Topic: Yamiya body sets and effect on bike value

[ironbutter]

Hi All - I have got my bike to a place over the last 5 years where its looking pretty good. I have the original tank and headlight bucket and ears with repro side covers. The paint on the tank is OK, its got some scratches and other small dings and flaws, the ears are great and the bucket is faded badly. My bike is unique in that it is a JDM bike imported to the US with a japan / euro only color, Polynesian blue metallic, and some other japan only goodies, 5 point kickstand, speed indicator light mechanism between the gauges etc. Im at the point where I have purchased a can of Polynesian Blue metallic paint and repro decals and have got some bids on repaint. I have also been keeping an eye on the Yamiya website as they sell a whole body kit for the bike painted in polynesian blue. Any thoughts on the value of my bike if I decide to just buy the Yamiya set and keep the original stuff as is? Any ideas on value appreciated. Here she is as she sits today.

[calj737]

I don't know the $ value, but if you repaint it, it will drop in value. You should just refurbish the original paint.

Wet sand it carefully with 1000, 2000 then 2500 grit paper. Then buff it with a scratch/swirl remover. Then wax it. You'll be quite surprised how much gloss and luster you'll recover. If the dents/dings are noticeable, find a qualified Paintless Dent Removal pro and spend $50-$100 bucks to have him push the dents out. Avoid glue plugs as the decals and stripes may be tape and they will be damaged.

[ironbutter]

I don't know the $ value, but if you repaint it, it will drop in value. You should just refurbish the original paint.

Wet sand it carefully with 1000, 2000 then 2500 grit paper. Then buff it with a scratch/swirl remover. Then wax it. You'll be quite surprised how much gloss and luster you'll recover. If the dents/dings are noticeable, find a qualified Paintless Dent Removal pro and spend $50-$100 bucks to have him push the dents out. Avoid glue plugs as the decals and stripes may be tape and they will be damaged.

Thanks for the reply, yeah the tank is as good as it is going to get, its nice and shiny, the damage is some small dings from careless removal around the fork clamps and scratches through to metal on top and an area on one side looks like maybe battery acid or the likes ate through to metal. I would probably just keep the original for preservation sake and run the new yamiya body set. Im just not sure if having a complete yamiya body set will devalue the bike as it is after-all a reproduction albeit a very high quality one. I suppose the upside is everything is brand new. Just not sure how the market bears on this change. I wonder will the Yamiya set would devalue it more than a repaint?

[PeWe]

4-4 mufflers is important for CB750 people. Better to keep your original tank + side covers and invest in 4-4 muffler.
Side cover emblems are available on eBay.

Side grips are missing too? Behind the shocks, one bolt same as holding the shock
Very important for passenger and when using the center stand.

[calj737]

I've never heard anything but the highest praise for the Yamiya sets. I think they would be more appreciated than a re-paint. If you truly are trying to keep its value high, don't repaint but purchase a complete set and stash your originals for and added package.

+1 on PeWe's comments

[Stev-o]

You don't state running cond or mileage but I see your bike valued at $3000-3500. 
As suggested above, having the stock exhaust would raise the value considerably. 
I love the Polynesian Blue......

[seanbarney41]

as long as you keep your original body parts, the Yamiya stuff is only gonna add value.  You can count on Yamiya to have gotten the color RIGHT!  Any other modern painter trying to do these colors?...it's a crapshoot, as the correct materials and techniques are not widely available

[greenjeans]

If you have the cash for the Yamiya body set, go for it.   Keep the originals tank original and store it.    I'd pay more for a bike that had both sets as an option than I would for a bike with just the original.  I've seen a Yamiya tank with my own eyes at Barber this year.  I sure couldn't tell the difference.  They were very nice and I think almost fairly priced. 

[Bankerdanny]

If you can only afford a new 4-4 or the Yamiya set, I would spend the money on the exhaust. If you ever go to sell that will get you a fast sale for top dollar more than immaculate paint but 4-2 exhaust.

[greenjeans]

If you can only afford a new 4-4 or the Yamiya set, I would spend the money on the exhaust. If you ever go to sell that will get you a fast sale for top dollar more than immaculate paint but 4-2 exhaust.

Agreed.   4 into 4 exhaust sells them so much faster.

[PeWe]

I ordered tank and side covers in Candy Sapphire Blue from Yamiya. Wonderful quality!!
I did not invest in these part to increase the value of my K6-76. It's personal, my bike is worth it . Back to how it looked like when it left Japan and when I bought it used January 1979.

4-4 muffler should be on my list too. It's so CB750 in the design and sound.
The only obstacle is my modified engine that need a good breathing system as a 4-1.  Yamiya sell 4-4 too http://www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=142_88&products_id=142

I think I'll order a set later on just for sure... difficult to resist...

[750K]

Like others have said I think it would be a selling feature if you had the original set in original condition tucked always safely and a great quality Yamiya set on the bike, I'd be pretty happy to buy a bike that came with both. The 4-4 pipes would be the cherry on top but not a total deal breaker for me if it didn't have them. Plus a full Yamiya set will do more for your bike in the looks department than the correct set of pipes will, anyone that's not a die hard cb750 collector will pay less attention to the pipes and more on the level of paint quality most likely.

[Don R]

The nice part of the Yamiya set is you still have the original paint parts. I've been told by motorcycle guys original paint is going to be a big deal even if it is faded and scratched. With the yamiya parts you get it both ways.

[dagersh]

Ironbutter,

Years ago, I sold a 1953 MG TD that had been repainted but retained its original, albeit, very worn leather interior.  The buyer was willing to pay much more than what a new leather interior would have yielded.

I think on my CB550F Restoration, I an going to leave my original tank and side covers as is and do up a new set in the same color so the purchaser can have both.  Your paint is in terrific shape, get the badges for the side Covers, the rear grab handle and invest in the 4-4 Pipes.  Since you have a can of paint, maybe use it as a touch up of the dings.  You have a nice rare bike, if you are going to show it, originality counts for more, if you are going sell it - find a Honda aficionado to buy it!

JMHO

Gersh