History is very important to the value of any collectable motorcycle.

History is very important to the value of any collectable motorcycle. The most valuable motorcycles in the world generally are ones that have some very significant history - racing victories, records broken, or a famous owner. Every bike has a story and people love a good story. Learn your bike's story. Most motorcycle collectors are at least a little bit eccentric, so there are some great tales associated with many bikes that add to the enjoyment of owning it and to its eventual resale value. In the history of every motorcycle, there is a low point in its life. Old bikes generally deteriorate until some new owner takes an interest in it and brings its condition back up - not always, but generally. This is especially so with racing bikes and with very old bikes. Find out what the low point was. Look for signs on the bike of things prior owners did to change it or that show its history. The slightly bent handlebar on Lawrence of Arabia's George VII Brough Superior resulted from the fatal collision that took his life. These things add to the story and the story adds to the bike.