color change

[777kingsman]

In your opinion does a color change, if done well, devalue the price of your bike at resell? your thoughts please...

[Fritz The Cat]

Not if it was black to begin with.

[MP]

In your opinion does a color change, if done well, devalue the price of your bike at resell? your thoughts please...

Watching valks on ebay, it seems most paint jobs hurt value.

[old2soon]

A custom or one off color does not always play to a large crowd. Most of us have seen custom motorcycles/cars/trucks etc etc. While a lot of time and effort went into design and contruction and finish the finished article was playing to an audiance of one-the owner. I've seen a lot of custom stuff i like. I've seen a lot i don't like. When you see a custom paint job ask yourself this-will i really want that in my garage and will i ride /drive it??? Flame suit on. RIDE SAFE.

[Spirited-6]

A custom or one off color does not always play to a large crowd. Most of us have seen custom motorcycles/cars/trucks etc etc. While a lot of time and effort went into design and contruction and finish the finished article was playing to an audiance of one-the owner. I've seen a lot of custom stuff i like. I've seen a lot i don't like. When you see a custom paint job ask yourself this-will i really want that in my garage and will i ride /drive it??? Flame suit on. RIDE SAFE.

I agree. Too many want to go to the extreme in colors. Now changing colors with the same format is fine with me .

[MacDragon]

When there has been a paint job done on any vehicle, the thing I always think is:  "is it because it was in an accident?"

[BamaDrifter64]

It depends on the person.  I have 2 Valks presently, both custom painted, and the reason I got them was because of the custom paint.  Another Valkyrie I had I got a custom paint job myself.  The paint schemes from the factory were very limited and some people don't want a bike that looks like everyone else's.  That was one of the reasons I quit buying HDs.  Some people want a regular paint job.  To each his own....

Dave

[Rams]

When there has been a paint job done on any vehicle, the thing I always think is:  "is it because it was in an accident?"

Quoted for truth.  

My second thought is normally, why?  Then, I back up and normally say that the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.  I'm not into the wild paint schemes, but to each their own.

[BF]

The short answer is....it depends.  

IMHO, if we're talking custom paint, the more understated the better for resale.  While custom paint can be really cool and a thing of beauty, it won't be everybody's cup of tea and will hurt resale.  Buy understated, I mean something like a simple one color paint with perhaps some tastfull, lightly done gost flames.  

If we're talking a one color change, it would still depend.  A more stock/OEM looking paint job would do better than something that is obviously different and not OEM.  

IMHO, a bright blue, one color Valk will decrease the value because it's obvious it isn't an OEM color choice, however, if done just a little bit differently, a blue Valk with a white racing stripe down the middle probably won't hurt it because it will reflect the OEM Valks that are painted that way.  

Again, to be more specific....it just depends.  

[czuch]

Nothing done well should detract from the value. Might limit your prospects however.
Resale value is not considered when I do anything to something I love as much as my Valk.
Be true to yourself and be an individual, just like everybody else.
Neon blue Harley, Neon green hair and enough hardware in the face to look like you bobbed for lures in a well stocked tackle box, just like the kid next door.
Why do I drink??????????

[fudgie]

Dont matter if the resale is low for me, I'm not selling, I'm riding.  I would do it different if I got it repainted again. Instead of a MC painter, I'd go with a far cheaper auto painter. 'Dude, watch the paint!' got old after awhile. Now I can tell you where I got all the scratches. Tattoos if you will. From Cheaha to Sturgis, they remind me of my travels.

[9Ball]

I wouldn't buy a Valkyrie with a custom paint job...

[HayHauler]

The short answer is....it depends.  

IMHO, if we're talking custom paint, the more understated the better for resale.  While custom paint can be really cool and a thing of beauty, it won't be everybody's cup of tea and will hurt resale.  Buy understated, I mean something like a simple one color paint with perhaps some tastfull, lightly done gost flames.  

If we're talking a one color change, it would still depend.  A more stock/OEM looking paint job would do better than something that is obviously different and not OEM.  

IMHO, a bright blue, one color Valk will decrease the value because it's obvious it isn't an OEM color choice, however, if done just a little bit differently, a blue Valk with a white racing stripe down the middle probably won't hurt it because it will reflect the OEM Valks that are painted that way.  

Again, to be more specific....it just depends.  

This is what I came up with.  It's not "too" custom, but definitely isn't stock.  I LIKE IT!!  I'm with the Fudgemaster, I ain't sellin, I'm ridin til I cain't no mo.



Hay 
Jimmyt

[BF]

Hayhauler......

Your bike is exactly what I had in mind.  Execellent IMHO.  Not too over done and could have very well been something from the factory.   

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

The short answer is....it depends. 

IMHO, if we're talking custom paint, the more understated the better for resale.  While custom paint can be really cool and a thing of beauty, it won't be everybody's cup of tea and will hurt resale.  Buy understated, I mean something like a simple one color paint with perhaps some tastfull, lightly done gost flames. 

If we're talking a one color change, it would still depend.  A more stock/OEM looking paint job would do better than something that is obviously different and not OEM. 

IMHO, a bright blue, one color Valk will decrease the value because it's obvious it isn't an OEM color choice, however, if done just a little bit differently, a blue Valk with a white racing stripe down the middle probably won't hurt it because it will reflect the OEM Valks that are painted that way. 

Again, to be more specific....it just depends.   

This is what I came up with.  It's not "too" custom, but definitely isn't stock.  I LIKE IT!!  I'm with the Fudgemaster, I ain't sellin, I'm ridin til I cain't no mo.



Hay 
Jimmyt

Awesome looking Valk Hayhauler.  Might be the nicest I/S I have seen yet.

[bscrive]

For myself, I have seen some bikes with paint schemes that I would buy in a minute and some others that I would not touch.  Anything with skulls is a big turn off for me, what the hell is it with skulls these days, anyways??  There is a guy on here that has a beautifully painted rebel flag on his bike.  It looks gorgeous but with me being in Canada it would not be one I would buy, on the other hand if it was a Canadian flag I would buy it in a second.   HayHauler's paint scheme is awesome.

[Willow]

It shouldn't directly lower the resale value, but very well could limit your market, which in turn could possibly mean selling for less.

If I were worried about resale value, though, I wouldn't be putting miles on my bike. 

[R J]

If I liked a paint job, like hayhauler's or Wizard's , I'm get in on the bidding.   Some of the others, I wouldn't even enter a bid.

I personally like Ghost Flames, not too many others do, so if I had MGM painted with Ghost Flames, I figure I'd lose $$ at sale time.

[Big IV]

I think that custom wild paint jobs can limit the buying audience. However, a simple custom paint job can help increase the audience to include people that want something customized but don't know how to do it or get it. We've had luck selling non-factory colored bikes in the past. It did not hurt the value. However, if you're selling a bike as a collector's piece any change is bad. We usually sell bikes to people that want to ride them so it hasn't been a concern.

Are you looking at selling the bike soon? If you're going to spend time enjoying the new color then does it matter what the sales price fetches one day in the far and distant future? Ride what you like. Ride on.

[scoot]

It has been my experience that if you are doing something to customize a bike, car or truck make sure it is something you want. If you are doing it to make more money you might as was go andd burn your money. All too often not everyone is going to like your taste in paint, chrome or little dodads hanging from the mirror. Remember something is only as valueble as what someone  is willing to pay for it.

[Bob E.]

I think the other thing is, "why are you painting it?"  My bike needs painted.  50,000 miles and 10 years of age have resulted in some wear and tear, scratches, chips, and dings, not to mention a couple of paint/rust bubbles on both the front and rear fenders.  I figure fixing those marks and painting a custom but tasteful paint scheme and color can't be much worse than ratty, dinged up stock paint.

If you are painting it just because you want a change....then I agree with the other posts.  Go with what you like, ride the crap out of it, and worry about resale later.

[The Anvil]

If I were worried about resale value I'd have bought a Harley.

I think that a nice custom paint job can do wonders for a bike, but I alos know that a bad one can be tragic. I've considered painting my Valk because the stock paint is in less than great shape. I may even do it someday.

[BF]

I'm considering a color change too.  Thinking about turning my red & white into a black & chrome Valk. 

I wouldn't be painting the red & white tins......can't bring myself to do that, just replacing them as I've got a complete set of black tins already.  The black fenders need a touch-up re-paint, but other than that, they're ready to swap out. 

Still pondering the idea. 

[HayHauler]

{sarcasm font} That would make it a much slower Valk. {/sarcasm font}  But if you must.  Go ahead.

Hay
Jimmyt

[BF]

{sarcasm font} That would make it a much slower Valk. {/sarcasm font}  But if you must.  Go ahead.

Hay
Jimmyt

Yeah, I know.      I'm sure that it'd be some sort of Valkyrie sacrilege....but the red & white has  never grown on me.  I thought that maybe it would, but it hasn't.   

[Sonny]

I'm partial enough of the factory design that I painted my bags to match the original color and style. Most of the Valks factory designs were good enough to get other bike makers to realize that solid colors would only go so far. That is unless it was Black!

[GreenLantern57]

Custom paint jobs limit your customer base. I happened to like flames. So when the price was right anyways, I bought it as soon as I could. The wilder the paint job, the narrower the market. The closer to stock the wider the customer base.

Have to agree with the others, paint to suit yourself, after all, you are going to be the one enjoying it!

[Tropic traveler]

 
""Yeah, I know.     I'm sure that it'd be some sort of Valkyrie sacrilege....but the red & white has  never grown on me.  I thought that maybe it would, but it hasn't.   ""


I'm with you on the Red & White BF. It kinda reminds me of an ice cream truck paint scheme or something. Got a couple of knicks & a little brake fluid damage on the fuel tank so one day in the not too distant future.....
A burgandy solid with some gold pinstriping is the likely choice to replace the R&W paint. Not real fond of the pattern on the fuel tanks, the R&W paint makes it look a bit much.  
On the other hand, Honda hit a home run with the Burgandy & Cream colors like Kim's '98. I also really like the Black & Silver from the '99.
JimmyT's Blue & White Interstate is an absolute knockout!!

[777kingsman]

Thanks for all the great advise guys! I,m looking at purchasing a bike (non valk color) and mainly wanted to see if I should offer less because of resale down the road. It's a solid wine color and looks great! resale shouldn' be such a factor if I plan on keeping it a while but I'm a shopper and this will be my 6th valk. I like to ride em awhile then see what else is out there. I currently have my red n black IS on the market if you would like to check it out in the classifides. again thanks!

[Ice]

Here's the way I look at it, most folks that own a Valk are not too worried about resale value, because they have no intention of selling it anyway. Only if there is a major change in their lives are most Valk riders willing to part with their steed. So paint it how you want, and do not worry about resale. Unless your only in it for the money...
And oh by the way Black is beautiful...

[JC]

I think the other thing is, "why are you painting it?"  My bike needs painted.  50,000 miles and 10 years of age have resulted in some wear and tear, scratches, chips, and dings, not to mention a couple of paint/rust bubbles on both the front and rear fenders.  I figure fixing those marks and painting a custom but tasteful paint scheme and color can't be much worse than ratty, dinged up stock paint.

If you are painting it just because you want a change....then I agree with the other posts.  Go with what you like, ride the crap out of it, and worry about resale later.

15 years have taken a slow toll on mine, so it's in the paint shop now. I really don't care if it decreases the resale, cause' she isn't for sale, nor do I believe it ever will be. I liked my basic black, but have decided to add a little flair to it.

Love that ghost pearl green on black.....

[Stormrider65]

I agree with Bama.  It depends on the person and what he or she wants.  Hayhauler's new paint is great.  I was always partial to blue anyway and the stripes set it off.  Then again, macdoesit is beautiful too.  Since I have a fast black also, mac has most of what I want on mine.  opinions vary.

Walt

[fon1961]

lot's of good points in this thread but a nice (which is obviously subjective) custom paint job would not scare me especially if i was convinced that the bike was mechanically sound, our bikes being older are going to likely need some paint anyway, and i really like it when people make their bikes their own.

[BamaDrifter64]

Say what you want...but there's something about a blue Valkyrie...I had the blue and silver Interstate, but that just wasn't enough...

[Jess from VA]

Here's my .02 cents.  Custom bike painters often believe they are the reincarnation of Leonardo da Vinci, and charge accordingly.  If you want a wild tribal/geometric/flamed/yada paint job, maybe you need them.  But if you will go one or two color, a good auto body shop with a good painter will be more than adequate.  Eighty percent of any good paint job is prep.  Ten years ago, I had a tank, two fenders, fairing, trunk, and two lowers painted one color for $1K.  Very nice, but not perfect, was fine.  Leonardo wanted $2500 for the same job.

[Tropic traveler]

Here's my .02 cents.  Custom bike painters often believe they are the reincarnation of Leonardo da Vinci, and charge accordingly.  If you want a wild tribal/geometric/flamed/yada paint job, maybe you need them.  But if you will go one or two color, a good auto body shop with a good painter will be more than adequate.  Eighty percent of any good paint job is prep.  Ten years ago, I had a tank, two fenders, fairing, and two lowers painted one color for $1K.  Very nice, but not perfect, was fine.  Leonardo wanted $2500 for the same job.

+1 

[Jack B]

When I brought my 2nd Valkyrie it was black and it looked like crap. It had fell over on both sides so the saddle bags, gas tank and front fender needed paint. I thought if I'm going to paint it I want people to know it so I changed colors. My son painted it and the body shop owner (good friend) wanted $150 for paint and use of shop. Turned out great but after a year I had some flames painted on it and I think it looks great. It was painted because it needed it. My Tourer was the 2 tone factory paint and it looks great for a 100,000 mile bike and it will always be that color.  

[Johnnycomel8ly]

I LOVE MACDOESIT'S BIKE, ONCE BLACK YOU NEVER GO BACK
IF YOU EVER WANT TO SELL LET ME KNOW.

[nerider2]

YES, that is why I bought one that had been repainted, so I can paint it again as I wish.  I like a nice custom painted valk.