I have been thinking that as my only current bike is 748 its a good plan to get a winter/run around bike. I had a brain wave that maybe if I pick the right bike I could break it when summer hits again and maybe even make a few quid. So question is will it be more hassle than its worth and what bikes would be my best shot. Was thinking the popular super moto conversions so hopefully demand for parts and ok for winter. Nothing pricey though Any thoughts anyone?
Was thinking Honda probably a safe bet. Just not sure if it's worth trying to make a few quid or just keep it. Thing is if I keep it long term it becomes my bike and then that will just end up full of trick bits and pampered too
Take Steve's advice - instead of spending money on something half-reasonable in the hope of recouping some of the cost later, just buy an MZ. Spend far less in the first place and save the bother of breaking a bike and the hassle of trying to sell the bits... Stuff it in the back of the garage in spring and drag it out again next autumn - job done !
I was thinking that may be the easiest option. Just wasn't sure if worth the effort, if I could make 200 quid that's belts and bits for the 748 for the summer. Might learn something too. might just get skinned knuckles and a box of bits nobody wants.
Need to be careful on the bike you buy if you will break later. I've been looking at SRAD parts and they are really cheap, as they sold lots of SRADs and they are not worth much money now so I guess loads are breaking. I'd have thought if you spend £1k on a bike you won't lose on it. Almost any bike is worth that with 12month MOT.
Just get something cheap and cheerful, buy the right bike and keep it. I have and its great fun to ride. It was stood in a shed for 10 years and started 3rd kick. Can't see me losing any money no matter how long i have it. Steve
You'll definitely learn something - you'll learn what a total pain people are when you're trying to sell bits of a broken bike; and how they all want something for nothing...
Agree. I've got a 37 year old cafe racered/brat CX500 and it's the most reliable bike I've got. It starts first time every time no matter what the weather (unlike my Ducatis) and it never breaks down. It's bloody slow and heavy and the brakes are wooden and pretty dreadful (not helped by the fact that half of them are missing, the previous owner having decided in his wisdom to remove the RHS caliper) but it's a charming and interesting runaround which I'll probably end up tidying and selling at a profit next summer or I may even keep it. I also had a Hornet for a while and once left it outside in the rain for almost two years, so much so that it was covered in moss and algae, and yet it started on the button and none of the bits were seized. I just took it down to the jet wash and it carried on trucking without any fuss as if it had been used every day.
Yep. Anyone who does this will learn why breakers and scrappies are amongst the most irritable and miserable people you come across. Breaking and selling a bike is a monumental pain in the arse, frankly. By separating it into 100 parts you've just generated 100 eBay listings you need to write and post and repost and tweak and repost ad infinitum, 100 envelopes or boxes you need to address, 100 trips to the post office, 100 potential refund claims, and going by my experience of doing it twice, 10,000 unbelievably stupid and annoying questions. Plus, some of the bits will end up cluttering up your shed/living room for months, possibly years.
That must be out in the Sticks. Try that in any built up area with a sizeable population of thieving toe rags and they'd be wheelying it up and down the dual carriageway within the hour
