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The demise of Classic Bikes

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matthewmosse:
I got into sohc hondas because at the time they were cheap and plentifull, and I liked the look. No way were 500/4s a bike anyone I knew aspired to. Classic bikes, hmmm, me and my wife have always both liked them looks wise, even before we met. The british stuff is evocotive but a bit too involved and high priced. Its got nothing to do with having aspired to the bikes at a younger age but rather that they are fun and cheap to run. And this is a market that may well grow. My cousin had no bike interest and is the same age as me, 2 years ago he visited me for the first time in 15 years, he now has 2 classics of his own, a cb200 and a yamaha yr1 or somesutch, from the 60's as well as having given his first bike to his brother ( a honda cb100) and he's sold another cb200, thats after just a few gos on my rebel 125 2 years ago. Prices may fluctuate, but there are vast markets opening up where these bikes never went before. That cousin who I corrupted to bikes, he shipped the bike for his brother to Poland. Over there there are few classic bikes, not a lot of motorbikes there at all when I visited and then they were rather clunky looking old iron cirtain things of antiquated desighn. For a lot of us younger generation the modern bikes just don't appeal, looks or technology. If I want technology I get a car, stereo, gps all that. The appeal of the bike, hell the last time I had to call rac for a clutch issue, I had rebuilt the clutch roadside out of boredom by the time the rac van was near, ended up calling to say don't bother. Classic bikes appeal is wider than rose tinted specs of a generation who either saw them in shop windows or were lucky enough to own one back in the day. I spent enough time drooling over new bikes in the local stealership - mostly Suzuki and Yamaha, but ultimately the combination of poor service and low budgett meant older bikes that would never have been allowed near their showroom got a look in, I never looked back, rather each vehicle has been older than the last, the classic bug has bitten and I even have 1940's iron in the shed now. Look wider, at the classic steam and car rallies, plenty of youngsters attending who maybe cannot afford the older kit but who'd jump on a bike like the 500/4 for the classic look plus the fact its small enough not to need a garage, basic enough for a novice to be in with a shout at getting it running and doesn't need special tools. I once worked out there were about 14 tools needed to copletely strip my kh125 down to re paintable lumps, all from a very basic £20 toolbox, and the jobs could be done in an afternoon. Thats an accessible hobby.
Funny thing is though, I'm near broke these days but still couldn't care less about the value of the sohc bikes I own. I'd not sell even though I cannot afford to tax or insure them. They mean too much to me and it would probably be a case of once they were gone they'd be out of reach for the forseeable. Being broke is a tempoary setback due to childcare and unemployment leading to self employment. Selling my precious bikes - over my dead body ( well the 500/4 sidecar and the kh125 anyway. 1978 bmw on the other hand - those can go.

paul G:

--- Quote from: royhall on January 06, 2017, 08:06:21 PM ---
--- Quote from: Trigger on January 06, 2017, 06:46:54 PM ---
--- Quote from: paul gledhill on January 06, 2017, 04:51:27 PM ---Anybody want to but a Honda 400/4 550K3 or a Kawasaki Z650 As I am going to live to be 120 but have no job ;) ;)

--- End quote ---

I will give you 99p for your 400/4 Paul  ;D

--- End quote ---
Dont do it Paul, I will give you two quid. ;D

--- End quote ---

That is going to stretch Triggers wallet ;D

Trigger:

--- Quote from: paul gledhill on January 07, 2017, 08:36:15 AM ---
--- Quote from: royhall on January 06, 2017, 08:06:21 PM ---
--- Quote from: Trigger on January 06, 2017, 06:46:54 PM ---
--- Quote from: paul gledhill on January 06, 2017, 04:51:27 PM ---Anybody want to but a Honda 400/4 550K3 or a Kawasaki Z650 As I am going to live to be 120 but have no job ;) ;)

--- End quote ---

I will give you 99p for your 400/4 Paul  ;D

--- End quote ---
Dont do it Paul, I will give you two quid. ;D

--- End quote ---

That is going to stretch Triggers wallet ;D

--- End quote ---

Never had enough money to own a wallet Paul ;D Spent it all on brake lines  ;)

Mr-Gear:
I don't know, I think there will always be a market for things like this. People are always drawn in by the fasions and relics of years gone. I'm 25 now, owned my 400f for 2 and a half years I guess and I wanted a 400 for a further few years before that, got swizzed for this one, what i was told was meant to be a light resto turned into replace anything engine related. It's my second bike after my honda xl varadero 125.

I wanted this bike as soon as I watched this video of a 350f for some reason: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emjPQhb8-nc

Obviously not because of nostalgia and noone in my family rides bikes other than my grandfather but he gave it all up before I was born. I just loved the look and I wanted to have something I could work on, It's been a pain and I've wanted to watch it burn a few times like anyone with a project but I love riding it, the sound, the smell and I love the look of it (I do wish it was a bit more powerful though...). plenty of my friends like it too and we have apprentices at work that are 16/17 and love it also despite there being lots of newer, nice, bigger and faster bikes in the parking area.

A friend of mine younger than me, his first "car" was a Land rover series IIa back when he turned 17. I don't know where he drew his inspiration for that, But it's pretty cool. I guess my point is that fads come and go certainly but I can't see the market for old classic bikes such as the ones on this forum will crashing to the point of worthlessness. I've come to terms with the fact it's not worth anywhere near as much as I've spent.

haynes66:
although there has been a huge downturn in younger riders coming into the biking world, it's still encouraging to see many new people coming into biking because of the whole fashion thing engendered by  "the bike shed" and other hipster/brat companies. all of a sudden it's cool to be 'cafe'.   as far as classics are concerned though, it's a good thing if prices have stabilized a little so people like you and me can still just about afford them. but as julie says, bikes are meant to be ridden, not stored away. all my bikes, including classics have always been ridden and i will only sell them when another project comes along or i'm too old to ride.

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