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Post by madmick on Jul 12, 2019 0:17:08 GMT 1
Hi all, I have a chance of a us import 1973 rd350 torque induction model. Matching numbers. It needs restoration but it’s not too bad. It’s on a nova and It runs, and everything is there.
my question is... what to pay for it???
Any thoughts on its value. It would be my first ac bike.
thanks in advance.
M.M.
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Post by Ozhammer on Jul 13, 2019 0:27:47 GMT 1
As little as you can get away with?
Sorry, couldn’t resist!
Value would depend on so many factors that it’s difficult to provide a meaningful guide to its possible figure tbh. So in truth, you would have to work out what it is likely to cost to do what you intend to with and work back from there.
The trouble is that some folks have a less realistic idea of what something is worth than others, so who knows what the seller has in mind?
HTH
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Post by cbm on Jul 13, 2019 4:16:51 GMT 1
Hi all, I have a chance of a us import 1973 rd350 torque induction model. Matching numbers. It needs restoration but it’s not too bad. It’s on a nova and It runs, and everything is there. my question is... what to pay for it??? Any thoughts on its value. It would be my first ac bike. thanks in advance. M.M. A bit of a "how long's a piece of string" question MM but here's my 2d's worth. DK's near Stoke import loads of barn find/ project RD's which tend to go for between £1k - £2k depending on originality, condition of expensive to renovate/replace bits like chrome/exhaust/tank etc. and any bits that are missing/non salvageable. If you assume the engine needs a full rebuild anything less is a bonus. Depending why you're thinking of buying it of course but buying a good one here in the UK that's already up together/ready to ride generally tend to be the way to go financially. |
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Post by reedpete on Jul 13, 2019 6:35:25 GMT 1
Don’t get distracted by the matching numbers thing on a USA 73 , ie made in 73 for 74, so an A presumably?
Marketwise they seem least desirable of the 350s, so as above, it’s all about the engine.
If you are looking for a buy and ride then absolutely check the engine is truly good to go, which TBH is very unlikely...
Totally understand you might not wish to publicise which bike you are considering but if you want to PM me the details I’ll cast my eye across pics and words.
Also if you let me know what you are ideally looking for I can ask around on the AC ‘dark web’ .
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Post by dusty350 on Jul 13, 2019 8:19:21 GMT 1
Hi I would add - make sure it's a bike you really want to own. Any old 2 stroke is gonna cost you pain and money - lots of it probably, and if it's not the bike you've always dreamed of the novelty will wear off really quickly ! I've done it with an FZR1000 Exup ! Plus some others too  They are very different to an Lc or Pv in many ways, and restoration may well be harder on an older model - think tank and bodywork, and the sheer amount of metal parts on them. Not trying to put you off, just be aware that we are very well served in the Lc world - others aren't so lucky. Good luck with whatever you decide  Dusty  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2019 8:30:38 GMT 1
Hi I would add - make sure it's a bike you really want to own. Any old 2 stroke is gonna cost you pain and money - lots of it probably, and if it's not the bike you've always dreamed of the novelty will wear off really quickly ! I've done it with an FZR1000 Exup ! Plus some others too They are very different to an Lc or Pv in many ways, and restoration may well be harder on an older model - think tank and bodywork, and the sheer amount of metal parts on them. Not trying to put you off, just be aware that we are very well served in the Lc world - others aren't so lucky. Good luck with whatever you decide Dusty Fair point Dusty. I recently got these two. The green one I will eventually restore back to as stock as possible and another one which im making into a td/tz replica plus 2 spare engines and some nice spares. All up about 125 pounds. Price has to be right.   |
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Post by earthman on Jul 13, 2019 8:45:24 GMT 1
Hi I would add - make sure it's a bike you really want to own. Any old 2 stroke is gonna cost you pain and money - lots of it probably, and if it's not the bike you've always dreamed of the novelty will wear off really quickly ! I've done it with an FZR1000 Exup ! Plus some others too They are very different to an Lc or Pv in many ways, and restoration may well be harder on an older model - think tank and bodywork, and the sheer amount of metal parts on them. Not trying to put you off, just be aware that we are very well served in the Lc world - others aren't so lucky. Good luck with whatever you decide Dusty And ride is what I'd add to that. I remember lusting after the Exup back in the day, test rode one and a GSXR1100 back to back, I bought the Suzuki in the end, didn't have to rev it so much to get it going were one of the things I preferred about it. What didn't you like about Exup ownership?? |
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Post by dusty350 on Jul 13, 2019 8:47:28 GMT 1
That's a bargain in anyone's money. For that money you could sell it all on if it's not a bike you want to own or restore. Sounds like Mick is in a different situation though, unless it's another bargain Dusty |
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Post by dusty350 on Jul 13, 2019 9:01:18 GMT 1
I love my 2 strokes to be honest. Had plenty of diesels over the years - the Fzr, Gsxr11's, Fz1n, XJR1300, GSX1100EFE, but I always end up back with the stinkwheels ! I started redoing the Fzr, but quickly realised it didn't "float my boat" as much as I thought it did. Drove all the way to Doncaster from Heathrow to pick it up in a rented van too. Looked great in the ebay pics, and to be fair it was "ok" but not my "ok", so I started on it but got bored with it very quickly;  Digital camera pics 116 by dusty miller, on Flickr I got it back together and sold it on at a loss of a few hundred quid, and didn't miss it for one second afterwards ! The aircooled's are great bikes - I grew up with them rather than Lc's and Pv's, but I'm not sure I would want an early one. Only one I would consider now is getting my old 400e back. Each to their own though, but you've gotta know what you are getting into and what the end result will offer you. Renovation is very expensive, and if you are underwhelmed by the end result it will leave a bad taste. Dusty |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2019 9:10:01 GMT 1
Yeah all good points. I've had a couple of LC's. Sold one and STUCK with my matching # one. Poor me. ha
The 350 a/c bikes were a bargain . Would be easy to cash in but I've a plan in my head that these two bikes will be my final resto's
My swansong so to speak. Restoring bikes with very limited funds really saps the enthusiasm but it is what it is.
Probably sell a nice slabbie soon to help things along.
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Post by madmick on Jul 13, 2019 21:42:35 GMT 1
Thanks lads for the replies so far. It sounds like it’s too much money... £2400. As I said, it runs and it’s all there, but... I would like to restore back to factory and ride,with one eye on the investment side of things.
M.M.
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Post by reedpete on Jul 14, 2019 3:24:00 GMT 1
Thanks lads for the replies so far. It sounds like it’s too much money... £2400. As I said, it runs and it’s all there, but... I would like to restore back to factory and ride,with one eye on the investment side of things. M.M. Think you are correct, that sort of bike at that sort of price is in no man’s land. As with LCs , ACs cost the same to restore no matter which cc or model so if you are trying to minimise the inevitable negative equity then try get the best you can. in contrast as a ‘buy and ride ‘ project, £2400 is too much, better to get a non runner ( just don’t pick a ‘weather seized’ one...) priced accordingly and pay the difference getting the important bits sorted. And that word investment.....if you could put a value on pleasure then as an enthusiast you will get a ‘return on your investment’ , but there are very few projects where initial outlay plus cash spent will be less than final value..... |
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Post by cbm on Jul 14, 2019 4:38:09 GMT 1
Thanks lads for the replies so far. It sounds like it’s too much money... £2400. As I said, it runs and it’s all there, but... I would like to restore back to factory and ride,with one eye on the investment side of things. M.M. In regards to the "Investment side of things" Mick unless you plan on nicking one I'd open the other eye ASAP 'cause it ain't gonna happen  |
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Post by madmick on Jul 14, 2019 12:32:50 GMT 1
Thanks lads for the replies so far. It sounds like it’s too much money... £2400. As I said, it runs and it’s all there, but... I would like to restore back to factory and ride,with one eye on the investment side of things. M.M. In regards to the "Investment side of things" Mick unless you plan on nicking one I'd open the other eye ASAP 'cause it ain't gonna happen PMSL....🤣🤣🤣.... yes, your probably right. M.M. |
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Post by madmick on Jul 14, 2019 12:42:26 GMT 1
Thanks lads for the replies so far. It sounds like it’s too much money... £2400. As I said, it runs and it’s all there, but... I would like to restore back to factory and ride,with one eye on the investment side of things. M.M. Think you are correct, that sort of bike at that sort of price is in no man’s land. As with LCs , ACs cost the same to restore no matter which cc or model so if you are trying to minimise the inevitable negative equity then try get the best you can. in contrast as a ‘buy and ride ‘ project, £2400 is too much, better to get a non runner ( just don’t pick a ‘weather seized’ one...) priced accordingly and pay the difference getting the important bits sorted. And that word investment.....if you could put a value on pleasure then as an enthusiast you will get a ‘return on your investment’ , but there are very few projects where initial outlay plus cash spent will be less than final value..... Yeah, I think that’s good advice mate. Thank you very much. M.M. |
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Post by Ozhammer on Jul 15, 2019 0:36:56 GMT 1
For what it’s worth, I will only take on a project if I am confident I can purchase it and restore it for as much or a little less than it would be worth when completed.
That way, if I ever have to sell (not likely tbh), I would hopefully at least get my money back. In the meantime, I get to enjoy both the restoration process and riding them afterwards.
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Post by earthman on Jul 15, 2019 8:15:48 GMT 1
These 'what's it worth/investment'threads get my goat, unless you are 'classic bikes dot com'and actually depend on making a living from selling bikes on, I'd rather see such a bike go to a genuine rider/fan of that particular make & model.
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Post by madmick on Jul 15, 2019 18:04:42 GMT 1
I agree with you earthman, but in my case, I’m semi-retired due to health. I’ve only got a few pennies to mess around with, and didn’t want to pay over the odds for this bike... hence the question. It looks like I nearly did!!
M.M.
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They are very different to an Lc or Pv in many ways, and restoration may well be harder on an older model - think tank and bodywork, and the sheer amount of metal parts on them. Not trying to put you off, just be aware that we are very well served in the Lc world - others aren't so lucky.
