Quote:
Originally Posted by Machdar Thanks Abhinav,
Can you direct me to some good Jawa/Roadking mechanics/dealers in Bangalore. |
Hi,
I bought a Roadking about a month ago after 3 months of searching and a LOT of time with various mechanics and friends who are Roadking owners.
Prices (in Bangalore):
These vary greatly depending on location. You can be sure that the MOST EXPENSIVE Yezdis and Jawas are to be found in Bangalore. This is because of the huge demand there is for this classic piece of machinery, particularly in the last couple of years.
Roadking:
Current prices for a Roadking vary from anywhere between Rs.17,000 to Rs.30,000. For Rs.17,000 you would probably get a good engine but would have to seriously invest in paint, chrome, tyres and other odds and ends. The odds are you would also have to pay for some aspect of the paperwork or the other (Registration, Roadtax, Insurance, Emission). Please understand that these significantly increase the price of the bike. A set of tyres alone would set you back Rs.2500. A set of side panels (decals) for the Roadking would cost you anywhere between Rs.900 and Rs.1500. Thus, for a bike that looks pretty good AND requires little further investment, it'll cost you somewhere around 22-25,000. Now these prices also vary depending on the bike you're getting. Remember that post-'90 was the CDI. These would cost you a bit more. If its a '95 or '96 you might pay marginally more (if at all) but you can be sure that there's no lapsing of the fitness certificate. But, you'll have to pay for that in a few months. When you buy the bike make sure you check the carb. A Paco is ok. If it has a JIKOV, just buy it. The carb alone will probably be worth a fair bit. One thing to check for is modifications. If the guy is has modified the bike it'll fetch a lot less than a stock bike and you'll have to pay a lot to get parts to bring it back to shape. Parts are a devil to find.
Classic:
I'm a huge fan of the Classic. They also sell for a lot less. You'll probably get a very good one for Rs.15,000 - Rs. 18,000. The trouble is that its not easy to find one. Its a lot easier to find Roadkings for sale these days. The odds are also that you'll have to pay a lot for the paperwork as most of them will be incomplete.
Deluxe:
I don't like the looks of the Deluze model though its essentially the same bike as the Classic. Don't pay more than Rs.18,000 for it (I wouldn't pay more than Rs.16,000). However, people ask for at least that much for it.
Standard Type B:
My favourite of the lot. A beautiful bike which retained almost everything of the Jawa except the tank. These are not easy to find at all. If you do buy one of these try and see that you are buying it from the original owner.
Jawa:
Today, these cost a bomb. I've seen Jawas from Rs.20,000 to Rs.1,00,000 (I kid you not!). My Uncle recently restored his '63 Jawa (himself, with his own two hands). Somebody walked up to him and offered him Rs.80,000 cash if he would part with it. Of course he didn't as it was hist first bike which his grandfather bought for him
Remember that parts on this are worth their weight in gold. A mechanic offered my Uncle Rs.15,000 simply for his front drum.
Things to Remember:
1) These are biked which are very simple pieces of machinery. Once sorted out, they are beautiful pieces of work which will give you years of service. But, (and this is a big BUT) you need to have the time, patience and love to get to know the bike. I've spent the last 3 months with mechanics and pretty much every weekend with the mechanic with my bike, learning about it. It looks great but its not the sort of bike you just buy and show off. You need to understand it.
2) Paperwork: When you buy your bike, be very very careful about paperwork. The registration on mine was fine but there was no insurance. I had to get it done. These days insurance cos. are being mroe difficult about giving it to you in your name (as opposed to the name in which its been registered) though it can be done through an agent. A bike being sold for a lower price is almost guaranteed to have some sort of paperwork issues. You just might find that you have to pay a bomb for the roadtax or some such.
3) Number of owners: This is quite frankly a lot of eyewash. The 'no. of owners' referred to on bikes this old is merely the number that have had the registration in their names. It is not an indicator of the number of people who have actually 'owned' the bike, which is probably much much more. In the end, it doesn't matter and there isn't a whole lot you can do about it. If you happen to know a gent who has kep his bike to himself all those years and is prepared to part with it, then go for it. But, these are very rare instances.
4) Number of re-bores: This is again a much touted part of re-sale. Sellers will keep talking about Yezdi/jawas with 'sealed engines'. Quite frankly, this merely means that they haven't been re-bored. It does NOT indicate that it doesn't NEED a re-bore. Thus, you might actually find that having bought the bike at a higher price (since it is 'sealed') that you have to shell out even more on a re-bore. A good re-bore is better (and cheaper for you) than no re-bore.
Yezdi/Jawa Mechanics
I've written a whole section about this on my blog. You can check it out here
The men who make it possible Being Thomas
Please know that there these prices are only a reflection of those in Bangalore (which are of course on the high side). You will be able to get better deals in Hassan, Mysore and Coorg. You will also probably get better deals in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. However, I've checked around and the difference in cost between the ones in TN and Kerala (and the ones in Bangalore) is only a couple of thousand. So you need to see if its worth the time, effort and cost involved in transportation and transfer of registration to actually buy it elsewhere (if you're based in a different state).
If you do see a cheap deal though, grab it! Its better than investing in mutual funds because the price of these bikes is only going to appreciate
Hope this helped.
And this being my first ever post on Team BHP, a big HELLO to you all
Cheers
Rahul