Starting a 'vintage motorcycle business'?

[crazypj]

Not me, just a bunch of money grabbers.
If your smart enough to jump on latest band wagon to make some cash, you had better be smart enough to fix the shit your going to sell
From now on, if you have a 'business' selling (or even registered) 'vintage, cafe, or any variation 1960's, 70's, 80's (fuck it, anything) and need tech help, paypal me $40.00 for first 30 mins 'consultation'
Pretty fed up with giving away info so some dimwit who has no place selling bikes can make money off me.
I think there are several other people here who should be doing the same thing.
Nothing wrong with making money, you just have to 'share the love'

 

[bbillington]

are you saying that members here or on other sites are using you as a tech resource and then flipping the bikes once they have made the fixes you recommend?

 

[Fix]

* Grabs popcorn *

 

[djelliott]

PJ, FYI, every question I've personally asked you was for my own use . Although I'm not currently starting a Vintage Motorcycle Business, if I did I'd try my damnedest to move you to Cleveland and pay you well for your Yoda like status. ;D That's really shitty that someone did that. There are some questioned "shops" popping up around here as well.

 

[MB]

Nope.....hell, I can't even keep my own on the road for more than a week at a time.
I'd like to go on record to thank PJ for all the great help and advice he has put forward to me and others. It sucks if folks are taking advantage.
Thanks man!

 

[crazypj]

Not directed at anyone, just some observations I've been making on a several sites I visit.
People get answers here, there, wherever then post its sold, for sale, e-bay, etc under a different name (pretty difficult to change the bike though)
I 'think' someone bought one of my starter plugs then sold it at a profit, almost a 'complaint' about how much it cost?( I make around $4.00 an hour making them)
I haven't made too many so it kinda sticks out when I see pictures

 

[PHeller]

Talk is pretty cheap, and time aint much more expensive. If your giving someone lots of advice on how to make money, you should make it public. That way everyone has the ability to profit off that advice.


The last couple of bikes that I've sold I've told anyone who asks what I sold the bike for. I think this is necessary to keep market prices down. If you know I sold CBXXX for $300 and the condition that it was in, you can make an educated offer to the next guy who is trying to sell similar bike in similar condition for 3x the price.


That public knowledge keeps people from profiting too much.

 

[Maritime]

That blows. Know what you mean, the people could be upfront and say, "I am fixing this bike to sell it." I have sent parts for the cost of shipping to some people here who were in need and appreciated them, and others that as soon as they got the parts, have never been back on the board and I am sure sold the bike off for a profit. I now try to get to know a member before I offer parts etc. Sucks but I know a few other members have been used for their generosity as well here and it sucks. Ruins it for others.

 

[Slice]

People will always find a way to make a buck on someone elses sweat...
-Slice

 

[ohiocaferacer]

Not me, just a bunch of money grabbers.
If your smart enough to jump on latest band wagon to make some cash, you had better be smart enough to fix the shit your going to sell
From now on, if you have a 'business' selling (or even registered) 'vintage, cafe, or any variation 1960's, 70's, 80's (fuck it, anything) and need tech help, paypal me $40.00 for first 30 mins 'consultation'
Pretty fed up with giving away info so some dimwit who has no place selling bikes can make money off me.
I think there are several other people here who should be doing the same thing.
Nothing wrong with making money, you just have to 'share the love'

I'm with you 100% on this one......thats one of the reasons i'm no longer making the alloy tanks.

 

[koolio]

Kind of the same centuries old story this, a professional of one kind or another whether it be a carpenter, restorer or whatever who produces excellent things but at the end doesn't make as much profit as the guy who has no idea but just has a business head and pushes the product.

The trick is to be both, the professional side is more difficult than the business side, and if it's not natural to you then go into business with someone for whom it is.

Its a fact that if a business does not have knowledge it will be much harder for them to grow despite the couple of nuggets of golden wisdom that you shower upon them, excellence is a habit not a one off event, so whether or not they get a nugget here or there should be of no consequence to you, but it sounds like you need to get your business side in order me thinks.

Eventually the men will be cut out from the boys, if your product is of excellent quality because you know how and your business is well run growth is only natural, they won't be able to compete.

 

[Rocan]

Unfortunately I will have to sell my cb350 as the countless hours of advice PJ has given me has made me broke...

PJ a check will be inbound as soon as my 350 sells


no no, I don't like you that much. though ill happily buy you a case of beer.

seriously though, anyone who does what PJ is claiming is a worthless shit who should learn something about whats right in this world.

 

[DrJ]

I must admit, ever since this vintage bike/cafe racer scene has grown, I've been a bit stingier with my aid. It was easy back when I started when there were maybe half a dozen vintage riders in the city and I knew them all. But not anymore. My beef is with parts. Since I've been dubbed the local guru on CB350s I always get requests for spare parts from people I barely know. Really bugs me when those parts are still available from Honda but I guess it's too much trouble to go and order them, like I do. I'm not a parts warehouse, my spares are for me when I need them.

 

[crazypj]

Unfortunately I will have to sell my cb350 as the countless hours of advice PJ has given me has made me broke...

Your a registered business? ;D
I actually hope it's just something that looks like one of mine but made by someone else.
Should have a prescription for painkillers tomorrow, (ain't had any since Monday) may be back to 'normal' after that

 

[surffly]

PJ i hear you.
It sucks when you help out someone and then find out the bike is for sale for 5X profit.
Its one thing o buy a bike with the intention to fix and resell, IF you can do it yourself. Im not talking about the "stock" Cb350s with clubmans that people think are worth $3500.
Im talking about the semi free barn find that you were able to get back on the road and sell on for retail to someone that either doesnt know or want to fix it.

buying a product from a member and marking it up is messed up.
Ive seen other people combat that buy offering their product on ebay or some other mass market for a higher price and offering it at a discount for members.

Prices are all over the place right now on bikes and parts.

 

[mtrace535]

PJ, I hate to hear things like that happening. It ruins the vibe we have on this site. Without yours and many others advice on this site my bike probably wouldnt run. Thanks

 

[joeyputt]

Brother PJ I have seen you help a lot of members here and I believe that most of them are sincere and only ask for your help because they know that you are willing to try and help them and they value your knowledge. I try to help those that I can as well but I have experienced what you are talking about (not on DTT but here at home) so I understand what you are saying and why you would be upset about it.

Please do not let one or a few people who may try to take advantage of your knowledge ruin it for those that truly need your help, all we can do is help those that we can and for those that would try to profit from what we share...well lets just hope that they use those profits for something important like taking care of their families so that hopefully in the end what we shared did some good in the world.

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

Please do not let one or a few people who may try to take advantage of your knowledge ruin it for those that truly need your help, all we can do is help those that we can and for those that would try to profit from what we share...well lets just hope that they use those profits for something important like taking care of their families so that hopefully in the end what we shared did some good in the world.

So agree. There isn't a ton : we can do about it, but hopefully they aren't some jerk either. I appreciate the help from those who help me (PJ I think you have too, so thanks) and that's one of the great things about this site. A lot of people here are great people with some awesome knowledge. I'll be honest, Honda's are new to me. Kawasaki's are where I know most of my stuff. So I'll be asking for more help...haha.