions...so here we are... tldnr? yes prices of these old bikes are falling, the data doesnt lie...smh

[@michaelnorris45]

Prices of classics are dropping, you know! Because: none of us is getting any younger (and we won't be inheriting any fortunes at our age!); the motorcycling community is shrinking as the average age creeps up by nearly a year, every year!; Classic bikes aren't as attractive to investors as they were because values have slipped - from a very high and unsustainable peak. The good news is that the market hasn't collapsed, many bikes have been restored to a high standard based on their (previous) market value, buyers are now more likely to be enthusiasts rather than stockbrokers and despite the cost of living, energy prices etc those buyers are still in existence (for now!).

[@alanwilliams3677]

Know someone who, as a youth, threw a cub in a skip.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

That's sad.

[@stevec-b6214]

fox, hopefully!

[@rickconstant6106]

My Tiger Cub, which I bought for £40 in 1971, got through 2 big ends in the 18 months I had it, so it ended up going to the breakers. As a 17 year old schoolboy, I didn't have the skills or money to keep fixing it.

[@alanwilliams3677]

@@rickconstant6106 50 years ago, there was less of this starry eyed bullsh*t about British bikes. If they were giving you grief, you binned them.

[@paulyflyer8154]

A lot of people have a strange obsession with costs and values when it comes to bikes and cars. If I buy a vacuum cleaner, freezer, a 70" TV, a woodburning stove, or an AGA I don't get worried about what it's worth in 3 years time, I just buy it, enjoy it and if I can get a few bob for it when I want to get a new one, well that's a bonus. If you really want to make money and invest then look elsewhere.

[@peterrestaino7047]

The current debt based monetary systems of the world have a roll in all pricing. Id rather have gold ,silver or bikes. Fiat currency will fail and you will be glad you have something real

[@jerryhatley5004]

If it doesn’t sell for “x” amount it can stay put…great line…it’s worth “x” to me…if it isn’t worth that to you, move on down the road…..

[@erik_dk842]

And then you end up being buried with it.

[@callmeanythingbutlatefordinner]

It's supply and demand and it's all your fault, Paul. If you didn't keep fixing and restoring these older bikes, there wouldn't be a surplus of them. 🤔

[@yogiguitar1]

i saw an ap 50 like the one i had in 1979 going for £13,000 ! nobody on this earth is going to buy that ! i wouldnt mind an rd400. but not for similar money 15grand! you're having a laugh matey !

[@erik_dk842]

A running Yamaha 50 Fizzie begins at £1800 here in Denmark

[@frankiepitt9135]

Who asked £15,000?

[@yogiguitar1]

@@erik_dk842 some speculator on ebay .

[@stvnkll]

The only people who want old British stuff are dying off, supply and demand like owt else.

[@junkmangeorge6363]

Pay no attention to wankers..................I'm looking to buy, I guess you might call it a "classic bike', and I will pay what it is worth to me, not you, not Sam down the street, it is what it is.

[@DaveOasist]

Im tryin to sell my brothers full resto 66 T90 and youll be suprised how many rude comments ive had

[@MrBeracah]

What pice please? Thks

[@MrBeracah]

That’s a 350cc isn’t it?

[@DaveOasist]

@@MrBeracah yes

[@DaveOasist]

@@MrBeracah he will take £5k

[@mikeflanagan825]

Not long ago,one of the big auction houses sold a 72 z 1 900 for 20 grand.This seemed very high.The Braugh Superior,TE Laurence bike ,300,000.usd?bikes that have that emotional factor.This is totally subjective but time is perhaps effecting the market of the lessers,but still great, triumphs,bsa , Nortons and lesser Royals.That generation may be passing away and taking that nostalgic factor with it.