I'm still on the lookout for another bike having made a bit more space in my garage/her wardrobe annex. Having spent months trying to find a half decent affordable 'classic' bike I've changed tack a bit. I now think I should go for an 80/90s naked, 500/600cc maybe up to 750, in reasonable condition but not already worked over and tarted up. Budget is around £1500, MoT would be nice, but a reasonable service regime is a definite. Can be single, twin, triple, whatever, just don't want a lardy heap of poo, needs to be fun to ride. If it puts a smile on my face when I open the garage great, but beauty is only skin deep. I thought I was on to the perfect bike this weekend but seller of a Hinckley 750 Trident has had second thoughts for the mo' . So am I being unrealistic? Or do you reckon that in spite of the classic market having gone ape I should still be able to find what I'm now looking for? And if so, any recommendations about where to search - which FB forums, any alternatives to Gumtree, Preloved? All suggestions welcome - I think.
Unless you were to luck in to something being sold cheap by a disgruntled ex-wife ( I'm sure youve heard the Merc/Jag/Bentley for £50 stories) I'd say that for your budget you could get a really excellent 90s CB500, Kawasaki GPZ500 or Aprilia Pegaso. All good usable machines which are easy to look after and lots of fun to ride.
I agree with your comments about the state of the classic market. I'm in the same boat, looking for a classic, preferably, Triumph with an age commensurate with my youth. Some of the prices quoted for an unseen 'exhibition' standard machine, (sellers words not mine) were not far short of a brand new Street Twin, (another bike I wouldn't mind). I want a bike that I can enjoy, ride on good days and maybe tinker a bit with to improve its looks. Some of the nails I've seen for £3-4K were ready for rebuilds and had dubious histories. Oldfart
