| Author | Message | ||
     Jdodd |
Seems there was a questionable sale of an X1 in the classifieds earlier. Looked to be a complete running and fairly clean x1 that was to be parted out for the motor, ostensibly for a mutant or some such project. A number of badwebbers, myself included raised concerns that a fairly rare bike should get a better fate than that. The whole thing brings up an area of thought regarding these, now classic in every sense of that word, bikes. With the number of other donor sportsters out there, do you cringe when you see a bike like that being chopped? Would you speak up? Should you? I did. Would again. My take is, sell that x1 as is. Take the funds and go buy a sportster motor and find some thunderstorm heads. Stop hacking these up, they aren't making them anymore people. my .02 james | ||
| Blks1l |
As long as I have mine I don't care much what others do with theirs. I think I was lucky to get two rolling chassis to keep as spares for each of my bikes, they had been robbed of their motors. I think it would make more sense to sell the whole bike and buy a sportster motor though. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
I'm pretty sick of seeing beautiful bikes chopped up for parts. There is a guy on Ebay that buys up perfectly good, vintage Moto Guzzis, Cagivas and Ducatis, then parts them out. I've seen running bikes go from local CL to Ebay in a few weeks. I bought this 1987 Cagiva Elefant on Ebay and it was within that guy's buying radius. For all I know, he was the bidder I beat. I've seen him part similar bikes that were similar prices. This is probably one of fewer than 50 in the US (Lucky Strikes Dakar paint scheme).  The friend who sold me this Duke was worried it would become some guy's hacked dual-sport or worse. He knew I was in love with it and wouldn't cut it up.  I've watched the same happen to local Buells. This bike was so cheap I was sure it was going to get chopped if I didn't get to it first. It was listed for a month at an insane price (I had problems getting in touch with him via CL's email system).  A week after buying that one, there was a gorgeous, bone-stock 2001 X-1, White/Nuke Blue that showed up and was listed for over a month for $2400. Another Badweb member hesitated on pulling the trigger and it was eventually sold. I can't save them all. I just hope I never see those parts on Ebay. The bike was just too clean to suffer that kind of end. Yeah, some bikes are too far-gone to be resurrected. Some bikes have been parked outside or got used year-round in a wet environment and many were just sadly neglected. To those, being parted out may seem like the only logical choice. When a guy parades a mature African Elephant across the stage, admits he's going to just kill it for the tusks and invites people to buy up some of the meat so he can pay for the bullets...well...I can't sit and just watch it happen. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
I thought the thread was interesting, and this one too. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I hate to see it happen, but...not my bike, not my choice. Does it suck? Sure. But in the end...it makes mine more rare and desirable. To each their own. I'm saving as many as I can - got five Buells of my own in the garage right now, plus one that I'm rebuilding for a co-worker. Outside of that...not much I can do, so I don't get torqued up about it. I have plenty of other very real stuff going on in my life that needs that energy right now. | ||
| Britchri10 |
A lot of old Triumphs had the same thing happen to them 30+ years ago in the UK. It's a tough call. The selfish side of me thinks that it makes my X1 that much more rare & valuable. The altruistic side would like to see as many Buell's on the road as possible. Unfortunately, it is how the market works. The bikes belong to the buyers & they can do what they wish with them. Chopped bikes also send their excess parts into the supply chain. If I ever sell my X1 it will be to someone I know will not chop it for the motor. Chris C | ||
| Ratbuell |
And the truth of the matter is (thought of this after I hit "post") - until they start bringing big bucks on the market, they're gonna be targets. Used Sportster? $6k-8k because of the name. Used Buell? $1k-4k max. Just browse Craigslist sometime. You'll see the spread. More performance, less money. If you were building a bike...which way would YOU go? | ||
| Rich |
I have an S1 that may meet the same fate. After regretting selling my last one, I picked this one up a few weeks ago, figuring I'd fix it up. Well, after getting it home and looking at it in the light, it's more work than I want to do. So, what now? After I put the new Cometics on it to stop the rocker boxes bleeding, I'll try to sell it and get my money back. If that doesn't work, I guess I'll try to part it. It won't make me happy to do that, but if that's what has to happen, away it goes. | ||
| Outdoors |
Greg, I have got to say that your orange and black S3 is one pretty bike! | ||
| Guell |
If its not your bike then its none of your business. Does it suck that it happens, yes. But its not your choice. If I wanted to build a bobber/mutant i would def be eyeing a tuber | ||
| Fahren |
Guell, you don't have to be so hard-butted about it. This is a Buell enthusiast's forum, so it's perfectly appropriate for folks here to point out any good-looking Buell they see for sale that they think someone here might want to save. I would love to get an '01 X1 in good shape for $2400, maybe even less if I bargained. So more power to any and all who put the word out when they see a good thing on craigslist that maybe someone here would like. Then, if no one bites, then yeah, too bad. But it's not none of our business. The seller makes it our business when he offers it up to the public. There's a worldwide appreciation for tube-framed Buells, not just here in the US. Guys in England and France drool over the prices these great bikes go for on this side of the Pond. | ||
| Deant |
might also have a bit to do with the Horse power diff. forgive me if I am wrong but I think a 98 1200 sporty is only 60hp. So less money for the bike and 50% more hp. Alot of buells are doomed. Got my M2 for less than $2000 with 18k miles by a decent sporty for that | ||
| Guell |
Im not being hard butted, i completely understand that its a buell enthusiasts forum. Thats why im here  But when i read stuff like this: There is a special place in hell reserved for people who part out perfect Buells for their engines. Why don't you show a little intelligence and ride that thing like it is? No piece-of-shit bobber/chopper is worth cutting up that bike. It irritates me. Most posts in that thread were civil, but reading that, its none of his business what the owner does with that bike. Would i like to see the x1 stay on the road? Sure, but its not my bike so i dont really care that much. Its gorgeous out today, instead of worrying about what someone else does with their motorcycle, why dont yall just go out and ride, i know i will be this afternoon. | ||
| 883srfast |
"It irritates me. Most posts in that thread were civil, but reading that, its none of his business what the owner does with that bike. Would i like to see the x1 stay on the road? Sure, but its not my bike so i dont really care that much. Its gorgeous out today, instead of worrying about what someone else does with their motorcycle, why dont yall just go out and ride, i know i will be this afternoon." Well stated Greg, enjoy riding this afternoon and I will be doing the same in beautiful SE OH and NW WV! } | ||
| Greg_cifu |
You think reasoning with him will change his mind? Insulting? You bet. Did it get his attention? Evidently so. Forums are communities. If I stay quiet and a guy slaughters a perfect bike for the engine, I'm as much to blame as he is. Maybe he's still reading this. Maybe he'll put the front fender back on the bike and discover how good a machine it is. Yeah, I'm not holding my breath. I recently saw an Orange/Blue S1W frame and plastics go on Ebay. That's exactly the color I wanted but, got stuck with Silver/Titainium (have to take what you can find). Did he pay a premium for it? Doubtful. My dream bike got cut up (per his description) for a mutant. That bike is now gone forever. Nice. Here's somebody's abortion for sale. A Cyclone was cut up for this? $4200 and no bids for a complete, running Buell chopper. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Harley-Buell-Choppe r-Bobber-New-Frame-w-Buell-Engine-/300593854621 Every guy with a Buell engine and a parts catalog thinks he's going to be the next OCC and they're going to make money on the build. They aren't. The truth hurts and if telling them so saves a couple of bikes, I'm willing to say it. Edit: there are THREE complete Buell choppers on Ebay right now, under $10K, with no bids. Looking at completed listings, the highest priced one that actually sold was $5750 and a Redneck that got all the way to a whopping $3550. (Message edited by greg_cifu on September 08, 2011) | ||
| Jakenok |
My take? Choppers are fun, LOTS of Sportys out there, make your fukin chopper out of a Sportster. Can't afford one? get a better job. Just don't go cutting up the best bikes made to make some POS wanna be chop. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Dang... if I ever run across a reasonably intact tuber for $1500 or less, I'm gonna have a tough night explaining to my wife how it ended up in the garage... :/ | ||
| 2734 |
I can say at least in my area (oklahoma) 1. Buells sell way cheaper than Sporties. 2. I think also that since the Buells make more power that this is a factor as well. I know it's not my bike but it's still sad for me to see this happen.I cant for the life of Me ever consider riding a Sportster after riding a Buell. I got a rude awakening awhile back when I had engine probs with my M2. I thought buying a Sportster motor to fix my bike would be way cheaper because there are probably 10 Sporty bikes to each Buell.... I was WAY wrong. (Message edited by 273-4 on September 08, 2011) | ||
| Koz5150 |
Doesn't bother me. Funny thing is if you look at what Erik is building now, you could pretty much say that all the "HD" Buells are just a compromise of what he dreamed about. So in that sense who cares what happens to them. People as a whole worry to much about stuff. In the end, it's just a bike. If you enjoy it, then enjoy it, but don't worry about what others are doing. Move on, trust me, Erik has... | ||
| Jakenok |
Here's one to save, nice rebuilt engine in the hands of a chopper builder who has not destroyed it (yet) http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/mcy/2546284211. html | ||
| Blake |
Having an opinion is not the same as worrying. | ||
| Jakenok |
here's an abortion for sale: http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/2535416486.html http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/mcy/2545457076.html (Message edited by jakenok on September 08, 2011) | ||
| Sanders |
Interesting subject. I'll admit about a year ago I toyed around with the idea of turning my S3 into some sort of bobber or transplanting the engine into a Sportster, but when it came time to pick up the wrenches and begin I just couldn't do it. I like the Buell and it has been one of the few bikes I have kept. Usually I get rid of bikes after a year or so. The main reason I have kept is because it is an extremely rare bike. I have the Blue Streak with the orange frame. I don't know if I'll ever sell it, probably not because I have about 15k into it and probably couldn't get anymore than 4k for it. Some may see it as a waste but I don't ride the bike much. Once or twice a year I take it out. The main reason I don't ride it is because if it was wrecked or stolen it would almost be impossible to replace. Also it isn't the most comfortable bike to ride. That isn't the bike's fault, more mine and my old joints. When it comes to bikes there is no accounting for taste. Some people like the bobbers some don't. I recently bought a 1984 HD Electra Glide with 160k on the clock. The HD was dirt cheap and whatever bobber/chopper desires I may have will get exercised on the Electra Glide and the Buell will remain as a piece of eye candy in garage. Nothing against the other Buells but I think the tubers are some of the best bikes that Buell ever made and the Buellers on this forum seem to be the most dedicated. The fact that we get upset when we see a tuber meet its untimely death just shows our devotion to the cause. | ||
| Fahren |
A lot of fun can be had by modifying bikes. I doubt that many of the custom-built bikes that have used Buell engines and parts are ever used to the potential of the motor. It is probably, and sadly, down to economics, as mentioned above. If sporties were cheaper than tubers, we wouldn't be having this thread. On a related note, I think it's really cool what Ryca have done: making a 650cc single, belt-driven cafe racer using their kit that you use to modify a cheap and common Suzuki Savage (S40 Boulevard) - these have been around forever and are still being produced - no loss to American biking heritage. Way better to modify a boring and common bike into something really cool:  | ||
| Jayvee |
OMG! What have they done to that classic Savage single?  The Invisible Hand of The Market doesn't seem to value Buells much. Here's a sweetie for $2400. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/mcy/2585736209.htm l I've spent more than that just for bling on my M2. | ||
| Mtjm2 |
See the QB , }Do we have any Mutants in here .  Fehren , almost looks like a HOGBITZ | ||
| Chauly |
Another way of looking at a Savage:  Or a BSA 650:  Don't worry, it's not just Buells... | ||
| Fahren |
Yeah, at least the Ryca is clean and smartly done. Once in a blue moon, the same is true for Buell chops. I've also seen some posts on here where a guy posts someone's "highly customized" Buell, and people seem to agree if/when the work actually turns out ok (to some tastes, at least). | ||
| Blackjoe |
Funny thing, when I bought my X1 many years ago, it was for the sole purpose of using for a mutant. On the ride home from the seller with it, I fell in love with the frickin' thing and canceled the mutant plans post-haste. This is me, that day, riding it home. That's the look of a man who just had a major epiphany:  | ||
| Moxnix |
>>>Buells sell way cheaper than Sporties. The Market never lies. >>>I think also that since the Buells make more power that this is a factor as well. Yup. An incentive to the mutant builder to buy the Buell and part it out. There isn't enough money floating around to rescue every old Buell from the knackers. |
