Author Topic: I have lust in my heart, but is the price too outrageous? CB400F (Read 6550 times)

Kurt V · « **on:** January 25, 2012, 06:09:44 PM »

The CB400F has always been a bike I have wanted ever since they first came out in '75. Found a red '76, second owner that needs nothing. I mean this bike looks like it came off the showroom floor. Well almost. The red on the tach is faded, but other than that looks perfect. I know I will have to give it a very close, in person, inspection. Has 12,000 miles. Even has the original tool kit. Only problem is the price. The guy wants $4500 for it, which seems about $1500 higher than I expected based on my research. Now of course the perfect condition commands a premium, but what would be a reasonable offer for this bike? Thanks for any and all input. Couple of pictures:

jonnycakes · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:19:52 PM »

You will NEVER find a bike like this again........suck it up and pay retail on it. If you low ball him, do it in person, but bring $4500 bucks with you so you don't miss out on a beautiful bike.

Danno · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:21:41 PM »

I am thinking in the neighborhood of 3500 at least
it is rare that you run into one so well preserved and I see a lot of new parts on it I guess the real test is to ride it and see

Danno · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:22:27 PM »

kinda the way I feel too

jessezm · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:23:45 PM »

Unfortunately, based on what I've seen on ebay lately, I'd say that's reasonable, if not on the low side of what they've been selling for. Shocking to me as well but they've gotten really popular. I'd still try to walk away with it for less if you can, but it does look very nice, and if it's a dream-fulfillment thing, then I say go for it. You're not gonna find one in that kind of shape for too much less these days. You can certainly get one in ok shape for $1500 to $2500 if you're vigilant, but you'd probably spend a bit more if you want to bring it up to the same standard.

One thing I'd do though would be to make sure that the cam chain tensioner mechanism is functioning. If it isn't, it could cost you a full engine tear down eventually.

Stev-o · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:32:35 PM »

It is a very nice bike with low miles, but paying retail price of $4500, no thanks. There is a better deal out there, keep shopping.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:40:16 PM »

The owner keeps it in his Living room?? Wow

.

jonnycakes · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:46:38 PM »

1000 bucks wouldn't keep me from what I want..........Half the price of a Sportser and twice as cool.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:52:23 PM »

What do want to do with it?

It's too nice to ride. It's really only good as an investment.

petercb750 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:54:40 PM »

If you're going to use it like it was intended and not as an ornament, then maybe a slightly less perfect one for less money is a more practical option for you, ie one you're not afraid to use cos it's "too" nice - however, I don't think the price for this one is unreasonable (certainly by Aus and UK standards). It sure looks sweet.
If you pay top dollar, and then use it and add miles to it, it's value may drop - ask yourself if it's a keeper and therefore you don't care what it's value is in $ terms, or whether one day you'll want to sell it and try to make some money on it, which you may be able to do if it keeps its miles as is.
Peter.

solo 2 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:57:43 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on January 25, 2012, 06:32:35 PM

It is a very nice bike with low miles, but paying retail price of $4500, no thanks. There is a better deal out there, keep shopping.

I don't know how many times I've said that to myself and regretted the decision later, bottom line is how much are YOU willing to pay to have your dream bike. What's a new 400cc bike worth, put it in perspective. These bikes are only going to go up in price for nice examples. Is it going to be a daily rider or show piece, if it's going to be a rider you may want to consider a slightly less pristine example...less worries.

I turned down a pristine Walter Wolf Gamma 500 in 2005 for $5000, I'd pay 10K now...unfortunately they go for 20K. Just 1 example

Kurt V · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2012, 06:59:49 PM »

Thanks for all the good info so far and keep it coming! It will definitely not be a garage queen. I plan on putting lots of miles on the bike. But I would rather start off with one in great condition then one that I buy for $2000 and end up having to put another $1-$2K into. To be honest, after I get it, it would never look as good as it does right now.

ekpent · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2012, 07:01:14 PM »

Its another one of those"in house bikes".Wife will not let me do it

Go look at it,if it is a dream machine that you always wanted, and it looks to be legit give it some thought and it sounds like you have done your research. Share that info face to face with the owner and hear what his rebuttal may be.As they say money walks and Bullship talks so if you have the coin you are already part way there, If you have the extra resources to purchase a very high quality machine with a known provenance than I say go for it if it is an unmolested original. If you are looking for a bargain to get to a perfect state be prepared to work hard,search for parts and spend lots of money. David Silver Spares just started buying up those bikes.400F, so there may be a wave though in the future of some restored models on the market but mostly in Europe. May bring up the price a tad though as they become even more known and desireable.

EDIT ADD ON-Remember sometimes you never overpay for a GREAT BIKE you just buy it a little too soon

Damn its fun spending others money ---

Eric.

jneuf · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2012, 07:15:41 PM »

If you have the money, go for it. I have two '75 400f's, and I'd buy more if I could....In my opinion, it's the best looking SOHC4 Honda made...not too mention how much fun it is to ride.

You might find one for less money down the road...but then again, you might not.

toytuff · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2012, 07:25:26 PM »

One on flea bay in that condition sold for $8500.

Buy it. I would but it's a ways to go get it from here.

tt

Falken · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2012, 07:34:59 PM »

That machine looks absolutely mint. You know in your heart if thats the one for you...especially if its a bike that you plan to keep forever. If its that kind of bike then 2, 5, 10 years from now the extra $1500 you paid won't mean a thing. If your ownership plans are short and price is number one...hunt for a machine with more miles thats not perfectly polished sitting in someones living room as a conversation piece.

geminimotors · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2012, 07:53:48 PM »

If you want a very nice bike that you will actually ride... Go look at it, leave a deposit and your license in his hands and ride it. If he won't let you ride it, talk him down as if it were not a running, registered, ridable bike. Anyone can make an unregistered, non running bike look good. Imagine the money you could save on registration, insurance, fuel, not to mention rings, bearings, gaskets, tires, chains, etc.

geminimotors · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2012, 07:54:23 PM »

If you want a very nice bike that you will actually ride... Go look at it, leave a deposit and your license in his hands and ride it. If he won't let you ride it, talk him down as if it were not a running, registered, ridable bike. Anyone can make an unregistered, non running bike look good. Imagine the money you could save on registration, insurance, fuel, not to mention rings, bearings, gaskets, tires, chains, etc.

754 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 25, 2012, 10:09:54 PM »

gemini, you can say that again..oh, you just did !!.

Remember 90 % of bikes sold on ebay are sold without the buyer seeing them, plus travel or shipping is added to the price. 90 % of stuff on ebay looks better on the page than it does when you get it. This is better, you can see it and touch it, and that may be worth more... nice bike..

onagd · « **Reply #19 on:** January 26, 2012, 12:15:20 AM »

For those that would baulk at that price, there was one for sale here in NZ Just before Christmas, with a genuine 1.5kms on the clock, going for NZ $15,000. Was being sold through a local bike shop. Dont know if it every sold for that amount, but that is some money in anyone's language.

jlatkins83 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 26, 2012, 12:37:07 AM »

Thats a beautiful bike! but as many others have said it all depends on what you want. Plus it is a good thing that you can look at it and touch it, I'm not to sure if I would buy a bike off the internet that looked that good but was sitting in the living room as wall art, might be something fishy there. I know sure as hell that my bike inevitably drips oil somewhere and it would be in my living room looking pretty. If everything is great than do that bike a favor and put it on the road where it belongs!

Tim2005 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2012, 01:37:52 AM »

Buy it, I've seen worse ones for nearly twice that and the $17000 one wasn't that much better & apparantly may have even been less original too.

dave500 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2012, 02:00:39 AM »

buy it and on sell it to david silvers spares,theres a market creation going on,if you buy a roughie and try to do it up as good as that youll spend more money,you yanks are spoilt with your cheap bikes!(no offence at all,implied or otherwise intended)

Toxic · « **Reply #23 on:** January 26, 2012, 04:34:24 AM »

Put 3500 cash in one pocket, 500 in another and 500 in a third.

Bring out the 3500 and see what the seller says. If he baulks bring out the next 500.

But be prepared to spend all $4500.

And you are correct ... if you want a bike in that condition but purchase another one that is cheaper but not as nice with the intention of making it look that good later one, you will quickly spend the $1000 to $1500 to accomplish this.

go buy it before someone else does. Sounds like the seller knows what he's got.

Good luck, let us know how you make out

P.S. if I were to find out where that bike is ... it would be sold in a heartbeat.

andrewk · « **Reply #24 on:** January 26, 2012, 04:35:02 AM »

If it's worth 4500 to you, buy it. I wouldn't buy it based upon what it might be worth, I would buy it based on what it is worth to you.

Looks like a solid bike, and you can pretty much bet it will be awhile before you find one as clean for the same dollar amount. I feel like he's asking a fair price for what he's got. That thing is CLEAN.

News:

Author Topic: I have lust in my heart, but is the price too outrageous? CB400F (Read 6550 times)