What's with the values spiking?

Over the last few months, I've noticed an interesting thing. Now and then I've glanced at Hagarty values. There's a big spike happening in values of Japanese bikes from 70s through the early 80s, specifically inline Fours and early superbikes. It started about a year or two ago.

I'm just curious what people's thoughts are on this? Is it increasing rarity? Is just that all the "more collectible" bikes have already been snapped up? Maybe it's just a sign of improving economy and nothing more?

I suspect a mix of all of the above, but it seems to be specifically UJMs. I check a couple other popular older bikes and don't see that same jump.

 

all the XS have been purchased and turned into bobbers. the XS prices have skyrocked in the past 6 years.

maybe the XJ'stime has come.

 

Joe Elliff and Dave are cornering the market on them................

 

Probably better return than most of your 401 k’s. Do the math. Put 500 in your 401k, tax saved not much it may increase in value 5-7% if your lucky so maybe 600$ at the end of the year.

Buy a bike cheap that needs a bit of labour and parts. 500$ bike 200 parts and labor =700 add 20% and sell for $840 in a month. Do that 5-6 times a year and a much better return is realized. And it’s all Cash... tax man “0” and you pay for all the parts you will need for your bike and gear and insurance.
Do that 3-400 times in 40 years it has paid for all my toys and then some.

 

I better start cornering the market down here in the southwest.

We got them bikes here that don’t rust so fast! Maybe that’ll put a little jealousy in a somebody Hoggin’ all the XJs so nobody else can Fiddle around with ‘em!!

 

I see what you did there......

 

You talkin' to me?!?!

 

Uhh, YEEAAAHHHH--,

But isn't K-moe already the Southwest Parts Hoarder?

 

I am a Hagerty customer so I can access their valuation tool and data. I see the curve you are talking about. I'm not sure they determine the numbers but maybe there are more people insuring bikes through them which is driving the value, you have to set an agreed upon value when insuring.

 

Jayrod-- how's the rebuild coming?

 

Slow as expected. Been busy with a little work on the KZ as I want to ensure I have something to ride. Got the donor stripped and ready to blast/powdercoat and tank/panels off for paint but that's about it. Picking up a few parts here and there as I see stuff.

 

Oooh, do mine, do mine! what about '81 XJ550R values?

 

According to Hagerty's, my '83 XJ550 Maxim, good to excellent shape, is worth more than the day I bought it brand spanking new.

Since it is an unrestored (i.e. all unrestored showroom original with the exception of maintenance items) I wonder how much that would add to value?

 

that's nice.. thank you!

Oh, that guy who wanted 4K for his 550 seca? right!

 

Well my bike so far was $1300, plus $450 complete carb rebuild, +$100 rear tire, +$80 carb boots, +$25 a few valve shims, +$15 plug wire, +$24 plug caps, +$32 inline connectors, +$150 rebuilt starter, +$25 wheel bearings = $2201... which I'm reasonably happy with. Although now with what I know I would not have paid over $1K to start.

Add to that about $150 in specialized tools as well.... I don't think I'd make anything on it.

Makes me think about resurrecting the Midnight in the corner, but just too much labor I won't get back.

 

...I think he’s in a metaphorical desert. “Fly-over country” as some unscrupulous types might say. (I just call it “affordable tourist destination”)

 

Is it possible that the "bobber/scrambler craze" could be driving up the value of unmolested ujm?

 

Personally I think a better indicator of value is what they are selling for on eBay etc. but it certainly helps that their values are rising.

They're all worth what somebody is willing to pay for it. It's most likely worth more to you than anyone else at the moment.

 

Ah yes.. Like the endowment effect. And we're looking at an insurance site. Maybe it is just the insurers setting values... helped along by rarity thanks to thousands of half-done cafe racers and bobbers and scramblers and brats and ... and ... am I missing anything?

 

Since this appraisal system doesn't really classify anything but concours, excellent, good or fair, a bobber could be insured as anything but concours.
I think the bobber/cafe craze then depreciates the pricing in general. The only thing I ever see in a bobber are parts, at least the remaining ones not butchered.
I've seen what the kids do to their Honda Civics and I'd be embarrassed to drive one. I feel the same about the bobbers and cafes, although they are infinitely better than the raked out choppers, glad to see that idiocy fade away.

 

Rampant inflation in just about everything?

 

Classic cars and bike values are going crazy in the uk, probably due to low or no bank interest rates. There are a handfull of companies importing rust free bikes, if they make 500 to 1000 ukp on each one, get 30 in a shipping container its good business.

 

What I meant was that thanks to the whatever craze, more people are buying old 4 cylinder bikes, thus driving up values. I wasn't thinking that the cut up bikes themselves were worth more.

 

I agree with you

 

I do not hoard parts. I'm gonna use them someday.
I'm also not quite in the SW. Close though.

 

I'm gonna use all mine someday too---

 

Maybe it's a bunch of old guys wanting to travel back in time and get a bike to relive their youth. For nice looking well maintained bikes top dollar is being asked and the ones with disposable income don't mind laying out the greenbacks to get what they want............or maybe not and it's just a market anomaly.

 

Yes. Its the same reason that G.I.Joe, He-man, and Garbage Pail Kids cards are all collectors items now. I wish I still had my Commodore Vic-20. All the kids who had or wanted these things in the 80's are now reaching a point in their life where they have some disposable income. I think that you also develop your ideals and archetypes in your mind at a young age. I was 10 in 1985 and my XJ looks to me what a motorcycle should look like.

 

I still have my Atari 2600 ....

 

me too! I had it out last spring and the kids were fascinated with it!

 

After doing 4 bikes and ready to start on a 5th , I have gathered 2 sheds and a store room full of parts . Too good to let go
of and often not exactly what I need. I wish some members lived near me in New Mexico .

 

There's a lot that live near you

 

Haha. No world domination for me. That is for Dave. Yes I buy them when they’re inexpensive but then they’re always used up too and basically parts bikes.

The main focus is to learn and enjoy the bike and friends and hopefully sell on bits and pieces from the good deals I’ve been lucky enough to run into. I would venture to say I “realistically “ have 3 xj bikes maybe 4. Two in my garage and one at my sons andthen the 6k mile touring seca which can and probably should be rebuilt. Past that I’ve just got parts to keep em going til the wife sells em on after my demise.
Y’all have a great Labor Day holiday