I would not mind if all of my old Motocycles had NO monetary value. That would keep the profiteers and the Weekend 'Enthusiasts' out of the picture.
I would not mind if all of my old Motocycles had NO monetary value. That would keep the profiteers and the Weekend 'Enthusiasts' out of the picture.
Amen, indianut Amen..........
I refer to my scout bobber as "just rusty old junk". I built it, I ride it, I love it, it's my baby. My faith has been restored a few times by other riders of all brands that have stopped to help me as I got the bugs worked out of it. Hopefully this will be the final season of corrections and adjustments. hee-hee....
Most of the guys that participate actively in a local club/clubs) and road runs with other guys quickly develop friendships. Well... if your a good guy. And HE L L YES we do help each other out, as good people do. I just find it real hard as the west coast guys mostly know each other. We are few in number. It's hard to get to know the east coast guys. I should try to get out there and catch a RRun and a swap. That would be really neat.
Swap meets?
I agree with all your comments on the meets, etc. But everybody has to start somewhere, and you can't trade if you don't have anything. Also, today this game is so expensive, if someone is new, they would have top be rich to build up a supply of parts. 4 cylinder Indians? An engine rebuild is around $20, 000.00? Sure, Ill have a bunch of those! There are people in the AMCA that have been doing this for many years, and bought their parts cheap, and have good connections. Then there are the newer people who have what? If I could mow your grass for a carb I would, but I don't see this happening. I have three "old bikes" and they are new to some of our members. I have never seen anyone at one of the meets turning down money for parts, even though I imagine it does happen once in a great while. So I guess we all just have to accept each other and do the best we can. I try to live within my means on my bikes, and that way I don't have to bitch too much. The more exposure our sport has, the more interest will be generated, and that means more demand, and higher prices. There just really isn't anything you can do about it. As always: Ride 'em, don't hide 'em.
I'll be going to Eustis this year as I have been going to the Florida meets since the early 70's. I can only think of a few meets I have gone to that I didn't bring something to sell or trade. I have always believed that buying and SELLING are the lifeblood of this hobby and a great way to meet new people and learn new things. This year I will bring nothing to sell. I have always been very resonable on my prices and if someone really needed something and they weren't a dealer I would give them a sweetheart deal. Well, I believe that should be a two way street, but it don't work that way no more. I know there has always been a mercenary element to collecting parts and I'm as guilty of that as anyone but when you see the same people year after year and past favors are not reciprocated, it leaves a bitter taste. My philosophy about this hobby or any hobby is that it should be fun but when you add the element of money you are treading on thin ice. I used to believe surplus parts should be liquidated if you didn't expect to go down that road again because that is what keeps this hobby healthy. Now I'm encountering "friends" who will not let anything out of their vaults. The old "I want it all" syndrome. I think I'm just going to take a break from the parts end of this hobby and try to enjoy the social end and hope that improves my cynical attitude.
The social aspects are worth it. I personally really enjoy it alot.
When the hobby turned into a full time business it did change alot. Sadly.
Yes, we help each other out in our chapter. A member has a genuine need - guys will try to help him.
BUT! At the same time you have to consider how many things are now available because of that fact. Parts that have been reproduced by someone with deep enough pockets to support the manufacture, distribution and warehousing. And alot of times they ain't makin a ton of doe doing it. Serious long term payoff. My hat off to the guys that do it. Just consider the number of antique bikes that have been bolted back together, and are back on the road.
This, I am very thankful for.
Hey Eric,
Be sure and come see us! We are pretty much there just for the socializing!! Same space as always, right by the entrance to the horse arena.
Looking forward to it Danny.
Its been years since I could afford anything at a swap meet besides a T shirt or something like that. Only one of my machines has a speedo, just cant afford them - Ive gotten used to doing without them, I think the hobbie was a much better place before things got so expensive. When people helped each other out on occasion, not for the money but just to help out a fellow entusiast.
My Hend rebuild was quite the challenge and out of my budget range. I ran into a fellow club member who needed assist with his paint job. We talked and thought maybe we could help each other out. Thats what we did - my engine was done in short order and he had a paint job he loved. Andy Davies bless his heart was a retired automotive machineist with 40 years experience. My Henderson purrs like new and Andies machine got peoples choice at the first meet he took it to. We were both pleased as heck and saved alot of money in the process. Needless to say we became good friends and went riding together on several occasions. When I take the Hend out on a weekend morning I often think of him and the grin he always got when he heard it run.
So theres still folks out there helping each other out and not trying to make a killing or get rich off their parts. I have tried to do the same and have helped if I could a friend in need, still lots of good folks in this club,Tom.
One other thing, I had a buddy who made up some parts at quite an expense to himself. Well he had those parts or atleast some of them on his shelfs for almost 20 years before he sold them all, so your right - the guys doing it deserve alot of credit, I just think the hobby was much more friendly when it was not so price driven, which is what I think is or has happend, Tom.
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