Well Brandon's wife's comment: "It's not an investment unless you plan to sell it. Anything else and it's just collecting." is true and what Lou says is true too.
For me personally all the vintage bikes (ones not currently being raced by me) are purchased at a price that I feel comfortable with in the knowledge that if it fits well, and I like the ride I can keep it and know I have a good ride that didn't cost a 'fortune'. If it doesn't work out I know I should be able to 'flip' it for what I paid if not more.
If I've been paying attention to the fair market price of items, my investment/collection should usually return more than I've input (assuming one doesn't count all the _time_ one spends!). But I never expect this to make me money, just keep me in bikes!
David -- David Bilenkey Ottawa, Ontario, Canada dbilenkey@sympatico.ca
> -----Original Message-----
> From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org
> [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of
> loudeeter@aol.com
> Sent: Monday, January 16, 2006 12:30 PM
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: Classic bikes as investments, was Re: [CR]50th
> anniversary gruppi
>
>
> I've purchased bikes to sell. I've purchased bikes to keep.
> I've purchased bikes that I was going to keep that I ended
> up selling. I've purchased bikes I was going to sell and
> ended up keeping. I no longer look with a primary motive to
> make money on things I buy, although I do peruse Ebay and
> place bids that are low enough that if I win, I know I can
> "flip" it as Harvey Sachs said. But, the value of my bikes
> will not change my lifestyle. If I was a car collector, I
> would say, sell the Duesenberg to buy a house; sell the 66
> 350 Shelby Mustang to buy another nice car. But, if I were
> to sell my bikes, it would be to take my wife on a trip or
> more likely, to buy my wife some new shoes with matching
> purse. Or, perhaps I'll just sell some bikes so I can buy
> more nice bikes. Lou Deeter, Orlando FL