I gave up on recouping costs. I look at it this way…….if I invested $100 in parts and materials then I need to ride it 20 times. $5 per ride and I feel better about the decision
Do u ever sell a bike u made?
- Thread starter El C
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circa 2008 I suspected the rat rod craze was just that, a craze. It's lasted longer than I suspected, but it's definitely not as popular as it was.
Like CA, I prefer to take the loss and sell them whole, hoping they will live on and be ridden.
Like CA, I prefer to take the loss and sell them whole, hoping they will live on and be ridden.
MattiThundrrr
Rattus All Terrainus
I tried selling one. The only response I got to the ad was one guy who only reached out to let me know that it was a piece of trash, and I had some nerve trying to get money for it. The parts got removed for future builds, the frame is is the scrap pile now.
I think the problem is, rat rods are an art form which isn't really understood by the general public. We're not really making them more practical or useful, and the look can be very subjective. You gotta be into them, to be into them.
I think the problem is, rat rods are an art form which isn't really understood by the general public. We're not really making them more practical or useful, and the look can be very subjective. You gotta be into them, to be into them.
But it’s done better than the zombie craze that came with the Walking Dead. Everything was zombie this and zombies that or slime green
Rat rod is a cultural phenomena
Rat has multiple genres within it as well. Some are more relatable like survivors or patina bikes as opposed to the full on Mad Max style bikes. I like them all. One thing for me is I'm not comfortable enough with my welding to sell a frame I built to someone else. Not sure what's going to happen with my tall bike when I'm done messing around with it. I spent $100 on struts and seatpost spacers so I'm ok with not getting that back directly. My Roadmaster would have to be parted out to recoup costs but I don't think I'll ever sell that one.
Bikes in general are hard sells during COVID not so much but absolutely. Most normal people (not the bike nuts) go to a bike because they need to get from point a to point b don't care about looks or function so they go on marketplace and grab the first thing decent thing under 100 bucks. Were willing to pay that in parts.I will buy and sell but usually only for a little more than I pay after I pillage for what I need. Custom market is even trickier you built it for you.
I feel like I built a bike nearly for free when I've only got $100 in them. California is a high price market so I'm usually $200-300 into the project before I start mods and buying parts. Bikes I've built up from parts usually cost me at least $600. Like my GT Timberline. It's a personal build that I have no intention of selling but I've got $500-600 into a $150 bike. But I love it!
Depends on your area of the country and who you're targeting (for the sale). I know I'll never recoup cost on labor. However, bike building is my hobby. I love it, so the labor time is invested in myself.
I quit making commissions, and only make customs. That way, when someone stops in their tracks and admires my bike, I know they are 'my people'.
As for selling. I am willing to ship 90% of my bikes, so that opens up my market. I go to car meets and custom events. I also try and get my bikes in for display at events. One such event was a whiskey competition. Distilleries all over the country came to show their whiskey and signature chicken wings. I got my bikes in for display in the VIP area. The owner of Breckinridge Distillery loved one of my bikes, and his buddy bought it for him for his birthday.
All that to say, I don't build with the intention to sell, but when I sell, I don't target bike people. I go for people that either know what goes into custom work, and/or just love the aesthetic (more like art). I have mainly lived in major metropolitan areas for the past 2 decades, so I know that's a huge factor as well.
I quit making commissions, and only make customs. That way, when someone stops in their tracks and admires my bike, I know they are 'my people'.
As for selling. I am willing to ship 90% of my bikes, so that opens up my market. I go to car meets and custom events. I also try and get my bikes in for display at events. One such event was a whiskey competition. Distilleries all over the country came to show their whiskey and signature chicken wings. I got my bikes in for display in the VIP area. The owner of Breckinridge Distillery loved one of my bikes, and his buddy bought it for him for his birthday.
All that to say, I don't build with the intention to sell, but when I sell, I don't target bike people. I go for people that either know what goes into custom work, and/or just love the aesthetic (more like art). I have mainly lived in major metropolitan areas for the past 2 decades, so I know that's a huge factor as well.
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That sounds amazing!
until recently, I was having good luck selling bikes and other things on Fb Marketplace. Now all I get are "is this available?" inquiries even though the ad clearly states no replies will be made to "is this available?", if the ad is up the item is available. Oy.
To keep it in perspective, the rule of thumb for custom car builds is 50%. So it will be worth around 1/2 of what you've got in it when it's done. So if I spend $30k on my '36 Chevy coupe when I build it I should reasonably be able to sell it for $15k. Not planning to sell that car but, ugh!! Makes selling a $300 bike build for $100 seem less badish. I used to break even on my motorcycle hobby but I haven't been playing with those for the last few years.
I mostly restore functional bikes to give away. I have sold a couple to make room and recover expenses. The ones I sold were chronicled here, Gone Fischwinn and the Canal Crawler.
I've yet to make any money on any of my hobbies. I always pay hard earned money
for that one thing that I need to complete an image in my mind. Head off to a show
or display or something with all kinds thoughts and anticipation of how it's going to
be. Which it rarely ever is as close to the excitement level I have going. Then the magic
wears off and a new toy or hobby takes over so the old one goes up for sale. And all
those pieces that I took years to find and compile and fix and clean and restore are
gradually picked apart and sold off for less than what I paid, just to keep things moving.
As the Captain said so eloquently, "It's not about the money. It's about the space."
I'll add, "... and keeping the old lady happy."
for that one thing that I need to complete an image in my mind. Head off to a show
or display or something with all kinds thoughts and anticipation of how it's going to
be. Which it rarely ever is as close to the excitement level I have going. Then the magic
wears off and a new toy or hobby takes over so the old one goes up for sale. And all
those pieces that I took years to find and compile and fix and clean and restore are
gradually picked apart and sold off for less than what I paid, just to keep things moving.
As the Captain said so eloquently, "It's not about the money. It's about the space."
I'll add, "... and keeping the old lady happy."
Thank you guys. Reading the replies made me think of another option: Donate it, or sell it and donate the money to a good cause.
Define "made",...and "sold". Rats and customs, no. Matti said it perfect.
"I think the problem is, rat rods are an art form which isn't really understood by the general public. We're not really making them more practical or useful, and the look can be very subjective. You gotta be into them, to be into them."
I honestly don't worry about cost-not because I have money to burn but because:
A) I seldom buy new parts. When I can find a 'mostly working' bike at a Thrift Store or Yard Sale for $20 or less, I get it-then strip down all the useful stuff and get another 'nearly there' bike in perfect running condition, keep some for later. If I need fancy carriers or panniers, I grab some $1 or $2 totes, purses or computer/camera bags and mount via Zip Tie Express. I don't consider roughly $25 a month onerous even for me.... And did I mention the many, many, many uncountable thanks that I owe this Forum for teaching me how to do stuff like this?
B) People in this neck of the coast have far more money than sense (See Previous Post above). As of this week, somebody let me have a Kent Ridgeline for $10...I was expecting to do some work on it, but there was literally nothing wrong with it that oil on the chain and a back wheel adjustment couldn't fix. I'm a bit short in the inseam to ride it comfortably so I clamped on an 'old man' padded seat and a handlebar mirror from a $5 'hit by a car while parked' Special and donated it to the Post Office for those "Oh God my Car Is In the SHOP" days. Later that evening, I found the exact same bike at Wally Land 'on sale' for a mere $300.....
Oh, and don't forget my recent " $1700 when new" Recumbent Delta Trike I picked up for a mere $325 because nobody could open their Freaking phones and find out it just needed a Chain Idler.....AAAAAAAARRRGHH!! Even though I am insanely happy with the purchase I am irrationally angry at the utter lack of sense on display at that Storage Auction...
Then you have the other end of the Spectrum where an 'Antique Emporium' has a clapped-out Rustoleum-and-rust Special where not a single part works and the frame itself may be unsound...for $200 Plus. WHY? WHYYYYYYY????????
C) I don't count the cost of my Labor (i'm having fun!) and I don't expect to make a living at it. If I did, i'd be disappointed indeed-the tastes of the American Public are not mine. The True Believers, Fitness Gurus and Eco-Warriors grab expensive Carbon Fiber or Titanium, and are either knowledgeable enough to do their own repairs or keep Local Shops afloat-the Trail Riders do the same with their Full-suspension Multi-gears and High-impact rims. Both of the above know what they have and don't let them go until either the bike is broken beyond repair or they can no longer ride.
This leaves the Casual Riders-and the Poor. The Casual Riders either buy Wally World Specials, get bored, let them sit up and then get rid of them (where I find them at maybe 90% off, heh heh) or they are Rich Idiots who offer far too much for the latest Shiny (Again, Previous Post sums it up). This leaves the paycheck-to-paycheck folk who want their kid to have a decent bike but really don't like the Sticker Shock on cheap Chinese cruisers...or who have no car to drive. I can't make a profit selling to the Working Poor-and why would I even want to? If I have a spare and it isn't some weirdo Art Piece then I just tell them to Pay It Forward...
If I wanted to make a living at this i'd have to learn to speak fluent Danish and grab a Passport.
As is, I get to see a formerly 13 year old neighbor ride my first Build-Off (The White Rabbit) to her first Freshman Class at ECU, watch my cousin re-gift his 1970 Schwinn to his son (who Actually Gets It where Classic Bikes are concerned) and get an e-mail from an old friend about his 1980 Emery's fourth set of tires and the resultant "OH MY GOD your Heart Disease is GONE!" from his Cardiac Physician...I wouldn't trade money for any of the above. Having said that, maybe if the Post Office slows down a bit more i'll grab some cheap parts do an 'Art Deco meets Doctor Seuss' project and see if another Rich Idiot finds me...
A) I seldom buy new parts. When I can find a 'mostly working' bike at a Thrift Store or Yard Sale for $20 or less, I get it-then strip down all the useful stuff and get another 'nearly there' bike in perfect running condition, keep some for later. If I need fancy carriers or panniers, I grab some $1 or $2 totes, purses or computer/camera bags and mount via Zip Tie Express. I don't consider roughly $25 a month onerous even for me.... And did I mention the many, many, many uncountable thanks that I owe this Forum for teaching me how to do stuff like this?
B) People in this neck of the coast have far more money than sense (See Previous Post above). As of this week, somebody let me have a Kent Ridgeline for $10...I was expecting to do some work on it, but there was literally nothing wrong with it that oil on the chain and a back wheel adjustment couldn't fix. I'm a bit short in the inseam to ride it comfortably so I clamped on an 'old man' padded seat and a handlebar mirror from a $5 'hit by a car while parked' Special and donated it to the Post Office for those "Oh God my Car Is In the SHOP" days. Later that evening, I found the exact same bike at Wally Land 'on sale' for a mere $300.....
Oh, and don't forget my recent " $1700 when new" Recumbent Delta Trike I picked up for a mere $325 because nobody could open their Freaking phones and find out it just needed a Chain Idler.....AAAAAAAARRRGHH!! Even though I am insanely happy with the purchase I am irrationally angry at the utter lack of sense on display at that Storage Auction... Then you have the other end of the Spectrum where an 'Antique Emporium' has a clapped-out Rustoleum-and-rust Special where not a single part works and the frame itself may be unsound...for $200 Plus. WHY? WHYYYYYYY????????C) I don't count the cost of my Labor (i'm having fun!) and I don't expect to make a living at it. If I did, i'd be disappointed indeed-the tastes of the American Public are not mine. The True Believers, Fitness Gurus and Eco-Warriors grab expensive Carbon Fiber or Titanium, and are either knowledgeable enough to do their own repairs or keep Local Shops afloat-the Trail Riders do the same with their Full-suspension Multi-gears and High-impact rims. Both of the above know what they have and don't let them go until either the bike is broken beyond repair or they can no longer ride.
This leaves the Casual Riders-and the Poor. The Casual Riders either buy Wally World Specials, get bored, let them sit up and then get rid of them (where I find them at maybe 90% off, heh heh) or they are Rich Idiots who offer far too much for the latest Shiny (Again, Previous Post sums it up). This leaves the paycheck-to-paycheck folk who want their kid to have a decent bike but really don't like the Sticker Shock on cheap Chinese cruisers...or who have no car to drive. I can't make a profit selling to the Working Poor-and why would I even want to? If I have a spare and it isn't some weirdo Art Piece then I just tell them to Pay It Forward...
If I wanted to make a living at this i'd have to learn to speak fluent Danish and grab a Passport.
As is, I get to see a formerly 13 year old neighbor ride my first Build-Off (The White Rabbit) to her first Freshman Class at ECU, watch my cousin re-gift his 1970 Schwinn to his son (who Actually Gets It where Classic Bikes are concerned) and get an e-mail from an old friend about his 1980 Emery's fourth set of tires and the resultant "OH MY GOD your Heart Disease is GONE!" from his Cardiac Physician...I wouldn't trade money for any of the above. Having said that, maybe if the Post Office slows down a bit more i'll grab some cheap parts do an 'Art Deco meets Doctor Seuss' project and see if another Rich Idiot finds me...
