York swap meet ....

[Lannis]

Had an enjoyable time at the York PA swap meet yesterday, nice big indoor venue, swap meet, and bike show.

Two observations:

Not much Guzzi stuff going on, but on the other hand the Potomac Riders club is a dirt-bike oriented club, so a lot of the stuff is off-road.   But there was a presence from almost every type from Vincents to Rokons to BSAs to old flattrackers.

This old Ambo was there:



The owner was with it, talking about it, it's apparently a runner, couldn't tell if it were for sale or not, no price tag on it

(although according to the highlander on the raft in Waterworld ... "Not for sale, not for sale?  There's no such thing as not for sale!").

Seemed like a lot more buying and selling activity than in past years.   Bikes and parts at tempting prices, cash offers (and I mean cash fanned out in your hand) were likely to be taken, lot of rare parts out there you don't often see.   I don't know whether people are more confident of their paychecks and pensions or what, but there were bikes rolling out the doors and onto people's trailers all day.

And if you saw the crowd, you would lose your apprehension that "All The Old Guys Are Dying Off And The Sport Will Go With Them".  Although MOST of the guys there looked a lot like me, there were LOTS of young guys 20s-30s buying and selling, lots of kids (boys and girls) sitting on the 80cc dirt bikes for sale going vroom vroom, lots of families.   A lady was selling a beautiful T110 Triumph that had belonged to her recently deceased husband, and a young guy bought that.

I bought a nice 8 amp ammeter, a pair of Fox Creek boots, a couple of antique shop oil cans, and some valve-setting tools.   I wanted a Giro-ready Ducati 160 that was calling to me, but the unfinished projects in my shop called louder, so maybe next year .... !

Lannis

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

My "gang" was there also and had a great time as usual. The Ambo had a sign on it when I looked at it - $4500! Some friends said it was $2500 earlier in the day.  I didn't buy much: some reflector/license plate bolts and a "novelty" sign for the shop.





My friend Dale bought the Ducati 160 for $1000. There was also a nice Wards/Benelli 250 (with BSA decals on the tank) for $800.

[Lannis]

My "gang" was there also and had a great time as usual. The Ambo had a sign on it when I looked at it - $4500! Some friends said it was $2500 earlier in the day.  I didn't buy much: some reflector/license plate bolts and a "novelty" sign for the shop.





My friend Dale bought the Ducati 160 for $1000. There was also a nice Wards/Benelli 250 (with BSA decals on the tank) for $800.

If the Ambo was $4500, that was just silly.   No wonder it was there all day.   I think the little Ducati was a good deal at $1000.   

Lannis

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

"novelty" sign for the shop

The listed prices would be two or three times higher in California!

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I think the little Ducati was a good deal at $1000.   

Ran well, clear title, original tool kit, mostly original. I thought it was a bargain at $1k.

The listed prices would be two or three times higher in California!

It's a reproduction of a sign from the '70s, adding a zero just to the left of the decimal point should make the prices about right. 

[jas67]

Ran well, clear title, original tool kit, mostly original. I thought it was a bargain at $1k.

Pics?

[Lannis]

Pics?

A friend took a couple pics of it, no big side views though.





Definitely a nice bike and worth the money.  I'm regretting it now ....

Lannis

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Headlight and tank had been repainted, the rest was original paint. Dale will have it looking nice before too long.

[jas67]

Any pics of the Wards/Benelli?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Any pics of the Wards/Benelli?

Sorry, no.

[timmythecop]

I was there as well. Like stated earlier, slim to no Guzzi stuff. The prices on stuff was reasonable. But i didnt see anything i couldnt live without. I walked past a triumph metisse project with 800, then SOLD written on it. I mused out loud "800 bones? No wonder it is sold" the owner heard me and said "Everybody is saying that, I should have asked for more!!"

The one bike that really spoke to me was the CB F racer. It had early interceptor wheels and forks, just like my KZ1000 endurance racer. The KZ trike was cool too, but I woulnt want to ride it.

[hauto]

The York swap meet has grown into one of the premier meets in the country.It has moved over the years from the smallest venue to the facilities largest this year.In the beginning it was a strictly a dirt bike show.If you go now you will see almost all types of bikes there. I saw the ambro too,not sure what there value is.$4500 did strike me a little high.