Add to resale value??

[Kooter]

I started a thread earlier inquiring if anyone has turned their stock bike into a chopper. I'd link to it here, but I don't know how. It's entitled "C50 Chopper" and it's in the Cruisers category. In that thread, I mentioned how my wife is against me spending the money on the chopper kit.

In a last ditch attempt to persuade her, I was wondering how much, if any, the chopper kit would add to the resale (I have no intention of selling mind you). If it would add more then the parts are selling for (approx $1800 or $1900), it may make her more open to the idea.

I searched for a while on the net and the only choppers I could find with a price associated with it are the high end decked out ones.

Anyone have any ideas on how much , if any, it MIGHT add to the resale?

[Clint]

None. In fact, it probably reduces the value. No-name customs aren't generally worth what the original, factory-built bike was. You take away confidence in reliability, handling, etc.

[DrBob]

A good quality, professionally built custom is worth money. They go for more than their parts cost, because you are paying for the hundreds of hours of design, engineering, assembly, and fabrication.
But a factory bike with a chopper kit is not a custom. The chopper set up is just another accessory, no different from any other accessory. As a general rule, any accessory on a used bike is worth 30-40% of what that accessory costs new, and then only if you have the receipt.
So if you spend $1900 to make it a chopper, you increase the value of your bike by about $700-750, and that's only if you can find someone who wants a bike like yours with a chopper set up, hard to do if the bike was not built in Milwaukee.
If you start cutting up your frame to rake it out without using rakes triple trees, you usually destroy the value of the bike. The change is now permanent, plus it was engineered and built by an amateur, so there is not much market for it. Especially for an 800cc metric- most people who will buy a chopper want a larger displacement bike.
Save your money, skip the chopper set up. In a couple years when you are ready for a larger bike think about buying a used chopper, letting someone else take the 60-70% hit on the price.

[CheapBike]

I'm sorry to inform you ...

This will not add to the value of your bike. Any addition to your motorcycle outside stock is all preference. Preference your potential buyer will hopefully like, but potentially hate.

If you're lucky enough to find a biker to find value in your purchase when they purchase, you should consider yourself lucky when you take the loss upon purchase.

I believe I read your earlier post and the money invested will never be recouped, best you could hope for is half your investment. That's only a bad investment if you haven't gotten use of it. Good luck with the ole lady. I know I didn't help.

[hammersfan]

I don't think many people shopping for a custom chopper will want one with an 800cc Suzuki motor. No offense intended here.

[Kooter]

i wasn't looking to actually sell the thing, I was just trying to find a way to potentially convince the wife....thanks for the buzz kill guys!! haha just kidding, thanks for being (brutally) honest.

[wildwolf]

You could tell her you have a very unique bike, likely the first, if not the only, C50 that was chopped out.

First one I've heard of...can't imagine how it'd look myself, so after you do it anyways, post pics.

[Apertureguy]

When I want my bike to look differently...I squint.


Seriously...it's the Mod anyone can afford.

[DrBob]

Originally Posted by wildwolf

First one I've heard of...can't imagine how it'd look myself, so after you do it anyways, post pics.

With 14-degree AME kit:




With 18-degree AME kit:



Can't say I like the looks of either, but the top one is more palatable.

[wildwolf]

Yeah....don't like either. Don't like many choppers, but figured I'd take a look.

Definitely the ones I do like are chopped skinny bikes.

[wildwolf]

What degree was Donnie's 1400? That one was about right.

[Kooter]

Ah you guys are crazy! The top picture is what sold me on the idea! Not a huge fan of the second one, but I like the first...

[DrBob]

I just don't like a chopper with a radiator-can;t imagine why anyone would chrome it to make it stick out even more.

If I recall correctly Donnie had the 14-degree kit with 12 over forks. My favorite 1400 chopper was always Nick's:

[wildwolf]

Yeah..but Donnie had more gas capacity.

I shoulda bought his bike when he sold it.

[DrBob]

Donnie's was a pretty bike. I really liked the color and the lines, but I prefer the smaller tank on the narrow Intruder frame. I don't mind stopping every 130 miles, and usually only go that far even on my Electra Glide, which can fo 270 on a tank. I think he sold it to his brother, didn't he?
I always loved the Rasp pipes on Nick's, and the lizard skin seat. But he used the exact same kit as Donnie for the front end.

[wildwolf]

It's not the "stopping every 130 miles" reason I want the larger tank. When I commute, I like to go more days between fill ups.

[DrBob]

I figured it out- if I used my Intruder only to get to work and back, a tank of gas would last me 8 months! LOL!

[wildwolf]

Lol! You sound like Lan now. Wonder which of you is closer to work...I'm gonna guess you.

[DrBob]

Yeah, I'm very upset. We are moving to a new building, and it is going to double my commute. My office will now be 2 miles from home, rather than just one. Oh, the horror! LOL!

But I am in charge of all 7 locations now, so I do a lot of travel. They range from 11 to 30 miles from home, and are upt o 70 miles from each other, so I am averaging slightly over 200 miles week. They pay me 50 cents a mile though, so I come out way ahead on the bike. We are thinking about two new locations, one in Burmingham AL and one in Savannah GA, so that would seriously increase the amount of travel I have to do. I might have to check on that Savannah location every Friday afternoon...LOL!

[Fishpart]

I think going with a chooper is all personal, it narrows your buying market if you do sell.