Hunting For Vintage Gems At A Motorcycle Auction

[@Nico-ff2xo]

Thanks for taking us along, was a fun video!

[@ltdm100]

It's the disease we are living with. What a great looking loaded trailer of project bikes that will turn out to cost more to repair than buying running bikes. I continue to do this to myself too. Give me a call if you need some emotional support.

[@cowmath77]

I picked up a triumph from a tow yard that I sold to some dude who ditched it and never transferred the title. It was a $6,000 bike. $1,500 to release from impound and fee’s, and $3000 later, it’s a $4,500 bike now and I’m certain if I sell it I won’t make a dime.

[@Gidenkidenk]

The razor thin line in the sand that separates the savers from the partouts

[@bigtoelittlefinger6133]

Your guy

[@ride4funnomg103]

We might need to create a support group. I am also afflicted. But I love it.

[@tonyjofenig6833]

I don't do this, but isn't the premise to see enough small parts to sell off or use to allow you to at least break even on the "project bikes"? Craig did say that one of the bikes had $150 worth of wiring or something, so his sub $100 cost was better than break even... I think his ability to see value in the parts might be superior, because he runs a repair shop and knows the value of certain things.

[@3LBane1974]

The amazing difference between Your auction visit and Shawn's auction visits. Absolutely looking forward to seeing some of these as project bikes. Maybe we get lucky and see Dan use all the knowledge He learned from you and take one on.

[@drakeb6168]

That would be a fun video series! I vote for Dan taking on a project, supervised of course so he doesn’t hurt himself.

[@rexxyonpc]

I second this ​@@drakeb6168

[@DoctorKamino]

@@drakeb6168 i personally vote for a dan vs craig fix-off. each man is provided with a bike that needs an equal amount of estimated shop-hours for the repairs(per "the book" that shops use). whoever finishes first wins. loser has to shave their entire head.

[@2000jago]

@@DoctorKamino Craig's won already. Series over.

[@99dsm1]

Have to wonder what the iron heads sold for

[@scottlin777]

This was interesting. Glad they let you film inside.

[@davidlyons6545]

Thank you for doing this. I'm really not into auctions, it's great being apart of your experience. Keep doing what you're doing, you are appreciated.

[@CanuckenEH]

I couldn't even watch this video. I rebuild, restore and resell older bikes for a living. I can't even imagine stripping all those bikes apart and selling them piece by piece. It literally brought a tear to my eye to even look at it all. If I was rich I'd buy that whole damn auction and build every single one of those bikes and sell them to somebody else to enjoy. I hate that it's always just about the money.

[@recoilrob324]

As a mechanic....seeing all of those parts strewn about....along with hundreds of wounded bikes has my OCD kicking in Big Time. Trying to find parts to fit each project would be WAY too stressful and Craig is a better man than me to actually enjoy this. His trip should ensure hours of future content as he tackles fixing things.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Repair, fix, restore the stuff from these eras long enough and pretty soon you don't see what is, you see what it could be. The satisfaction of completing something and restoring it to "like new" condition, functional, rideable, should overcome the dread and stress and anxiety that you just bought "junk."

[@Buzz_Kill71]

Only pros need apply...

[@robertjones7792]

I started laughing first thing this morning watching you at a auction having so much fun, My grandma was a Antique dealer and every Saturday since I was born she took me to the auctions with her from 1964 -1975 we had a great time back then. I am so glad you found this auction it brings back memories watching this, Like you we were at all the farm auctions along with the Amish getting great deals and buying very valuable stuff back then.

[@jeffomalley100]

Take that psi pipe fill it with water and seal up both ends and leave it outside on a freezing night and itll pop out those dents. We did it on a down pipe on my buddies turbo Civic that got bottomed out on and crushed. It worked great.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Sandblast the corrosion off, if the dents can't be removed that way, perhaps some red hot torching and other methods could be employed. Metal is metal, there's various means to restore it if it isn't rotted.

[@RogerDiotte]

LOL good TIP!

[@Brodozer39]

That’s a great way to destroy a good fixable pipe. The expansion of ice doesn’t care where the dents are, or even where corners or bends are goof ball. The “water in the pipe and freeze it” is a great urban legend/myth that gets suckers to blow out the seam welds on their on the pipe and completely destroy it all the time. Same with gas tanks.

[@jeffomalley100]

@Brodozer39 well I guess that just shows how much of a moron you are lmao because it worked perfectly fine dummy lol. Go talk trash somewhere else clown.

[@jeffomalley100]

@Brodozer39 whistling diesel wannabe lmao.

[@gregoryblair9810]

Had a small town Yamaha dealer close out auction. Bid on 100 dirt bike couple years old. Was outbid as I stopped at $150. Later a duplicate was rolled out that was better shape and I got it for $125! Bid $5 on a box that has tubes in it. Turns out bottom was full of brand new quad racks and accessories. Guy I knew had a bare bones one. Boy was he happy when I handed him about $200.00 of bolt-ons he wanted but couldn't afford.

[@wilhelmromanji]

Great to see all these old dirt bikes, been riding them since I was a kid,but now they are antiques :) Funny feels like yesterday sneaking out, to my neighbors detriment, on my ported YZ 250 race bike to “test” it before track day, leaving 200 meters, 10 cm deep burnout tracks everywhere on fifth gear, full throttle jumping a small hill low for 30-40 meters down into a deep valley, tapping the rear brake to keep the front low, on the gravel road wearing no helmet or any protective gear more than my jeans shorts. I had make sure it was up to the task for the weekend race you see:) ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@EvanMoon]

I want you to understand that having fun getting the materials for making good content is a great way to start. You didn’t buy expensive junk that you instantly regret. Sounds like a win.

[@deborahchesser7375]

It’s hard to restore vintage bikes and make a living, you spend as much time doing research as ya do fixing so it’s a labor of love. That 81’ IT175 is one of my faves

[@TheCbxmaster]

@@deborahchesser7375 Yupp gota love it. I restore Honda ct70’s I’ve done at least 12 and still going, I have about 20 recks piled up. I do about one every three weeks. It’s a little harder to do custom ones and they bring the same money. Most people want bone stock original!

[@deborahchesser7375]

Those Hondas are hard to kill, my buddy has a beautiful 87’ XL600R that I’d love to get my hands on but everything’s so expensive the last few years I can’t save a dime.

[@TheCbxmaster]

Just like the other people said thank you so much for taking us along on that auction experience. It was cool seeing all that stuff.

[@gavindean]

Oh man I’m having a serious bout of nostalgia I was born in 70 so in the eighties the Honda XL was the bike of dreams I was lucky enough to have a XL 100 and then a XL 175 in Blue, I love when you restore the 80’s dirt bikes😁😁😁

[@davidp.jackson9908]

Hey Craig! My father-in-law was the owner of PSI in Wild Rose, WI. It was cool to see you so excited about his pipe. Thanks for the PSI shoutout!

[@Badhagis]

For $775, I would have bought that bike all day long. Great job Sir...Thanks for taking us along!!

[@jimp.7286]

I'm in awe! You're a walking bikes and parts encyclopedia. You are truly in your environment right there. Had a kawi h1 for a short time around 82/83. Had chromed chambers and it was a noise ticket magnet. Way too much attention from cops who harassed me and buddies mercilessly. I got rid of it - it just wasn't practical for me,...... but I sure wish I had now. Cheers. 👍

[@Laidbackhippy]

My favourite part of your videos is trying to find pearl jam stickers in the background Love that you appreciate my favourite band

[@kendiggy]

I wish we had auctions like that in the northwest. I see some auctions pop up here and there, but nothing like I see you guys get over on that side of the country!

[@richardwright8223]

My guess is that they could have made a lot more money if they had hired a couple of guys like you to sort and label everything. It looks like you did well. Projects for years.

[@Jevans3141]

I love the energy at most auctions. It's a fun time, and usualy walk away with some real GEMS! 🏍

[@chriswhetzel1169]

You were literally five minutes away from my house from that auction. Wish I was there

[@xavierlozinguez]

Where was it?

[@jimdarr9415]

​@xavierlozinguez Pennsylvania. Newville or Shippensburg I believe

[@neilmoore7805]

Oh my! I'm so jealous! My childhood also involved farm auctions with my dad and i lived it when we came home with a truckload of stuff for just a few dollars. Now in my senior years, is live to go to an obscure motorcycle auction and "clean up" on parts and bikes. Very satisfying video😂

[@nasilemak868]

Can't wait for the next bike build video!

[@mikemaydonik2608]

I had that exact '83 Honda XL when I was a kid. I loved that bike!

[@user-Borgus]

Hey!!! I have a lot of experience with a KX80. My younger brothers and I rebuilt the motor and welded the frame about 4 times one summer in 1984 on one of these little brutes. They were a lot of fun.

[@PeterCork]

Way to go Craig (and Dan)! Lots of fun and knowledge. Very much looking forwards to seeing what comes out of all of this especially some of those very clever buys. - Coming up on 1/2 mill subscribers too! More 'way to go'. - Cheers from Aussie; keepasmileonyadiles!

[@tommylee9339]

Man this looks like it was so fun! Stoked on the work we did this week, can't wait to see the video!!

[@JorgeM523]

I, too, appreciate you bringing us along. Looks like you had a FULL day. Looking forward to the follow up videos.

[@jonathanphillips3257]

Great episode, felt the excitement of the auction. Some real gems there.

[@RobertHatfull-df4ch]

I used to go to police auctions i found loads of great deals id take a trailer and fill it for about £200 (it was the late 90s lol)my hodaka came from there along with a trailcub and yammaha ty 175 £68 includeing fees i was bike mad back then ,great vid mate it kinda brought auction memories back .

[@340Demon]

Fun video! Cool auction and really enjoyed the casual walk around and pointing things out ahead of time. Looks like it was definitely worth the trip!

[@ianbratt9237]

I got a 81 it175. Awesome bike! I'm glad that you got that bike. Unfortunately mine needs a cylinder and piston now.

[@kettujabamiesukkeliukko]

Auction videos are always fun. Great to see people buy stuff for cheap, either for use or flipping for profit.

[@Oldez60s]

I’m here because of NoNonseneKnowHow mentioned you in his video. What an awesome auction!! Love the channel 👍🏻👍🏻

[@paddyskull]

Mate, I'm just happy that you had so much fun. Your knowledge of dirt bikes is amazing and I'll bet you can get make, model and year just by smelling the exhaust fumes! Great video!

[@chuckdeyo291]

Thanks for keeping bikes from ending up in a junk pile. And who knows, that ratty exhaust might become art someday.

[@SutediMoto]

That blue 550 two-stroke Triple is a gem! I was drooling.

[@worldofameiso5491]

It's not a 550 triple, it's a Kawasaki H1 (500cc triple) It's not a rotary valve either, it is piston ported.

[@Gassit]

@@worldofameiso5491 Correct but to be exact its a 1971 H1A. The large bulge on the right hand side of the engine is because it had a really complicated electronic ignition system with a distributor a bit like a car mounted under that cover.

[@mikecaracoglia3678]

@@worldofameiso5491That’s right. There is a distributor under that right side engine cover.

[@worldofameiso5491]

I have an H1F, so similar but a different layout.​@@Gassit

[@TheCbxmaster]

@@SutediMoto it’s a 498 cc three cylinder two-stroke. I have one just like it but somebody put duel disk on front.

[@71spaceman]

Awesome. This is so exciting and for me will make absolute best viewing hands down. To see you piece these bikes back together and ridable is just what I love the most. Thank you.

[@gregmoyers7757]

I have been to several bike auctions. They drew too big a crowed and idiots got auction fever. The bikes and parts sold for stupid high prices. The crowd forgets what they are bidding on and start competing with each other just to win a bid. I have seen $50 parts bikes go for $1000.

[@DustySteel]

Last time I was this early, my wife ended up pregnant!🤣🤣

[@E-BIKE_Madness]

🤣🤣💪💪

[@Walrus647]

Ba-dum tsss….

[@GlennO1961]

Some very cool sh-tuff, dude! Thanx for taking us along 👍

[@STITCHWA]

Hahaha awesome. This reminds me of my midlife crisis when I turned 41 earlier this year. I went on a crazy spending spree and bought 3 cars and 2 motorcycles......no regrets as I'm happy and the wife still loves me 😅

[@Busydadgarage717]

I love that you could walk into this auction and know what you are looking at. I would have been, "oh, cool, motorcycle stuff." 😅

[@xeontis]

My first thought was dang, I missed a good auction but really thankful because I don't have the shop space. Glad I get to watch you do it instead :)

[@trailsandtires1457]

I worked at an auction through my teens and early 20's. It was one of my favorite jobs of all time. That itch of buying and selling from auctions has never left but its getting harder now with more people over paying on online auctions. Great fun though!

[@SchmokesShop]

Thanks for the vicarious motorcycle auction experience! Someday soon I hope to have a budget to start playing...

[@rrdevries5607]

Please share more video's like this, I love to watch these kind of treasures sell for these incredible prices..

[@peterbockholm3176]

Mangeld pipes, look for videos where they fix mangled trumpets, saxophones and so on. The equipment that they use is low tech, you could replicate some of it yourself and fix pipes with a decent result.

[@kanuckelwolfe4490]

I feel your excitement. Grew up going to auctions with my Dad. Most are online anymore so it's just not as fun.

[@bonzer2u]

Wow this brings back a lot of memories. I had Hodaka super rat, Bultaco 175 Alpine and Yamaha 175 enduro. My brother had a Maico 250, CR 125 and CZ 125 all moto-x models. All 2 strokes from the 70/80’s and wish I had them now as they were all in excellent condition when we sold them….

[@Zippytie]

what a great day , your lucky to be able to recognise the parts you need , I love auctions , done well and bought some right puppys , but wouldnt miss it for the world , dont get such big auctions like you do here in great britian

[@3rdpig]

When I was a kid I had that exact H1 Kawasaki 500, even the same color. And I think I saw a Kawa 350 Bighorn in the parts bikes, I'd love to have another one of those!

[@jamescarter8421]

One man's trash is another man's treasure..

[@RogerDiotte]

Your a neat guy...Up where I live in Northern Ontario Canada there's NOTHING like what you get to experience for bikes and auctions etc....These vids are always spectacular to see for me!

[@johnathongraham1982]

So excited to see you bring these back to life. What a great video Craig.

[@b0rd3n]

Auctions are a good start for continuous content! Thanks for bringing us along a bit!

[@VTSteve]

Quite the puzzle to put together, much knowledge needed.

[@Badgerbiker]

The airplane cylinders make great lamps. I’ve made about 3 of them. Great gifts.

[@drakeb6168]

Really? You got any videos on the process?

[@Badgerbiker]

@ sorry no videos. But I would take a 1/4 diameter drill bit that was 12 inches long and drill through the head between the rocker arm shaft lugs. Then run a 3/8 drill bit through to accept the hollow threaded shaft for lamps. You can buy all the lamp building parts at hardware store. Then I’d put the valve cover on and mark it from the inside, remove it and drill it. Then build a nice round wooden base with a nice finish, mount the cylinder to it and run the hardware through it for the lamp and wire it up. Put a nice fresh paint job on the cylinder and a cool lamp shade, done.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Sand blast all the oxidation off, maybe clear coat them, and use them for mechanical art deco.

[@tomdombrovski432]

That looked like a fun auction to attend!, you found an saw some pretty awesome stuff!

[@glencavers1839]

Blue Kawasaki triple is a 71 H1. Not a rotary valve, the bulge on left side of engine is part of ignition system. Bought one new in 71. Wasn't called the widowmaker for nothing. Very collectable.

[@arthurmiller-vl6sw]

Just imagine the difficulty trying to rotary valve a triple😂

[@gorgon9786]

Brought back some good memories, mr. Craig!. Excellent video,.. and work from you!. Thanks!.

[@diesel46809]

Awesome job on getting all that stuff, wow what an auction, alot of cool stuff was there. Keep up the great work.

[@Novias_Moped]

AHH SO MANY MOPEDS TO! Jealous! Glad you got some sick scores tho! Cant wait to see the videos!

[@Maxdekriek]

Wow thank you for sharing this .... what a puzzle to get this Wright....i love the channel and the content.... happy thanks giving....and greetsz from Holland/Friesland...max😉👍😁😎

[@rizzo3689]

Auctions are a blast....cheap motorcycle auctions? well I just got all tingly inside watching this one. Man that must have been hard keeping your cool. Nice job!

[@lindasnook6735]

My kind of video. I just put together two KTM LC 4s in the past few weeks. Totally enjoyable when they come home DOA and I get them running, and riding.

[@seanhiggins1914]

Sometimes, just knowing you got your money’s worth, if not more, is all the satisfaction you need

[@ecurbyhprum1043]

I dig going to the auction I've bought several motorcycles at the auction. Yamaha 400 special 25 bucks, Kawasaki 750 LTD twin 25 bucks and the list goes on. I've had pretty good luck.

[@edmilkovitz297]

Really cool stuff, definitely a lot to keep track of by yourself. 👍

[@joe_preston]

Having gotten excited and buying semi loads at one auction I completely understand what you went through.

[@Wil_Liam1]

A 2 smoke exhaust pipe dings and dents can be removed using compressed air and a torch by capping off the pipe ends and applying compressed air,heating the dented places to cherry red and watching them go away as the air pushes them outwards.. Practice this on a junk pipe or three before attempting it on a valuable to you pipe...

[@The_Bearded_Mechanic]

I've blown out 100s of pipes over the years

[@KING_OF_FARTS]

Now you can annoy the neighbors for years.

[@marty21487]

My favourite channel on youtube hands down!!!

[@thomasl6405]

Great video Craig and Dan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@galeng73]

Perhaps some trivia you'll all enjoy: Some of those exhaust systems have that weird bulb in them because they're for 2 stroke engines. The exhaust expands in that section and thus draws a vacuum that goes back through the system to draw fuel into the combusion chamber. So, those weird shapes are important for many dirt bikes - specifically 2 stroke bikes.

[@SchnelleKat]

Nice scores! That little TM75 Suzuki is a fairly rare bike, only made 1 year. The TM100 2 years. Both hard to get.

[@gummball]

Great stuff guys. Can't wait to see what you got and what you spent. Guaranteed most of us will be jealous!

[@The_ElPapo]

That was really fun to watch. Great blogging out there!

[@tristanbuckoke9121]

So cool Craig. What a great day of bargains. Thanks for sharing. Cheers mate from Australia

[@rjdgreek]

Great auction haul! You said the PSI exhaust was crunched but from the looks of it you could hydro form it back into shape (carefully of course).

[@markhooper5824]

That was brilliant. Cannot wait for next episode.👍

[@Keith-rk4td]

That snail pipe is AUSOME!

[@rick79991]

Hi craig, what a fantastic day that looked,you got some great bargins there for sure, really enjoyed the video,it almost felt like we were there with ya! Looking forward to the update video, all the best from the uk👍

[@calvint226]

18:14 I just finished getting a XL100 back on the road. The turn signals aren't a big deal, they sell sets of 4 for $20 on ebay. They look good enough to match, you might have to replace the cheap wires and solder the ground wire to the spring, but it'll work after. And you won't feel bad about breaking them off road. The big deal is the license plate mount. The license plate holder is an unavailable part, it cost well over $200 when you could buy them NOS. Those 83-85 XL100 side covers can cost as much as $200... EACH when available. Since XL100 and XL80 covers interchange, I'd expect those covers to cost that much too. I found alternatives to buying all those parts that costs less than a single side cover. Reproduction parts for other models will work or can work with some small modifications. I'd say the one in the video with the unfaded paint and rare parts it's $2000 (to the right buyer). You could never build your way into a bike like that for less because original parts are so expensive to buy individually. Many sell for less because the small engine limits it's on road use to neighborhoods.

[@CageFreeTom]

Nice, watching yours and Sean's videos have me really appreciating the older bikes. Have to make to an auction or two. Only have one classic so far. :/

[@markrobinson4981]

Well done auctions are so much fun. Just have to keep calm and realistic about your bids. Which is very hard when you want to win so badly!!!

[@mattyoung2880]

I can’t wait to see what all is in this trailer 😊😊

[@jameskelly5459]

That Kawasaki 1000 LTD with the silver tank insert took me back. Did my MC drivers license test on one, the instructor took one look at me and thought I was going to wrap it around a pole in the parking lot!!! That bike was a part of me though......

[@tommaples9174]

That's a 1974 TM75, first kid MX model by Suzuki. 4 speed. I love them. I just sold one for $1500 about the same shape.

[@MatrixTechSolutions]

Damn, you must have to put together an Excel spreadsheet before you go like a template or something, love your videos, bro keep it real👍🏻🍀💕

[@benjaminbuesching4450]

This is a dangerous place for a bearded mechanic like Craig

[@matthieuchampin8469]

I Hope it will be lot of vidéos about thèse projects !! I can't wait to see the reassembly of these bikes 😊

[@xpndblhero5170]

This is a great place to get project bikes or electric conversions w/ transmission.... That is what I grew up w/ in my small town too, but not as many jems. Just beaters w/ weird engine swaps.... Still, I wouldn't do it any different. 😂❤

[@bradbeall392]

You seem to have an affinity for Yamaha IT bikes. I have a 1981 (I think) IT125. Bike is blue with a red aftermarket seat. 99% complete, and runs. Cables are stiff, but not seized, and rear fender is cracked. $250 takes it home. No title. Located in Monongahela, PA., about 25 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. Interesting trades considered!

[@frederickcrossley8303]

You bought more video content that is always good .

[@MichaelLaneMonkeywrench]

Auctions are the best day out. Also (oddly) they usually have a great hot dog/smokie table going.

[@tonykeller6260]

This is how collecting becomes lifelong, you never have time to fix them all. Very interesting!

[@gr8lipz]

Another great hard-working Pennsylvanian! 🤘🤙🏻