January 11th, 2015, 11:59 PM | #1 |
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Name: .
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MOTM - July '15
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How profitable is it to part out a bike?
I see some basket-case bikes on craigslist for real cheap that are totally not worth fixing up. When you factor in time, initial money paid, and shipping and everything, how profitable is it to buy a bike, tear it down, and sell all the crap on ebay? (then use the money for this : https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=212158)
For example, I see a $250 Virago. No title. Doesn't start. I could tear it down, maybe try to fix it if it looks like a simple problem, and if I can't, I could just part it out. I think virago parts would sell nicely considering it's got a pretty decent following. Even if the engine was toast/too hard to ship/unsellable I could make a few bucks carrying it down to a metal recycling plant. What do you guys think? Have you ever done this before? |
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January 12th, 2015, 02:21 AM | #2 |
Certifiable nontundrum
Name: Harper
Location: NC Milkshake stand
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16
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You can make decent money, lots of states have rules and regulations about the number of vehicles you can buy in a year without a dealers license though.
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January 12th, 2015, 02:35 AM | #3 |
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Name: .
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MOTM - July '15
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January 12th, 2015, 03:33 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Fish
Location: co
Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 250/300 Posts: A lot.
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Only if you are going to sale the frame. In fact don't waste the money on a tittle just scrap the frame
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January 12th, 2015, 06:58 AM | #5 |
dirty boy
Name: Joe
Location: Johnstown, PA
Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): I don't even know anymore?? Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Apr '14
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if you have the time and space.
Not just time to collect, tear down, inventory, clean, and post sales, I'm talking time to sit on hundreds of parts for long periods of time without them selling. I bought a shock off of an fz8 for a project, decided i didn't want it and I had it on ebay for months at a rock bottom price, and even on an fz8 forum and I got tired of putting it back up for sale so it sits in my basement as a paper weight. It seems the strategy for most salvage type motorcycle places is list it for a high price and sit on it until you find that sucker that desperately needs that part. don't think it would be worth it for everyday bikes, but if you can find old rare bikes that have a good following there could be money to be made. I've sold a bunch of crap from my rz350 I recently bought that I did not want (some fairings, dash, fender ect...) and made some money quick
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January 12th, 2015, 08:01 AM | #6 | |
Inline 4!!!
Name: Danny
Location: MA
Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2008 CBR600rr, 1987 KLR 250 Posts: A lot.
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January 12th, 2015, 08:58 AM | #7 |
Certifiable nontundrum
Name: Harper
Location: NC Milkshake stand
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16
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It's fine unless them boys find you and call it stolen. Sell it, scrap it, turn it into dollars.
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January 12th, 2015, 09:09 AM | #8 |
ran when parked
Name: Katie
Location: DC/MD
Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14
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it's not profitable to part out a ninja 250 unless you have one that's mint with all the fairings. other bikes, it just depends on your marketing skills and how much time, patience, and cleaning supplies/tools you have to make everything look good again if it's off an old bike. and hopefully you're close to a post office.
it could be a fun summer side gig
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January 13th, 2015, 09:46 AM | #9 |
Old and slow
Name: Lohman
Location: Aiken, S.C.
Join Date: May 2014 Motorcycle(s): Suzuki TL1000R, Honda CBR600F3, Ninja 250 Posts: 889
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remember parting a bike isn't just the wrenching and disconnecting...
you have to take pictures of each part. you have to box and package each part. you have to post each part on Ebay. you have to ship each part. you have to deal with goobers who ordered the wrong part even though you took a perfectly easy to understand picture and explanation of each part. just say'n, you don't turn a wrench and money falls on the ground under the bike. |
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January 13th, 2015, 10:19 AM | #10 |
Motorcycle Hypermiler
Name: Vic
Location: Livermore CA
Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 1999 & 2005 Kawasaki Ninja 250R's Posts: A lot.
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It depends on the basket case moto but generally if you look at the time and effort invested I don't think it would be that profitable. You need space , time and skills as mentioned above.
I have sold many parts from various motos but it was mostly to clear them out of storage and recoup some $ for other projects. The best sellers are good fairing parts. I'd only acquire a basket case if it had parts that I needed or would use in the future. I have acquired nonrunning bikes but only ones that I was certain that I could fix and then sell at a substanial profit.
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January 14th, 2015, 12:34 PM | #11 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Bubba
Location: Hamilton, Canada
Join Date: Jun 2014 Motorcycle(s): 300 Posts: 99
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January 14th, 2015, 04:13 PM | #12 |
Lostcause enthusiast
Name: Graham
Location: Austin, TX
Join Date: Jan 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2000 EX250F Posts: 178
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I've done this a couple times but only when the bike was totally gone, something major broken, or somehow i got hosed and couldn't sell it as a running project.
typically there are 3-4 parts that sell real fast for decent money. Front fairing, handlebars, maybe a speedo cable or something that always brakes. Carbs. wheels and tires are usually only worth shipping if the tires are good. engine, worth a lot but shipping kills you on that deal as well. The more common bikes are harder to make money on. Factor if it has been left outside, nobody wants to pay anything for a ratted and faded seat or body parts. Generally if you value your time in any way shape or form, its not a money maker. Best leave the projects to someone who is going to save them and get them back on the road. |
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January 14th, 2015, 07:06 PM | #13 | |
wat
Name: wat
Location: tustin/long beach
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much.
Blog Entries: 5
MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14
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January 14th, 2015, 07:16 PM | #14 | |
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Name: .
Location: .
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MOTM - July '15
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