Bikes from auctions - damaged

[Reedy]

Anyone ever or though of picking up a damaged bike from an auction like: http://www.pickles.com.au/damaged/listi ... N&x=10&y=5

common sense say avoid the ones with front damage but the low siders might be a bargain....cheapy track bikes...

warning some nasty ones, if your imagination runs a bit wild.

[mick_dundee]

Was just looking at Fowles earlier, Ducati 848 amongst their lot, would buy it if I had a garage and the tools to fix it up..

[dave#3]

If you *really* know your shit you can do OK ... generally only OK unless you can get parts really cheap or are prepared to wait months (years) for the parts to come up on eBay. Generally the most economical way to get a trackbike is to buy one that's already built.

[Ali600+150]

Geeeze - no wonder the 250 Ninja was the highest selling bike last year!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Looking like half of them are at the auctions!

[dilligaf]

there's also a guy selling damaged bikes on e-bay.
http://shop.ebay.com.au/adrenalinperfor ... ksid=p4340

[laidback]

there's also a guy selling damaged bikes on e-bay.
http://shop.ebay.com.au/adrenalinperfor ... ksid=p4340

That's the guy I bought my tracky from.

After doing this I reckon you are better off buying a track ready bike.

[Reedy]

what about this:
http://www.pickles.com.au/damaged/vehic ... 38/lotid-0

it might be the bourbon in me. but thats hot shit in vic grab a low side cbr fix the c**t up. whos northore with a garage...

[Naked Twin]

I have bought 3 bikes from auctions over the years for different purposes. I have found that you can go one week and see bargains and the next people paying way too much. I bought a stolen recovered 03 GSXR600 without a mark on it for $4500 (it turned out to be a 1000cc but that is another story) the same day a 06 zx6r went for $7200 which had been low sided, but the time he fixed it up and registered it would have cost nearly a total of $9k (I know as I was looking at it also and costed the parts) at the time ride away you could get the latest model for $12k.

If you are buying one for a track bike then you will probably have to wait awhile for a really good buy to come along and be prepared to do a lot of work yourself to make it worth while. Personally if you are looking for a track bike I would look to buy one already to go. Reason is by the time you upgrade the suspension ($1000 - $2000), race glass ($500 - $1000) braided brake lines ($500) which most track bikes come with you have to look spending at least an extra $2k - $3k, and that is before you do rear sets and other mods that most track bikes come with

I bought my last bike, an 07 GSXR750 which had low sided for $4500, by the time I fixed it up (without repairing the fairing scratches) it was nearly $6k on the road. I put comfort bars and a couple of other things to make it more comfortable to ride. I bought it as I didn't care about scratches, as I was going to ride it at the track a lot which meant I may crash it (which I did) I managed to scratch the un scratched side (now both sides match). But the thing was i picked the bike up and went oh well, new foot peg and bars and back on the road.

If you plan on registering a bike less then 10 years old that is a repairable writeoff in NSW you have to pay $500 for the RTA to do an inspection which takes 45 minutes!

Having said all that I have really enjoyed researching and going to the auctions and buying bikes.
Nick

[tim]

I agree with Dave.

You need to be good mechanically and probably electrically and with bodywork (or have some help in these).

You need to be patient and resourceful and a quick learner.

You'll have to buy tools.

If you had to pay professionals to do anything other than a small weld/couple of layers of paint etc forget it it's just not going to be worth it!

Whilst there is a potential for a great value bike, you've gotta be ok with the risk that things could go pear-shaped.

The equation with both of my bikes has worked out to be on the road for $2000 LESS THAN what I could sell it for at realistic prices straight away. Not too bad hey. The thing is YOU have to do the work because the labour is where the saving is.

(Hmm I probably should pay a certain someone a more for substantial parts supplied for the 6 when I consider this)

But.

Once you budget it, be prepared for around $1000 more in case there's a big suprise. If that value is too much, then be prepared to cry.

I've been extremely happy with the results and experience with both of mine, but in both cases I did lots of research and planned it out beforehand. I had my fair share of "oh shit, is this all going to work" moments, but once I have a Bex and a sit down and talk to someone with a level head things are ok again.

Having been an engineer and not doing it anymore it fills my need for getting the tools out, building stuff and solving problems. Hmmm, so what's the next one

[tim]

oh yeah, and this:
http://www.ksrc-au.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=23307

[triway]

...braided brake lines ($500) ......

If you're paying $500 for brake lines, you will never be able to build one cheaply!

[Reedy]

All input noted. thanks fellas

It helps to put it in to perspective and justify whether to invest in a money pit or not...i guess