Topic: Need advice on selling my CB750K/F Hybrid...

[nzdreamer55]

Hello everyone.

I have had a '77 CB750K (engine) in a '78 CB750F Frame for about 10 years.  I have some mods, and a lot of time (a little money) into it, but it has come time for me to leave it to someone who would appreciate it more.  I really have no idea what it is worth and would like some ideas about selling it, both so I present it professionally and so that the buyer and seller don't get post sales remorse.  I'm really good at buying stuff, but really bad at selling things.  I also don't want to make some dumb mistake like letting someone try it out and then having it become damaged then who is going to fix it.  Are there things that I should consider in selling it like putting on new tires?  Thanks in advance for any advice you can help me with.

-S

[Magilla]

One rule to live by when selling;  get ThE cash in your hand (full amount you want) before you let anyone test ride.  If they bring it back unharmed and don't want it you can give the cash back.  This rule eliminates joy riders.  Anyone that is serious about buying it will agree to this rule.

If the tires you have hold air, you will not recoup the cost to put new ones on it.  Not unless you can do both tires for under $300 installed.  Even that is a bit iffy. 

Clean it before you sell it.  Presentation is everything.  Put armorall on it and make it shine. If you can touch up the frame paint anywhere that it is rusty, do so.  It will present better. If it needs little things like grips, replace them with low cost new ones.  Don't spend a lot but fix up little things that help the presentation.

[Magilla]

Be sure to put words like cafe racer and bobber in your add.  Although the bike is neither one, it could be made into one.  If I were selling the bike in the picture I would try to get at least $2500 for it.  I would start at $3500 and see what interest I had in it.  This is all predicated on you having a title.  If you don't have one the value drops considerably.

If you have a good story with the bike, like it was a one owner with low mileage, the price could bump up a bit. 

[Old Scrambler]

+1 with Magilla regarding cash in hand......................If your current tires have tread and no serious cracks...........don't spend the $$$.  A non-original motor may turn off some buyers, but if it runs smoothly it will sell.  I would try ebay and let the bids determine the final price............but set a reasonable reserve. Once the reserve is uncovered, multiple bidders usually produce higher selling prices.

[BeSeeingYou]

Unless the buyer wanted a stock bike or doing a resto I don't see a downside to the motor swap.  Many might consider it a plus .  Although you gave up a few hp that motor has better parts availability and does not have the valve guide issue.  It is basically the F0/1 motor with PD carbs.   Don't let anybody lowball you just for that.

[Stev-o]

+1, clean the bike and list it on eBay. Take a lot of good photos showing how nice the bike is. If it doesn't run great, get it there. Good running bikes sell. Some guys don't have time/space/will to work on a bike.
Without knowing details, you should be able to sell for $2k with little trouble.

[cgswss]

On selling, I'm sure you know from buying- !st impression is everything.  While you and a possible buyer may talk about the bike for an hour- most of the time the bike was sold or rejected in the first 30 sec.  Tiny things can make all the difference.look at all the nuts and bolts.  If you see any surface rust, polish it off.  If you have a few bolts/nuts/screws that look like someone used the wrong tool, try to replace them.

This sounds really stupid, but think about it- when you sit on a bike and put your hands on the grips-what do you do?  Why pull in the cluck and test the front brake of course.  If you have bent or broken levers, replace them.  Disconnect the cables up at the bar, make a little funnel out of paper and fill them with oil.  hang them as high as possible and let it drain thru for a day or two.  When you reconnect the cables adjust then tight so when that guy first sits on it and pulls on those levers it feels "right" to him

If you get the bike listed soon, you should have no problem selling it for more then $2500.  In my experience, "reserve not met" turns people off.  Pick the lowest price you would let the bike go for and set the starting price at that.  If I had that bike up, I'd start the auction at $1995. no reserve.

Good Luck!