Topic: This just looks like trouble, doesn't it?

[billingstitan]

He's asking $500, I'm thinking I might offer $200-250 and will probably still be sorry since it hasn't run for, oh 24 years.

That said, if any of us could resist strays we probably wouldn't be on this forum - I am familiar with the CB550 and 750 - but know nada about the CB500 - any thoughts? Are these just as easy to work on - any cons in general about this year/model?

I'm imagining that underneath all that grime it really doesn't look all THAT bad (lol) ... I'm thinking of going to take a look at it - any opinions?

Here's the ad "A1972 honda 500 4b street bike, has not ran since 1988 ran good went in the Army, been in the gargage the whole time. Good for parts or fixer up no gas in the tank."

[ekpent]

All depends if it has a title and you want one. Your offer may be fair for some parts at $200.00. Its these adds though for that kind of little money that drive overseas friends crazy. If its a CL add and truly a good deal it may be gone before you respond anyways. Don't last long around here . Not my cup of tea.

[CycleRanger]

Looks mostly intact and rust-free externally. (Can't tell about tank.)
Would need at least another ~$1000 to restore, if it didn't need any major engine work and it would be worth what you had into it. Unless you cafed it for less.
Imho not as popular/valuable as a 550.  Still probably worth the ~$200-250 just for parts if it has a title.

[scottly]

Chuckled to myself when I read the title. Hey, you need a winter project, right?
I like the '70s vintage flames on the tank; my neighbors had a CL 350(?) painted in a similar style, back in the day.

[billingstitan]

Called him, and it has a title - he said the tank is dry and was stored off the bike - thinks it's rust free but admits he hasn't looked for awhile

Bike stored inside entire time - says he was always gonna work on it, but finally accepted that he is just not a mechanic.

I don't need/want a parts bike - I would try and breath life back into it.

You have to squint really, really hard, BUT some goop engine cleaner, a stock seat and a stock paint job/decals would bring you a long way toward a pretty sweet looking original. 

If it was a cb550 or 750 in the 77-78 range, I wouldn't hesitate for $250. I just don't know much about these years/ models.

I agree with the $1000 - that's about what I was thinking you'd need to finish it up if the bike gods were smiling upon me -

OR is this the same line of thinking that winds up with me chewing off my arm in the morning rather than risk waking her up?!? 

[scottly]

Does the motor turn freely?

[lostinthe202]

Man, Dibs on that tank if you end up with the bike and decide to part it out or go with a different tank (I'll trade!)

There are differences between the 500's and later 550's but, really, they're all 30+ years old so you'll be dealing with old parts either way.  And no, they aren't any harder to work on.  While the 500 motor has parts that aren't as available as the 550, you're not talking a sand cast 750 or anything as obnoxious.  If it's been stored inside with the tank and carbs drained of gas and the exhaust and airbox left on, there's a good chance the motor is in excellent shape provided it's got low mileage.  What are you planning on doing with the bike?  If you want to restore it, well that's a whole 'nuther thread

If you're still in doubt, do what you should have done when you first found this site and use the search function to find many, many, many posts of people who have found bikes sitting at the bottom of lakes, in the bottom of craters left by space rocks, or parked on top of palm tree for 300 years that all ran as good as new.

Good luck, and send me that tank!

[shinyribs]

You might be pleasantly surprised if you buy it and go to get it running. When I got my first CB750 I didnt know squat about them. Not much better now,truth be told. I dumped gas in the leaky tank and slung a battery in it. It had been sitting outdoors for 8 years. It started instantly and actually ran great! These old Hondas are tough. Stored inside like you said I wouldnt be a bit scared of it. If it has compression at all with the kick starter I'd jump on it with both feet. These bikes are only getting rarer and more expensive as the days pass...... hmmmmm......what else can I say to convince you to buy it??

[dave500]

the 550 had a totally redesigned clutch release and shifter mechanism,the top end is all the same except for the bore size,the 500s had a fragile gear selection design and its old used on many models "cork screw" clutch release mechanism with the snappable push rod might be a problem you only find out once you have it running?,id buy it here in australia for 500 though.

[Frostyboy]

All depends if it has a title and you want one. Your offer may be fair for some parts at $200.00. Its these adds though for that kind of little money that drive overseas friends crazy. If its a CL add and truly a good deal it may be gone before you respond anyways. Don't last long around here . Not my cup of tea.

Like you said ekpent, this is currently on ebay here, 10 bids, now up to $3,400

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vintage-Honda-CB550f-1974-Classic-Want-change-track-bike-RGV-RS250-675-/261076586828?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item3cc960914c

[dave500]

yeah frosty thats a good example of what they sell for,,its also a good example of the seller either not knowing or talking #$%*,he states they share many parts with the 400 just a bigger bore?typo?did he mean 500?i rekon its worth 2500,its not sorted.

[Brantley]

I'd be all over that. There are still honest people trying to make room in the garage and a couple of bucks while doing it. To me, that's a possible "fresh battery, fresh gas, fired up" story waiting to happen.

[flybox1]

if the motor turns, go get it.  take $500, but offer less.
it will be gone soon.

[Sniper X]

yeah frosty thats a good example of what they sell for,,its also a good example of the seller either not knowing or talking #$%*,he states they share many parts with the 400 just a bigger bore?typo?did he mean 500?i rekon its worth 2500,its not sorted.

Had to have meant the 500.......

[billingstitan]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'm going to take a look tomorrow and will let you all know what happens

If I do pick it up it will be moderate restoration for a daily/weekly driver. Or maybe even just to get it running and sell it to someone else - just hate to see that thing dying on the vine.

And no offense, but nah, it won't be gone - $500 is pretty hefty in these parts for a non-running bike of any sort and this is the third time he's relisted it. Dudes are pretty stuck on their harleys around here.

Apologies to the fellas overseas and on the coasts - here in Montana vintage metric bikes are dirt cheap - totally original 1976 CB550 with 6,700 miles just went for $1400 on craigslist last month. Tried to get my buddy to pull the trigger on it but he hesitated and of course it was gone by the next day.

Anyway - I will follow the advice, kick it over, if it has some decent compression I will probably go $250 - 300 tops. Will keep you updated - thanks again for the input. If I pick it up, will be posting pics.

[verslagen1]

I got a 71, similar issue, hadn't been run since 90, lost title.
rebuilt carbs and it started right up.

[Johnie]

I have to agree...go get it. I have seen many bikes look just like that one. Once you get the 30+ years of crud off a bike that was stored inside you should find pretty decent chrome and a great looking bike. Then all you need to mess with is the carbs, probably fork seals, brakes and tune. You can put mainly time and labor into this bike and have a very decent rider or sell it for a nice profit. Flash the cash and it will be yours...looks like a great project to me as long as the motor is not stuck. Let us know how you come out...

[Kevin D]

If I pick it up, will be posting pics.

YES, I'd love to see some pics from the Beartooth Highway!


Hey, heres an idea: Vintage MC rental. Put a luggage rack, tank bag, and windshield on it. 1 day rental to Beartooth, 3 or 4 days or more to Yellowstone, Jackson, Cody. Not everybody wants to rent a Harley. At Eagle Rider they are about $150 per day.

[billingstitan]

Here's one of my faves from the Beartooth Highway - July 2011. 

And for the record, I gotta say the six most annoying words in the English language have got to be, "Do you REALLY need another motorcycle?" 

It's as if she forgets I'm a 44yo bachelor with a garage full of motorcycles that have both outlasted and proven more reliable than several girlfriends and an ex-wife!! 

[scottly]

Here's one of my faves from the Beartooth Highway - July 2011. 

And for the record, I gotta say the six most annoying words in the English language have got to be, "Do you REALLY need another motorcycle?" 

It's as if she forgets I'm a 44yo bachelor with a garage full of motorcycles that have both outlasted and proven more reliable than several girlfriends and an ex-wife!! 

Neat pic!
I hope Jerry "Griff" sees your comment comparing the reliability of bikes compared to ex's. I'm sure he will agree.

[billingstitan]

Went and looked at the bike today - title was there and in order; had some trouble finding the key, but he did manage to scrounge that up. 

Does anyone know anything about those flames? Were those a dealer addition? Or did someone just add those custom after purchase? I was surprised as the side covers had a matching pattern and it seemed almost like a factory job?? 

The engine on the bike is in pretty incredible shape - still very shiny and such beneath the grime. I have a 1977 CB550 w 12,000 miles and the engine and frame on the 1972 cb500 looks much, much better (and the odometer reads 19,000+).

The original pipes are on there as well - and in incredible shape - no rust at all, no dings, very nice. 

Bike kicks over very easily - clutch pulls strong and even - seemed to shift into and out of gear fine.

There is no airbox - he indicated that it had pods when he bought it. But the choke on the carbs were closed, and they looked surprisingly clean.

So, I offered $250 and we settled on $300. I am going to pick it up on Monday, so will post some pics and probably start a thread if anyone's interested in following the progress.

I'm feeling optimistic that this may be a relatively simple process to breath some life into it - the bike has obviously been stored well - so hopefully battery, plugs, oil, etc should get it fired up.

Overall it's in pretty incredible shape for a 40-year old motorcycle.

I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do with it - probably get it running and then sell it - just couldn't stand seeing that piece of history end up getting parted out or left outside. PO was obviously sick of having  sh*& stacked around it in his one-car garage (for 24 years, lol).

[CycleRanger]

$300, score!  Good job. 
Any flames are not factory.  Post a picture when you get it home and hosed off.

[Johnie]

Yes, you have to sort of have the x-ray eyes to see behind the dirt and grim. Send us more pics once you get it home. Good find for you.

[billingstitan]

Ooookay ... so made the deal, was meeting the PO tomorrow at the bank to get the title notarized.

Get a call tonight - a representative for someone out of state called up the guy and offered him $500, which he took 

The guy had listed it three times previously on billings craigslist with no bites, and suddenly someone from out of the area (california) shows up?? Hmmmm...

Oh well - I wasn't that attached - even at $300 it wasn't THAT great of a deal - those freaking parts and time add up quick. Besides, I've still got wrinkles to iron out of my CB550.

I did buy a complete airbox for it already  so if anyone is needing the airbox setup for a 1971-73 CB500 - I have one for sale 

[Stev-o]

You didnt give him a deposit?