You know you have a Classic if...

[Motu]

You know you have a classic,when it's finally restored and you are now quite certain it's the only one in the country - and some old guy walks up and says....''I used to have one of those....''.

[Paul in NZ]

You know you have a real classic when you come home from an all day ride, park the bike and spend 10 mins looking at it getting all gooey inside before you go in for a beer...

[Gremlin]

You know you have a classic when you can actually kick start it

[xwhatsit]

You know you have a classic when you can actually kick start it

And what the hell would you know, Mr I-Don't-Have-To-Peddle-My-Bike-Up-Passing-Lanes?

[Ixion]

You know you have a classic when you can actually kick start it

Instant classic !

[mister.koz]

You know you have a real classic when you come home from an all day ride, park the bike and spend 10 mins looking at it getting all gooey inside before you go in for a beer...

I'm like that with my zx6r

You know you have a classic when you start fashioning parts out of old car/bike parts that aren't a match for yours while muttering "manufacturer design flaw...." and "needs more .. mumble mumble .. pfft, not designed for 50years"

You know you have a classic when the bare metal of the engine looks more appealing than the paint/coating that has since flaked/burned off.

[vifferman]

Instant classic !

Will there be any bikes from this decade (or the last one) that will be worth hanging on to as classics? Or is everything too consumerised and disposable?

[Max Headroom]

Will there be any bikes from this decade (or the last one) that will be worth hanging on to as classics? Or is everything too consumerised and disposable?

The collectible bikes to watch for will be the ones that were highly praised on their release for being head-'n-shoulders above the rest, and often they had a successful competition history too. There needs to be some point of difference to mark out a future classic, such as new technology (ideally technology that works!) or cutting-edge design etc.

As history has proved, just because a bike or car has become rare doesn't automatically make it desirable or valuable. Big difference between a bike that becomes a classic purely because of its age vs. a collectible classic. Limited Edition models usually have a better chance of collectibility unless its one of the multitude of Harley Davidson "limited editions" distinguished only by a paintjob and a badge....

I'd venture to suggest bikes from the last decade like the Ducati 1098 race model and MV Agusta F4 312(?) would be a safe bet. No wiggle room in my budget to stash one away though!

[Ixion]

I disagree. Many of the bikes now considered "classic" would not qualify on that basis.

Indeed, that would mean the only bikes that could ever be considered classics would be near racers. That rules out almost all BMWs , f'instance. And things like the S7 S8 Sunbeams.

I'd argue that the humble Beeza bantam is a classic. But noone could claim that it was cutting edge design , or had an illustrious competition history.

Some bikes become classics because they are the exact opposite of this. Instance the mighty Maggot. So much derided and scorned that now people collect them.

[Max Headroom]

I disagree. Many of the bikes now considered "classic" would not qualify on that basis.

Indeed, that would mean the only bikes that could ever be considered classics would be near racers. That rules out almost all BMWs , f'instance. And things like the S7 S8 Sunbeams.

I'd argue that the humble Beeza bantam is a classic. But noone could claim that it was cutting edge design , or had an illustrious competition history.

Some bikes become classics because they are the exact opposite of this. Instance the mighty Maggot. So much derided and scorned that now people collect them.

Again, age qualifies any motorcycle more than 25 years of age as a classic. Some of those 25 year old bikes will be more desirable than others for various reasons. I'd respectfully suggest that the last surviving Honda CB250 Super Dream of the 1970's will still not be considered valuable, nor will it be widely sought after....

A collectible classic is entirely a different animal. Consider bikes such as any Brough, virtually any Vincent, Gold Star, Vetter Trident, CB750 K0 with sand-cast crankcase, roundcase 750SS etc, and the pattern emerges of bikes that were highly regarded when new, with limited production numbers and mostly with competition pedigree.

In the UK there are stand-alone car clubs for Austin Allegro, Hillman Hunter and Austin Maxi enthusiasts. Their owners' enthusiasm is not matched by high $$$ values, even though they are now rare....so, there are classics, and then there are collectible classics. IMHO, a big difference.

[Bonez]

Some bikes become classics because they are the exact opposite of this. Instance the mighty Maggot. So much derided and scorned that now people collect them.

Surely you don't mean that horrible liquid cooled, v-twin, shaft drived, tubeless tired thing from the late 70s? Absolutey shocking bike I tell ya.

[Ixion]

Yeah, that's the one. The only thing more repulsive than a Maggot is a Maggot rider

[Bonez]

Yeah, that's the one. The only thing more repulsive than a Maggot is a Maggot rider

So true..............Face only a mother would love.

[Max Headroom]

Yeah, that's the one. The only thing more repulsive than a Maggot is a Maggot rider

So true..............Face only a mother would love.

This might be a bad time to admit I bought one brand new.....

[Bonez]

This might be a bad time to admit I bought one brand new.....

I've got a rather well used '78 CX in the shed. Secound one I've owned. Previous was an '82 model. Funny thing is I like it better than the small framed R65 I had.