A pair of liquifires!

[Skiwhizj]

Guys this may be something that has been stressed over before but please humor me. I have a freind that years ago aquired 2 liquifires that have sequential serial #s a trailer , suits, helmets,boots and a bunch of misc. stuff. I have not seen them yet but he says they have very low miles and are 1980 or 81 he was not sure. He got them from the original owner in Horicon WI . I have been after him for a while about selling them and he mentioned that maybe" I should come and take a look and see what I thought" we all know what that means! Now my problem, I want to make him a fair offer and have a real good idea of what all this stuff is worth seperatley, but as a package I have a number in mind but just dont know. It also doesnt help that when he mentioned interest in selling I got so excited I almost wet myself. Let me know what you think. Thanks

[AirborneX4Special]

81's are worth more than 80's because there were fewer built for 1981. Pictures, pictures, and more pictures before we can really help because value depends heavily on condition.

Pat

[Skiwhizj]

Guys I realize how difficult this is without seeing any pictures I have not seen the sleds yet myself but I know the guy who has them, and I take him at his word . So lets just say they are in better than average condition and if they are not I will deal with it when I do finally see them. Right now you now everything I do give me your best guess, like I said I have a real good idea but I just need a little feedback. And if I do get them you will see plenty of pictures. Thanks again

[I500]

I very curious about what you think they are worth and not what we would pay. Let us know . Sure would make it easier. Also depends on what part of the country you are from. That also makes a big differance.

[Skiwhizj]

Iam just north of the Twin Cities and would probably figure them to be worth 2000.00 to 3000.00 with theJD trailer and all the extras depending on the condition. To some that may seem like too much and not enough to others but its a place to start.I know its cool but do the back to back serial #s add any real value ? And I500 by the way I do have a 295/s to finish so these would go on the back burner for the near future.

[WinnipegStPaul9]

Weren't these sleds on display at Hay Days two or three years ago? Seems like I remember seeing them.
DA

[jdrob]

Skiwhizj I have to agree with Pat ! There is a big difference in price in my head between an 80 and an 81. The 80 sleds are typically easy to spot with the painted black tunnel. In some rare cases there has been a tunnel found unpainted!! But Think about it, In 1980 there were almost 10,000 liquids built. In 81 there were way less ! But conditionis everything ! Also it depends on how bad you as a buyer wants them. My rule of thumb when i go to look at a sled is, how much money am i gonna have to put into this thing to be a nice rider,show, or yard beater?? I always make general conversation with the person to get a feel for what they are wanting ! I don't usually try to offend anyone but, If someone says "make me an offer" ?? Well that just opens the door. In the end when you walk away with the sleds and trailer in this case . You don't want to have any regrets.. Or feel like you were just violated....
Good luck with your purchase and can't wait to see some pics

Rob

[guitardude081]

Don, the sleds you're thinking of were a 1980 Liquifire and 1980 Sportfire with around 50 original miles each. Both had always been ridden together and had original suits, belts, tool kits and other misc. parts. They were always stored in a climate controlled garage with empty gas tanks. He started them on VSCA about a month before Haydays at around $5000. I think he ended up selling for $3500. These were given to him by an uncle if I remember right. I saw this pair of sleds in person at Princeton and in my opinion at the time, you probably couldn't make a restoration look any better. These sleds didn't have a nick, ding or grease spot on them. The foam under the hoods was even spongy yet. The pipes even looked like they just rolled off of the assembly line.

Skiwhizj, as far as larger production sleds go, this is a rare occurance but, not uncommon. I serviced a pair of 2002 Arctic Cat Pantera touring sleds that were consecutive. The owner bought one in MN new and bid and won the other on Ebay. By pure chance he ended up with 2 consecutive sleds. I serviced a pair of oringinal 1979 Jags owned by the original owner and they were consceutive as well. My point is that you DO find consecutive sleds from time to time whether they are 30 years old and less than 10 years old. I think that you should be looking at this from a package deal point of view. If you have 2 above average running sleds that don't need more than a basic service and some fresh bearings and seals, you probably have 2 sleds worth $800-$1000 in today's market. The clothing varies in value. I have sold JD jackets for $150 and I have sold the same ones a week later for $50. It all depends on who is looking at the current time and how bad they want it. If you have 2 full suits with boots and the more desirable full face "flame and antler" helmets, you're probably looking at a collection worth $200-$300 in an off Ebay sale. Or as I call it "Swap Meet Prices". Keep in mind that the value of the sleds is reflective of a very low need for any further capital investment. If you're going to have to completely overhaul both sleds, they're realistically worth no more than $500 each at the most if the cosmetics are near perfect. I wouldn't use Ebay as a guideline because in my experience, the bids stay pretty close to the original listing price and then at the last second, 2 people will get in a bidding war. When people see the final selling price, they think that their similar item is worth "gold". In realilty, they are seeing the price that 2 people are willing to pay just to have that particular item even if they paid WAAAAY too much. Ebay has been a key player in the "$1000 ratted out Trailfire" phenomenon. If you're looking for 2 VERY NICE riders with matching duds and a fairly hard to find trailer, I'd say that your offer is fair for both parties on the condition that these sleds look very nice and would be trail ready after a weekend in the garage and very little money is spent on parts. Also keep in mind that an old steel and plywood trailer with bad axles, rotted out deck and more rust than the titanic isn't worth scrap even if it has a Deere logo on it. The nice Deere trailers usually go for $250-$500 but people pay that for 8 1/2 X 10 Steel Floe trailers too. These are vintage sleds and they won't get any cheaper in the forseeable future so you will most likely pay a lot more for the same package in a year or 2. Hope this helps.
~Jack

[Skiwhizj]

Thanks guys, All your feedback is helpful and alot of it made sense. It is very easy to get over excited about a deal like this because you just dont see them as often as you use to. I hope to go see them soon and get some pictures and maybe more info. We will just have to wait and see and hope for the best. To be contiued...