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Over the years I have probably owned more than thirty motorcycles, and at the tender age of thrity-four, that’s not a bad start.  When I say “owned” it really deserves quotes around the word because a handful of them were for parts, etc.  In the beginning, I didn’t have a lot of money to spend on bikes and decided to establish a bike fund.  I would try to keep all motorcycle expenditures contained within this fund.  I also started buying race bikes to put them back on the street…selling off the extras.  I soon discovered that there was money to be made.  That’s how the viscious cycle for me began.

Introduction: In total, I have probably parted out 5-6 complete bikes and a couple of parts bikes.  The reason is simple:  If you have the time, the sum-total of all the parts is worth more…sometimes much more…than the value of the bike itself.  Keep in mind that it takes a commitment and a good deal of time.  A little bit of planning and preparation up front goes a long way in helping you decide and execute the job.  There will be many, many runs to your shipper (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.), so know that going into the project.  You will also need boxes and appropriate packing material to get the parts to their destination safely.  Finally, it takes a lot of communication: with potential buyers, with committed buyers on shipping dates, etc., and maybe even a little help for the new owner (if needed) with their new parts.

Financial Analysis:  A quick financial analysis is needed as the first step to see if the time spent and the hassle is worth it.  I have gone both ways with this decision depending on the circumstances.  I found I was much more willing to make less money back in the days od bachelorhood to justify the ends.  Knowing your bike, its REAL street value intact, the REAL parts value, and the market for parts for your bike is required.  Bullshitting yourself on the values of the bike and its parts is silly (heh - unless you want to justify it to…say…your wife), so at least be honest with yourself.  I would recommend using a spreadsheet to calculate the value since they cane be updated rather easily.  I would even consider a column next to your asking price column name “least” for the least you would take for the part.  This will give you the range for what you can expect.

My former Aprilia RSV Mille ‘R’ is a perfect example of a bike that is worth parting out.  Why?  The street value of the bike is about $7k US.  I know the bike very well and the parts value which I estimated at no less than $10k.  For $3k, I’m in since I have two kids now and prioritizing motorcycle money is a little more difficult these days. ;)  Another reason this was a great candidate was the parts that were on the bike.  The ‘R’ model comes stock with Ohlins forks, shock, and damper as well as OZ forged aluminum wheels.  Add to it the aftermarket parts I put on the bike and it simply makes sense.  I would likely not part out a standard Mille because the parts are worth much less.  There is a huge market in the Aprilia world for guys with standard bikes wanting to upgrade their non ‘R’ bikes or other model with common parts.  Financial Analysis Result = Tear it down!

Making the Commitment:  That’s right.  It takes a commitment to take a perfectly good motorcycle and turn it into parts.  It takes much less to part out a parts bike, etc.  The reason it takes a commitment is due to future time, effort, a little hassle / inconvenience, and once you start tearing down the bike, its an incredible PITA to go back.  In total, taking a bike from its normal operating condition to complete disassembly is between 8-12 hours.  You can also plan on no less than three runs to your preferred shipper per week and 1-2 hours per night boxing parts up in the beginning week or two.

It also takes time to keep up with your email (ASAP response) and ads (daily update) on which items are still available.  On my Mille, I exclusivley used the Aprilia Forum to sell the my parts as a seasoned member and knowing that the Aprilia Forum has an huge percent of the Aprilia market as its members.  Being a member of a forum dedicated to your bike / brand and having credibility on that forum is an excellent means to sell parts.  Now that it has been a month or so, I ship a couple of boxes per week and its time for ebay for the remaining parts.  Heh - I will say that my article to announce that I was parting out my Mille did generate some sales.

A Little Planning:  Take a couple minutes to think about the above two sections:  Is it worth it? Do I have the time?  If both are “yes”, then its time to get started.  If you’ve already made a spreadsheet from above, great because it will help you stay organized.  If not, consider it once again.  Its also time to start collecting boxes and packing material.  There are many ways to do this (Costco, local grocery store, etc.), just get it done.  Its better to have too many boxes than not enough.  I would not plan on buying boxes because they are incredibly expensive at the local shippers. 

You should also consider the timing of the ad.  I prefer to have the bike disassembled (or at least in the process) before I place the ad.  Another consideration for the ad is whether or not you will sell internationally.  Believe it or not, this is important.  Its a little bit of a PITA to ship internationaly, and I usually opt not to do so, but I’ll get into that a little later.

Another considration is the payment.  What is your preferred method of payment?  I strongly recommend that you open a Paypal account if you do not already have one.  Be aware that it can take more than a week to get your account active!  Of everything I have sold on my Mille, one person opted for a money order, the rest have been Paypal.  Know your preferred method of payment and state it in the ad.

The Disassembly Process:  Taking the bike down to parts is normally a lot easier than putting one back together.  Its definitely a learning experience on how things go together, but memories are short.  Here are some suggestions to help you in the disassembly process:

• Make space - I would consider a single car of garage area necessary so that you don’t trip over the parts that have been removed. 
• Label all parts as necessary as they come off the bike.
• Use ziplocs for bolts and write on the bags where the bolts go (I keep all fasteners that are not integrated into the part unless otherwise stated).
• Finish what you started - don’t leave a part half-way removed.
• Note any surprises (damage, chips, scratches, etc.).
• Clean the parts as they come off to give you an appraisal of any pricing you may have to adjust.
• Be cool - have some self-pride in the disassembly process and treat the parts as if they were going back on your bike.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to be honest about the part condition when parting out a bike.  Its good for everyone.  One person with a legitimate gripe can run tons of potential buyers away.  When in doubt, send pictures and be a little over-critical, especially on bodywork and performance parts that are also cosmetic (exhausts, etc.).  My reputation is worth more than a couple extra bucks.

Communication: 

1. The ad - I always start my ads with a blurb about the bike, its history, and its overall condition (year, mileage, service history, etc.).  Then I make the list of parts with the stuff I know will go fast, like aftermarket bolt-ons and anything Ohlins, at the top.  From there, I then list the OE parts that people tend to break or need.  You get the point.  I always, always, always price my parts.  I have never understood “make a reasonable offer” ad without a price…its a waste of time.
2. Updating the ad - In the beginning, I usually update the ad daily and insert “SOLD” in place of the price.  I get the price out of there because you are likely going to have $000’s listed, and its really no one elses business how much you are making.  Each week I remove all the sold items completely.
3. The buyers - Again, honesty is the best method.  If someone accepts my asking price it is theirs in chronological order.  If someone ‘offers’ me less than my asking price I usually wait a day to see if someone will offer my asking price.  Each offer is case-by-case of course, but if someone offers less, they can wait a couple of hours.
4. The buyers after the fact - Be sure to let each buyer know when you received the payment, when the part was shipped, its tracking number if applicable, and its expected arrival time.

Shipping:  Shipping is agruably the most important part of the transaction.  Regardless of what you say about part condition, the proof is the deleivered part.  I take great pride in how I package my parts because I want to deliver what I intended.  While it happens, blaming the delivery service still results in a person who didn’t get for what they paid.  I am a true believer that almost any part can avoid shipping damage if it is properly packaged.  I’m not going to get into the details, but I use a lot of packing material, bubble wrap, whatever is available to protect the parts.  I always think of it as the way I would want something shipped to me.

I normally try to avoid international shipments for a few reasons.  First, there can be duties (taxes) placed on incoming parts depending on the wording in the description and other details.  While its out of the seller’s hands, it still sucks for the buyer to shell out another 15% or so.  Second, it’s far.  The recourse for an error or lost package is more difficult to pursue out of the country.  Finally, it takes a while.  That keeps both the seller and buyer on edge until the parts are safely received.  I sold several of my Mille parts internationally, but it wasn’t without drama.

In the past, I was an advocate of United Parcel Service (UPS), but things have changed.  I used to ship out only the small pieces and parts via the US Postal Service (USPS) and the rest would go UPS.  As of 12Jan2006, my Mille experience has changed that.  USPS is about one half the cost of UPS these days and they shipped a set of wheels in a single box as well as a set of unboxed tires.  I’m not sure exactly why they are cheaper (fuel costs, private vs. gov’t, etc.), but I shipped almost everything USPS Priority Service which is 2-3 days anywhere in the country.  You have to pay for a Confirmation Number ($0.45 each), but its worth it.  Both though have a shipping calculator - use it.

That said, I had a couple deliveries from USPS deliveries take too long…MUCH TOO LONG.  UPS guarantees their delivery and will actually refund you for some of the services if its late (you should confirm that for UPS Ground though).  I seemed to be in limbo for a long time with a few packages.  The 2-3 day Priority took 10 days, but it was during the Christmas rush.  Still, it happened.  I ultimately think that the USPS Priority Service is the best deal out there, but be sure to get a Confirmation Number.

Note:  It is worth mentioning bodywork when discussing shipping practices.  I try not to ship bodywork if at all possible.  I lucked out on my Mille parts and found a guy in SoCal who wanted everything.  And since I have a buddy who goes back to visit his family in SoCal 1-2 times per month…you get the picture.  If you do have to ship bodywork, this is what I found works best.  Place each piece into a plastic bag first, then put the packing material around it.  The plastic wil keep the paper and the box from rubbing on the paint.  Be sure to have enough space between panels such that they don’t touch.  Bodywork parts are often the pieces that people pay the most for and have the highest expectation for condition.  When in doubt, use an extra box.

Summary:  Parting a bike out can put some money in your pocket and be a learning experience.  It’s also time consuming, a little inconvenient, and requires patience.  Everyone’s ‘profit’ threshold is different so that decision should be your own.  Before you decide to scatter your bike all over the planet, please consider the following questions first:

• Is it really worth it?
• How much do you need to make in addition to the bike’s value intact?
• Can you truly get your need with reasonable prices? (make a spreadsheet)
• Do you have the time and the patience?
• Where are you going to place your ad(s)?
• Do you have the appropriate boxes and packing materials
• Do you have a preferred payment method?
• Do you have a preferred shipping method?
• Do you have the space, tools, and know-how to disassemble the bike and store the parts for a month or so.
• How pissed is your wife going to be?

That’s it!  I hope this has provided some insight into the process - good and bad.  I also hope that this article is effective enough to talk certain people into parting out their bike and talk others out of it.  Good luck!