barn find BSA value questions.

Last year I bought a 1970 BSA Lightning from a co-worker. He and his son got it a few years ago from a family member that parked it in a barn back in '78 where it slowly deteriorated. They hoped to restore it but never got to it. The fork tubes and rims are shot (rusted), but the rest is all there and pretty straight. The motor does turn over, but has a lot of resistance. The odom reads just over 2k, but i have no way to verify if it is accurate. I did not get a title with the bike, but I hope to be able to get one for it in the spring once I get access back to my shed. I just don't have the time or money to get this back on the road. I am curious what the value might be selling it as is? How much more will it be worth if i can get a title? Would it be more worth my while to part it out? I could really use the cash to help finish up my 78 xs project.

In the world of Sales... the price you get is what someone is willing to pay. This willingness is based on many factors, but value is a big one. If you have something someone wants badly enough, the sales process is pretty straight forward especially if you are the only real option they have...you set the price, they pay.

If they are on the fence or just don't want it bad enough, then it's more of a process to convince them that they want it and should buy... Your job is to make their decision an easier one. Having barriers typically makes this value proposition more difficult for them to work out (Except in case as noted above where the barriers may not matter as much).

So, generally speaking, having the title= less barrier. (You will lose a lot of potential buyers simply because they will want a title and don't want to hassle with getting it or risk not being able to get it)

Having a running bike= a lot less barrier (you'll win someone who's on the fence simply by having them hear it run... they'll feel the roar, they'll visualize what they want: a killer bike for them to show off with... and a lot of the "Fixing" that it may need like a rusted front end, etc. are negated by the sound of the engine.

Without either of these as "Known" certainties, then you're in a position of "hoping" someone is willing to buy it. You don't have a lot of leverage and you're putting up barriers (Reasons) for them to not want to buy.

Another way to put this is You'll essentially need to convince them that A) it can be legally registered if THEY do the work and B) it can run in the future if THEY do the work...both of which means the VALUE has to be worth their time/interest...which equates to LESS $.

I don't know the current value of your BSA, but I do know the value of a sale (It's what I do)... and as much as I love BSA's, I am one of those that wouldn't consider your bike without both of those being addressed. I doubt I'm the minority when it comes to that...so unless you have a known buyer, I'd work on those two for the best chances of a higher dollar sale.

You may make more parting it out...but then how much is your time worth? No doubt you'll likely be spending a lot more of it advertising, stripping it down, and shipping it out...over a larger period of time. If cash is wanted sooner than later, getting the title probably is the biggest win for your time in my opinion. But the engine running may be a close second.

Hope that helps in some way... Good luck!

Willis price has dropped on Brit bikes. A pristine 1970 in the past went for $8500. Now they are having a time trying to get 4500-5000 for the same bike. The way it sits now without title maybe $800. That is a fine bike. Single or dual carbs? Thunderbird or Lightening? Good luck. P.S. pictures would help. Tony C

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I knew the prices on them had dropped, that's why I am not willing to put the money into it. I see running ones here in Indiana for 3 to 4g's frequently. I will dig up some pictures. I would be happy with 800 if I could get it. That would go a long way on my current project.

You could put it on eBay, with some really clean pics.
Put it at $0.99 starting bid, no reserve, 7 day bidding.

Then sit back and watch the fur fly.

You'll probably get 20-30 bidders, several serious.
A good way to find out what its value is.

Now, THAT's entertainment!

Finally found the pictures from when I bought it. Someone gave it a 70's treatment. Notice the extended forks and you can see some faint ribbons paintedon the side covers and tank. Other than that it is all there including the factory keys.

Wow beautiful and ugly at the same time, I can see the what it used to look like but the 70's treatment needs to be left in the 70's

what did you end up doing with it?

It is still sitting in storage for now. We got another 9" of snow yesterday so it looks like it will be sitting there at least until spring.

Hi Guys,

Hmm......Front fender, fork tubes, headlight mounts, handlebars, mufflers....other than that, it looks good. No way of knowing how that infamous timing-side plain bush is doing, but if it turns over, that's a good sign. I think $800.00 is more than fair.

Basically I prefer BSA singles, but I've had 6 or 8 A65's and a couple of A10's, and find them to be really nice, fairly tame, and easy to work on.

'Course, I'm a bit partial to BSA's...and Triumphs, and of course Nortons, XS's and SR's and YDS-3 strokers and----oh, well, anything interesting. It's hopeless......

Good to have you back. Tony C

Barb; ditto what Tony said! I've missed your witty comments on these bikes....................you need to post more

Thanks Guys!

I'm trying to get back into things......I'll be around more often! I've missed this place!

Just to wrap up this post, I decided to list my BSA on craiglists yesterday. Since I am moving soon and really don't have the time or resources to commit to this BSA project I decided to let someone else take it on. I listed it for sale in 2 different cities at 830 yesterday morning for $800. My phone blew up. I had about 8 people texting and calling withing 30 minutes. Only 1 was a scammer that i ruled out quite quick. After several texts I worked out a deal with a girl wanting to restore is and she drove about 120 miles yesterday afternoon to pick it up. I let it go for $600. I made a little $ and she was happy. I think it was a good deal for both of us. I am just happy to see it getting a new home to be restored instead of being parted out.

Willis if both of you were happy it was a good deal for both.