Hello all,
It's been a while since I have been around, it was a busy summer for me.
I am planning to upgrade my rig to get some more power and ABS to better match my riding style, and am trying to figure out just what my current rig is worth in order to sell it and not cheat myself, or anyone else.
The rig runs down the road pretty straight, with very little steering effort needed compared to others that I have ridden, and corners well.
The tug is a stock-looking 1982 R100RT with about 93,000 on the clock. In stock trim it should be worth about $3000-3500 on the open market.
However, I do have some modifications/upgrades which have been done. These include:
-400 watt brushless alternator (up from stock 240w brush system)($450)
-Upper and lower fork bracing
-Stainless brake lines
-Updated saddlebag latches for single-key locking
-Upgraded headlight wiring w/relays for more light output
-Custom headlight adjuster bracket/knob to allow easy adjustment
-Two accessory power outlets for heated clothes, gps, etc...
-Corbin aftermarket seat (stock seat avail.)
-BRIGHT LED tailight with adjustable flashing decay rate to get attention.
-Headlight/running light on/off switch (euro switch)
-Heated handgrips
-Dauntless subframe with steering damper ($700 w/damper)
-Choice of either the stock snowflake wheels, or a set of Lester Mags
-Choice of three complete RT fairings for the bike (red/silver/RT-Classic two tone) none of them are perfect...
-Rebuilt gearbox with add-on REVERSE GEAR!!! (~$3000 1-yr ago)
The current sidecar is a stock 2001 Champion Escort with the convertible top, a power outlet in the dash, and the trunk lock is keyed to match the bike's ignition key, so only one key is needed for ALL locks on the entire rig. There is no brake, nor TILT, but they can still be added.
I am also currently working on a modification to the convertible top, which would allow it to stay closed/attached and lift with the hatch when entering/exiting the sidecar. (similar to the Daytona model, or the Hannigans) This will be a stainless steel collar frame around the hatch opening with snaps attached for the convertible top to clip to.
SO....
I know that there is some value to having a rig that is already attached and set up properly. But how much is that worth? How much extra do the mods to the bike add to the value? (most of them were done to make it a better tug.) How much is this sidecar alone worth these days? $2000???
$3000 - bike
$3000 - reverse gear
$ 600 - other modifications
$1000 - subframe & setup
$2000 - sidecar
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$9600 - total???
Is $9600 for this rig out of line? Too high? Too low?????
Having never bought/sold a complete rig, I just don't have a feel for it...
Thanks for any advise you can offer...
Karl
If the cat's a good mouser, I'll give you $9500 right now.
OK- just kidding...
I don't think people care to pay for many upgrades, although most of yours are SC rig-specific. Also, I think you would inspire more confidence if you don't confuse a buyer with choices (wheels and fairing). Maybe that's just me though. Some folks will be scared of the mileage?
I'd say run $7500 up the flag pole and see if anyone salutes.
Originally written by Uncle Ernie on 11/20/2007 4:39 PM
If the cat's a good mouser, I'll give you $9500 right now.
She is an excellent mouser, and has even taken down a squirel!!! She was a stray who took up residence in my finace's garage, and we turned her into a house cat now.
But sorry, she is not part of the deal... 😉
At anything over $7500 it shoud have a unit front end, or at least a steerite. I don't think you will see much payback for the reverse gear mod. I'm sure it's nice to have, but doubt many will pay much premium for it. You might get a better payoff selling the transmission with reverse separately and putting a stock transmission back in the bike.
$9,600. if you want to keep it forever.
$5.700. to $6,200 should get it sold.
Reverse isn't that popular and the mileage isn't the lowest. Most of the mods are pretty basic or maintenance oriented.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Originally written by Hack'n on 11/20/2007 8:24 PM
$9,600. if you want to keep it forever.
$5.700. to $6,200 should get it sold.
Reverse isn't that popular and the mileage isn't the lowest. Most of the mods are pretty basic or maintenance oriented.
Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
I could take it all apart and sell the parts for more than $6000...
As I said, I have been keeping up with the current market for older BMW's (I have bought 2 in the last 3 years). Even with the current mileage the bike is worth $3000-3500 by itself without any of the upgrades, maybe more within the BMW Airhead community because my tech knowlege on these bikes is known. I get emails from other BMW owners with questions about maintenance/upgrades to these bikes. Also, 90-100k is nothing on an Airhead BMW compared to other brands. This one is still on the original clutch, even pulling the rig for the last 50k. Early BMW wheels also use automotive type tapered roller bearings which are designed for the side loading of a sidecar.
And for someone with a handicap, reverse gear is nearly priceless if it keeps them on a bike... {as someone with handicap plates on my rig, I can attest to this.} I have plans on adding this feature to my new rig as well, now that I know how it was done. I will need to do the design myself on the newer gearbox. But as an engineer, I think I can handle it...
If I can't get at least $8000 for it, I will either live with the lower power, or break it up and sell the bike, transmission, charging system, subframe, sidecar, etc. separately.
Given worse case values, that would yeild me:
$3000 - bike
$2000 - transmission ($3000 to build your own)
$1500 - sidecar (2001 Champion Escort in very good cond.)
$ 350 - subframe & steering damper ($700 new)
$ 300 - 400 watt charging system ($475 currently)
$ 125 - San Jose fork brace (no longer made - avg. eBay price)
$ 75 - LED taillight module ($130 new)
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$7350 - Just for those easily separatable parts, at worse case values selling them individually.
Not to mention the value to someone who cannot mount/setup/trim a rig properly.
Thanks for your opinion Lonnie, but I think that $6000 is lowballing it quite a bit...
And I can wait until spring if needed, when demand will be higher.
My experience has been that selling the extras on ebay (assuming that you can put the original parts back on the rig) is much more profitable.
As has been stated - most potential buyers aren't willing to pay a lot for extras regardless of how nice they are.
Best of luck.
Having bought and sold a lot of bikes myself and having my own website where I sell aftermarket acessories (no, not sidecar related acessories), it's also my experience that from not only a sellers standpoint but a buyers', any and all acessories added to a bike or outfit to personalize it add absolutely nothing to the resale price. Having said that, I agree it's much better to sell the acessories piecemeal on Flea-Bay or list them in a classified section of an applicable forum but don't expect to get anywhere near what you paid for them and forget about your installation or removal labor.
Bling, whether mechanical or cosmetic has a huge markup and that markup has to be discounted when you sell the stuff. Your potential buyers will be well informed as to price so it's better to be realistic (if you want to sell the stuff) rather than pricing it too high and having it collect dust.
Your best bet (from my experience) is to remove all the personalized bling and offer the outfit as a basic package for what it's worth considering year of manufacture and actual mileage as well as overall condition. Owning a bike is like owning a boat when it comes time to sell it. Both items may be (in your view) worth a lot but to a buyer they most likely aren't.
Sidecar outfits are especially hard to peddle when used (or even new). Sidecaring is a niche sport which immediately makes your market width somewhat narrow. Price your items accordingly.
I could take it all apart and sell the parts for more than $6000... .
My experience with motorcycles with lots of aftermarket stuff is that this is correct. From what I have seen on sidecars, it is even more the case.Only issue is the time to R&R the parts, advertise them, package them, ship them, collect the $, etc. In my experience, this is a REAL pita. For me, the times I have doen it, I would have been better off making money some other way. However, I don't really enjoy dong all that stuff (probably why I have so many bikes (lol)). You might well enjoy it. jmpogreg
i always keep all my stock parts - when im going to modify parts i do the modifications on a duplicate [usually found on ebay] and then use the modified duplicate while putting the original part in a nice clean box on the top shelf with the vin on the box.
when its time to sell i change it all back to showroom stock condition - put any odd bits i dont want to keep or peddle in a box in the tourpak & off it goes
when the current bike goes - ill keep my trees, wheels, brackets etc & sell as a stone stock bike. & ebay or reuse the rest. [in about 5 to 7 years from now]
[well unless i win the lottery and then ill just trade it in and take the hit - ]
to
It's really hard to say what the value should be. Sidecars are rather difficult for private parties to sell. Although you have some nice upgrades, most people won't want to pay for the true value of those items.
If you are not sure, I would put it on eBay with a reserve that represents my lowest value and see what happens. Although it is difficult to think about shipping, there are companies that will come to your location and pick items up and palletize them.
The good thing about ebay is the wide market that it provides. The bad part is the possibility of getting scammed with a fake cashier's check or the like.
Good luck.
I'd say Lonnie's in the ballpark, Karl.
But let me know when you want to sell the Enduralast - I'd make a reasonable offer.
8^D
Tony
'83 R100RT w/Ural sidecar
stock charging system (280w) - in need of improvement!
I'd say Lonnie's in the ballpark, Karl.
But let me know when you want to sell the Enduralast - I'd make a reasonable offer.
8^D
Tony
'83 R100RT w/Ural sidecar
stock charging system (280w) - in need of improvement!
...sorry 'bout the double-post. 'puter glitch, dontcha' know!
T
