Hunting For A Bike - Moon On A Stick??

andyb57 · Feb 23, 2020

I'm still on the lookout for another bike having made a bit more space in my garage/her wardrobe annex.

Having spent months trying to find a half decent affordable 'classic' bike I've changed tack a bit. I now think I should go for an 80/90s naked, 500/600cc maybe up to 750, in reasonable condition but not already worked over and tarted up. Budget is around £1500, MoT would be nice, but a reasonable service regime is a definite. Can be single, twin, triple, whatever, just don't want a lardy heap of poo, needs to be fun to ride. If it puts a smile on my face when I open the garage great, but beauty is only skin deep. I thought I was on to the perfect bike this weekend but seller of a Hinckley 750 Trident has had second thoughts for the mo' .

So am I being unrealistic? Or do you reckon that in spite of the classic market having gone ape I should still be able to find what I'm now looking for? And if so, any recommendations about where to search - which FB forums, any alternatives to Gumtree, Preloved? All suggestions welcome - I think.

Wessa · Feb 23, 2020

andyb57 said: ↑

I'm still on the lookout for another bike having made a bit more space in my garage/her wardrobe annex.

Having spent months trying to find a half decent affordable 'classic' bike I've changed tack a bit. I now think I should go for an 80/90s naked, 500/600cc maybe up to 750, in reasonable condition but not already worked over and tarted up. Budget is around £1500, MoT would be nice, but a reasonable service regime is a definite. Can be single, twin, triple, whatever, just don't want a lardy heap of poo, needs to be fun to ride. If it puts a smile on my face when I open the garage great, but beauty is only skin deep. I thought I was on to the perfect bike this weekend but seller of a Hinckley 750 Trident has had second thoughts for the mo' .

So am I being unrealistic? Or do you reckon that in spite of the classic market having gone ape I should still be able to find what I'm now looking for? And if so, any recommendations about where to search - which FB forums, any alternatives to Gumtree, Preloved? All suggestions welcome - I think.
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Have you tried autotrader for bikes?

andyb57 · Feb 23, 2020

Wessa said: ↑

Have you tried autotrader for bikes?
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Not recently, found it's mostly dealers with later bikes. will have a dekko

JerryBB · Feb 23, 2020

Try gumtree, but know what your buying

Flay · Feb 24, 2020

JerryBB said: ↑

Try gumtree, but know what your buying
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Unless you were to luck in to something being sold cheap by a disgruntled ex-wife ( I'm sure youve heard the Merc/Jag/Bentley for £50 stories) I'd say that for your budget you could get a really excellent 90s CB500, Kawasaki GPZ500 or Aprilia Pegaso. All good usable machines which are easy to look after and lots of fun to ride.

andyb57 · Feb 24, 2020

Flay said: ↑

Unless you were to luck in to something being sold cheap by a disgruntled ex-wife ( I'm sure youve heard the Merc/Jag/Bentley for £50 stories) I'd say that for your budget you could get a really excellent 90s CB500, Kawasaki GPZ500 or Aprilia Pegaso. All good usable machines which are easy to look after and lots of fun to ride.
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Thanks for the suggestions

Oldfart · Feb 24, 2020

I agree with your comments about the state of the classic market. I'm in the same boat, looking for a classic, preferably, Triumph with an age commensurate with my youth.
Some of the prices quoted for an unseen 'exhibition' standard machine, (sellers words not mine) were not far short of a brand new Street Twin, (another bike I wouldn't mind).
I want a bike that I can enjoy, ride on good days and maybe tinker a bit with to improve its looks. Some of the nails I've seen for £3-4K were ready for rebuilds and had dubious histories.

Oldfart