Topic: Need some advice on price for CB550f(to buy)

[Kayakguy]

Hey I am new at this CB thing, so...

I am looking at all original Cb550f in Orange. Bike is in fantastic condition I am assured and the pics attest to this. Problems are one side cover cracked and a broken speedometer cable. Minor issues at best.

Guy is asking $1500. What should I shoot for.

Thanks

[fmctm1sw]

Cost is usually a product of location and condition.  Does it have the title?  I've seen a lot worse with a higher price tag...

[Gordon]

Don't take a seller's word for it that the bike they're selling is in good condition.  You have to decide that for yourself, and pictures can only provide a very limited view as to the overall condition of a used bike. 

IF it comes with a clear title, runs well, rides well and doesn't need any major repairs to make it safe, legal and roadworthy, then I'd say $1500 is a good deal.  I tend to buy abused bikes for $200-$500 and spend at least $1000 getting them back to good condition. 

Stock parts are worth more.  The seat is not original, but it appears to be in decent condition.  What does the exhaust look like?  Is it original and in good condition?  Rust on chrome doesn't show up well in pictures.  In the provided picture it looks like the header on #4 pipe is very rusty. 

Do you have more pictures? 


Edit:  That should say #1 pipe

[Kayakguy]

Good eye on the header, I am also glad to know about the seat.

I won't be buying it sight unseen, in fact I am going to see it tomorrow.

Keep it coming guys, and thanks.

[fmctm1sw]

How many miles are on it and what year is it?  Didn't the early 550s have some kind of camshaft or bearing wear issue?

[Kayakguy]

1975, and 22000 which concerns me a bit.

[Gordon]

Mileage isn't much of a concern when it comes to a bike this age.  It's how well it was taken care of that's the important factor.  22K is nothing if it has been cared for and ridden.  In fact, even if it hadn't been cared for all that well, 22K isn't that much for a sohc4. 

The top end issue with the earlier 550's is the rocker shafts.  They can spin in their housings and wear an oblong shape in them.  It's not a huge concern because even if that has occurred on your bike, a decent, used valve cover won't cost that much, and if it hasn't happened, there are measures you can take to prevent it.  It's not a deal-breaker by any means, IMO, just a minor concern. 

[Stev-o]

Does it have a title?  Hard to tell in the pic, but the muffler does not look to be stock? And very common as they were prone to rust.
Go look at it and ride it for 20 min if possible, any big issues should pop up.
Good luck and report back.

[RFogelsong]

Assuming the engine is solid and the title is clean I'd pay $1200 all day (and I bet he'd take that).  If I really wanted a 550F I'd seriously consider paying his asking price for it (again assuming it's all straight).   

[Kayakguy]

Sorry I should have put in earlier that the bike does indeed have a clean title.

I have been let down going to look at bikes before based on the sellers comments(haven't we all). This guy however made a lot of promises about condition on the phone that he would will have to live up to face to face. If it was all b.s. I can't wait to hear him explain how the fenders were supposed to be "rust free" and the paint is "excellent near new"

The hardest part is waiting till this evening to go see it.

We went and looked at a CL450 last weekend. It was in "great shape". Guy dropped his price from $1200 to $700, so i figured I would take a look. I swear to you I think the tires were even leaking oil. This bike had a good chance to be a super fund site.

"Don't worry about the leaky engine", he says, "they always leak like that. Also put this put this bag down so you don't get wet when you sit on the seat."

Busted seals, engine and forks. Broken levers, brake and clutch. The whole bike looked to be spayed in oil. I passed.

On the flip side, I am also picking up a CB350 that ran when parked four years ago. With tons of spare parts, like extra seats, tanks and two extra front ends for $300. The bike is rough , but it will be a cafe racer. The bonus is he also has three triumph engines and a rolling chassis I may be able to talk him out of.

Isn't bike hunting fun?!?

[fmctm1sw]

Isn't bike hunting fun?!?

Only when you 're somewhere that has bikes to hunt for...   

[toytuff]

Just went through the misrepresentation this week. 450 mile round trip, $125.00 in fuel.

Bike wasn't worth $300.00 not to mention the a** hole that owned it. Really left a bad taste in my mouth.

Yes, pictures are very deceiving.

I'm looking at one in Seal Beach and would gladly give someone here a few bucks to look at it.

I'll think twice on driving a great distance only to be disappointed.

tt

[Kayakguy]

After chasing a 550 in vain 4 hours away I decided to put an add in craigslist "looking for CB350 or CB550". In the 36 hours I have had it up I have already had several great responses.

I just got sick of chasing and figured I would see if they would come to me. That is how I found the 350 and parts, and I have a dealer not too far away talking about some great candidates he has.

The 550 I am looking at just posted up not long after I put my add up. Weeks of trolling craigslist, the trading post, and the local papers and one gets posted right after I put my add up

[bjatwood]

On the flip side, I am also picking up a CB350 that ran when parked four years ago.

Anybody want to start popping some corn on this statement?!?!?!

[Tews19]

A dealer who has several of these??? First off, doubt it... Unless he does it for consignment.... just IMO.....

Second, dealers want top dollar with minimum work...

third, be patient buddy. When you find a great deal it will happen. Spring is approaching.

I really don't like popcorn so I have my rice cakes waiting.....

[Danno]

the 550 up here in michigan in good shape are always 2500 or more it has been a long time since i saw one go for 1500

[Kayakguy]

Wasted my time again. What does "no rust" mean to a f@ckin redneck.

So the bike was in fair shape, but it had some issues. Namely the exhaust was rusted. usable but it looked bad.The clutch just about took two hands to pull. That probably could have been sorted out. All of the chrome was very hazy though not much in the way of rust. The bike couldn't be kick started when cold, which was probably minor tuning. The paint was a bit faded and may have been able to be buffed out.

What bugged me was the guy had it for only a year or two and had it outside. The previous owner, the original buyer, kept it covered indoors. I would bet money that most of the cosmetic damage on this bike was due to this idiot.

Now idiot is a strong word, but you would just have to meet the guy. I asked to hear the bike which is cold, not started in weeks. The guy fires it up and then proceeds to immediately rev it over and over near redline for like two minutes. Great.

I was prepared to give the guy $1200 even though I was borderline. when I asked him what his bottom line was  he said I have to have $1500. Without a pause I shook his hand said thanks for your time and walked away.

You guys ever pass on a bike based primarily on the owner? I don't know, it just didn't feel right. Maybe I screwed up and it was a great deal. It just felt like $800-$900 to me.

Now my Cb350 turned out to be a CL 350. The bike is indeed rough, but the engine has good compression and turns over easily. The frame is good. I have two front ends one of them is disc.

As for the dealer the guy runs a small shop. I didn't mean to imply he is a factory dealer. He has another Cl350 that he rebuilt and polished the engine on. He is honest and says that it doesn't look too great but is a great candidate for a cafe project. he is sending some pics, so maybe we will drive to see it tomorrow.

He also has a CL450, a CB450, a few CL/ CB350s including an all original 1969, and two CB360s. Just thought I would put that out there for you guys to think on. He is in Asheville, NC.

My whole goal has been a second bike for the wife. I wouldn't cut a good bike up but would keep it stock.

 However we went into this thinking cafe racer. Right now she rides a 2010 Bonneville and it is a great bike, but she wants a lighter bike while she refines her skills being a relatively new rider. She does fine on her bike and rides well, but I am not going to argue with a woman who thinks we need more motorcycles.

[Stev-o]

I think you made the right choice. It doesn't sound like a $1200 bike.
When buying these old bikes, you have to "feel" it, can't explain it, but it seems to work for me.
There will be others...keep looking.

[Tews19]

I think you made the right choice. It doesn't sound like a $1200 bike.
When buying these old bikes, you have to "feel" it, can't explain it, but it seems to work for me.
There will be others...keep looking.

+1

[RFogelsong]

I totally agree with you after hearing that, 8-900 should be about right.  For some reason though, I've noticed lately the bottom number on 550's seems to have creeped up about $300.

[wedoo2]

I hope that they're creeping up.  I wouldn't think of letting mine go for $1500, and it's not done.  Then again, I wouldn't pay more than $1000 for a resto job.  Just me.

[jontc]

exhaust pipes on the cl 350 solid?

[Kayakguy]

The one I have? No.

The one I am going to see today? They look like it. This guy actually took several excellent very clear pictures to send me. Apparently he doesn't know you are supposed to useblurry cell phone pics and say "must see to appreciate".