Chopped or stock?

Although I own (sometimes I feel like I'm owned by) an older shovel, I like some of the newer as well as older metric and british scooters. About a year ago, I reconditioned my brothers 1982 650 Yamaha Heritage Special. Mind you, this was no easy task considering the fact that the bike sat unused for 15 yrs garaged under some old carpet. Sold it for 800.00 bucks to a very happy owner who thought he was getting a steal. Looked on ebay, and found that stock yamahas of this type were fetching not much more in stock trim. However, I did notice that this type in "bobber" or "chopped" form were commanding up to 2 to 3 times as much. I don't get it. Most of the examples I saw were poorly done with what looked like spray bomb paint, no chrome, mismatched parts, bad tires, homemade controls with gut wiring exposed and poor excuse for exhaust. No joke I saw a 650 Yamaha chopper going for 3100.00 on ebay and it sold! And it looked like it was unfinished. Can't figure it. Personally, I like 'em stock.

I can't imagine why anyone would want to chop any bike...

Yeah, they are nice chopped or bobbed. Triumphs make a very cool bobber, too. Almost went that route when I was considering building a bike - almost! There's nothing like a big Harley, though . . .
It is true that a lot of custom bikes have an "unfinished" look to them. These are probably garage built by owners who are short on cash but long on creativity and the urge to have something a little different than the norm. Pick up a copy of "Greasy Kulture" and you will see a lot of bikes like that. There's just something about a customized sickle, no matter how grubby it looks, that peaks people's curiosity. I guess that's why they get the higher dollar . . .

up this way for the most part it's the stock stuff that commands the high dollar

Most folks with good sense (I don't have a lick of it!) would prefer to get a stock bike. I have bought stock bikes in the past and they were fun! Then I just wanted to ride - not wrench. But now things have changed - I don't mind mixing in wrenching with riding, and with a custom bike you will wrench!