where to start???!!!!
sorry to say..... its your fault.. well, yours and mine.
talking at work today, our latest pay rise is 3% this year. despite working excessive through covid. no bonus as we didnt achieve a target last year. BUT, they have given us a one off 4% non pensionable payment to get us through these hard times!! the 4% probably comes from the rate cut from time +.5 to time +.22 and we are now back on the same shift after a bit of juggling.
Ive had no work at the unit customer wise for over a year now, too much youtube and ebay and facebook mates . close to closing the business and my local MOT tester has already closed and another bike shop in town has also closed/is up for sale..
over the past 20 years the "classic " Brit bike has always been the toy/investment of the over 55's. my old unit was a hub for VMCC and local club gatherings due to the old landlord and his mates. All retired or ex service personnel with good pensions. many "oldies" have squirreled away their pension fund . They have bought what they want to run and do up, buy when cheap and keep as an investment.
whats left has been left for others to pick over. I sold my T100 for £5500 but had to take a very clean low mileage Bandit 650, for my run around as part ex. it was a rebuilt chop/custom, one off paint and extras, purchased by a middle age man who found the bandit too heavy and too high. an exception or charmed by the look?
there are classic Brits locally advertised at prices that would double by the time completed.
the yoof of today, a/ dont have the readies at hand and b/ dont have the know how , how to restore, mainly as the infrastructure isnt there anymore.
my discussion today, was in regard of the smaller bike shops gone (6 in 2 towns), engineers probably only a half what was therein the seventies and the skill is all in mass produced cnc work, as thats where the money is, not in 1 off's .
todays 30 to 40yr old is now restoring 1980's bikes, parts just still available, better quality and parts that fit. not interested in slow oil spewing Brits. when I get a call from a 60 yr old with a 1970's bike and say I cant get the parts, it goes back into his shed to rot further.
any one with spare cash is looking at a tidy Japanese import from America , parts available, in good condition, serviceable and fast no to mention oil tight!!
B40 flat track, £1000 in need of rebuild.... £2800 spent on it.
A50 chop , £1500 probably around 2000 spend on it. double to return to original.
CB750 £2400 probably less than £1000 to spend could go up to £8000