value of our bikes?

[Charlie @ Evergreen]

Most of us who have that in them have built engines from the ground up and not cheated using used parts. I know I put a good 3k into my engine (not stock) and think the best upgrade was installing the larger liners for the 810. There so much thicker got to help with heat and keeping cylinders from distorting, so with that the cases needed machining to fit the bigger liners. Includes things like Lock Up Clutch also that is pricy upgrade among other things.

[Turboblew2]

in todays dollars?
I will say this... from 89-99, it was still legions above what the OEMs were offering except maybe a few bikes like the Muzzy Raptor or Yamaha GTS. Once I took a spin on a Hayabusa, the turbo's reign was forever changed. Dont get me wrong... I still have love for the Turbo but its a more practical attraction these days. I might add an low mile depreciated H2 in the next few years. At $28k I just cant get past the level of performance offered vs what you can build for the same money. The one thats north of $50k... eh I think for that loot I would go with a Desmo.

[riturbo]

http://www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles/1 ... RBO/Values

[Turboblew2]

is that supposed to make up for all the years NADA said they were worthless? What about when ELR S1s were listed at $3300 in excellent condition?

[Hellooder]

I went down to the local garage in May and got the project bike MOT done. While I was standing to the guy that tested it, an elderly chap (plus/minus75 yo) walked past, stopped dead in his tracks and backtracked a few steps. "My gosh, a turbo charged bike" was the comment. Anyway, got chatting to him and he had a reasonable back catalogue. Turns out he is an ex-racer in the TT RACES on the IOM some time in the late 60's or 70's or so. During the time when Ago and the like were racing. Think Jim Redman or Phil Read was also mentioned as someone he raced against, either in GP or TT racing. Nothing like that has ever happened to me on any other bikes and that, my friends, is the value of our bikes.

My experience is that people , even bikers react the same : a Turbo on a motorcycle ? Did you do that yourself ? Oh , it is original ? Really ? Isn't that very scary when the power kicks in ? Most people don't know it and are not really interrested unless they know a bit of the 80's turbo craze , but a while ago i also had an encounter kinda like yours Jez.....

A big bearded dude with Hillbilly Jim pants came in the shop to do some work on his M.A.N. camper engine. I knew who he was , for 14 years he ran the biggest (and only) Harley/bikerbar in the city of Eindhoven called the Thunderroadhouse.(Now he runs the Blue Collar Hotel in an old Philips factory , very nice!!) As he walked in he passed the left side of my matt black naked one which is barely recognisable as a turbo. When we had done our business according his camper engine we started talking bikes. "the black one yours" ? We walked outside , he only saw the back of it and immediately said : "ahh , that's a 750 turbo right"? But the the tail is altered with no mudguard , and very narrow taillight and indicators , exhausts are gone....to this day i do not know how he could see this , and i was too surprised to ask.....

I didn't have to put a lot of money in both of mine , one i got cheap in '98 and the other one a few years back for a fair amount. But i never had major engine issues and i hope i never have. I keep both engines original too , no mods or 810 kits. They're fast enough to kill me already...

What are they worth ? The amount you can sell 'm for i guess...or the amount you get paid from your insurance if you totall it or it gets nicked. You'll never know until you do , but in both cases you'd better not.

[Gene]

I could not sell my bike even for the really large money, say you get 10.000. ok What bike will you replace it with? A 8-12000 dollar sport bike that really is not unique,one of my favorite situations on this bike is bike night,and the attention just the sound of it makes.Then they come to look,most of the Knee dragger's are young,or rather the same age as my bike. No I'll keep it their just is no reason to sell the bike that I can see and I'm sure many feel this way.

Now I do have another classic, 1987 Ninja 750R. I was with my friend when he left the dealer,and what was the reason for me being their? To see if this new engine design,6speed gearbox bike that was lighter would smoke the ZXE1, no instant disappointment for Chris. Well he let it sit for years and we worked a deal,this bike is for sale to anyone with the right price offered.

My 2003 Mean-streak, maybe not I really like this machine as well. A V-Twin that corners very well, but the right price it's gone. The Turbo,even at 20,000 I would keep it, how could I sell this piece of my life? Cannot be done,and those that watched this machine from the uncrating to the first ride would understand, when new this machine would smoke them all.
Saxondog

. You said all that exact how I feel.
I sold a 75 H2 with Denco go-fast,
I would miss the old 750, if it wasn't such a rattling xylophone.
I have another in pieces and buckets I can visit
but picked up a 750 Turbo in trade.

Bikes naming bikes.....
I searched for a Gamma for a decade.
Bought one crashed, sight unseen (long story) and it's become the most wonderful chainsaw in my stash.

My other love is a 1983 CR480 Elsinore

I worked for Kawasaki, Fredericksburg as a senior in high school.
Did assembly of KX, KDX, LTDs, 900 Ninja and the 750.
I found another bike from my senior year.
Heard all the stories growing up through the decades.
and heard how they've become extinct.
I could dump it on the market and profit.
but rater save her from a parts auction and not scattered across the planet.

She now runs....
progress and patience too...
I'll be asking questions about issues it's having.

I like your thinking Saxon.

[wcraig]

My ole girl from 85 is priceless.......we do therapy sessions 1-2x a week in 3rd, 4th and 5th gears, can't beat the sound or feeling of pressurized acceleration.