Topic: Good buy?

[CafeWild34]

I sold my 550 and am looking to buy a 750. The one I am looking at ugh now is a 1974 cb750k that has 14,000 on the clock. I know it was running about six months ago and has sat since then so it should start up with a new battery, oil and gas. It has a good title and tag, but other than that that is all I know. The price seems steep to me but maybe I am wrong. Well here it goes the price tag is 2500. Lerner know if it is way too much or just about right or maybe just a little high. I realize I didn't give a ton of info but any help is appreciated. Thanks

[phil71]

2500 for a 74 that runs well is not a bad price. Make sure it runs well.

[CafeWild34]

Alright I will make sure and hear it run before I buy it. Is 74 a decent year for the 750?

[phil71]

it was as good as any of the others, just a little detuned compared to the first and last sohc 750

[CafeWild34]

Ok cool. I thought I had read something like that but I couldn't remember. How are they de tuned?

[phil71]

Corked exhaust, choked airbox, smaller cam. but even that.. is still making plenty of power.

[harisuluv]

Have you seen the bike?  Got any pics?  I'm a little confused cause you said you would listen to it run when you go there but it's not running, correct?

One rule about buying these bikes is however long the seller tells you the bike has been sitting (of course he will always say it was running when parked) multiply that by at least 3.  $2500 for a non running bike is an awful lot.  I'm surprised more people haven't chimed in with that asking price.  That had better be one nice looking bike for sure.  Since the mechanical side is a crap shoot, the cosmetics sure as heck better all be there and looking pretty damn good.

Sellers like this who want those kind of prices for their non runners read something somewhere or someone told them they are worth a lot of money.  He feels like he really has something and it's probably far from the market value of the bike. 

We can tell you more when you get pics and more details. 

[Don R]

rebuild carbs+ tires+ misc+ tune-up= about a grand. factor that in. minus what you want to do yourself= whether it is a deal or not.

[72 yellow]

rebuild carbs+ tires+ misc+ tune-up= about a grand. factor that in. minus what you want to do yourself= whether it is a deal or not.

+1  I bargained my 72 CB750 down to 150.00.  Was not running, PO said it just needed points.  A grand later, I got a good running bike.

[CafeWild34]

I was thinking along the same lines as you harisuluv I thought I was way high and just wondered if anyone else thought that. My thinking behind saying I need to hear it run is that if it was running so recently it should be able to fire it up and here it run. The cosmetics are all there has a nice 4 into 4 exhaust. It was actually a little dusty, not like I would think it should be for 2500. I did a lot of work to my 550 and didn't sell it for that but these are more iconic and I didn't know if they just commanded a higher price because if that.

[madmtnmotors]

For $2500 it should run well and look decent, with minimal maintenance due (both short and long term). My current project is a frame-off refurbish that includes cleaning/polishing/painting EVERYTHING, and fixing anything that's broke or wore slap out. The engine will be left unmolested other than oil seals, valve seals, head nut pocket seals, oil pump o-rings, and Hondaman's clutch oiling mod. After all this, I'm only figuring $3000 to $3500, and it will be turn-key long-haul ready! It's not a dedicated "original" restoration (aftermarket pipes, possibly aftermarket headlight brackets, custom paint, other misc bits) but more a focus on making a functional/reliable bike that looks good.

[cgswss]

Depens on what you want.  are you looking to ride a "classic Honda" or are you looking for a bike to ride.  I just went to look at a '05 Suzuki Bandit 1200s for $2500.  its in perfect running condition and much easier to get parts for.  I see a lot of running 750s on Craigs list for $1000-$1500.  I see fully restored running 750s for $3000-- And not many of those are selling because I see the same bikes for the last 2 months.