Parting out a healthy scooter???

[iwabj]

oops

[ericalm]

When I see scoots being parted out on eBay I always try to guess what happened by which parts don't show up for sale.

It would be tough to make a significant amount more by parting out a perfectly good whole scoot. Consider the amount of time and labor that would go into pulling it apart then photographing, listing, selling and packing each part. That would be enough to make up any difference for me! It's also going to be more difficult to see the parts; you may end up waiting a long time before someone needs used, wheels, handlebars, speedometer, cables and so on. Much of the scooter seldom needs replacement. There's probably not even much demand for stock transmission parts. Most people with a bent frame wind up having to replace their scoot, so demand for that would be low, too.

IMHO, the most desirable parts would probably be the engine, seat, mirrors and body panels. Some little things that always brake in minor crashes would do well: brake handles, headlight bezel and assembly.

The new scooter market may be down (roughly 40%) but around here, the used market has remained healthy. Prices may have dipped a bit; sellers definitely aren't getting absurdly inflated 2008 prices. Many buyers who can;t afford new right now may be looking for low mileage used scoots as an option. At the same time, there have been some decent deals from sellers who needed cash fast, were moving, etc.

Still, this area is always good for used scooters. Elsewhere, if you have one to sell it might be best to wait for spring at this point unless you're strapped and need the dough.

[bigbropgo]

^ agree with all of the above plus the other hard thing is that once you start the part out you can't go back. (can't change your mind). and you can only sell the parts if people want them. something a little rare and older might make a profit. the rest will just sit.

[iwabj]

oops

[gigi]

be a good way of getting rid of the best parts of a stolen scooter to some unsuspecting person. bet someone already thought of that though.

[ericalm]

be a good way of getting rid of the best parts of a stolen scooter to some unsuspecting person. bet someone already thought of that though.

Most scooter thieves wouldn't make the effort. For one thing, most have no idea how to disassemble a scoot. Also, this would call attention to them and possibly create a trail that could be traced back to them; the VIN is stamped on the body and engine case. (Of course, maybe I'm crediting them with enough smarts to figure out it can be traced back to them.) Most thieves either try to sell them off as quick and cheap as they can or ride them and dump them.

[gigi]

a "car club" rented a building down from where I work. we noticed a strange car with different people in it at different times. reported to police and they came out & told us (after a raid) that the "boys" were buying wrecked bikes to get the vin numbers and stealing other bikes and swapping out parts to make completely different bikes. they would then sell complete bikes or parts on e-bay & craigs list. the parts on e-bays didn't necessesarily have vins. mirrors, wheels, tires, carbs, cables, bars, plastics, swing arms, light rings, seats, and the like. they were chopping cars but decided the bikes took up less space and weren't checked as closely since the original cost was lower. I almost bought q hayabusa from them foe $3500 but couldn't come up with "cash only because there's so many scams out there". missed that great opportunity. dirt bikes don't have to be tagged here. 50 cc scooter not tagged in Arkansas. if a scooter had a blown engine and an engine was bought off e-bay and installed on blown engines place it could be used until sold without ever being checked and in Ok. would not be checked again even if sold.