ALT-3 A Guide to Buying Antique Motorcycles
Avid antique collectors tend to go to great lengths in a bid to obtain a prized antique from a bygone era. While some might collect any type of antique which they set their sights upon, others have more specialized tastes; antique motorcycle collectors are a case in point. Some might decide to purchase an antique motorcycle for the sake of owning one and perhaps take it for a ride every now and then, however, many are the collectors who own an entire selection of the finest antique motorcycles and put them on display. Whatever the reason for purchasing an antique motorcycle is, certain points should always be kept in mind.
If an entire collection of motorcycles is sought rather than just one, it is imperative to first and foremost decide on which motorcycles are to be purchased. Space may be restricted, as may be your budget, making it vital to plan ahead on the number of motorcycles to be purchased as well as their make.
Once the decision as to which motorcycle you are going to purchase is made, it would be ideal to obtain as much information as possible regarding that particular model. Online research may yield some satisfactory results, but nothing can compare to the information obtained from an antique motorcycle club. Joining such a club will play in your favor as it is possible to not only obtain accurate information regarding the antique motorcycle you are seeking, but also spend some time with other people who share your very same interest.
The information sought should be related to various aspects. Certain motorcycles may be advertised as being genuine when in truth they are anything but. Many are the talented people who are able to reproduce an identical motorcycle to an antique one; less its value, of course. Antique motorcycle club members may warn you of such individuals and who they are. Such knowledge in addition to that regarding the finer details of the motorcycle itself should be adequate in aiding you to spot a genuine treasure from a counterfeit.
Other valuable information comes in the form of knowing how much restoring the motorcycle will cost you. It will simply not do to purchase an antique motorcycle and fail to refurbish it if such works are required; the motorcycle’s value will take an automatic plunge. Original antique parts can prove to not only be difficult to obtain but also expensive. Equally important is to find someone reliable who is able to do any required refurbishments unless you are willing to perform them yourself.
After gathering all the required information, the next logical step is to actually find someone from whom to buy the motorcycle. It may be possible to find a seller within the antique motorcycle club itself; such sellers are often reliable and the safest source from which to purchase your collectible. Auction houses are another possibility, although other buyers may beat you during bidding. Notices advertising antique motorcycles for sale should also be considered.
Once your selling source is located and you are confident you are armed with all the necessary information regarding the motorcycle, an appointment to view the motorcycle itself should be made. Beware anyone turning down such a request; no seller will prevent you from inspecting the collectible unless he or she has something to hide. If your intention for buying the antique motorcycle includes a ride every now and then, it is in your interest to demand a test-drive beforehand to ensure it is in good working condition.
As you are checking the motorcycle’s condition, it is in your interest to take note of chassis and engine numbers along with any parts which might need some touching-up or replacing. Chassis and engine numbers will allow you to retrace the motorcycle’s history in most cases, leaving no doubt as to its origins and authenticity as well as revealing its previous owners - after all, an antique’s history has the potential of increasing the collectible’s intrinsic value.
Once the inspection is performed, do not explicitly agree to purchase the motorcycle before checking the chassis and engine numbers, even if the motorcycle is to your satisfaction. Only after performing the motorcycle’s historical check should you commit yourself to the purchase.
The asking price for an antique motorcycle tends to be very high, depending on its make, year and history. Should refurbishments be required, point this fact out along with the cost to perform them. This might give you an advantage as the seller may be disposed to haggle over the initial price. However, haggling is at the seller’s discretion who might refuse to negotiate the price, placing you in the position of choosing whether to pay the full price or turn your back on the purchase altogether. The latter is not always the wisest of choices as it might be your only opportunity of purchasing that particular antique motorcycle model.
After agreeing on the purchase, the time to decide on how the motorcycle is to come in your possession arises. Ideally, you should pick up the motorcycle yourself and take it to your destination of choice. However, certain sellers may agree to deliver it to you instead. In such cases, ensure adequate precaution is taken in protecting your newly purchased collectible during the delivery stage. Never underestimate the importance of delivery insurance.
Buying an antique motorcycle tends to be a time-consuming and costly task. That being said, avid collectors will undoubtedly enjoy the purchasing phase as it leads to the ownership of an antique which they will cherish. Indeed, many are those who opt to showcase their pride and joy to relatives, friends and the public in general.
