Value of an old Murray?

I've been itchin' to start another bike and been keepin' an eye out for a frame. While I dream of the BoXer II I don't think I'll be able to afford it in time as a winter project. I've also been giving a lot of thought to comfort - for distance crusing... You vintage guys are corrupting me o.o

I came across this bike yesterday and I'm not 100% sure it's for sale, as I don't really know squat about old bike values I figured I'd take it to the experts here and ask ya'll what you think a resonable price range is;



Yeah - it's a bit rough, but I've access to all tools including sandblasters and have restored quite a few vintage cars, trucks, and a number of military vehicles so I'm not scared of a lil oxidation lol

Whadda you guys think? o.O

looks like a murray fleetliner, late 40's, early 50's. that would make an awesome motor bike. i love the way the rear rack mounts. if you get it, you should make an in-frame tube tank, and put it inside the original,(along with the cdi.) the rims are gonna have to be upgraded, those spokes won't hold up, but you can get new chrome steel 12g. spoked wheels for under 100 bucks a set. the springer will probably bottom out, either find some heavy duty springs, or just tighten it down so it doesn't spring anymore. oh, and get a seat.

value? in it's condition, i wouldn't pay more than 250, maybe less. it's probably worth more, but since you need tires, seat, pedals, skiptooth chain, wheels, etc., not to mention paint and all that...

if you do buy it, don't throw out any of the parts you switch out. you can restore it if you take the motor off. (it's worth more to collectors without a motor.)

also, since the guy's got so much stuff, look around for a chain and the rest of the stuff you'll need.

make sure you tell him you're gonna ride it. i've got better deals from people once they know i'm not just trying to buy it cheap and re-sell it for a lot more.

lemme know if you get it, and if you need any more info.

man, i wish they had barns in orange county...

Attached Thumbnails

 

That bike would probably get that much in So-Cal, but out in the rest of the country, it's probably worth around $150.

It's a very cool bike!!
Offer the guy $100 & tell him about all the work you need to do to restore it; & that ur gonna keep it!!

__________________
For engine kits & bike service in Los Angeles, visit us at- www.VeniceMotorBikes.com

Thanks guys - that's all good info and about what I was thinkin' of doing - if any bike should get drum brake hub(s) it's this 'un for sure

bairdco, the original ad you linked to is a great tip too! So much info in such a lil pic lol

I'd really like for the springer to be functional - so I'd have to upgrade the springs (shouldn't be much of a prob). The other bits I can probably get from him if he's willing to sell anything at all, I'll go back to chew the fat this weekend.

*crosses fingers*

There is one thing ofc - I'd like to stick a 5 speed in the back (derailleur type, not a multispeed hub) to utilize a shift kit, I've heard of it done elsewhere on the forum... do ya think there's any problems with that? Chainstay clearance? Sacrilege?

Thanks again!

I would offer him 50 dollars with a straight face and then stare him down.

__________________
If it ain't broke, and you mess with it long enough, it will be.

Well - honestly I'm just gonna ask "how much?" and see what he says, this thread is an invaluable tool in combating temptation with reality

Not to mention gauging the depth of unreasonable expectations - were he to say "Sure, $500" I'd prolly not get it, but without you guys I'd have no way of knowing if that was it's actual value or not.

What with ebay madness these days - it's hard to tell lol

yeah, ebay's pretty funny. you'll see a vintage bike with an opening bid of $1299 or something, and think, "wow! i've got a bike just like that! i'm rich!"

what you don't see is that it didn't sell. and there's one just like at a yard sale for $100.

when i said 250 for the murray, i was thinking of it in a few ways. parting it out would get you at 100 for the fork, at least 100, maybe 150 for the rear rack, and another 50 to 100 for the tank. and another 100 for the rest of the bike.

since the guy knows bikes, and ain't some yokel who's selling his dad's old cruiser to buy some meth, he knows what it's worth.

but seriously, tell him your plans for it. when other people share your hobby, or interest in old bikes, it's a lot easier to convince them. i've bought bikes and had extra seats, wheels, etc thrown in for free, and stuff like "y'know, i have this headlight you can have..."

i just want to add, that i almost never buy bikes just to turn around and sell them. i usually fix them up, ride them for a year or so, and wait for someone to stop me at 7-11 and say "wanna sell that..."

good luck, and if you get a good deal, send me some pictures of what else he has...

Yeah defo man, the vintage market is a funny thing

There was an old army jeep I was after once and the guy just wouldn't sell, I really wanted it for a number of reasons and I ended up just tellin' him I wanted to use it as a daily driver. I hadn't mentioned that before as he seemed the "All Show" type and many of those guys would cringe at such a horrid thing to do to a vintage military vehicle.

Yet no sooner than I told him that I just wanted to drive the thing and actually use it as my car - he got all excited and not only sold it to me on the spot - but gave me a really good deal too!

I drove it every day for almost ten years, then sold it to another guy to do the same


Use it or lose it lol

100.00 is a fair price in florida I would still offer 50.00 and see what happens,remember its only worth what someone is willing to pay for it,no matter what ebay/"the book"or the antique store down the street says.

And we are in a depressed economy, let us remember.
It's a slight embellishment but didn't I hear you say somethin' the other day about how your uncle Bob had one just like that and as just a lil tike you'd sit up there on them handlebars and the two of ya would go ta Dairy Queen and all? Those sure were good times, I bet. I think I heard you say somethin like thet. Makes my eyes water a little just thinkin about it. Sniff...
SB

__________________
Someday when I grow up I will probably lose interest in toys with wheels, but until then...