‘Like the mullet, bikes from the ’80s are back’

If there’s one thing I’ve noticed about what has been a strange year for all of us, is that in the classic bike trade – or at least my business – there’s been no obvious overall trend developing in the market. And that’s why my stock is probably more varied than it’s ever been at the moment. I’ve never discriminated against any particular make, model or type of bike. I do think I’ve got a pretty good mix of bikes on offer. But, while there may not be any clear-cut single direction for the classic market, I have noticed a few subtle shifts.

For a start, I seem to be getting more part-exchanges at the moment. Replacing stock is always one of the big tasks in the bike trade, so getting another bike into stock at the same time as I’m losing one can be very useful. I also think it can bring some variety. If I’m offered a bike in partexchange that I wouldn’t normally have thought of buying, I’m more likely to have a go – and potentially bring in new and different customers in the process.

There are little changes in the market I’ve noticed, too. For example, I don’t seem to have bought (or sold) as many pre-war, post-vintage bikes this year. The vintage market is still fairly strong, so maybe people looking for an older bike are going for bikes that are eligible for particular events, like the Banbury Run, for example.

I’ve noticed that Japanese 250s are enjoying a surge in popularity, too. There have been some amazing prices paid for ’70s 250s lately. A decent two-stroke Kawasaki KH will easily make £5000 – and some have gone for considerably more. Perhaps I’ll have to get my head around the rising prices when it comes to buying stock in the new year. And ’80s bikes finally seem to be coming of age, too. I guess it’s just an age demographic thing. Like the mullet, they’re back.

For me, though, one of the most interesting developments lately is becoming involved in exporting Japanese classics back to their country of origin. Over the last three months, I’ve been sourcing Honda CB400 fours for a Japanese trader. He’s had about 10 from me so far. Apparently, after years of exporting their used bikes, the Japanese market is desperate for their own classic machines – and the CB400F is really popular. Who’d have thought it? wesellclassicbikes.co.uk