Valuations

[alfiembra]

Been thinking about selling my 1977 400/4, but not sure of what would be a fair price to ask for it.
Seen some really high prices being asked for what looks like show standard bikes. Mine is nothing like that though but I’d consider it as a survivor bike in good original condition. I’ve attached a picture and to be honest the picture does flatter it slightly it’s a few years old that snap and I have hardly ridden it since then so it’s a lost a bit of its sparkle.  Got a few scabs and scars on it and a bit of rusty staining appearing here and there on the chrome parts.
So I would be very interested to hear what your thoughts are. Bike has 27000 miles registered as a historic vehicle so no MOT required, rebuilt the carbs recently so runs ok but needs some fine tuning/balancing done, new oil and filters in the past week. Reason for selling is It isn’t getting the attention or use it deserves.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

My BiL has just lent me his 2022/23 UK edition of "The Comprehensive Vintage Motorcycle Price Guide"

Firstly like Glass's Guide in the car trade it is only a "GUIDE" it's worth what someone is willing to pay.

For your year & model they list as follows
Condition 6 (Poor) - £750
Condition 5 (Fair) - £1500
Condition 4 (Good) - £2200
Condition 3 (Very Good) - £2900
Condition 2 (Excellent)  - £3700
Condition 1 (Perfect)   - £4400

There are lengthy descriptions in the guide defining each condition.
Traders prices will generally be higher to allow for part exchanges that they can overvalue to make a deal though in the car trade this trend has declined - it also allows to generate artificial deposit values for finance deals.

On top of this Auctions tend to generate massive price differences at both ends of the scale depending on supply & demand.

[alfiembra]

Thanks for your reply. From your list I’d say my bike falls somewhere in the good to very good range. But my good might be someone else’s fair condition, all a bit subjective. Quite a spread between £1500 and £2900. My fear is that I undersell it, you might have guessed I’m no salesman.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Hope this works. If you read the definitions you should be very good plus.
Tried to rotate the photo but my PC skills failed if you click on the image it opens the right way up!!

[alfiembra]

Going by those definitions my bike is in very good condition. Thanks for that gives me a good idea now of what it’s worth. Need to think hard now and make my mind up, I know that it’ll get little to no use at all over the next 12 months so is a shame to leave it sitting. If anyone is looking then PM me.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Not forgetting that like convertibles the market prices are seasonal.

[Oddjob]

Drain the float bowls if your not using it.

[Athame57]

Not forgetting that like convertibles the market prices are seasonal.

I saw those definitios and thought they are very much too low! I know I paid far too much for my own bike, I thought 'We sell classic bikes' would be reputable looking at their website. My eyes are not out of practice like they were nearly five years ago now. Why not go look at E-bay and see what I mean though.