I know this is subjective but "1969 V7 barn find value"

[giusto]

Hello,

I know this can be a very subjective topic but please bear with me. I have looked at my friend's friend ( ) barn find as he knew I would be interested. I would like to provide a fair value for this bike and follow with a fair offer as he said he would sell it to me. I'd appreciate some opinions
1969 V7 marginally good re-paint red, all metal is in very good condition...no rust, engine is out of the bike (serial number 267X) and on a dolly (the owner said he pulled it to replace the clutch 5-8 years ago and stopped (though he did order a new clutch which is included), crank turns fine, all parts seem to be there...exhaust pipe on one head froze in cylinder and the guy cut the pipe about 2 inches from head to remove exhaust and motor. Most beneath a pile of filth and other bike parts...some rust on wheels and chrome parts...owner says he thinks he has the title.
I am certainly up for the task...I want to be fair and I will show him the results of this post.

Thank s to all

giusto

[Kiwi_Roy]

If it has chrome bores $200 - $500
I bet you will spend $3,000 before you get it back on the road

[George_S]

Agree on the 3K figure. And he sounds like someone that took on more than he was capable of.  Also check that he got the right clutch. Why did he stop at that point? Since he's such a procrastinator, I can see the scenario where he ordered the wrong clutch, received it,  but he then let it sit 6 months in the garage before he realized, and then it was too late to return it.

[Chuck in Indiana]

all metal is in very good condition...no rust,

If everything is there, and I *wanted* it, I'd go up to around $1000. As I've mentioned before, sometimes free is too much. 

[Perazzimx14]

A pic or two would go a long way in helping access the value.

If everything is there I think the above estimates are light on both the current value and what it would take to get it running and in riding condition.   

[giusto]

Agree on the 3K figure. And he sounds like someone that took on more than he was capable of.  Also check that he got the right clutch. Why did he stop at that point? Since he's such a procrastinator, I can see the scenario where he ordered the wrong clutch, received it,  but he then let it sit 6 months in the garage before he realized, and then it was too late to return it.

Roy...if it has iron sleeves?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

If everything is there, and I *wanted* it, I'd go up to around $1000. As I've mentioned before, sometimes free is too much. 

 :1:

[oldbike54]

 First thing is to make him produce the title , yeah I know , "They are easy to get" Good luck , you are a brave man 

  Dusty

[JoeW]

Here's what one just sold for in Vegas
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23131/lot/39/

[giusto]

First thing is to make him produce the title , yeah I know , "They are easy to get" Good luck , you are a brave man 

  Dusty

Thanks Dusty...my buddy used the analogy " an untitled bike is like a box to hold all your bike parts in one place that you can't ride"

I was thinking that 4-500 was fair...though I know it's worth more in parts...that's not where I'd go with it....more along the lines of Kiwi Roy's thoughts.

[giusto]

Here's what one just sold for in Vegas
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23131/lot/39/

Joe,
Thanks for the info...I know these bikes can go for upwards of $$$$$$$
My question was what "this box that represents a holder for bike parts" (until a title is verified)...then we can call it a bike...right Dusty...is worth. there is no comparing the bike you linked with this box of parts....be it all of them...as I run my hands over the cylinder heads with a creepy smile...

[oldbike54]

Joe,
Thanks for the info...I know these bikes can go for upwards of $$$$$$$
My question was what "this box that represents a holder for bike parts" (until a title is verified)...then we can call it a bike...right Dusty...is worth. there is no comparing the bike you linked with this box of parts....be it all of them...as I run my hands over the cylinder heads with a creepy smile...

 Think Joe was just giving you an idea of the finished value . Of course the old axiom applies here .

 "Worth $10,000.00 , well , after you spend $12,000.00 restoring it" 

  Dusty

[giusto]

Think Joe was just giving you an idea of the finished value . Of course the old axiom applies here .

 "Worth $10,000.00 , well , after you spend $12,000.00 restoring it" 

  Dusty

Dusty I certainly meant no disrespect. I will be showing this thread to the owner and hoped for input regarding the value as the bikes sits. I am trying to be realistic and fair. Joe's post is of value for sure.

[oldbike54]

Dusty I certainly meant no disrespect. I will be showing this thread to the owner and hoped for input regarding the value as the bikes sits. I am trying to be realistic and fair. Joe's post is of value for sure.

 Someone of Joe's stature probably didn't read any disrespect , nor did I . The perspectives are different is all . Joe makes money restoring and maintaining motorbikes , the rest of us mostly are
spending our retirement 

  Dusty

[Markcarovilli]

 

Awh Dusty sometimes times you are so correct.....

Mark

[oldbike54]

Awh Dusty sometimes times you are so correct.....

Mark

 Shh , we try to keep that a secret 

  Dusty

[CT Dharma]

First thing is to make him produce the title , yeah I know , "They are easy to get" Good luck , you are a brave man 

  Dusty

Just curious why a title is so important on a 48 year old bike; wouldn't need a title to register here in CT.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Just curious why a title is so important on a 48 year old bike; wouldn't need a title to register here in CT.

You do in most states, including MD.

[Guzzer]

I would never, ever buy any motor vehicle for my personal road use without a title.  If someone else has it, the motor vehicle is theirs, not yours, no matter how much you've put into it. 

[JoeW]

Joe,
Thanks for the info...I know these bikes can go for upwards of $$$$$$$
My question was what "this box that represents a holder for bike parts" (until a title is verified)...then we can call it a bike...right Dusty...is worth. there is no comparing the bike you linked with this box of parts....be it all of them...as I run my hands over the cylinder heads with a creepy smile...

Hey I just stuck that auction result in there as a top or close to top value. I try, emphasis on TRY, to turn a profit on bikes I buy restore and resell. It's what I need to do to keep the lights on here. On my bikes, it's a different story, I put in what I need to to make it how I want it.
If you were to buy this barn find and restore it or just fix it up yourself, you may end up putting in more than 8200.00. However, the value is in the end result. You have a very cool bike, that you put together yourself that you can enjoy riding it and showing it off.
I'm pretty thick skinned it takes a lot to offend me.

[motogman]

I am working on a similar vintage bike and will have $1000-1200 in the motor to get it back on the road.  I am hoping not to have to do much to the trans and then there will be lots of stuff to get the rest right.  So the $3000 to get it on the road is a good estimate and does not get it to a top quality restoration (IMO).  Oh - that is with most of the labor being yours - what is your time worth?  It will be at least a few hundred hours (if you are like me -  others on here that have much more experience will spend a lot less time getting it right.  Maybe they can suggest what the hours would be with their skills.)

[JoeW]

I am working on a similar vintage bike and will have $1000-1200 in the motor to get it back on the road.  I am hoping not to have to do much to the trans and then there will be lots of stuff to get the rest right.  So the $3000 to get it on the road is a good estimate and does not get it to a top quality restoration (IMO).  Oh - that is with most of the labor being yours - what is your time worth?  It will be at least a few hundred hours (if you are like me -  others on here that have much more experience will spend a lot less time getting it right.  Maybe they can suggest what the hours would be with their skills.)

You are correct with your assessment of hours in a project. If you are a hobbyist, the hours spent working on a project can be great therapy and as we age, it keeps your mind sharp. You can also trade the hours spent building a bike with the hours you'll, hopefully, spend riding it. For me, even after all the bikes I build, nothing compares to the pleasure of riding what you built.
As for hours spent on a bike, to get from here...

To here...
 
Was about 120+ hours. Not including parts hunting trips.

[giusto]

Thanks, all great information.

Can I get a few folks to tell me what they would pay for the bike in pieces I have described.

I have a few numbers in this post....200-500....1000...1001 

if I average the 200-500 then add to the next two values....then divide by 3, I get 783$...ok now if figure it's worth 8200$ after I put in 150 hours of my time at 55$ an hour= 8250$ and buy some new tires at 150 each...8250 +300= 8550$....(not counting the heating and lighting bill for my man cave)

8550+783=9333-8200=1,133...so this guy owes me $1,133 if I subtract the average suggested price for the bike 783...and not pay him...maybe I can get him to pay me 350$ and he can keep the bike.....LOL

I would appreciate  a few more numbers...thanks

[K250]

Giusto,   if it's something you want and a more or less reasonable price, might as well buy it.  The time to buy cool stuff is when you can.   

[canuck750]

I would think $750 is a 'fair' price.

Keep in mind that at best you may recover the cost you paid for the bike and the cost of the parts you put into it. Rarely does anyone get their time back but I justify my hobby like this, next time someone asks you if it's worth investing cash and time into an old bike reply with "how much do you get paid to golf (substitute and other relevant pass time) ?

I have learnt so many new skills from restoring bikes and it has given me a whole new level of appreciation while riding.

You will be taking on a project that has excellent parts availability, unlimited support from knowledgeable people and in the end a desirable and dependable motorcycle, on top of that your finished bike is not going to depreciate in value!

[Cam3512]

Register it in Vermont, then title it in your home state.  I've done it twice.

[smdl]

I would think $750 is a 'fair' price.

Keep in mind that at best you may recover the cost you paid for the bike and the cost of the parts you put into it. Rarely does anyone get their time back but I justify my hobby like this, next time someone asks you if it's worth investing cash and time into an old bike reply with "how much do you get paid to golf (substitute and other relevant pass time) ?

I have learnt so many new skills from restoring bikes and it has given me a whole new level of appreciation while riding.

You will be taking on a project that has excellent parts availability, unlimited support from knowledgeable people and in the end a desirable and dependable motorcycle, on top of that your finished bike is not going to depreciate in value!

Well said, Jim!

Shaun

[slopokes]

I paid $350 for a 67 v700 that was all together and had not been running in 20 years.good luck

[giusto]

Thanks for that :)

This one says both V7 and 700 on the sidecover

I was more interested in showing the owner that this bike is a fair deal at 6-700$.

[Perazzimx14]

Thanks for that :)

This one says both V7 and 700 on the sidecover

I was more interested in showing the owner that this bike is a fair deal at 6-700$.

Be careful tying to prove to the current owner what the value is.  An internet discussion board hardly holds any validity especially if the owner isn't familiar with the group of folks blindly accessing the value of his property.

If his asking price is way over what you feel is a fair price simply leave an offer on the table, give him your phone number and ask that he call you if he decides to consider lowering the price to at or near your offer. Nothing can drive a wedge between a deal faster than rubbing his nose in his asking price and trying to  prove to him his price is unrealistic.