| Re: December 20, 2009 Swap Meet
Swap Meet Report:
..... ok... I guess. Turns out it's 99.999% Harley Davidson parts. Apparently, there is a company Called "Kustom Khrome", whose shiney bits eventually make their way to the bargain bins of swap meets. A gazillion different shiney parts to gussy up yer hog, and these seem to be cheapy leftovers for bargain hunters. There were bins and bins of these Khrome accessories, all "Made in Taiwan". Seems like every vendor had a ton of these for sale.
Granted, if you were building a Harley from the ground up, theoretically you could probably score a majority of the poarts at these swap meets, but looking at the prices here, you'd end up investing $100,000 in your precious steed.
Other than that, Extremely cheap quality cast-off Harley Davidson tee-shirts, Hoodies, leather jackets, trinkets. All these have the typical HD logo and wording ("Live to Ride, Ride to Live!"), but appear to be seconds, cheesey, maybe clones(?). At any rate, everything was cheap and low quality except the prices, which bordered on theft. Also, very disappointing, no haggling. I overheard a guy trying to negotiate a little, and the vendor seemed surprised and insulted, then explained the prices were "as written". Apparently, this was his first "swap meet", where haggling is (should be) part of the tradition and base.
Some typical offers:
Typical old rusty gas tank: $300.00
Typical rusty Frame: $5,000
Typical rusty and dented front fork assemblies: $4,500
Typical Carburetor (rusty): $100.00
Typical dented and pitted chrome wire wheel: $400.00 ea.
Didn't see any complete engines, but crankcases, and cylinders were around galore, as where pistons, heads, etc. all looking in dire need of mucho attention.
And we all know it's the thousands of tiny parts and details that break the bank eventually, then getting stuff painted or chromed!
Score: 1 to 10, 10 being perfect
Variety of Bikes/Selection: 1
Number of Vendors: 8
Pricing: 2
Food Vendors:0
Signage, advertising and access to site: 1
Value for entry fee ($6.00 ea.): 3
Organisation / management of event: 2
Was the event compatible with what was advertised? No, should have been noted as a "Harley Davidson" swap meet.
Would you attend next year? ... yeah, I'm a sucker for these things, and always think I'll miss that "treasure" in the bottom of the cardboard box under the vendors table.
Bottom Line: The ones during the summer months are loads better, but for something bike related to do in cold December... ok.
Ride Safe!
Bob
__________________ - A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu
- Motorcyles are not my whole life, but they make my life whole. ` me
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). But still fun, and there ARE some bargains to be had.
