Marsda,
I am one of the old men (#57) on this site, out of the Army in 1958 I went to a ladies basement because my brother told me she had a motorcycle for sale. She also had a gramophone for sale. In my mind I decided I would give her $40.00 dollars for the bike and $30.00 for the gramophone. I asked her what she wanted for the two items (my feeling is that the seller sets the price) and she said she wanted $40.00 for the gramophone and $30.00 for the motorcycle.
No problem, I purchased both of them. The motorcycle was a 1916 Harley-Davidson, about 56 years older than the bike you are looking at.
One week later I traded the Harley for a 1930 Studebaker Roadster. I know that sounds like a old car, but in 1958, this car was only 28 years old (today a 1989 old car). Sadly the Studebaker went for the next semester in college for me.
Thirty or more years from now you will be looking back at similar times as I have stated above.
My advice to you is to purchase books that will help you to know what you are looking at. Buy Scott's globe book if you like globes, there are two good books on oil cans out there, since I don't collect them I cannot remember the names, the same about signs (the guys here on this site will direct you to the items you like), and lastly, if you like gas pumps, my 3rd edition of the Gas Pump ID book will be available soon, just send me your email address and I will put you on the list.
All these items will help you, but nothing beats getting under the wing of an old timer, one who has been there, seen that. Try and find someone in your area who will go with you to a swap meet, or even will share a room with you at CTO or Iowa gas. Just walking behind him and he telling you what each of those items are is worth paying his way to the meet.
Even after over 20 years in this hobby I will not forget Dick Bennett and I waking through Iowa gas looking at the items laying on the ground at about 11:00 oclock at night. I would point out things I knew about, but I mostly remember him telling me about all the station lighters that were laying on the ground.
Get out there and get your feet wet.
If you like looking at petro items, check out my website:
www.petrocollect.comThere is over 12,000 images on the site.
Jack Sim
jhsim@petrocollect.com