yamaha rd250 whats it worth?

[frostype400]

I am just about to bring a rd250 back home which i have agreed to buy for $250 i think it is a 75 model all complete and original running and fairly clean i think i will list it on ebay as well as dads vf1000f only because we arent huge fans of roadbikes what can i expect to get for the rd i will post pics when its at my house are there any blokes here into rd's thanks Michael.

[LWC82PE]

well if you get it for $250 that is a bargain. you say it runs, is complete, and original and has all the hard to get parts like original blinkers, lights and guages, well at least a few $1000 i reckon maybe $1500-$4000 a little hard with no photo. and there could be someone out there who is willing to pay double that because they realy want one. These sort of 70's road bikes are worth much more than dirt bikes from what i have seen what people are willing to pay for those. i would never expect to buy a decent 70's road bike under $2000 usually for under that they are very tatty and weathered and abused, if i did get one i would think i got a lucky deal and they seller didnt know really what they were selling and didnt know what was the right price to ask. its a bit like my 250Z, i only payed $400 for it which was an extremly good deal even if you take out the rare factor and it was easily worth $1000 or more but the guy i bought it from didnt really know what it was and to him it was just an old suzuki bike for blasting around the farm and he was more of a modern dirt bike guy. And i also bought a 90% complete PE 400 for $50 which was just missing a pipe, correct rear fender/light, blinkers etc and head gasket, as the guy i bought it off had no idea of the value and only asked $50 for it so i bought it.

the way to get the best idea is to go down to your local newsagent and buy a copy of Just Bikes and Motorcycle trader and see what similar bikes are going for thats what i do. There has been a steady increase in value of the 70's jap road bikes lately eg T500's GT380's XS650's, RD's R2/R3 yams and the 2 stroke kawasakis as many people are re-visting their youth and restoring these bikes. Back 10 years ago eveyone just wanted 60's and 70's triumphs Nortons and BSA's they are still popular but now people are getting into the 70's jap roadies. I could make a living just on working on 650/750 Triumphs, thats how common and popular they are.

Also search on ebay and see what others are asking.

BTW you know this is a dirt bike forum

[frostype400]

yeah i know its a dirtbike forum its the highsparkle blue colour with good chrome and everything works couple of dings on tank i think but thats it all original nothing done to it i have heaps of just bike mags so i will have a look this one was sitting in a factory dust covered but has perfect seat only not great part is the tank with a couple of dings it will clean up like new and i dont think anyone would be in the slighest put off by a ding in the tank thanks Michael.

[LWC82PE]

if its as good as you say i would be looking at $3500 maybe more these period yamahas are pretty sougth after now. Remember if it has been kept in an open shed and covered in dust the moist air will cause rust on the chrome etc

[frostype400]

i have only seen it once last weekend but the chrome is like new and the gauges blinkers everything great nick except the ding on one side of tank but still original paint awesome chrome front fender and exhaust pipes i was thinking of just fixing the tank and having it resprayed but thats all it needs so it will clean up very well now i have just got a heap of justbikes mags in front of me so i will have a look through if it gets any where near what your talking i would be stoked because i can afford to do pre75 and get myself a tm250

[LWC82PE]

To get the tank re-done (properly) thats going to cost about $500 give or take a little. Thats about my price.

[frostype400]

it doesnt really need to be redone but we have a mate that could do it for us but i dont think there is any need the paint is all original with no scratches and the stickers on tank are still on and fine so its only if you want to put it in a show room that you would need to fix the tank anyway pics should be soon we might be going to get it tommorow thanks Michael.

[LWC82PE]

well that puts it even more in your favour, but someone who really wants it will say 'look theres a dent in tank there, that means the tank has to be re-done straight away' and they will try and knock you down on the price. it will depend if they just want a very original tidy bike to ride or they want to get it back to all original new condition. As always set your price a little higher so you can afford to come down a little lower. Most people do that.

ok better end this now, dont want to upset the dirt bike people.

[Freakshow]

IF its original, dont fuc with it and try to paint or fix it, if its original a real collector will want it as is and original not bogged up as you ll only  do it wrong inthe eyes of a true enhusiat of certain model, save you time and effort and risk of less money , by leaving it as is.