Saturday 31 May 2014

How To Choose a Vintage Bike


In the world of motor bikes there are arguments between what is vintage and what is classic. Two persons would unlikely ever be one in opinion over the constituency of vintage. What could be gathered from arguments in simple terms is that vintage is that which was manufactured some decades back, about 30 years back at least. On the other hand classic could be considered an adjective for that which sets a new standard or is set according to some new standard. Bikes too fall under the categories of classic and vintage. Certain motorcycle companies classify motor bikes on the basis of ages. 


Vintage ones are those manufactured in the years 1948-1969. Collecting antique and vintage objects is a hobby of passion and pride. Now, there are quite a number of bike lovers who are bending for vintage bikes. A lover of bikes would understand the pride and love associated with riding a vintage bike or simply having one in one’s collection. However much one knows about bikes, the person might not always know he technicalities related to choosing and buying a vintage motor bike. Here are some points that one can remember while choosing a vintage bike.

First it is important to know where to buy a vintage motor bike from. There are auctions for them and some may be found online too. Do lots of studies on vintage bikes and gather some good knowledge on them before going to choose a bike. This will enable a person to know the true worth of a bike and thus help deciding where to go to get hold of a proper one. The source of purchase is important as it would let one have a genuine buy at a fair price. All doubts can be solved later on.

However after the buying of a vintage bike little remains to be done. It would be advisable to a buyer to go for a renowned and known seller. He should be knowledgeable on bikes. This helps make an authentic purchase and help the buyer know about the bike better. If you look around properly, in magazines, internet etc, there are plenty of dealers present with all the mentioned points offering to you. Some would even deliver the bike at your doorstep. Keep all aspects in mind and decide on the seller as you decide on the bike.

Buying an old motor bike is exciting. Let this excitement prevail by making sure before buying that the motor bike that is being chosen for buying is a genuine item. Check that the thing is not fake, put up deceptively for sale. Antique and vintage items often have forged pieces and copies of the same. They at times can be very similar to the original. Therefore make a research and get to know precisely how the actual vintage bike looked like. If you could lay your hands on some pictures of the original bike, then match them with the one on sale to know if the item is authentic or not.

While doing research on bikes, the chassis numbers and engine numbers of the motor bikes can also be found out with ease. So, try to find out if it is available with the motor bike seller. These pieces of information are useful for the long haul indeed. This valuable information could help track the motor bike’s previous owners too.

Another very important aspect to consider while going for a vintage bike purchase is the price of the same. Before the purchase one must know and keep in mind that since it is an antique or vintage bike it might cost quite something. It is important to make a budget before buying. In all the excitement at the prospect of having a vintage bike let the price paid for it is reasonable. Again make a research properly to know the value of the bike and what could the approximate value be.

Make sure that it is genuine else all spending goes down the drain. Sometimes restoration of the bike after buying could cost more that the price paid to buy it. If the replacements are done by original parts then the cost could go up higher. However this would increase the bike’s antique value. While tracing the owners if the bike is found related to some famous person for instance a racer or that the bike was famous during its time, these if proven true raises the value of the bike both in worth and money.

An old motor bike like any other old thing cannot be expected to be flawless. If the thing is something like 30 years old and not an item of display, then it would definitely be more problematic. A brand new motor bike too may show some problems and here it is a vintage bike that we are talking about. So, have an open mind while choosing a vintage bike. It is to be remembered that it is actually a second hand item. After the motor bike is bought and delivered to the house it would be good to make a thorough check of the entire thing then itself. Photographs with dates could also be taken and kept. A test drive should be taken. Let it be restored to the dealer immediately if there is any problem and not wait for later. Given above are some tips to guide you through a good choosing and buying process of the vintage bike that you have aspired for so long. Possessing a vintage bike involves lots of difficulties some which might not be even known to the buyer while buying. Know about the bike thoroughly before buying it. Checking whether it is still in workable condition or not and checking the price would be right before buying. Know everything beforehand as once the bike is bought there is no way out then if things are not as you expected. These tips are to help a person to buy a bike and not scare them. Do not be deceived and make a wise decision.


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