Lets say this bike was brand new taxed and ready to go, what do you think it would sell for....

John
Rescued attachment lil chopper.jpg

£3100

got tobe worth a quid of anybodys money

its a mini chopper isn't it ?

lots of em on ebay for £250 !!!?

how many miles on a full charge then

That made me laugh.
Not my style of bike though Mango!

OK some more details, lets say they are learner legal. Come in a choice of colours, with 50cc 2 stroke auto, and 50cc and 110cc 4 stroke 4 speed...

John
Rescued attachment lil chopper blue.jpg

The engines are fake, I think they run on a small single cylinder unit behind the engine panel ?

Look bloody good fun though as a toy !!!

Hmmmm... I wonder if my lad wants one for his birthday .....................

i dont think the engines are fake,,the bottom engine looks like a c90 engine ,,i had one of these engines in my dirt monkey with a 110 big bore and fancy carb

I reckon they sell for a lot, but I wouldn't have one if given to me.

Try getting into the riding position - leg out straightish, back bent double for the ridiculous reach for the bars, and a headlight you can't see over.

ATB

Simon (MR Practical)

That factory is definitely in a Chinese development zone. I reckon if you filled a container you could land them at £350 each. Assuming you dont have to do anything to them and you would want to keep 3 or 4 to strip down for spares (warranty claims) they would stand you at £375 each if you buy approx 80 at a time. With warehousing, overdraft fees, shipping in UK and UK registration to consider i would say sales price needs to be about £795 registered and on the road. carefully word the warranty agreement.
Ive been thinking about similar ventures as i have a few good contacts in China. Throttle bodyinjection systems were one idea but i have some doubts over their production control techniques and hence warranty problems. My company manufacture hub units (as well as countless other automotive components)but i havent been able to find out if they do cortina and Sierra hubs yet.
Make sure they run ok on our fuel. Are tyres a std size?

Yep, Chinese origin and very very cheap. After a few e-mails and enquiries I found a manufacturer that would supply me bikes as above with a complete light set and VIN details for $380.
There are many midi bikes/choppers around, none of them registered though, and I thought these actually looked good (if you like choppers)
May get a few samples sent over and test the market.

John

Thats cheap enough. You see plenty of kids bikes and quads and they look decent. Shipping costs will add a lot unless you fill a container. Dont forget impoort duties as well. My main concern would be how to handle warranty problems but that said - nothing ventured nothing gained. If your mark up is good enough you could keep some in stock for parts or replacement. At that price for starters you can knock the first 10 out at a good introductory offer and see what happens. Best of luck.

PS - do you have experience dealing with teh Chinese?

Hi Darren,
I have no experience with the Chinese other than several replies to my inquiries, with some very interesting use of English.
Don't get the wrong impression here I'm no entrepeneur or buisiness man, just a bloke with an idea and a bit of spare cash, and a passion for two wheels.
I was thinking of asking for a few samples and seeing if there is a market and maybe a bit of profit.
As for warranty, a simple 'full refund if not entirely satisfied' should cover it.
Of course a thorough field test of the machine would have to be carried out by myself first

Am I correct in saying samples and exhibition goods should be exempt of import duty?

John

they are horrible. Learners round here wouldn't be seen dead on them, they prefer the scooter type like the Priller Speedfight with a screaming expansion box on or trail bikes.

Have to agree Pete, they are horrible, but then i'm not into chops. Infact if it had a dirty great american twin in it i'd possibly be sick, but as it's a little bike with a little engine they have a certain curious appeal.
As for the scooter brigade it may be a question of economics. over 2 grand for a scooter that everyone else has, or £700 for something a little different.
I may be completely wrong but worth a punt.
I do fancy the idea of a gang of mates on them with tassled jackets and cut of denim, complete with backpatch and bad attitude turning up at the Bulldog Bash or Pentrich festival

John