[runracer1]

Hey everybody. Looking for some input here. I am considering buying a salvage bike. Obviously all kinds of places to get them all over the country and plenty of bikes with vary degrees of problems...from completely thrashed bikes to use for parts to simple theft recovery vehicles with out a scratch.

Here is my thought.
I want a newer ride. A 2004 or newer GSXR600... or 2005 or newer CBR600RR. (I had to sell my last one.) I want it for me to ride street. I could get a used bike or even a salvage bike and register it in KY and be just fine. BUT if I got a salvage bike and went to sell that bike in a year or two how much would the "rebuild title" here in Kentucky effect the value. I am a mechanical engineer so even if there were more than just plastic damage I would be fine taking care of it. And by the time I wanted to sell the bike it would be sharp looking, mechanically sound, and scratch free. I also paint etc... family have a repair shop, so I like fixing up bikes etc... New plastics, new factory or custom paint. And as an engineer I like toys like dampers, lighting changes, etc... so when I go to sell the bike it may have a "rebuild" title but it will look and be a nice bike. So like I said, how much do you think the value would be affected.

I have debated doing this to fund my hobby. You know... buy a salvage, replace plastic, replace an engine cover, replace tires, tune it up, new exhaust, damper, some custom stuff that looks sharp but not retarded and gaudy. I was thinking street bikes maybe bikes that are track ready. Then sell them. And I am not looking to make a killing. maybe 500 or a grand profit per bike. Just covering some of my time basically. Funding my hobby. Giving me cash to buy other bikes.... What do you guys think? and how much do you think a rebuild title effects the value of a bike?

[JeepinJeff]

I think you have to ask yourself what your time is worth also. Is it worth all the time and effort to make only $ 500 on a bike. You're going to spend many, many hours getting it up to par.
Take a 30 day window and start watching bikes on eBay. Keep note of the title status, mileage, and the final selling price. That should give you a good range of what bikes sell for on the open market.
An easier way ( INMO) to make money in the bike world would be to simply buy a few bikes in the late fall/winter, put them in storage until about now, then turn around and sell them. You will have to do little to nothing to them and still turn about the same amount of profit as you would to go through the work of rebuilding one.

[runracer1]

Yeah I thought about that too. Purchasing between maybe,...Nov. and the first few weeks of January... people cleaning out garages, holiday expenses and nobody interested in riding or buying cuz its too cold. Good point.

[HiLi_Psyclez]

salvage bikes are obviously going to sell for less than a clean title, I do what you are thinking about doing, to support my hobby aswell, takes alot of time work and patience but its what i love doing. From my experiences if you price a salvage/rebuilt title reasonably you will have no problem selling and making a small profit for your time. Much better results if you can find clean title bikes needing minor work. For example. Clean title f4i are going for 5,000 give or take depending on the miles, condition mods etc, and the same bike w/ rebuilt title you could expect around $3500 give or take.

[Red Rider]

Each state has different regulations for titling salvage/rebuild bikes. Check with your local DMV first if you plan on selling it as a "street" bike. Trying to sell a bike with a salvage title can be hit or miss. If it's going to be sold as a track bike you shouldn't have a problem.

[Gaunty42]

I have bought a few bikes on eBay - not totally trashed and I have rebuilt them to stock condition. I always ensure the that it has no previous on HPI. i.e HP or insurance claims. The easiest way is to get a bike that is unloved an uncared for, but hasn't been in any accidents, or at least ones that haven't been claimed. It all depends on what your priority is, having fun as a hobby or making money. My one is just having fun, I make enough dough in my day job. Oh and

[runracer1]

So whats a good place to find "unloved" bikes? Ones without salvage titles? So do you think I am more likely to get a good deal on a bike thats not totaled out and starting from their Because if I could get a 2005 600series bike in the 4000 range I think that would be good. Because morst every repair I have made has been easy (body kits, etc.. even engine cases..) except any bent swing arm or frame that is scratched to hell is just too much of a pain to fix. But an unloved bike in that range I think I could repair or replace plastic, paint and still add some toys and enjoy riding the bike till it sold with a clean title for more like... 6500?
So where to shop for an unloved bike? Ebay and even places like cycletrader are getting more and more sketchy... so many scams. Some obvious... some just look a little odd.

[JeepinJeff]

local auctions from back repos and insurance companies totals would be your best bet.

[Gaunty42]

Originally Posted by runracer1

So whats a good place to find "unloved" bikes? Ones without salvage titles? So do you think I am more likely to get a good deal on a bike thats not totaled out and starting from their Because if I could get a 2005 600series bike in the 4000 range I think that would be good. Because morst every repair I have made has been easy (body kits, etc.. even engine cases..) except any bent swing arm or frame that is scratched to hell is just too much of a pain to fix. But an unloved bike in that range I think I could repair or replace plastic, paint and still add some toys and enjoy riding the bike till it sold with a clean title for more like... 6500?
So where to shop for an unloved bike? Ebay and even places like cycletrader are getting more and more sketchy... so many scams. Some obvious... some just look a little odd.

I have used eBay, but also look in local classifieds.