Originally Posted by
raria
I get what everyone is doing here (buying and restoring classic bikes). But help me understand why for my own benefit. If it helps I restore vintage cars.
Is it that:
a) Its a nostalgia thing. Many of us car lovers buy cars we loved as 18 year olds but couldn't afford!
b) The bikes back then were very different than they are now. For example, the styling and space of some muscle cars have not been produced since.
c) The rarity of the bikes make them prize worthy? 1967 Shelby Gt500 routinely sell over $1M.
d) The joy of getting something to work? I restored an old Mustang and it was the closest thing a man can get to giving birth!
e) Something else?
a). Lots and lots of a). All my regular riders are frames I drooled after as a kid with no money,and was able to find and get as an adult.. (Old lugged steel frames plus Campy triple 10 speed components is my sweet spot.) I love the way my bikes look, and I love the way they ride. But it is all an outgrowth of a).
The money difference between old bikes and old cars is several orders of magnitude. I recently saw a listing for a Confente for $17,000. The next highest listing for a bike I've seen was for something like $12,000 - also a Confente. I have not seen a vintage bike of that ilk listed for even half that much, and don;t think I've ever seen a confirmed sale for over $3,000 or maybe $3,500. Stupid expensive for a high end vintage bike is a veeeery different animal than stupid expensive for a high-end vintage car.