Custom 'S' + Future values.
 

As many owners of the R1100S like to customize their bike to suit their own unique style, and individual taste. I thought I'd show you a ‘motivational’ pic of a nicely done, custom ‘S’ (R69S) created, in what was then, a very popular and highly desirable style of bike.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate...r69chopper.jpg

I wonder...Perhaps 30 years from now, a completely customized R1100S will have the same appeal as this highly prized example does today.

Beauty is clearly in the eyes of the beholder.

Gahhhh! *shudder*

Isn't that illegal?

Sadly alot of /2 era bikes end up like that. Especially R27 singles. Seemingly a favorite to be converted to choppers or dirt bikes.

If the R69S had been changed to a Cafe Racer, it might be a completely different story.

I've seen some very nice custom Cafes. I think they probably would hold their value better because they maintain that vintage feel, plus they can still be raced if the vintage race scene is your bag.

But most collectors are looking for a bike that is "original"..which precludes extensive mods. Nice aftermarket accessories often DO add to the value though. Hoske tanks and Steib sidecars for example in the /2 era. Most original Steibs are worth more than the actual bike these days.

So what is the "Steib" equivalent for an R1100S?....Gotta be a quality part...gonna have to be expensive to start with and not very common. My guess for possible value increasers would be Ohlins, CF Telelever and Dymags simply because the price is somewhat prohibitive.

I've never heard of an exhaust system raising the value on a vintage bike..even though Hoske made sport systems, I'm not sure many would be willing to pay much of a premium for one.