I should explain how I (and my three old mates) get out hands on our 'interesting bikes'.
Insurance companies write off bikes for the slightest amount of damage, especially if they are Italian!!
We discovered that they are put up for auction and go for incredibly low money, so several years ago we bought up a few and used our combined skills to rebuild them.
For example, an MV write off cost us around A$6000.00, after a few months of patient work and around AS4000.00 in parts (some sourced OS, some made up here) it fetched A$20,000.00.
The Chinese can supply a huge array of parts at low prices, while a fairing for example will take more work to fit to say a Fireblade, than the 'Honda' OEM part, we get any style we want at around 70% less.
It helps to have some idea of how to sell for the best price, I rode a rebuilt 'Casey Stoner' Fireblade special to Philip Island for Casey's last AGP, parked it in the 'Expo' tent, and had to hitch a ride home, albeit with a wad of $$$$!
After I threw my RSV down (final turn at PI, front end lose!) it was great having our 'Hobby' resources to sew it back to good health.
JFTR, I did buy the KTM new, ostensibly as a 'Track Day Bike'.......... much to my partner's annoyance.
I'll dig around for some photos of our rebuilds as a matter of interest.
Man has to have a hobby.
PS: We do the odd Porsche rebuild as well.
