Time to sell?

[RDfella]

A scenario that scares the bejesus out of me is a serious engine failure. If a conrod went walkies through the case for instance, I'd probably just sell the bike for parts and that would be a real shame.

I worried about that to. Which is why I stripped the engine again and fitted new Thunder rods.

[Greybeard]

A scenario that scares the bejesus out of me is a serious engine failure. If a conrod went walkies through the case for instance, I'd probably just sell the bike for parts and that would be a real shame.

I worried about that to. Which is why I stripped the engine again and fitted new Thunder rods.

Not gonna happen 😁

[Rex]

I would think that scenario would worry everyone, moreso if you have a bike which is rare/expensive/foreign.
At least with an A10 there's a pretty good chance you'll pick up enough engine bits to rebuild it, but some bikes it really would be the kiss of death for.

[RichardL]

Neil,

I'm finding this whole topic disturbing, fIrst, because of the evident unhappiness the idea of giving up your A10 seems to be causing you. You're putting up a good front of logical explanations, however, I'm not completely buying it. Second, I was of the idea that you rather enjoyed the challenge of using your small shed to its maximum efficiency. I went back to see it again because I remember being impressed. For those who haven't seen it or don't recall, there's this, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HoV9zy8K2zU&feature=youtu.be . Third, it requires me to consider my own circumstances with more seriousness than is comfortable. My adult kids are not likely candidates for maintaining my motorcycles (or other interests) for their personal use or for posterity. Fourth, we would not want to lose contact with an old friend, though, I suspect you would hang around to comment on A7/10 stuff and post all nature of things of other vintage interest.

Anyway, please don't be in a hurry to make a brash decision regarding something that has been precious.

Best regards,

Richard L.

[Greybeard]

I would think that scenario would worry everyone, moreso if you have a bike which is rare/expensive/foreign.
At least with an A10 there's a pretty good chance you'll pick up enough engine bits to rebuild it, but some bikes it really would be the kiss of death for.

The cost is relevant to income. When I had the Austin Seven I would worry about the cost involved of breaking the two bearing 'bent wire', (inch and an eighth journal), crankshaft. My more wealthy brother-in-law would say "Don't worry;  you can buy new cranks that are machined from a billet". I was a telephone engineer at that time;  the cost of those parts was just not in my reach. I'm retired now so money is an issue.

[Rex]

Fair comment.
On the other hand, I suppose we've all known people who are very enthusiastic over a given interest and do it for years (or even decades) whether it be playing guitar, fishing, building hotrods, or any other of a thousand things, and no longer do it.
People change and interests wane over time, and that's almost inevitable.

[Greybeard]

Neil,

I'm finding this whole topic disturbing, fIrst, because of the evident unhappiness the idea of giving up your A10 seems to be causing you. You're putting up a good front of logical explanations, however, I'm not completely buying it. Second, I was of the idea that you rather enjoyed the challenge of using your small shed to its maximum efficiency. I went back to see it again because I remember being impressed. For those who haven't seen it or don't recall, there's this, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HoV9zy8K2zU&feature=youtu.be . Third, it requires me to consider my own circumstances with more seriousness than is comfortable. My adult kids are not likely candidates for maintaining my motorcycles (or other interests) for their personal use or for posterity. Fourth, we would not want to lose contact with an old friend, though, I suspect you would hang around to comment on A7/10 stuff and post all nature of things of other vintage interest.

Anyway, please don't be in a hurry to make a brash decision regarding something that has been precious.

Best regards,

Richard L.

Very kind and sensible words Richard.👍
I will not be rushing to make a decision. I've been thinking about selling the A10 on and off for a while; I may have discussed it here before.

[Black Sheep]

Rare and expensive blow-ups... This is what happened to my 1913 Douglas. No sir, we are out of stock of con rods and pistons for that particular model. The engine is now off for a professional and inevitably expensive rebuild.
To finance it the WD B40 project bike will have to go as will some of the spares stash.
Meanwhile, I am having a serious head scratch about the bikes. I hardly get to ride one these days and it doesn't make a lot of sense to have a number of them lying around gathering dust.
As for selling them, I have discovered that the cash generated just evaporates so you end up no better off than before but with a gap where a bike used to be. So no rush to downsize yet.

[Greybeard]

Second, I was of the idea that you rather enjoyed the challenge of using your small shed to its maximum efficiency.

I hear that size doesn't matter; it's what you do with it that counts. 🤔

I now have a lathe in my shed. If I sell the BSA and do not buy another motorbike I could use the money from its sale to buy a milling machine! 😉

[RDfella]

I now have a lathe in my shed. If I sell the BSA and do not buy another motorbike I could use the money from its sale to buy a milling machine! 😉

To make spares for a bike you no longer have?
I have several bikes (roadworthy and insured for road) and all now have electric start following my hip replacement. But I don't ride them much - just take one out now and again for a five to ten mile run. My son likes bikes but I doubt he'd bother to look after them. But so what? I agree with the comment that if you sell the money just seems to evaporate. Indeed, they're an investment that's better than money in the bank. I'm happy just to look at them and appreciate the looks and engineering. Plus, like boating, half the fun is working on them.
I agree with Richard's summary. I thing Neil is temporarily depressed (maybe it's the onset of winter - getting dark early, getting colder and wet). That gets me down too.

[chaterlea25]

Hi All,

(maybe it's the onset of winter - getting dark early, getting colder and wet). That gets me down too.

Me too  ,
That's why we are heading off to the Sun next week, it does help to shorten the Winter
However this year has not been too bad as we have had lots of nice bright days
(Today being the exact opposite with torrential rain and storm force winds , resulting in a large tree falling blocking one direction of our access road,
Firewood cutting tomorrow (maybe ?)

John

[Colsbeeza]

I think that we older folk in our 6th & 7th decade are thinking more and more about what to do. My electric start conversion after my Knee replacement will stave off a few anxieties and keep up my confidence and fun for a while at least. And I will like to run my hand over it occasionally when riding is no longer possible/advisable. Son has no interest. Grandsons may be interested, but when it stops they will have no idea where to start and possibly no-one around by then who knows either. Given modern traffic, it may be irresponsible of me to leave it to them. No answers from me then!!
Col

[Black Sheep]

I think we are all facing the problem of what will happen to our bikes and spares stash when we are gone. My sons, both motorcyclists, have said which bikes they will keep but the rest will be sold and everything else will fall victim to house/garage clearance companies. They are too far away and have too little time to go sorting through heaps of spares etc.
One part of me says get it all in order and sell off everything I'm not likely to need in the immediate future.
Another part can't be arsed and just wants to continue tinkering and riding rather than waste my time doing a monumental clear out.
No answers...   

[groily]

Pretty well sums it up fr me BS. Ditto for me re a daughter and son in law with bikes & licences, ditto re spares and bikes they won't want.
Will try to thin things out, but at the end of the day there'll be a big pile and a big mess to sort out.

[Rex]

I've been thinning out the spares stash for a while now for the same reasons as posted above.
No doubt the sons can advertise the various running bikes easily enough, but identifying esoteric (and rare) spare parts would be beyond them.
Sounds like there's an opening for some enterprising person to start a "classic motorbike spares clearance company" for such situations, although how long before the inevitable "Vincent spares? No call for them my love, so call it fifty quid the lot?"  scams start.