 Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 45
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 45 |
I have been toying with the idea of selling my beloved 02 triumph bonneville america. It runs well, but is no longer cometically perfect do to well ridden (sun, rain, snow) life. My question is, should if fix imperfections before selling/trade in, or should i just take what i can get. Off the top of my head, this is what needs to be done.
1. flimsey front fender has crack at bottom rear, barely noticable
2. Horn has been unplugged due to it randomly going off???
3. tank has minor scratches
4. heat sheild on muffler missing due to being forced into a pot hole by crazy driver.
5. Rear fender is biggest problem. has some scratches, and two of the fender brace bolts are missing their heads due to trying to put on a back rest, and the crappy soft bolts being siezed.
Any thoughts?
EDIT: The reason: I love my bike dearly, but am having nasty thoughts about a Triumph Scrambler.
Last edited by dannyb278; 05/20/2011 11:37 PM.
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 476
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 476 |
me...i would sell as is. the resale value of our bikes is not that great and most will want to build it up the way they want. so a bike that needs a tweeking might be more marketable.
you have to decide if the extra money put in will really increase what you get out of it.
a very nice 2002 america would go for around $3500 around here
If it isn't broke, I haven't messed with it.
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 231
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 231 |
+1 
Send lawyers, guns and money, cause the sh*t has hit the fan!
-W. Zevon
2020 Bud Ekins T100
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
I would say you need to get it fixed to the point where it's solid and isn't going to suprise someone. That would include the horn and rear fender bolts. Anything else I'd say just clean it up and let the buyer decide.
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738 |
Fix the horn and then sell it as it is. You would spend more on the rest than you would get back. Personally I would keep it.
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
It's almost to the point that would justify rebuilding it into a show winning custom. Ride it until a few more things need fixing and then have at it.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 231
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 231 |
Dan:
I agreed with Soren earlier, and still do.
What are you trying to do, after all? Buy a bigger, prettier bike?
If you like the bike, and it runs well, you are better off putting some money into it to make it look better, if that is the issue.
The minute you drive a new bike off the lot, you depreciate it by around 20%.
If it is a bigger bike you want, then fix the horn and sell it.
Send lawyers, guns and money, cause the sh*t has hit the fan!
-W. Zevon
2020 Bud Ekins T100
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Sometimes it's time to cut your losses and move on. If that's your desire then like Steve said: Fix the horn and sell it. Your own situation will determine what you do. If it was me, I'd tear it down and build a custom while riding my upgrade. 
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
1. flimsey front fender has crack at bottom rear, barely noticable
I wouldn't worry about it.
2. Horn has been unplugged due to it randomly going off???
Fix it.
3. tank has minor scratches
I just had my tank and side cover polished at a body shop. Polishing compounds have come a long way. My tank looks like new in spite of the scratches it had (a couple were nasty due to the buckle on my jacket not being done up). $30 to have it done.
4. heat sheild on muffler missing due to being forced into a pot hole by crazy driver.
Nothing you can do except maybe find a new pipe here or on ebay.
5. Rear fender is biggest problem. has some scratches, and two of the fender brace bolts are missing their heads due to trying to put on a back rest, and the crappy soft bolts being siezed.
Scratches = body shop polish as noted above. 'Easy-out' the bolts and replace with new ones.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 45
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 45 |
Personally, i'm not to concered how it looks. i have ridden this bike all over the country through thick and thin and it has never let me down. It runs like a top. I figured this would be the bike i would pass on down to my kid, like my dad passed his bike to me.
However lately i have been having nasty thoughts concerning a Triumph Scrambler. I'm afraid i cant have both.
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Personally, i'm not to concered how it looks.
Well then, me thinks you've just answered your own question. 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
1. flimsey front fender has crack at bottom rear, barely noticable
I wouldn't worry about it.
2. Horn has been unplugged due to it randomly going off???
Fix it.
3. tank has minor scratches
I just had my tank and side cover polished at a body shop. Polishing compounds have come a long way. My tank looks like new in spite of the scratches it had (a couple were nasty due to the buckle on my jacket not being done up). $30 to have it done.
4. heat sheild on muffler missing due to being forced into a pot hole by crazy driver.
Nothing you can do except maybe find a new pipe here or on ebay.
5. Rear fender is biggest problem. has some scratches, and two of the fender brace bolts are missing their heads due to trying to put on a back rest, and the crappy soft bolts being siezed.
Scratches = body shop polish as noted above. 'Easy-out' the bolts and replace with new ones.
Sounds like one days work and maybe $60.00 would make a new bike out of it.
By the way a welding shop could put a heat shield on there with minimal blueing of the pipe. Then you could use blue job. Or you could remove all the heat shields and wrap them. That always looks good.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 45
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 45 |
I guess its not that i dont care, I'm just not in the hurry to fix, unless i am going to sell it, which was the origional question to this post.
What i cant decide is if i want to sell it to bUy a scrambler, or take 2 grand and "build" my own scrambler out of a xs650. It wouldnt have the range or reliabilty of a new triumph scrambler, but would still be a great back road burner.
I am currently waiting to see if i got a job with the forest service in Duluth Mn, and if i do, i definately want a bike that can hit the fire roads. If thats the case, mabey a good 4 stroke dual purpose like a DR, XR, XT would be in order and be able to do a little more trail riding than a Scrambler, in which case i would keep the BA
TO MANY CHOICES.
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,466 Likes: 3
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,466 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
I figured this would be the bike i would pass on down to my kid, like my dad passed his bike to me.
End of discussion if you ask me!
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
The scrambler won't be a good back road burner. Way too big and heavy. Dropping a bike is a part of back road riding if you intend to rip 'er up. I can't imagine trying to lift that scrambler over and over again and besides... will you be okay with all the scratches, dents and broken stuff?
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Fix up or sell as is?????
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 45
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 45 |
Ya, i think i would like to build a xs650 scrambler/steet tracker type bike, and still be able to keep the BA.
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