I grew up about 4 doors down from our dealer. Back in the 60s when I was a kid, I'd go in and the owner would give me a rag and some polish, and I'd shine up the bikes on the floor. They also sold bicycles and fixed the neighborhood kid's bikes. Here's the owner, Joe Robl on his old Pan. The other pic is the day they took down the sign before demolishing the shop in the mid 70s.

 

Don't know how far back you're asking about. I bought a new sportster in 1976 (AMF) which in some ways doesn't seem that long ago.
I think it was right around 3K. The shop was really small compared to what you see today. I don't remember them ever having a large inventory.
I think the one I bought was the only sportster there so there wasn't a bunch of haggling. I paid the sticker price.
The guy that owned the place sold it to me. Other than a couple mechanics in back I don't remember anyone else being there the day I bought it.
The owner was a big name in these parts as a motorcycle racer back in the late 40's and early 50's. I think he retired from racing around 1952 or so.

 

My local dealership, wish I had a nickel back for every dollar I've spent in there and at Bettencourt's Honda-Suzuki two miles down the street (both dealerships are the same age). My Dad ran a small indy shop just down the road from these two and was good friends with both Dicky B. and Monty (derived from his last name) My brothers and sister and I grow up with their kids, I can remember piling in the back of my Mother's station wagon with a bunch of them or one of the older kids Dodge van as a little kid and going to watch the racers at the old Capeway Rovers Scramble track.

 

Three grand in 76? sounds about right. I have figured everything these days is about four times what it cost say in the early 70's.
I took the liberty of goolgling it and this is what came back: In other words, $3,000 in 1976 is equivalent in purchasing power to $13,288.47 in 2018, a difference of $10,288.47 over 42 years. The 1976 inflation rate was 5.76%. The current inflation rate (2017 to 2018) is now 2.18% 1. If this number holds, $3,000 today will be equivalent to $3,065.30 next year.
I am thinking a well optioned 1200 sporty would be pushing $13000 out the door with taxes and prep.

 

Established 1947??? Honda-Suzuki???? Didn't think Japanese bikes hit the states until the 60's. Triumph, Norton, BSA, Harley, yea but not Honda and Suzuki??

 

Yep '47 was a bit too early for Honda ... first scooters were sold here in 1955

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda

 

My '76 FXE was $3,200 OTD
My '79 Low Rider was $5,700 OTD
My '89 FXRS was $10,200 OTD
My '92 FXRT was just under $13,000 OTD

In 1976 a brand new Honda 750 was about $1,400 and that was what everyone seemed to buy when they decided that they couldn't afford a Harley.
I have no idea what a new Goldwing was in those days because I never had any interest in any other motorcycle than a Harley.....I still don't.
They were considered pretty expensive by most people at the time

 

I posted about the old Harley Dealer in my city, Oshkosh, WI. above. Someone just sent me an ad from 1923 when they took over from someone else.

 

My experience with dealerships from years ago is pretty much the same as every one elses. They were smaller and didn't have many bikes for sale. There wasn't too much clothing for sale either. However; service was much better. I lived about 45 minutes away from the dealer and I would call them if I needed a part just before they closed and they would put it in a bag outside the front door. When I picked up the part I would slide the cash under the locked door. I also used to ask questions of the mechanics to help me keep my ironhead going. I couldn't afford to let them work on it so I was basically mooching for information. Those guys were really helpful too.

carl

 

Did they ask if you had the day off or what??????????