Topic: buying into the classic bike game

[Chris Brown]

Hi everyone, this is my first time here so apologies for my lack of basic knowledge. I'm guessing this page is populated mainly by poeple from the states but my question probably applies all over. I'm from the UK and i'm planning to get a CB750 Four this summer. They're pretty cheap in the UK but a friend has warned me that i might clock up extra expense when it comes to changing tires because they are not regular tires. Is this true or does the fact that these are so common make the tires cheap anyway?

Thanks,

Chris

[El Taco]

Yeah, nothing exciting about them. Just regular tires. Should be an 18-19 setup, or 18 inches rear, 19 inches fron. I always pull the 18s, or even (horrors) 17s off the rear and put a 16 inch wheel back there. Just me.

[Chris Brown]

can you offer any general/fundamental advice about buying an old honda? is there anything in particular that i should look out for/avoid? I'm planning to spend between 500 and 1000 pounds ($1000-2000) and the 750 Four is what i'm particularly after.

[El Taco]

Don't look at the odometer like it's a car. These motors turn at much higher revolutions, and wear faster as a result. 60K is really high for a bike. Look for bald tires, bald stripe down the middle of the front, oil leaks, and be sure to verify the condition of the clutch. Put it in third and accelerate quickly. Should run smoothly and have an even note to it. CB750s are rather nice. Hope you enjoy it.

[Uncle Ernie]

Seems like there's always somethng to spend money on after the sale- a new battery/tire(s)/oil change & tune-up stuff.  Is this your first bike in general, or just your first SOHC4?

[SteveD CB500F]

You get what you pay for Chris.

I'd buy as good as you can afford - if you by a "project" expect to spend £££ and time searching for parts.  Everything is (mostly) available but you have to keep track of eBay US as well as UK!

I paid £1750 for my 550K3 but it is in showroom condition with 12,500 miles. Expect a 750 to be more than that, say £2500 for a really good one.  There was a concourse show winning K2 on eBay recently with a "Buy it Now" of £4250 (if I recall) but I don't think it sold.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Steve in Wokingham

[Uncle Ernie]

It's really hard because prices are all over the place- more than any other kind of bike I can think of. I mostly look at the 400s; seems like there was a huge price bubble in the '80s and prices have come down since then. But a decent ed one recently went for $4500- twicew what you can get a decent one for!?  I thinnk prices may be starting to inch up again, but not like 15-20 years ago.             
   Holy cow.... am I getting to be an old fart   ?         COOL!

[Chris Brown]

this isn't my first bike but it will be my first since getting my full license. Before that i was on a 125 trail bike. I have seen quite a few on ebay going for less than 1000 pounds. Should i be warey or paying less than a grand? I'm looking for something with no mech. problems but i don't mind so much about mileage or superficial problems like scratches and tears to fabric.

[Bobby]

Steve's advice rings ever so true.  You do get what you pay for.  However, there is a such thing as a 'bargain' and a 'killer deal'.  Be honest about your budget and keep some cash on reserve.  I obviously don't listen to my own advice as my budget is over a Gazillion Dollars as of this morning...   

[SteveD CB500F]

Where are you in UK Chris?  Although we are fairly thin on the ground over here, we'll do our best to help you out.

I think the difference between a £1000 and £2500 bike is probably just the condition of the parts. If you want gleaming paint and chrome, 4 exhausts, original everything, then you have to pay. At the end of the day, the engine is the engine. A "project" may take you many months (probably will) but will cost a lot less - just live with faded paint and dinged panels etc for a while.

[Chris Brown]

thanks for the help so far guys, it's good to be in touch with people who know!

[Uncle Ernie]

SteveD- not so sure about that saving money part. When you feed the addiction, it not only costs money; your friends slowly drop off one by one, you become a stranger to your family, you stop eating right, you have to push parts aside to get into bed...

[Bob Wessner]

Well put!

[Sam Green Racing]

Hey Ernie,

You must have it bad, saying that I do have a spare bedroom.

[Einyodeler]

The hay in the barn/workshop is quite comfy

[BobbyR]

Chris, I paid $100 US for my 1978K. It had 4K miles on the Speedo. It had also been put away "as is" in a dry basement for 18 years. The tank and carbs were filled with what was at one time Gasoline(Petrol), and the brake system was filled with something like chrystalized honey. The paint and chrome were totally mint, and the motor not siezed. I suggest that you do what I do which is a rolling restoration. I am slowly replacing the rubber parts and other pieces which simply degrade with age. I like the BattleAXxe tires. They look Retro enough to match the bike, and they are modern in their handling.  They track straight on most road surfaces, and you can lean that baby over till the sparks fly off the pegs. Make it safe, ride it well and improve it as you get a few extra quid.

Bob

[Uncle Ernie]

Gee, you guys... it's hard to    type  with these        tears... I'll be OK- it's the bikes I worry about.

[nickjtc]

Being fairly new to the forum I'm reading through old posts.

I'm curious about this one. If you are still out there Chris, what did you end up buying?

[siter81]

SteveD- not so sure about that saving money part. When you feed the addiction, it not only costs money; your friends slowly drop off one by one, you become a stranger to your family, you stop eating right, you have to push parts aside to get into bed...

Might i add no room in the two car garage,For a car.Also a worn out wallet from money mostly going out of it for more parts.Always feeding the addiction.


Siter81