Triumph Hurricane X75, sold on Trademe...

**toycollector10** · 7th May 2007, 18:43

This was a great price for a great motor-sickle. End price was more than double the reserve.

What a classic and desirable bike. I would love to know the story behind why the buyer just had to have it. Of course, it will be worth $60,000 by 2017. And what a gutsy last bid. Totally shut down the two underbidders although it might have been an autobid situation. If anyone knows the buyer get her to post up here her thoughts and what the story behind her bidding was.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...px?id=98080491

**Paul in NZ** · 7th May 2007, 18:54

Nice bike - good price but then, they have always commanded a premium.

**RantyDave** · 7th May 2007, 19:06

Originally Posted by toycollector10

This was a great price for a great motor-sickle.

Holy crap, thirty grand. Even looks worth it.

Dave

**Big Dave** · 7th May 2007, 19:06

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Nice bike - good price but then, they have always commanded a premium.

Not stock paint either is it?

**Motu** · 7th May 2007, 19:18

A friend of mine bought one brand new from Shafts for $2,500 - we thought he was crazy to pay that much for a bike.Tridents (and Rocket 3's,which is what the Hurricane reallly is) are thirsty if ridden hard,and he built a small tank fitted to the rear to increase the range.I remember he once dropped the bike in the Awakino Gorge and flattend the 3 mufflers.He was a panelbeater,and a good one...made a few rods,one out of one of my cars - he repaired the pipes and they never showed a mark.Be he wishes he had it now.

Pity about the paint alright - like painting a Ferarri pink.I don't reckon the pipes are correct - prove me wrong.....

**toycollector10** · 7th May 2007, 19:18

Yes, there has been a lot of comment about that on the listing. I didn't want to interfere with the auction so didn't comment. The PO wanted to get rid of the red/orange standard livery, and that is his right. There are plenty that think that it just doesn't look right. Would you paint an E-type Jaguar dayglo pink? Forrest Green instead of British Racing Green? Vetter got the colour right, just as he got the design right. Right first time. Personally I think the new owner should restore the cycle to original colours.

**AllanB** · 7th May 2007, 19:24

I think it looks heaps better in the green than the original orange.

**Eurodave** · 7th May 2007, 19:31

30 g's & it was unregoed/unWOFed!!!

**Paul in NZ** · 7th May 2007, 19:36

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Not stock paint either is it?

Its a wierd old thing..... Exact restoration etc etc. I'm not really into exact restros, my bikes all get modified (or evolve) they way I think they should look or reflect the use that they are given. Usually they (hopefully) reflect the era they were born in and make me smile. Like my Trumpy - it has a 'wrong' engine and a buncha other wrong stuff but I cant see the engine numbers from the saddle and i don't care - it has a lot of history with me.

However, the big bucks go to the 100% correct bikes and 'collectables' are more valuable in stock form. I'm not an X-75 expert but there are a few things that scream 'oh oh' about that bike to me. Those mufflers look to have a bit much air between them and I would be wanting documented proof of correct numbers as well as wanting it registered and wof because if I wanted to use it or export it, I'd need the paperwork to be 100% correct.

Not that I care - I didn't want it and they never turned me on that much...

**Motu** · 7th May 2007, 20:21

http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/Mot...urricanes.html

Looks like we were both wrong about the pipes Paul...but I too remember them being smaller and closer together.Guess compared to the huge mufflers of the times they looked small.The colour was built into the gell coat,they were never painted.

**merv** · 7th May 2007, 20:58

Yeah he hasn't definitely got too much air between the top and second muffler and I hate the colour. The original colour was so 70's and to me without that this bike is all wrong.

**toycollector10** · 7th May 2007, 20:59

I'm into Japanese classics...Don't really care for Triumph or BSA, except for the T160. The argument will just go around and around regarding stock or "improved" and customised. There won't ever be a winner. If you own it, do whatever you want with it, it's your ride. The next owner, and there will always be another owner if the bike is of any consequence, will either add or subtract to what you have done, then it will all start again. You can never take these things to the grave with you and you will always be someone elses "Previous Owner".

Getting back to my first post, If anyone knows the buyer it would be nice to read her/his comments as to why this was "the bike" that could not be let slip through the fingers.........

**Paul in NZ** · 7th May 2007, 21:01

Hey - good luck to em... Pipes and all. I'd never pay that for one so i guess someone really wanted it. Niffty looking bike all the same..

**xknuts** · 7th May 2007, 21:04

Originally Posted by AllanB

I think it looks heaps better in the green than the original orange.

As an owner for 21 years one gets to know other owners & other bikes. I have only seen one other that is not original colour but that owner owned two!!! Lucky Bastard

**toycollector10** · 7th May 2007, 21:07

Regarding restoration/customisation. A bike is only ever original once. In the USA the real money is in unrestored, low mileage and original cars and motorcycles. The real interest is there. For myself, my bike has "cats piss" all up the alloy fork covers and the frame is a little chipped and has rust in some spots. For me, that's good, the bike is 38 years old. I don't want it looking all frumped up like some bloody tart in a push-up bra. She shows her age.