Wildguzzi.com

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: canuck750 on June 11, 2018, 02:41:31 PM

Title: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: canuck750 on June 11, 2018, 02:41:31 PM
This is for a Benelli 750 Sei, I have been looking for one to rebuild for a while. The pictures are from 2013 and the ad is full information about Benelli and the design of the bike and not much about this bike other than its claimed to have 16 miles on it and its been rusting away for decades.

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg217/canuck750/CRASH/Ebay%20750%20Sei_zpsawjsdovl.jpg) (http://s249.photobucket.com/user/canuck750/media/CRASH/Ebay%20750%20Sei_zpsawjsdovl.jpg.html)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Benelli-Sei/332680205782?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
And sadly there is no title which makes exporting it to Canada a real hassle.



Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: yogidozer on June 11, 2018, 02:46:16 PM
This is for a Benelli 750 Sei, I have been looking for one to rebuild for a while. The pictures are from 2013 and the ad is full information about Benelli and the design of the bike and not much about this bike other than its claimed to have 16 miles on it and its been rusting away for decades.

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg217/canuck750/CRASH/Ebay%20750%20Sei_zpsawjsdovl.jpg) (http://s249.photobucket.com/user/canuck750/media/CRASH/Ebay%20750%20Sei_zpsawjsdovl.jpg.html)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1977-Benelli-Sei/332680205782?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649
And sadly there is no title which makes exporting it to Canada a real hassle.

And sadly there is no title which makes exporting it to Canada a real hassle.
and for that reason alone, I would pass on it.
You could ask at your MVD, but I think you would be out of luck
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: redrider90 on June 11, 2018, 03:02:51 PM
Not much on the history of then actual  bike. NO BILL OF SALE anywhere. Strange front fender. Are those the original tires? If so they had a lot thread on them.
Seller is asking a $5K for a bike without a bill of sale. An estate sale would have provided a bill of sale.
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: Rough Edge racing on June 11, 2018, 03:08:07 PM
  The ad details lists a salvage title....If that's true it may affect the future valve....
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: oldbike54 on June 11, 2018, 03:13:09 PM
 Sorry Jim , that looks like a scam , or a $5K pile of heartache . Either way , run away , run far far away .

 Dusty
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: Lannis on June 11, 2018, 03:26:28 PM
Normally I'm the suspicious one, but in this case I can't see any of the common signs of a scam.

Appears to be an honest description (rusty, no key, pulled from under a bush and sold at an estate sale with a salvage title) and is not some kind of bargain basement price designed to pull in the something-for-nothing buyers.

I'm betting it's real.   The high start bid will probably run off all the buyers this time arounds, and said buyers had better be a Benelli Sei expert or else have an income from a gas well under his land once they have it in hand ...

Lannis
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: Groover on June 11, 2018, 03:30:45 PM
Those were some rough 16 miles.. The car in the background has European plates, seems sketchy overall. Could be a storage unit of some sort I suppose. Though I'm sure you can make this one look great as all the main parts are there, I think you'd be way under on that one with that starting price by the time you are all done with it. The fender does look like the original one, and so do the rest of the bike parts.

For reference: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1977-benelli-sei/

Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: yogidozer on June 11, 2018, 03:32:35 PM
Normally I'm the suspicious one, but in this case I can't see any of the common signs of a scam.

Appears to be an honest description (rusty, no key, pulled from under a bush and sold at an estate sale with a salvage title) and is not some kind of bargain basement price designed to pull in the something-for-nothing buyers.

I'm betting it's real.   The high start bid will probably run off all the buyers this time arounds, and said buyers had better be a Benelli Sei expert or else have an income from a gas well under his land once they have it in hand ...

Lannis

Even if what you are saying is true (big gamble) registering it in Canada will likely be impossible
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: Groover on June 11, 2018, 03:42:11 PM
That front brake master looks like the one TOMB has on the Convert with engine #8 that he posted here last week. A lot of the other parts look like T3, G5, SP stuff. I "think" the forks and lowers are the same as the SP and G5 models, and also LM1 I believe.
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: Lannis on June 11, 2018, 03:58:08 PM
That front brake master looks like the one TOMB has on the Convert with engine #8 that he posted here last week. A lot of the other parts look like T3, G5, SP stuff. I "think" the forks and lowers are the same as the SP and G5 models, and also LM1 I believe.

Benellis and Guzzis of that time shared a lot of the same DNA, including cross-badging of bikes ....

The 5-year-old picture with the Euro license plate (as Groover noted) on the car would need explaining!

Lannis
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: yogidozer on June 11, 2018, 04:05:20 PM
This is from a site explaining registering MV in Canada.

But first, when to walk away…
If the seller is trying to sell you a motorcycle that is not registered in their name and does not have an ownership, walk away. We can’t help you, and what we’re about to suggest might not work for you. You might find yourself unable to legally get your motorcycle registered and plated, or worse: in possession of a stolen motorcycle. Seriously, walk away.
We have nothing against buying a motorcycle from someone who doesn’t have the ownership in their own name, provided that ownership is official and signed, you should be ok. People sell motorcycles for friends or older relatives all the time. But if they don’t have the ownership to go with it, be suspicious, and play it safe.
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: garbln on June 11, 2018, 04:18:39 PM
Once you hear one of those engines winding up going thru the gears, you will know why they are special.  They really do have a snarl!
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: Dimples on June 11, 2018, 04:40:49 PM

Ebay shows the seller based in Australia if that matters.
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: yogidozer on June 11, 2018, 04:46:21 PM
Ebay shows the seller based in Australia if that matters.

and it also shows this: shipping quote available
 
Item location:
Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States

RUN, FORREST, RUN!  :shocked:



 
Ships to:
Local pick-up only
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: oldbike54 on June 11, 2018, 04:48:39 PM
and it also shows this: shipping quote available
 
Item location:
Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States

RUN, FORREST, RUN!  :shocked:

 Good catch Yogi  :thumb:

 Dusty



 
Ships to:
Local pick-up only
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: canuck750 on June 11, 2018, 05:06:08 PM
Thanks Guys, I hadn't even noticed the Euro plate, definitely time to run away!
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: yogidozer on June 11, 2018, 05:44:20 PM
There are a great bunch of people on this site from all over, including Australia, Canada, etc.
Most would be happy to look into a bike if you are serious.
Keep that in mind, if after you contact the owner, they answer all your questions well, and you just want to have someone eye it up for you.
Also as in this case, people brought discrepancies to parts that should, or should not be on the bike.
 
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: Cal3 on June 11, 2018, 06:44:33 PM

It is all stock and correct......the pictures are 5 years old based upon the date stamp. Somebody go look at it. I knew I shouldnt have sold mine for $2600  :violent1: That was a few years ago......
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: pete roper on June 11, 2018, 06:52:09 PM
Just looking at it its a very early one. Even if it is legit be aware that the early Sei's had a gearbox problem that allowed them, in some conditions, to double engage. Needless to say the outcome of this happening at any speed above walking pace was not something you want to think about!

The answer was a complete new gearbox. I bought one years ago when I had a brief infatuation with Benellis but gave it away to someone who had a Sei that hadn't been done. No doubt finding another one would be like looking for rocking horse shit!

Just a heads up. I have no idea as to its legitimacy.

Pete
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: Tusayan on June 11, 2018, 06:57:00 PM
There are a lot of funny things here.   The photos are 5 years old and sticker on the headlight says the bike was 'Cargo', apparently between New York and Fremantle, which is a port near Perth Australia.  That would be consistent with a bike originally found in Charlotte, NC now being sold by an Australian based eBay seller.  It is not consistent with the bike now being in Elizabeth, NJ and available for local pickup only.  The only way that would work were if the bike was never shipped to Australia and has been sitting in Elizabeth NJ (right next to the port of Newark, NJ and New York) since 2013.

The license plate on the American car behind the bike is an EU plate as others have noted, looks like it might be Spanish, four numbers and three letters with a single country letter (E?).

If I were forced to guess, I'd guess that the bike is sitting rotting in some warehouse in New Jersey, because the Australian seller didn't have the required papers to export/ship/import/register the bike in Australia.  I wouldn't bid based on that guess!  Too much unexplained weirdness.
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: DavidR8 on June 11, 2018, 07:56:47 PM
Interestingly enough the same seller has nice looking 1975 Commando.
https://m.ebay.com/itm/1975-Norton-Commando/332680205951?hash=item4d7549167f:g:NaEAAOSw~U5bGdOf


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: canuck750 on June 11, 2018, 08:23:16 PM
I got this reply back from the seller, it sounds like the bike is still in America.

Pictures are as it was on arrival in New jersey for shipment to Australia.

As explained no title was issue then with export.Now asbestos is import issue so it can stay within the USA and someone there can appreciate the challenges such as they might be with a yet to be run in bike.

Whats under the seat is ... well beyond any battery being cactus any wiring could be ... well lets just assume that it would not be quite on par with current practice and standards. Period electronics were a nightmare with Ducati but Guzzi seems to have been reliable and there was a lot of Guzzi in the Sei ...

Its a barn find that went into a warehouse

There would be no reason why the engine would not turn over on the kick starter ... but I cannot vouch for anything beyond what you see


I am going to pass on this one
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: Sasquatch Jim on June 11, 2018, 08:23:32 PM
NO!   With all the rust on the exhaust and other parts, how does the seller think that anyone will believe the 16 mile story?  SCAM! P.O.S.
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: Tusayan on June 11, 2018, 10:28:41 PM
Its a barn find that went into a warehouse

Well, it's nice to have figured out the story from the photos and hints in the advert  :grin: but the photos also indicate that the bike has been in a New Jersey warehouse for five years since they were taken...  unless the date stamp on the photos is wrong.  The price is ridiculous with that in mind.  However, I'd guess the mileage is correct, given original tires etc.  The condition of the 1970s Italian chrome is no surprise.

Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: canuck750 on June 12, 2018, 09:44:24 AM
An update


Hello

Bike is stored with Schumachers Cargo Logistics at their Elizabeth NJ facility.

The pictures are as the bike was delivered to their warehouse and reflect condition. It is just as caveat emptor for any buyer now as it was for me and the others other bid for the bike back then and for th buyer who bought it at local clearance sale some years past.

Contact Christian at Schumachers LA and he will be best placed to assist.

If the bike were in Australia the starting price would be twice what is now in play ... but it would not b back on the market. You find me a Sei at less than $25K in Australia and I will be impressed.

The prospect of finding another Sei with no miles is difficult to contemplate but Greg in FL has one and he is a genuine guy in terms of the Italian bikes he has owned ... especially Laverdas.

Sorry if Elizabeth NJ is not quite clear as to location but that is why the bike is probably only going to stay Stateside until someone goes through rigamarole getting the thing titled ... then it could be valued at a lot more.
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: Tusayan on June 12, 2018, 10:03:13 AM
God knows what it looks like after five years of sitting in a New Jersey warehouse since the photos were taken.  I would want fresh photos or preferably to see the bike in person, and for the warehouse to tell me in writing that no storage charges are due.  If that were done I suspect you’d get a reasonable deal, well below the asking price - offers aren’t exactly going to be flooding in and at some point the Australian owner will have to write it off and walk away.  It looks like a big hassle for all concerned.

The lost or non-title registration procedure in many US states is straightforward,  that would not be my concern.  I’d be more concerned that after five years of storage in a cold, wet warehouse there might be nothing left but a pile of rust.
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: slopokes on June 12, 2018, 12:01:40 PM
Canuck750–I received the same email from the seller——but he said I should see the bike in the warehouse in jersey....😂
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: canuck750 on June 12, 2018, 12:13:09 PM
Canuck750–I received the same email from the seller——but he said I should see the bike in the warehouse in jersey....😂

Anybody happen to be in Elizabeth New Jersey and be willing to drop in and take a look at this Benelli?
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: redrider90 on June 12, 2018, 12:29:34 PM
  The ad details lists a salvage title....If that's true it may affect the future valve....


My guess is eBay does not allow a blank next to the "title" hence he put in "salvage".
From the written description there is virtually no documentation on this bike:
"It was sold as part of a clearing sale from a deceased estate without any documentation and without even a key. Whether it ever needed a title when it was purchased is uncertain but there is no title"
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: oldbike54 on June 12, 2018, 12:30:44 PM
 Sorry fellas , I am betting there is some real hinky stuff going on here . Seller says the bike was purchased in a clearance sale , what happened to the title ? What is a nice Sei worth , one that has proper paperwork and is in operable condition ?

 Dusty
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: canuck750 on June 12, 2018, 01:06:46 PM
Sorry fellas , I am betting there is some real hinky stuff going on here . Seller says the bike was purchased in a clearance sale , what happened to the title ? What is a nice Sei worth , one that has proper paperwork and is in operable condition ?

 Dusty

Probably right but I am going to chase it down a little bit longer, I left a message with Schumacher Logistics in New Jersey to call me back and I have contacted the US Border and Customs, turns out the bike has to have a title to leave the USA, maybe this is why it's still in New Jersey?  If the bike was never registered getting a title is probably very difficult if not impossible. The Customs guys in the States were actually very helpful and spent some time trying to figure another way to prove ownership that would suffice for border release, but unless the state of origin can be proven its a lost cause.

Mint 750 Sei's ask over $20K but they sure don't seem to sell for that, I bet more like $16K ~ $18K is top dollar and a good runner for $10 ~ $12.
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: Tusayan on June 12, 2018, 01:30:04 PM
As per my earlier post, its now clear that the current seller didn't have the required papers to export/ship/import/register the bike in Australia.

The most suitable buyer would be in the US, in a state where lost title procedures are reasonable.  If the bike has never been registered in that state in the period since records have been retained it will be relatively simple because there is no record of back registration being due.  Typically the process involves a police check of stolen vehicle records and then a new title.  Incidentally, after that process is completed by US buyer, the bike could be sold and exported without issue.

I think 1970s Benelli multis are a risky place to put money.   These are not bikes that were highly prized in period and only a few years ago a Sei was near impossible to sell (at say $4K).  Whether people will continue to pay more for them is open to question, but I wouldn't personally bet on it.  These are not bevel Ducatis or V7 Sports. 
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: oldbike54 on June 12, 2018, 01:40:48 PM
Probably right but I am going to chase it down a little bit longer, I left a message with Schumacher Logistics in New Jersey to call me back and I have contacted the US Border and Customs, turns out the bike has to have a title to leave the USA, maybe this is why it's still in New Jersey?  If the bike was never registered getting a title is probably very difficult if not impossible. The Customs guys in the States were actually very helpful and spent some time trying to figure another way to prove ownership that would suffice for border release, but unless the state of origin can be proven its a lost cause.

Mint 750 Sei's ask over $20K but they sure don't seem to sell for that, I bet more like $16K ~ $18K is top dollar and a good runner for $10 ~ $12.

 Jim , what would you realistically offer for the bike ? Maybe one of our members in the area would get it out and titled , then if possible you could simply import it to Canada . Still , I would want to see the bike , and likely would be very careful .

 Dusty
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: canuck750 on June 12, 2018, 02:00:07 PM
Jim , what would you realistically offer for the bike ? Maybe one of our members in the area would get it out and titled , then if possible you could simply import it to Canada . Still , I would want to see the bike , and likely would be very careful .

 Dusty

I had a few more conversations with NJ DMV and US Customs, the seller confirms there is absolutely no paper work of any kind supporting ownership. An American buyer may have the time and resources to get a title but its beyond what I can accomplish being out of country.

From my perspective the bike is now a parts bike, worth maybe $3K. If I had a donor bike with a title it might be worth getting this one and disassembling it into parts that could be shipped. I have a couple leads on other ones that need TLC so its best I keep looking. I waited years to find a Moto Morini for sale and now I have two and have turned down another one recently, its how it goes.
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: Mike Harper on June 12, 2018, 06:19:15 PM
Having been a Benelli dealer for a very very short time. ( I learn fast) I would call this a "Leverite"  as in leave her right there.

Notorious Junkers with transmissions that were made out of Glass.  99% of them had a broken transmission within a few days and the rest are somebody's office furniture and never started.

Just do yourself a favor and 'Leverite" there.
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: stubbie on June 12, 2018, 07:29:13 PM
No vehicle can leave the US without a bill of sale or title. So he's probably decided to much of a hassle to get one and is selling to the one person who has made a bid.
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: canuck750 on June 13, 2018, 09:32:55 AM
Having been a Benelli dealer for a very very short time. ( I learn fast) I would call this a "Leverite"  as in leave her right there.

Notorious Junkers with transmissions that were made out of Glass.  99% of them had a broken transmission within a few days and the rest are somebody's office furniture and never started.

Just do yourself a favor and 'Leverite" there.

Thanks Mike!
I can't ask for a better opinion than yours, I heard the transmission were bad but I didn't realize they were that bad! Does that put the Benelli Sei up there in the same company as a Lilac?
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: twhitaker on June 13, 2018, 04:05:36 PM
The transmission might be why it only has 16 miles. Imagine trying to find the parts or would a later model fit?
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: slopokes on June 13, 2018, 04:28:59 PM
What did p t Barnum say.😢🛵😢🛵
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: canuck750 on June 13, 2018, 04:44:19 PM
The transmission might be why it only has 16 miles. Imagine trying to find the parts or would a later model fit?

There is a guy in Spain who specializes in the 750 Sei and 900 Sei, he can provide a transmission with the improved shift dogs from the 900 Sei for around $1K.
Title: Re: Is this a legit Ebay listing?
Post by: jbell on June 14, 2018, 11:37:06 AM
What did p t Barnum say.😢🛵😢🛵

Don't walk behind an elephant with your sunglasses on.