I'm torn. Is parting out bikes good or bad?

74cl200

First off, I just want to say that I really like this site. A lot of helpful people here!

While trying to find parts for my two CL200's, I have noticed a disturbing trend on eBay. People who have these rare bikes, are tearing them down to the last nut and bolt, including the engines. You would think that I would be happy that there are people doing this, but not necessarily so. I have seen a few very nice restorable bikes get torn down for their parts, and that is sad! What is worse is when the engines get torn down to the bare casings. You know that when these people realize they may only be able to sell a few parts out of the engines, they might just throw the rest in the trash. I would much rather have the opportunity to buy a complete engine, or for that matter the whole bike.

Granted, there are times when a bike can only be used for its parts, that's fine. Also, when they made hundreds of thousands of them, that's fine too. But when you are dealing with a rare model such as the CL200, some consideration should be taken to keep as many as we can on the road. Just my opinion.

By the way, I would still like to know how many CL200's were produced. Thanks all!

orlo · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 5:01 am Post subject:

Just recently, there was a CL200 for sale on our local C-List..Anyway back to the topic..
Most of us already know that the "sum of the parts" is greater than "The whole"...Years back, "Cycle World" did a comparison on that theory & did a story on what it would cost to purchase a Yamaha FZR1000 sport bike, piece by piece. Back then, that Yamaha retailed for around $5k, but the total outlay for piecing it together, was around $12k..so based on that same theory, you can understand the thinking thast goes into "parting" a bike out.
Usually someone parts it out for a variety of reasons..The bike is too far gone & restoration is out of the question,..The shear cost to restore particular models is outragous, based on current prices for the parts needed, amount of work needed & availability of certain parts needed,.. & the most common probably..to make $$$... Those of us in the CBX circle understand , how.. many of our parts, that are often needed, are just not available from Honda..so, our resources for aquiring parts is limited..which drives the prices of parts when they do come up for sale..Look at E-bay prices on parts, for certain models..& see what I mean...Hang on to the CL's & aquire extra parts when you can, because down the road, those parts won't be getting any cheaper!
Ride safe...Mike.

Steve Searles · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:31 am Post subject:

Excellent topic 74cl200. I have the same concern and the same dilemna right now on a 1967 Yamaha YDS3. This bike is becoming hard to find and the parts are becoming hard to find as well. My bike is probably too far gone for me to do a restoration on it. So..do I part it out or sell it as a complete bike. I would like to sell it as a complete bike with title to someone who can use this machine as a piece of history and preserve it somehow. That is my opinion, to keep as many of the rare ones complete as we can. Now, a Honda CB350 that is "gone" should probably be parted out as there are many of these complete machines already. I am continueing to tinker on this YDS3 and may even try to start it as I just got spark for both cylinders and 100 psi compression. Not for sure what I am going to do with it yet.
Again, there are no official import numbers for the CL200 but I saw a number from Honda on the CB350 and it was huge like 565,000 so I am thinking there were quite a few CL200's imported as well. That was the height of Honda inporting motorcycles. I bet they imported over 15,000 CL200's guessing.

VisionDon · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:54 am Post subject:

I'm only speaking for the Yamaha Vision market, I'll often see adds for Vision's that are pure junk, haven't ran in years, would have numerous problems to fix, but they still want hundred's of dollars for these carcasses. They get no buyer and then soon you see em parting em out. Often ashame that these were complete bikes that could have been redone, and someone may have tackled it if they would just sale the thing at a more realistic price. Seems to be vicious circle and a destoyer of otherwise rebuildable bikes.

Steve Searles · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:40 am Post subject: Restore or Part Out??

Also, sometimes when you part them out you do not sell all the pieces or get very little money for some of the common items. Good topic for discussion.

tbpmusic · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:27 am Post subject:

You have to take the Title situation into consideration.
Some states make it nearly impossible to get a title, so a bike may be good for parts only.

Steve Searles · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:33 am Post subject:

If it will run, I don't part it out. That is one of my rules. Heck, in Michigan it is super easy to get a title so that is not an issue here. I have a garage attic full of parts that I can't get much more than peanuts for. And I am not going to open up a store on ebay for $35/month or more in case I don't even make $35 to cover the fee. I seem to be in quite a dilemna with 62 bikes and an attic full of parts and having them worth about a bag of peanuts. Oh well, it is all fun and I made this bed so I get to sleep in it.

holysmokes · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:51 am Post subject:

bikes have very low nutritional value when consumed at a meal

cuddling up to a bike under an overpass will definitely be a lonely experience

when in need, part it out

it takes the hassle of dealing with buyers that have OCD

times are tough

Steve Searles · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 12:12 pm Post subject:

New VJMOG saying, "When in doubt, part it out!"

Vesparider · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 12:12 pm Post subject:

Parting out a motorcycle is only Good When:

1) It has the parts I need.... Wink

holysmokes · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:15 pm Post subject:

52 years in a cold and wet nova scotia , creates a hard heart when it comes sentimentality to a machine

when you're dead from hunger or cold, the bike wont care , cause someone else will die protecting it Wink

MR.CHocko · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 3:26 pm Post subject:

Now as an owner of a MC salvage yard I run into this dilemma all the time. I too am the owner of a CL200 but because it was vandalized I had no choice but to part it out. But when I get the chance to save a bike instead of parting it out I do. Two of the bikes that were recently saved are a 1972 CB500K and a 1981 Yamaha XS400. But you have to consider a few factors, the title, issue and how far gone it is, not to mention how easy is it to find parts.

Qingdao · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 4:58 pm Post subject:

I hate to see a part out on a good bike with a title.

BUT At the same time I am the first of the "vulchures" there to pick the carcass clean. Razz

holysmokes · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 5:25 pm Post subject:

the best fed seagull always eats more and complains the most Laughing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvkpOCMo7hc&feature=related

MR.CHocko · Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:08 pm Post subject:

I am going to remeber that next time I vend at a Swap meet.