A Guide to Buying Antique Motorcycles
Whether buying your first or your tenth antique motorcycle, there are important guidelines to follow when making that important purchase. If you follow some important guidelines, you can feel confident that you have purchased a great piece of iconic history, a safe motorcycle and have made a worthwhile investment.
Let the buyer beware
Just because an antique motorcycle is much larger than a piece of antique pottery does not mean that you should skip one of the most important considerations that should be followed when purchasing any antique. As a buyer, it is your responsibility to know what you are buying. This requires knowledge of what to look for when you are considering buying an antique motorcycle.
While some sellers of fakes really are not aware that they have a fake antique for sale, many unscrupulous sellers do know. There are those sellers who are fully aware that the motorcycle they are advertising as “antique” is actually a later model, or that it has modern replacement parts not mentioned or discussed when placing an advertisement for the sale of the motorcycle or when talking to a potential buyer. It may also have had repairs which are not disclosed.
Get educated
In “Harley-Davidson Manual – How to Buy an Antique Harley Davidson Motorcycle,” it is recommended that you first have an idea of which antique motorcycle you would like to buy. You should research the cost of similar bikes so that you have an idea of the price range for the motorcycle you are considering. This will avoid a seller charging you more than the actual value of the motorcycle.
Realize that to buy your ideal antique motorcycle in the best condition, you may have to travel a considerable distance to find it. Try to establish provenance of any antique motorcycle that you are considering. If you can establish the history of ownership of the motorcycle, then you will have a much better idea of who has owned it and for what purpose. It may make considerable difference to you and in the future longevity of the motorcycle if you can establish whether it belonged to the current owner’s father and he was the original owner or if it was used in local motorcycle races and has been in several wrecks and repaired multiple times.
The Potomac Vintage Riders Motorcycle Club urges you to consider your vintage motorcycle purchase carefully. As stated in “Getting Started in Vintage,” buyers should consider the availability of parts before making a purchase. Some antique and vintage motorcycles have ample resources for aftermarket suppliers and replacement parts, while some brands have relatively few parts suppliers and parts. It is important that you are able to try to have access to original replacement parts if possible. If you purchase a motorcycle and cannot get parts or find a person knowledgeable in repair and restoration of your antique motorcycle, you may end up very disappointed with your purchase.
You must be educated in learning about major parts as they appeared on the antique motorcycle when it was first manufactured. While it is assumed that some small parts may be replaced over time, when first examining the motorcycle, look cautiously for parts that do not match or that appear to be newer or older than the rest of the motorcycle before you buy.
When you find your perfect antique motorcycle
Harley-Davidson suggests that you take a test drive to determine if the motorcycle is actually operational. Listen and look for any issues and if possible, take the motorcycle to a Harley mechanic if you are unsure, so you can have it thoroughly checked out. Once you have had the motorcycle checked out, note any damage, corrosion or rust. These are all issues for price negotiation.
You must be able to obtain the title and other pertinent records, such as those that show provenance and maintenance. Look all records over to be sure they are in proper order.
It is not only imperative that you have proper license and insurance to operate your antique motorcycle, but that you have it insured for its value. Many antique motorcycles are worth thousands of dollars and if not properly insured, you will not be covered for loss or damage.
Consider joining an antique motorcycle club or group
There are many chapters of various antique and vintage motorcycle clubs as well as online social groups for antique motorcycle enthusiasts world-wide. Consider joining an organization such as the “Antique Motorcycle Foundation.”
When you are considering buying an antique motorcycle and you are well-informed and educated, you will be confident that you have the best information to make the right purchase, participate in a great hobby as well as preserving a part of motorcycle history.
