Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

I restore Honda Mini Trails. I was emailing back and forth a guy about them. In one of the shots, along with the Mini Trails, is a pic of my '73 Elsinore. The guy decided he wants the CR250. I really hadn't thought of selling, but he's quite persistent. So, I threw some additional shots of the CR on my server for him to get a real close look. Now he REALLY wants it, but wants me to state a price. I really don't have an idea of its value. I've looked on eBay to find similar machines. Most for sale there seem to be Vintage racer candidates, with suspension and engine mods. Thus, they don't seem to be a good way to determine value. If there's any place where I'd place my trust, it's here. So, please, if you have a moment, drop by my site, take a look, and give me your opinion. Some specifics: 1973 CR250M. I have the original title and owners manual. The bike is absolutely original, down to the tires. I used to have a 1974 CR125, and I remember you could tell how much the early Elsinores had been ridden by looking at the nice, aluminum shifter. It would get quite worn, and get pointy. This shifter looks like it's been tap danced on very rarely. (But, I guess it could've been replaced at some point.) HereÌs the link:
http://www.visualsmoke.com/vs/cr250.htm
(the pictures are large, approx 800k EA)
Mini Trail Page!
http://www.americanpowdercoat.com/mini/trail.htm
Thanks so much!

Vetski,

Nice bike! It always tough to judge what others would pay. I think to the collector of original bikes it would be worth much more than someone who wants to race it. It would be terrible to take a gorgeous survivor that this bike and modify it. Modified race ready CR250s have gone for $2500-3000 on eBay recently.

Is the guy a collector?

J

_________________
#829 The "Factory Novice"

1988 Honda CR250RJ
1983 Honda CR480
1981 Can-Am 250 MX6-B
1979 Honda CR250RZ
1979 Kawasaki KX250 A5
1978 Husky 250CR
1978 Honda CR250R
1977 Yamaha YZ400D
1977 Suzuki RM125B

If you really don't want to part with it, just be firm and tell him it isn't for sale. Take his phone number and address and tell him if you do decide to sell it he will have first shot at it.

*OR* if there is something you would rather have suggest that as a trade.

That is a nice bike. I can't even guess what motorcycle I would rather have then it. Maybe a collector bike like an early Penton or Maico in like condition but no other Japanese bike of that period if more valuble.

After reading opinions here and elsewhere, I decided to hang on to my bike. Appreciate your responses.