How can it be that high

[Markcarovilli]

Ebay auction just ended and Moe's 1974 Eldo bid up to $32,100 and reserve Not Met.  So it didn't sell even at this price....

I don't get it....

Mark

[rocker59]

Moe's prices get discussed quite frequently.  Several threads on his prices.

Keep in mind his SoCal clientele and the degree of restoration of his bikes.

He has carved out a high-end niche and developed a high-end clientele for his restorations.

I say good for him.

[oldbike54]

 Well , the "high" part is correct  ;D

  Dusty

[Guzzistajohn]

Higher than giraffe balls, but if he can get it, good for him ;-T

[LowRyter]

 :pop

makes me wonder who bid on it?

[Chuck in Indiana]

That's just crazy. Sorry, but it is.

[Perazzimx14]

The add stated the this restoration has over $40,000 invested before the siren ::). I am not sure how you could get that kind of money in to a Loop. They only have 12 parts and 3 wires.

While its neat a Loop can bring 30K it ultimately hurts the rest of the general buying community. Pretty soon $1,500 barn finds (if you lucky enough to find one priced reasonable) are going to be $4,000 & $5,000.

Left coast can keep Moe and the East coast will keep Charlie.

[guzzisteve]

Maybe it's the way the seat smells after a photo shoot.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I'll bet it's really shiny.. ~;

[rocker59]

The add stated the this restoration has over $40,000 invested before the siren ::). I am not sure how you could get that kind of money in to a Loop. They only have 12 parts and 3 wires.

While its neat a Loop can bring 30K it ultimately hurts the rest of the general buying community. Pretty soon $1,500 barn finds (if you lucky enough to find one priced reasonable) are going to be $4,000 & $5,000.

Left coast can keep Moe and the East coast will keep Charlie.

What is shop time in L.A.?  If its only $100/hour, then a restoration could get expensive real fast.

[oldbike54]

What is shop time in L.A.?  If its only $100/hour, then a restoration could get expensive real fast.

 Bet shop rates are closer to $150.00 an hour in LA .

  Dusty

[LeRoy]

All of these prices are academic. I, for one, have never seen one of Moe's bikes actually meet reserve on eBay. Maybe one has. But on the other hand, and from a seller's perspective, why not set an insurmountable reserve and watch bidding climb to the stratosphere without ever actually defining a sale price? In a way, this becomes "testimonial" advertising for the value of his services. Then, when a customer is in the shop, it can always be said, "Well, I turned down $X for it on eBay." The whole thing sets an artificial floor on pricing, from which it can only go up.

Has anybody on this list ever seen one of these bikes reach reserve?

[Lannis]

All of these prices are academic. I, for one, have never seen one of Moe's bikes actually meet reserve on eBay. Maybe one has. But on the other hand, and from a seller's perspective, why not set an insurmountable reserve and watch bidding climb to the stratosphere without ever actually defining a sale price? In a way, this becomes "testimonial" advertising for the value of his services. Then, when a customer is in the shop, it can always be said, "Well, I turned down $X for it on eBay." The whole thing sets an artificial floor on pricing, from which it can only go up.

Has anybody on this list ever seen one of these bikes reach reserve?

I think you've hit it, or close to it.   These bikes are publicity stunts - the ads, his strip-club site, the astronomical "asking" prices all get a little bit of a buzz going, here and other places, and even if he doesn't sell any of these bikes for these kinds of prices, it will tend to drive prices up for those people for whom "Moe" is some sort of Guzzi god .... There's no telling what the bikes actually sell for when all is said and done .....

Spin and publicity.   Good for business!

Lannis

[canuck750]

I saw the bike when I was visiting Moe's shop last week, it was absolutely beautiful!

No comment on the price, a thing is worth what someone is willing to pay and from what I saw of that part of California there is no shortage of money.

I have never seen a Ferrari dealership let alone one with half a dozen parked outside as if they were selling Kia's! Followed by the Bentley, Aston etc.. dealerships all in a row, that place makes Beemers look like regular old Fords.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

How many of Moe's loops end up in Dubai or Qatar?


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[arveno]

How many of Moe's loops end up in Dubai or Qatar?


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I got a friend that lives is Dubai....he told me no many riders overthere...i been there few times visiting and only seen few camels lol

[Perazzimx14]

What is shop time in L.A.?  If its only $100/hour, then a restoration could get expensive real fast.

Wouldn't shop rate only apply to projects being brought into the shop by customers? I highly doubt Moe charges himself shop rate when building a bike for retail sale.

[rocker59]

Wouldn't shop rate only apply to projects being brought into the shop by customers? I highly doubt Moe charges himself shop rate when building a bike for retail sale.

Why wouldn't he?  It's a business.  And, time has to be accounted for.

If he loses money, it's a write-off.   ;)

[Perazzimx14]

Why wouldn't he?  It's a business.  And, time has to be accounted for.

If he loses money, it's a write-off.   ;)

If I were him @ $150 per hour I'd work on it 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for a year. At the end of the year I'd write off $280,000 in labor then go on vacation with my return.

That's the great thing about numbers you can manipulate them to look any way you want. 

[Lannis]

If I were him @ $150 per hour I'd work on it 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for a year. At the end of the year I'd write off $280,000 in labor then go on vacation with my return.
 

Sounds like IRS audit meat to me!   :o   Heck, make it $500/hour and REALLY get a writeoff!   P:)

Lannis

[DougDoolin]

The price may be insane to us,but to someone who has an unlimited amount of play money, it may be a bargain for a "Moes" restored motorcycle.
It also gives the buyer something to brag about to the friends he bought and paid for.

[not-fishing]

Moe's just trying to keep up with the HD Chopper Crowd


 :pop

[Penderic]

Maybe the bikes production cost is so high is due to his experimental labor methods?  

He may be including the cost of developing new restoration techniques for vintage motorcycles.

[mgfan]

If you search other makes you'll find a niche restorer for each. Colorado Norton Works bikes normally go for over $40,000.   :BEER:

[jas67]

....
While its neat a Loop can bring 30K it ultimately hurts the rest of the general buying community. Pretty soon $1,500 barn finds (if you lucky enough to find one priced reasonable) are going to be $4,000 & $5,000.
....

That is precisely what happened to bevel head Ducatis.     Now, even bevel head singles are getting crazy money.

[Perazzimx14]

If you search other makes you'll find a niche restorer for each. Colorado Norton Works bikes normally go for over $40,000.   :BEER:

As they say: "There's an Ass for every seat"

[guzzigray]

I'll add my 2 cents.

Yes, $32K + is a  lot money but reflects the amount of time and effort to do a concourse restoration. Having built 2 racing Guzzis to a reasonable standard the costs add up and that's not including my time. If I figured even $50 per hour the cost to build would easily be $30K.

Hate to break it to some of you but Moe is not making a ton of money selling bikes at $20K+.

Also shop rate does not equate to Moe's net income. There's rent, parts, insurance, employees, overhead, downtime etc etc.

I run a small business here in LA and my shop rate (not bike related btw) is similar to Moe's and I'm not getting rich either. That might be because I build race bikes. But that's another story  :)

[Chuck in Indiana]

I saw the bike when I was visiting Moe's shop last week, it was absolutely beautiful!

No comment on the price, a thing is worth what someone is willing to pay and from what I saw of that part of California there is no shortage of money.

I have never seen a Ferrari dealership let alone one with half a dozen parked outside as if they were selling Kia's! Followed by the Bentley, Aston etc.. dealerships all in a row, that place makes Beemers look like regular old Fords.

Yours are better..

[John Ulrich]

I did a "down to the last polished nut" restoration and quit counting at $12,000.....in parts + cycle.  Labor was all me except for powdercoating, chrome & cylinder heads.  Going to the next degree is only a little more effort.

Before..........


After...