In the past ... In the past there were also classic enthusiasts. Classic motorcycles used to be 'old motorcycles. And therefore not nearly as expensive as they are now. It used to be easier to have more than one motorcycle.
And if a few of those motorcycles got company, a classic enthusiast would soon have a collection that he enjoyed for years. But as the years stacked, collections grew. Sometimes it seemed as if they were going to live a life of their own. And the owners also got older.
In the meantime, there is a generation of pure motorcycle enthusiasts that is overtaken by time. As a sixties you can still handle the whole world. But once you are 86, you are less likely to step on your Norton ES2 or Harley-Davidson UL 1200 side cover. But the emotional connection with those classic motorcycles? It stays. So 'discarding' is not an option quickly. Classic motorcycles from that type of collection have two future possibilities in practice: After the owner's death, they cause a fight between the heirs. Or: They are fortunate that their owner - nicely for a realistic amount - "grants" them to a friend. This means that all parties are not only satisfied, but even happy. Possible later heirs not in the least.
If you ask around in the classic motorcycle corner, it turns out that 'everywhere' there are already half-forgotten collections of motorcycles.
We recently introduced a befriended younger enthusiast of classic motorcycles to a befriended older enthusiast who realized that for the most practical reasons it would make sense to streamline his dusty collection. That was a nice process of careful acquaintance, testing and enjoying growing trust and respect. Afterwards business was done in a nice way. The older enthusiast mentioned his prize. The younger one accepted it by extending his hand. That was stylish.
Because we have heard second-hand how you can go completely wrong with that. In a similar process, the selling party stated its price. The potential buyer simply asked nicely "What if I offer you € XX.XXX for it?" The prospective salesperson looked at him calmly and said: "You just did that and now you don't get it anymore".
If it goes well it is different. Because our knowledge has bought for the asking price. And now the two enthusiasts are in a quiet consultation where our knowledge has a good chance that his interest in two other engines from the collection may also come his way.
The motorcycles thus obtained come in the collection of another enthusiast. And in the hopefully distant future, they will have certainty that many employees now have. Because the son of the new owner is infected with the same classic virus as his father has.
Classic motorcycles must be cherished. They belong to enthusiasts. Not with investors. Because passion is not for sale and priceless. And that was noticed by the rich collector who said to another acquaintance: “I want that motorcycle. Because do you have to have something for it? "He was told that the motorcycle was not for sale." The classic in question currently has a commercial value of € 8500-9500. The rich collector said: “I want that thing. I give you € 15.000 for it ”. He received the answer: "I told you it is not for sale." The annoyingly rich collector turned around angrily and walked away.
