If anyone thinks they can "make money" on mini bikes, you're nuts. my record is a $10 profit. usually i loose my butt, if i even try and sell anything. so frankly i just don't sell, it's not worth it. I'm trying not to buy stuff i don't want in the first place. that's the best solution.
parting out a survivor bike is pretty much sin in my eyes. but that's me. it made it 40+ years, it deserves to live on. but that's easy for me to say...
Personally i'm more in the habit of buying "less than survivors" and making them real again. But again, i'm loosing my ass. I'm not sure i really care though. i like bring junk back from the grave. it feels good and it's fun.
Hobbies cost money. that's my realization. if you buy a bike and think you're going to "make money", unless you're paying $10, i really don't think you're paying enough attention.
Also for god's sake, never, and i mean *never*, buy a bike for your kid or your girlfriend or your wife, etc etc. Buy the bike for YOU. if they (boy, girl, wife, etc) like it, fine. But never ever buy one expressly for them. You're just setting yourself up for a fall...