Are Prices Softening?

[chuckthebeatertruck]

The last several months I have been out hunting some unusual bikes. Not our typical HD or Indian fare on AMCA; but more blue chip British bikes.

Since June; I've watched two Brough SS80s and three 1948-1951 Vincent Rapides (B and C series) sell for amazing small amounts in very good nick. The latest Vinnie sale was on an overrestored 1951 -- but it went for a measly $25,000 on Hagerty Marketplace.

That same bike was 38-40K all day long just a few years ago.

I'm also watching Rudge 500s, Scott Flying Squirrels and all manner of Ariel thumpers and Norton Thumpers just tumble. My own loved Tridents are also dropping like stones.

Any theories?

[JoJo357]

Steve, i've noticed this trend also. The British Motorcycles have taken a healthy twist downhill in the past year. I've owned & sold many British Motorcycles over the long years, and for some reason, they've always had a finicky walk of one step forward and two back, or two steps forward and one back, take your pick. To this day, i haven't a clue as to why. But, it is a great time to buy, just a crap shoot whether you'll hold an investment.
The past Mecum Las Vegas Auction, in late January, was a complete disaster for the British Motorcycles. Almost every other make & model went up if you retract the auction sales & prices, which are still available for viewing on their website. I thought it was because of the switch of presidency, but it didn't begin to explain why American, Japanese & European did fairly well. Like the old saying in Michigan about the weather. ''If You don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes". But, realistically it might be a lot longer than a 10 minute wait unfortunately.
Some of my long time British buying friends aren't even purchasing, unless it is a supreme deal, which they can easily flip, with only a marginal profit. I will kick this around with the British guru experts this Sunday at the 2025 'Battle of the Brits' Show & Swap Meet, and post pictures and maybe an explanation as to...WHY!!!!

1959 Velocette Venom Clubman For Sale At Auction - Mecum Auctions <----
One quick example, but there are many more. *Note that Mecum is not always the criteria for current rates. But, some of these prices were downright ridiculous, even by Mecum standards. *You'll probably have to log in to view the selling prices?

Las Vegas Motorcycles 2025 - Mecum Auctions <-----


*M.A.D.*

[Steve Slocombe]

Certainly prices in general were down at the last Mecum auction. Once you remove the big money collector bikes there were some real bargains. And Bonhams just sold a 1946 Harley U for under $20k. Britain is a more motorcycle-intensive country that the US, so there are a lot of older bikes here with fewer buyers. How many young people even have motorcycle rider permits these days? And who wants to buy a six volt kickstart bike? In the last couple of years I've bought a 1914 Douglas, a 1950 Sunbeam S8 and recently a 1952 Ariel Square Four, all for sensible money and not to flip but to enjoy. The Sunbeam is a 500 cc inline twin with overhead cam and shaft drive, matching numbers, and just right for road runs. Those Vincents are not rider bikes, but just sit in rich mens living rooms as a store of value. Like art, stamps, E-type Jags, the fashions ebb and flow. If you like riding old motorcycles this is a great time to buy.

[otis71]

I haven’t followed rarer Brit bikes closely but triumph 650s and their parts have been way down several years now.