Good morning, I currently have a 2003 Yellow 749 that has been stripped for restoration in my garage. I have been toying with the idea of selling it, as I can’t see myself having the time to carry out the planned restoration for a few years yet. If I was to sell it, would I be better off putting it back together and selling it as a project with spares or selling it in parts. There are a lots of spare parts I have amassed such as spare forks, swing arms, panels, loom along with new parts, chain and sprockets, bolt kits etc. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Always going to get more for something that’s together and running. It’s an unknown quantity in bits.
Parting a bike out to sell parts individually is a lot of work. You need storing space, cleaning, pictures, packaging, listing, and above all, facing buyers’ drama. Very long and tiresome. Financially, I’d imagine that you may get better moneys selling it in parts than as a yellow 749 basket case. But it would be much simpler and quicker. Time being money…
How about maximising the sale price by taking your time putting it back together clean & tidy and before you know it, Hurrah!!, it's being restored and they'll be no desire to sell it.
You will get a higher price for a complete, running bike than a pile of boxes containing one. That said, rebuilding the bike with all the time and the myriad of parts and seals etc you will need to accomplish that might make it a wash or even an overall lower nett amount. If you're done with the "bike project" I'd suggest you put an ad here with the bike details, lots of pics, and invite offers. There's a fair chance someone will want a toy to play with here during the winter.
Selling bits individually is likely to get more money. It also comes with hassle and takes time. That’s the trade off: cheap vs time & pita
If you got the time and inclination definitely put it back together, but do it properly as if you’re going to keep it. The problem is, you will want to keep it. If that’s the deal then fine. If your end goal is freeing up your space, time, and money commitment, sell it as a project to someone who would like to rebuild it. (Like me for example )
Ummm, got me pondering now. Ive been watching 749's and 999's as a project for a while as I was one of those rare ones that actually liked it, almost bought a new one 20 years ago as my first bike but went down the car route for a while instead like a fool! When you say stripped for restoration, why/what needed doing and what was the motivation? Any restoration will cost money, so the box of bits for the bike is always going to be under the running bike cost. A bike of that value, without proven engine would be my concern. Its one thing knowing some bodywork and externals need a tidy up, but when you get into the realms of electricals or engine on bikes of this value its a real concern / not viable. Long story short, a project bike 749/999 been on my list for a while so keep us updated, could be interested
the motivation was the flaking paint on the engine, and a general tidy up. Enthusiasm overtook the time and funds available.
