The proverbial barn full of old bikes fable?

[gggGary]

Thought I'd do this as it unfolds see where it goes.
Doing crap work rust touch up on the van yesterday, guy I know stops by.
Usual chit chat, this guy does ag related plumbing repairs work.
Then he says oh I forgot, I have been meaning to tell you; this guy I have done work for keeps trying to sell me a motorcycle everytime I stop there. He is older and having health problems, spent time in the hospital. He has a barn full of old jap bikes and has come to the point where he wants to get rid of them and needs money. Are you interested? Am I interested? Am I interested??? Does an old XS have a leaky clutch seal?
So I have a name and kind of an address about 30 miles away from me. He says He'll find the guys number, call him and let him know I will be getting ahold of him. Wow I am on this!

So I start thinking about how this might go. The shed is already kinda full, but a day spent organizing would create some room. I have the van and the wife's horse trailer so transport isn't an issue. I have a some "investment" money available. Now "old jap bikes" leaves a LOT of leeway here. Could be beat to death rusted hulks of dirt bikes in a heap or big road cruisers in "dusty" condition or anything in between. He might be reasonable, or think he has gold.

A while ago I got a call from an old guy in that same general area when I was looking for KZ1300's. He had a bunch of japanese road bikes he had collected, but just wanted to talk, He would never tell where he was, or really commit to wanting to sell. I called him 4 or 5 times over a year and half but finally gave up, lost the number, I wonder if this might be the same guy 10 years later?
I am thinking I might ride down there on an XS and see what's up. Kinda let the guy know I do old bikes and can treat them right. Don't want to scare him by showing up with a rig.
Funny I just watched a "pickers" episode where the boys get wind of a late 50's one off "van Dutch" VW engined Harley. Mike is going bananas with anticipation as Danielle try's to locate the farm where the bike might be sitting.

Well the game is on, I will update this as things unfold.

 

[GeorgeKillianLett]

Subscribed and eager to watch this play out!

 

[ANLAF]

This is interesting, gggGary. I can feel the excitement. I have a good feeling about this - you are going to find some treasure.

Anlaf

 

[GeorgeKillianLett]

I am picturing something like this story in Nebraska!

Lifetime collection of mom-n-pop Chevrolet dealership going up for auction

Amazing Survivor Chevrolets & 500 Collector Cars & More! Lambrecht Chevrolet Company Auction

According to Stilwell, Ray's collection of cars grew out of the trade-ins that customers brought him, which were then parked on the family farm outside of town and joined by new cars left unsold when the newer models came in to replace them. Among the latter group, stored in barns on the farm, are a 1958 Chevrolet Cameo pickup with less than 10 miles on its odometer, a 1964 Chevrolet Impala hardtop with just three miles logged, and a 1969 Chevrolet SS 396 with shrink-wrapped wheel covers still in the trunk and a 427-cu.in. V-8 that's literally never been run.

The entire collection of about 400 cars and trucks – along with the entire inventory of the dealership, which has reportedly not been touched since Lambrecht Chevrolet closed its doors 17 years ago and includes NOS parts, tools, and signage.

You will need a semi to haul it all away! LOL!!!

 

[gggGary]

Did some internet sleuthing, found the guy's number, left a message and he called back just now.

Well he said he had a few bikes left, he mentioned; cx500, 750 nighthawk(s), 550 Suzuki (yawns) But he also mentioned some more down in a barn, several honda 125s maybe others. So hope isn't extinguished but it doesn't sound like a honey hole either.

 

[goodgollyjosh]

I am picturing something like this story in Nebraska!

Lifetime collection of mom-n-pop Chevrolet dealership going up for auction

Amazing Survivor Chevrolets & 500 Collector Cars & More! Lambrecht Chevrolet Company Auction

According to Stilwell, Ray's collection of cars grew out of the trade-ins that customers brought him, which were then parked on the family farm outside of town and joined by new cars left unsold when the newer models came in to replace them. Among the latter group, stored in barns on the farm, are a 1958 Chevrolet Cameo pickup with less than 10 miles on its odometer, a 1964 Chevrolet Impala hardtop with just three miles logged, and a 1969 Chevrolet SS 396 with shrink-wrapped wheel covers still in the trunk and a 427-cu.in. V-8 that's literally never been run.

The entire collection of about 400 cars and trucks – along with the entire inventory of the dealership, which has reportedly not been touched since Lambrecht Chevrolet closed its doors 17 years ago and includes NOS parts, tools, and signage.

You will need a semi to haul it all away! LOL!!!

List of cars in that field:

1958 Chevrolet Cameo Pickup 3A58K118014 3 MSO 1.3
1958 Chevrolet Apache 31 Series Pickup 3A58K101618 3 MSO 5
1978 Chevrolet Indy Pace Car Corvette 1Z87L8S904699 3 mso 4
1964 Chevrolet Impala 2dr HT 41847S267633 3 MSO 4
1963 Chevrolet Impala 2dr HT 31847J340437 3 MSO 11
1965 Chevrolet Impala 2dr HT 164375S290404 3 MSO 12
1965 Chevrolet Impala 2dr HT 164375S234835 4 MSO 10
1964 Chevrolet Belair 4dr Wagon 41635J337787 3 MSO 326
1966 Chevrolet Belair 4dr Sedan 156696S163973 3 MSO 7
1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Coupe 30927W264244 3 MSO 17
1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Coupe 30927W269957 3 MSO 17
1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Coupe 20627W145834 4 Title 44,262
1962 Chevrolet Impala 2dr Ht 21847S197351 4 Title 57,527
1977 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback Coupe 1V77B7U102358 3 MSO 6
1959 Chevrolet Belair 4dr HT D59K177329 4- Invoice 2
1959 Chevrolet Impala 4dr HT 59K157204 4- Invoice 2
1959 Chevrolet Belair 4dr Sedan S59K150529 4- Invoice 1
1959 Chevrolet Belair 4dr Sedan D59J120801 4 Title 34,279
1959 Chevrolet Impala 4dr
1959 Chevrolet Belair 2dr Sedan D59K119033 4- Title 55,292
1959 Chevrolet Biscayne 2dr Sedan B59K136867 5 Title 69,637
1959 Chevrolet Biscayne 4dr Sedan A59K174232 5 Invoice 3
1959 Chevrolet Biscayne 2dr Sedan 59K273684 5 Title 35,852
1960 Chevrolet Apache 10 1/2 ton Pickup 0C154K138279 4 MSO 2
1957 Chevrolet Viking 40 Truck 4859K139863 4 Invoice 7
1965 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup C1545J161570 4- Invoice 5
1969 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Coupe 136379K416726 4 Title 75,837
1966 Chevelle 4dr HT 136396K115279 5 MSO 7
1966 Chevrolet Chevy II Coupe 113676N104966 5 Title 45,311
1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Coupe 1H57Y4K415093 4 Title 21,572
1956 Chevrolet Belair 4dr HT C56K086795 4 Title 50,220
1956 Chevrolet Belair 4dr Sedan VB56K129744 5 Title 60,242
1956 Chevrolet 210 Station Wagon VB56K050263 5 Title 92,785
1957 Chevrolet Model 150 2dr Sedan A57K108255 4- Title 57,669
1957 Chevrolet 4dr Sedan VB57K104394 4- Title 47,377
1928 Durrant Sedan title 6
1957 Chevrolet 4dr Sedan VC57J242708 4- Title 78,631
1963 Chevrolet Impala 4dr Sedan
1958 Chevrolet Belair 2dr Sedan E58J177083 4- Title 34,641
1957 Chevrolet Belair 4dr HT VC57J193282 5 Title 43,897
1957 Chevrolet 210 4dr Sedan VB57K158369 5 Title 60,264
1961 Chevrolet 4dr Sedan 11669KK111013 4- Title 34,099
1965 Chevrolet Impala 4dr Sport Sedan 164395J327942 4- MSO 6
1955 Chevrolet 150 Belair 2dr Sedan A55K05T00 5 Title 85,672
1955 Chevrolet 150 Belair 2dr Sedan VB55K066803 5 Title 29,870
1955 Chevrolet BelAir 4dr Sedan C55K096568 5 Title 44,661
1954 Chevrolet Suburban A54K014712 5 Title 28,167
1955 Chevrolet BelAir 4dr Sedan VC55K015164 5 Title 44,661
1955 Chevrolet Belair 4dr Sedan 5 Title
1955 Chevrolet 210 4dr Sedan 5 Title
1963 Chevrolet Impala SS 2dr HT 31847J311316 5 title
1958 Chevrolet Apache Pickup 3A58K122554 4- Title 63,045
1963 Chevrolet Custom Fleetside Pickup 3C144J123052 4- Title 80,266
1950 Chevrolet suburban 5HP-D11263 5 Title 48,979
1955 3100 Series Chevrolet Pickup H255K004960 5 Title 89,742
1955 Chevrolet 2dr Sedan A55K063293 5 Title 64,899
1955 Chevrolet Belair 2dr HT VC55037012 5 Title 49,201
1967 Chevrolet Caprice 4dr HT 5 Title 68090.00
1964 Chevrolet C10 q/ ton Pickup 4C154 J 159971 4 MSO 4
1964 Chevrolet C10 1/2 ton Pickup 4C154J145440 4 MSO 2
1964 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup mso 26
1964 Chevrolet C10 1/2 ton Pickup mso 5
1963 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup 3C154J1410199 4- MSO 29
1964 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup 4C154 67136911 4 MSO 5
1964 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup 4C154J156498 4- MSO 8
1964 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup 4C154J160201 4 MSO 3
1964 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup 4C154J152865 4- CMS 5
1965 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup C1545J1647704(v) mso 4 4
1964 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup C1545J154822 4- MSO 5
1964 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup 4- MSO 6
1963 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup 3C154J140232 4- MSO 16
1964 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup 4C154J160944 5 MSO 5
1965 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup C1545J159340 4- MSO 5
1964 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup 4C154J161283 4- MSO 4
1964 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup 4C154J54691 4- MSo 8
1972 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup CCE142S335804 5 MSO 3
1977 Chevrolet C10 Custom Pickup CK1147J103334 5 MSo 5
1976 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup CKL146F440456 5 MSO 4
1978 Chevrolet Impala 4dr Sedan 1L69U8S282170 5 MSo 4 1978
Chevrolet Impala 4dr Sedan 1L69U8S291823 5 MSO 5
1979 Chevrolet Impala 4dr Sedan 1L69G9C181644 5 MSO 4
1975 Chevrolet Caprice Classic 5 Title 6000
1975 Chevrolet Caprice Classic 4- mso 7
1972 Chevrolet C10 Pickup CS147J102990 5 Title 75,414
1969 Chevrolet C10 Pickup 5 Title 72,839
1965 International 100 Pickup S8385898A 4- Title 76,604
1968 Chevrolet C10 Pickup CS148J117548 5 Title
1976 Chevrolet Scottsdale C10 Pickup CC446J114947 5 Title 10,986
1975 Chevrolet Scottsdale C20 Pickup 4- Title
1973 Chevrolet C20 Pickup CCY243J103785 4- Title 25,201
1973 Chevrolet C20 Pickup CCY243F445966 4- Title 108,587
1974 Chevrolet El Camino 1D80H4R431940 6 Title
1973 International Pickup 301C0CH824228 3- Title 28,144
Chevrolet Impala 4dr Sedan 5 Title
Ford Falcon Club Wagon E13JH637395 5 Title
1965 Chevrolet Biscayne Wagon 5
Chevrolet Impala 2dr HT 5 Title
Buick 4dr Sedan 5 Title
1972 Ford Pinto 2X11X275172 5 Title 95,281
1962 Chevrolet 1/2 ton Pickup 2546S152863 4- Title 82,376
1972 Chevrolet Custom 10 Pickup CE140J129799 5 Title 98,317
1977 Chevrolet Pickup CCU147F511676 5 Title 69,124
Chevrolet C20 Pickup CE240J105083 5 Title 44,160
Chevrolet C10 Pickup 6 Title
1955 Dodge 100 Pickup 1161710672 5 Title 56889
Chevrolet C20 Pickup 5 Title 75516
GMc Sierra Pickup 4- Title 19359
1971 Ford F100 Pickup F11YRV48203 5 Title 76210
1967 Ford Galaxie 500 4dr Sedan 7P54H167083 5 Title 76827
1967 Chevrolet Impala 4dr Sedan 164397J119259 5 Title 45075
1979 Chevrolet C70 Truck C17DE9V157500 mso 3 5
Chevrolet C10 Pickup CE149J859618 4- Title 78111
1961 Chevrolet C20 Pickup 1C25K109040 5 Title 69540
Chevrolet C20 Pickup C2546J138055 5 Title 73382
1979 Chevrolet Chevette 1B68E9Y302926 5 Title 28476
Chevrolet Custom Pickup CCL146F348687 5 Title 49564
Ford Sedan
1949/50 Chevrolet 3600 Series Pickup 21GR-1(v) 6
1976 Chevrolet Caprice classic 1N47V6J2C934B 5 Title 34865
1970 VW Wagon 6
1960 Ford Fairlane 500 4dr Sedan 0H28F12645 5 Title
1966 Chevrolet Impala 5 Chevrolet Biscayne 4dr Sedan 5
1962 Chevrolet Biscayne 4dr Sedan 5
1966 Chevrolet Impala 4dr HT 5
Chevrolet Belair 4dr Sedan
1953 Chevrolet Belair 4dr Sedan C53K046325 4- Title 65774
1954 Chevrolet Belair 4dr Sedan C54K003624 title 5 43591
1949/50 mercury 4dr Sedan+G232C179B179:G214B179:G252B179:G272C1B179:G214 5 57150
1949 Kaiser Yale Blue Sedan 492-03067L 5 51
1963 Chevrolet C10 1/2 ton Pickup 3C54K128892 5 61884
1952 Chevrolet Belair 4dr Sedan 5
1954 Chevrolet 4dr Sedan B54K010849 4- 39744
1949 Chevrolet Sedan 14HJL2737 5
1949 Chevrolet Sedan 5
1951 Chevrolet Belair Deluxe 2dr Ht 51KKK-79147 4- Title 75209
Chevrolet Belair Deluxe 4dr Sedan 5
1969 Chevrolet Impala 4dr Sedan 164699J122209 5 Title
1979 Chevrolet Big 10 Pickup CCU449F485156 5 MSO 3
1973 Chevrolet Nova Coupe 1X17F3L181314 6 Title 34164
Chevrolet C20 Pickup CCY244F440780 5- Title 87330
1971 Chevrolet Pickup 5-
1978/9 Pontiac Safari Wagon 5-
1973 Chevrolet C20 Pickup CCQ243S192322 5- Title 37728
Chevrolet Biscayne 4dr Sedan
Chevrolet Impala 4dr Sedan
Chevrolet Impala 4dr Sedan
1974 Chevrolet Malibu Classic 4dr Sedan 1C29D4R454215 5 Title 6800
1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Coupe 1H57CV6K412957 5- 32241 title
1971 Chevrolet Chevelle coupe 71L143154xxxxx 4- Title 82605
1979 Chevrolet Impala Station wagon 1L35L9C165511 4 MSO 1 mile
1982 Chevrolet Chevette 1G1AJ68C3CA170718 4- MSO 817
1960 Chevrolet Corvair Monza 4dr Sedan 005869K19375 MSO 2
1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Coupe 309270117174 4- MSO 13
1960 Chevrolet Corvair Monza 4dr Sedan 00769K112531 4- MSO 2
1960 Chevrolet Corvair Monza 700 4dr Sedan 00769K109166 4- MSO
1964 Chevrolet corvair 4dr Sedan 00527W225802 4- MSO 15
1963 Chevrolet Corvair 95 Greenbriar Van 3R125S108451 4- MSO 46
1977 Chevrolet Vega Hatchback Wagon 1V15B7U138603 4 MSO 1
Chevrolet Citation 5 Title 44049
1978 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan 1T19M8Z41415 5 Title 73505
1978 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan 1W19M884116603 5 Title
1986 Chevrolet Cavalier 4dr Sedan 1G1AD6965CJL39351 5 MSO 24

 

[goodgollyjosh]

Also, didn't mean to high jack thread. Am very interested to hear about this bike find! Please keep us posted.

 

[79xs]

cx500's are nice bikes. Comfortable and low maintenance. They will cruise on the highway all day long, and are more comfortable for all day high speed cruising than an xs650.

If the Honda 125's are the Elsinore enduro bikes, then they will really be something. The Elsinore is a legend. Even if they are just xl125's, they are a blast to ride in the woods and the old Honda Xl's have cult like following too.

I have never been a fan of the nighthawks or the older Suzuki GS, although I have seen people make some pretty cool customs with those Honda DOHC 750 motors...

Go check them out!

 

[nj1639]

Subscribed

 

[jefft]

I've seen many of those old CX 500's still around and some had lots of miles on them.
jefft

 

[xjwmx]

I just watched a "pickers" episode

One thing I learned from that show (before I quickly couldn't stand it anymore) is weird old mofos won't sell anything. Probably wouldn't take a million dollars.

 

[Unfocused]

One thing I learned from that show (before I quickly couldn't stand it anymore) is weird old mofos won't sell anything. Probably wouldn't take a million dollars.

So very true. They love to hang onto their junk.

 

[ridgerunner1965]

ahh, the old bike in the barn myth. wish i had a dollar for every time i heard the "old bike in the barn for sale cheap" myth.the last one i followed up was a old harley hanging in the rafters of a barn for 1000 buks.ended up being a 50cc mini harley in bad shape worth about 100 buks. then there was the panhead for 2500 buks, first the owner died then the guy who turned me on to it died.that was a bust.i dont even listen to any stories like that now.show me the iron and ill show yu the cash is what i say.

 

[ridgerunner1965]

a really fun thing to do when you hear of these old cheap desireable bikes languishing in dusty barns is to offer the teller of these tales,a 500 buk finders fee if the bike is what they say.they still cant produce it.why do people lie so much?

 

[weaselbeak]

"550 Suzuki (yawns)"

If that's the old 2 stroke, stop yawning. Those are neat.

 

[Royboy]

My wife is from Pierce, NE. I've been watching Lambrecht Chevrolet for nearly 50 years. The guy was weird, wouldn't part with anything. There was a 64' Impala hardtop in the showroom that hadn't moved in 20 years, still had the plastic on the seats, floor mats still in the trunk. You could have offered him anything without success. He'd just say, "Nope, not for sale". Most of those vehicles have been sitting outdoors in farm fields since new. Rusty? Oh yeah.

roy

 

[gggGary]

I had a Titan back in the day and I would jump all over a GT550

But.... I think this is just a GS550 (repeat yawn) Ball's in his court for now. He has my number, will call me when his health is up to touring the barns. Maybe on a nice day in late fall I'll try a tickler on this.

I know an old guy with a GT380 looks like new. He had it running the other day, headed out for a tour around the neighborhood. Older than dirt he went and bought a new Harley trike last year. I haven't seen him ride that yet. I will have to ask if he has any project bikes in the sheds, it's one of those kind of places, back off a dead end road in the hills.

 

[DaveO]

Years ago (at least 20) I used to take the kids camping at Appleby. Its a little town near the Lake District. Its quite famous for Gypsy horse sales. There was a shop near the bridge with roller doors onto the street. I remember that it was full of old triumph 650s. Tried to engage the guy in conversation once about them but no go. (Probably sick to the back teeth of similar approaches.) This thread reminded me of it so I had a look on googlemaps.

Yup - still all there.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Ap...=lPwXBR8k6Ll7WCSFaZtubg&cbp=12,307.17,,1,6.99

Dave

 

[GeorgeKillianLett]

Years ago (at least 20) I used to take the kids camping at Appleby. Its a little town near the Lake District. Its quite famous for Gypsy horse sales. There was a shop near the bridge with roller doors onto the street. I remember that it was full of old triumph 650s. Tried to engage the guy in conversation once about them but no go. (Probably sick to the back teeth of similar approaches.) This thread reminded me of it so I had a look on googlemaps.

Yup - still all there.

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Ap...=lPwXBR8k6Ll7WCSFaZtubg&cbp=12,307.17,,1,6.99

Dave

So freaking Cool!

 

[lowerc]

Image date, May 2009. Still cool none the less