Topic: Need advice on buying a CB550

[Deimos]

Eh its the wrong year, and it's a DOHC, I want an SOHC bike.  I've got the patience for it so I'll keep waiting.. And that one CB in Portland is a bit more then I'm willing to spend.  I'd rather get a cheaper bike and build it myself then get one completed that doesn't look how i want, for 2600...

[Tews19]

Hey bud, look in other states, Do the Uship thing and have peeps bid for your haul.

[Deimos]

Thanks tews, but i'm not that into going that far out and paying for the shipping.  I really want one, but I'm not that desperate for one. Buying an 8 or 900 dollar bike, or some of the 1500 + dollar ones across the country that I've never seen in person or know run well, and then paying another 300 dollars minimum to get it here.   I'd rather buy that 1500 dollar bike with the giant ugly ass seat that I posted originally.  I want to see what i'm buying, if I can't drive out and see it personally, I'm not gonna do it, it's not that necessary.

[Tews19]

My last 2 cents, both my 550's I only saw pics of and a video phone. I bought then both unseen, I am more then pleased with the bikes and how they preformed. First 550, buddy abd I drove to Ham Lake .. over 6.5 hrs each way....
550F well that was only 1.5 hours awat.

[Deimos]

I"m willing to do a day drive to go get, that's fine but the shipping costs don't even out on the price imo and 6 hours and a 2 day or 3 day drive aren't the same thing. =p

[Duanob]

Here's another one Deiomos
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/mcy/2842049519.html

honda cb550 - $700 (monroe)
 
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Date: 2012-02-08, 6:22PM PST
 Reply to: qgqsx-2842049519@sale.craigslist.org
i have a 1976 honda cb 550 for sale the i had for eight mouths ,its in fair conduction. the carbs are polish and rebuild but still wont start .this is the perfect project bike for some one how knows what there doing.cafe racer?grate bike for that. trade or cash
text nick at 425 343-3004

[Deimos]

That's the one without a title.  I'm suppose to understand that obtaining a new title is a hell of a job and isn't exactly cheap in any way.

[Grnrngr]

You might want to investigate that... in Oregon, the only addition to the usual title transfer fees is a $20 or $30 lost title fee, and the cost of mailing a registered letter to the previous registered owner's last known address. The registered letter is supposed to contain a filled out lost title form and a check for $10 so the P.R.O can have his signature notarized, then you take the signed lost title form, or the returned unopened registered letter, in to DMV and it is as good as a signed title. You may even be able to track down the previous registered owner and just have him sign a lost title form. Just call DMV, tell them you already bought a bike, no title but a bill of sale, what do you do? they'll tell you how..
 

[Deimos]

Well times have been slow on here.. Been taking the time to figure out how to deal with registering a vehicle out of state since i'm technically a Nevada resident stationed in Washington int he military and all that jazz.  Started talking to the guy i had on the first page with the CB500 with that giant seat on it.. I told him the seat would have to go and hes opening up negotiations on how to deal with it.  I haven't set anything out on the table yet and just out of curiosity i started looking for a replacement seat/seat pan.  Hard as hell to find any, besides the 'vietnamese' one on ebay.  Anyone know where some CB 550 Seat pans may be found?  There are all the cafe racer ones out there, but those require fabricating mounts i believe.

[Tews19]

DimeCity Cycles.... if you look at my build thread I just posted the seat I bought from them.

[Stev-o]

Here. Took me a minute to find it.  You would also have to buy a new cover, very simple to replace.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-honda-cb-500-550-seat-/290669573868?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item43ad41b6ec#ht_500wt_922

[Deimos]

Hm, well the guy I am talking to also just told me he found a guy in Seattle with a CB 550 Seat that was complete and said he would sell it for 150..  IF the seat pan/seat is in good condition, is that a reasonable price?

[Stev-o]

Hm, well the guy I am talking to also just told me he found a guy in Seattle with a CB 550 Seat that was complete and said he would sell it for 150..  IF the seat pan/seat is in good condition, is that a reasonable price?

Good, original seats are getting harder to find. $150 is not outrageous, but is a little high. But you could easily spend that or more on a good cafe seat.

[Tews19]

plus 0ne stev-o....

This is becoming the longest "need advice in buying" thread ever.

Make a posting on CL advertising you are looking to buy. Sometimes people surf CL without posting up bikes they may have and once seeing an ad of someone looking for a bike they decide now is the time to sell to a person who will appreciate the bike.

[KAgin]

I have been on the hunt for a 550 myself.  I can't post a link, but use "searchallcraigs.com."  It will search all the different craiglists at once.

[Tom in Newcastle......Ontario]

Hm, well the guy I am talking to also just told me he found a guy in Seattle with a CB 550 Seat that was complete and said he would sell it for 150..  IF the seat pan/seat is in good condition, is that a reasonable price?

Just to throw some new mud into this....... the 78 550k has the stepped seat.........if that concerns you,or if you are going to do an original build

[Deimos]

Once more into the breach?  Too bad my car broke down yesterday, getting it fixed tomorrow, and this pops up.    http://spokane.craigslist.org/mcy/2859710052.html