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This Classic Motorcycle Webring site is owned by Oregon Vintage Motorcyclists |
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We often get email from people who are looking for information on restoration projects, values of old bikes, sources for parts, or sources for vintage bikes.
1. I bought an old motorcycle at a garage sale, can you tell me what it is?
2. I just got a Triumph, can you tell me what year and model it is?
3. I have a 1956 Matchless G6 that I got from my father-in-law, can you tell me how much it is worth?
4. I'm looking for a chainguard for my 1962 Sportster, do you have any for sale?
5. Can you send me a registration form for the Seattle Swap Meet in October?
6. How much will it cost me to restore my [your make/model here] motorcycle?
We are rarely able to provide quick answers for these questions. Either you didn't provide enough information (see 1 and 2 above), or we're just not qualified to help you (see 3, 4 and 5 above), listed below are the things that we usually tell people with these kinds of questions. Generally we tell people the same thing no matter what the question. This is because we really can't answer these questions, and if we had knowledge about the specific model, people usually don't give enough information about their bike to provide a reliable answer. Before you email us, you need to know: We don't sell parts, although if you join the club (look at "about OVM" for info on joining, you can't do it by email) you'll be able to advertise in our newsletter. We are not qualified to give appraisals sight unseen (or at all for that matter). We can't identify a motorcycle without looking at it. We can't send you registration forms for events that other groups are sponsoring. Regarding question 6 above, we can only tell you that the total cost of restoration, including the original value of the bike, will probably be more than your bike will be worth when it's done. Our Newsletter Editor has tracked some costs for a few restoration tasks, and he has them posted on his web page for your information.
What we can do is try to help you figure out the answer to your question for yourself, it isn't that hard, it just takes a little time, which we can't afford to devote to all the requests that we get, but you, individually should, if you really want an answer. We have some information resources here on our web site, and we can try to direct you to other locations on the web that have more information. Here are our standard answers to your standard questions:
1. Check the Links, and Other Clubs sections of our web site for clubs specialising in the motorcycle you're interested in. Write or email your question to them, they will probably have more knowledge about your specific bike than we would. We also list links to many of the better known vintage motorcycle and parts dealers. You might also want to check out some of the M/C index pages that are listed, such as Ronnie Cramer's M/C Index.
2. Classic Bike at Barnes and Noble, or Border's Books, or any other bookstore or newsstand that carries a good selection of magazines. This publication runs classified ads that will give you a good idea of price and availability of almost any old bike you can imagine. They also run commercial ads for all the important vendors of parts and services for old bikes worldwide. Another good source for pricing information, or purchases is Walneck's Classic Cycle Trader, usually available at quick-stop markets like 7-11, or Circle-K stores.
The above doesn't look like much, but with a little perseverance, you can get all the information you need on your own, and you'll have the confidence that you can solve any future problems with the same kind of research.
Regrettably, we've heard that Old Bike Journal, one of the best resourses for U.S. old bike info has ceased publishing
Want to join the OVM? Click here for a membership form to print out!
Last update 2/17/01
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