fixing up an old junk box 3wheeler . why does it cost so much lol

[shortbus]

Enjoying every min of rebuilding my 70!

[3wheelrider]

The best part about resto-ing one yourself, (for me at least) is knowing every nut and bolt. I like to know the condition of all the parts, making sure previous owners stupidity is no longer an issue, having them set up the way I like them... Its an addiction, not a wise investment... (not that that stops me...) Hope this helps you justify it!

I know its an old /thread post but.... I'm with THORPE 100% on everything he said. I like to know my ATCs condition inside out and eliminate any preventable problems and fix anything that is not up to par. And eliminate any surprise problems.- Peace of mind when you go out ridin especially alone. Try not to think about the $ spent in the end.

[ATCrider42]

IMO every dollar that does into the trike you could get back out of it. I think a lot of people have sold their trikes for less than they have them because they needed money and didn't care of the actual value of them. I mean, they're practically priceless since they're no longer produced. Trying to put a dollar figure on a trike is really tough unless you know the condition of it.
Everyone has a different perception of value for these trikes and really just comes down to how much money is in it, and how much the right buyer is willing to pay. THERE IS NO BOOKMARK VALUE. So if you put $2000 into your trike by repainting, rebuilding, and fixin her up. Then you should expect $2000 back, because it's going to cost someone else that same amount of money to do the same rebuild, if not more money.
So in conclusion, people need to stop selling their trikes for cheap. If people keep finding these "steal deals" then the perceived value is always going to be lower. The End.

[3wheelrider]

It sucks but........realistically- you cant get back the amount you put into something + normal value of something. Its tough to get just a little more than average value no matter what you have done.-There are some exceptions but never gonna get all your money back on anything usually.- Sad but true.

[ATCrider42]

There are some exceptions but never gonna get all your money back on anything usually

what I am arguing is that there is no "normal value." These machines are not in production anymore so I don't beleive that you can realistically say there is standard value. I truely beleive it's all about what has been put into it. And the real issue here is that eveyone has a slightly different idea about how to monetize the value of these trikes.
Also, to say that your not gonna get your money back on anything is a gross over statement. Not everything in this world depreciates like motor vehicles. And the things that aren't being made anymore, are the things that tend to hold their value.

[ALT185man]

I am building a 3 wheeler virtually out of thin air,and it's the most rare of them all: the 1985 Suzuki ALT185. Had one back in the 80's and had a blast with it. Nostalgia got a hold of me and that's why I'm doing this project.

[sittinguy]

There is great satifaction riding something YOU put together from scratch. I think I am approching the $2000 mark on the middle one that I just finished.

Don't even ask about the one with chrome on it.

[Dirtcrasher]

My 350X with 450R rear end and 250R front end total cost is just about 4200$.

BUT: Thats all new take off 08 450R parts, crate 350X motor w/ megacycle cam and springs, all brakes and suspension rebuilt, a new oversized IMS tank, new plastic, 90% tires, new ASV lever, new .250 thick TRX450 skidplate. I had quite a few doubles which made life easier.

Included in that cost will be future powder coating on all parts and the frame and 2 SS brake lines. Basically something I can ride for a very long time without any repairs needed. And it looks cool too

It's very hard to find every single item you need, esp. with all the parts basically discontinued. Some models you can use newer quad parts which is where this hobby is heading as the pay scale goes down, supply goes down and the prices go up...........

[SeaBass8]

The only trikes that really hold value are original low hour machines. I have way more into my 200X then I could ever get out of it. Even if I didn't ride it once. Its just the way it is.