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Sell a non-running motorcycle

Won't start, won't idle, or hasn't moved since you parked it. A bike doesn't have to run for us to buy it.

Get an offer on your bike

Tell us about it and we'll call you back with a number. We only use your details for this quote.

Prefer to talk? Call 236-239-0420

Two motorcycles strapped to a red flatbed after a Vancouver pickup
Two bikes, Vancouver
Silver sport bike loaded on a flatbed in Surrey
Sport bike, Surrey
Wrecked cruiser on the deck of a flatbed tow truck
Crashed cruiser
Call for a quote236-239-0420Have the year, make and model handy.
  • Running or not
  • Paperwork done at pickup
  • Paid when it's loaded

Why bikes stop running

Most of the non-running bikes we see have one of a handful of problems:

  • A dead battery after a winter or two without a charger.
  • Carburetors gummed up by old fuel. Older carbureted bikes are the most prone to it.
  • A seized engine from sitting with water in the cylinders, or from running low on oil.
  • Electrical faults like a dead stator, a bad regulator or chewed wiring.
  • Clutch or transmission problems that make it impossible to ride.

Some of these are cheap to fix and some aren't. If you don't want to deal with it, we'll buy the bike as it is.

How we price a dead bike

We ask what you know about the problem and how long the bike has been sitting. A bike that died last month with a known fault is a different job from one that hasn't turned over in eight years. The make, model and whether everything is still on the bike matter just as much.

Getting a dead bike out

A bike that won't run still needs to roll. Before we come, check whether the wheels turn, the brakes release and the steering lock is off. If you've lost the key and the steering is locked, tell us. It changes how we move the bike.

Don't try to push a heavy dead bike up a ramp or down a steep driveway on your own. Leave it where it is.

The paperwork is the same as for any bike: registration signed by every owner, photo ID, the APV9T transfer form signed once you're paid, and the plate off before we load. If it was in a crash too, see selling a damaged motorcycle. We pick up dead bikes all over the region, including Vancouver, Surrey and Burnaby.

Getting a dead bike sold: the details

Two scrap motorcycles chained on a red flatbed deck
Two non-running bikes chained down for the trip

Before you call: a few quick checks

You don't need to fix anything, but a few facts help us give you a better number. Does the engine turn over by hand or with the kick start? Do both wheels roll? Is the key with it? How long has it been parked? Two minutes with the bike gives us most of what we need.

What sitting does to a bike

Bikes that sit for years usually have the same problems. Old gas turns to varnish in the carburetors or injectors. Batteries go flat and then dead. Tires crack and brakes stick. None of that stops us buying it, and it's all priced in, so there's no need to put money into it first.

Locked steering and no key

A bike with the steering locked and no key can still be loaded. It just takes a bit more work to get it onto the deck straight. Say so when you book, and if you have a spare key in a drawer somewhere, it's worth a look.

Insurance lapsed years ago

That's fine. Insurance and registration aren't the same thing in BC. The registration stays valid even when the insurance lapses, and it's what you sign over. If the registration is lost, an Autoplan broker can replace it.

Selling a bike for someone else

Every registered owner signs. If the bike belonged to someone who has passed away, the executor of the estate can sell it with papers that show their authority. If it's a parent's or a friend's bike and they're alive, they need to sign, so call us first and we'll work out how.

Fix it or sell it?

A dead bike is sometimes a cheap fix: a battery, a carb clean, fresh fuel. If you know it's minor and you'd ride it, fixing it may be worth it. If the estimate is more than the bike is worth to you, selling it as it sits is the simpler move.

Questions people ask

Do you buy motorcycles with seized engines?

Yes. A seized engine lowers the value but doesn't stop us from buying the bike.

My bike has been sitting for ten years. Is it worth anything?

Usually. Tell us the year, make, model and whether it's complete, and we'll give you a number.

Do I need to get it running first?

No. Don't spend money on repairs before you sell. We buy it as it is.

What if I don't have the key?

We can usually still buy it if the registration is in your name. Mention the key when you call.

Will you buy a bike that has been sitting outside under a tarp?

Yes. Rust, flat tires, cracked seats and a bit of moss are normal for bikes stored outside. Tell us how long it has been there and whether anything has been taken off it. That is enough for a fair number.

Do I need to drain the gas before you come?

No. Leave the fuel in the tank and don't try to siphon it in the garage. We load the bike as it sits and the recycler drains the fluids properly. Just tell us if anything is leaking right now.

Ready to sell it?

Call with the year, make and model and we'll give you a number.