Topic: Inflated price much???

[longshanks]

Came across this CL ad and was shocked at the price of this 750.
losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/mcy/3697625177.html

Is this how much they're going for now in super clean condition?

[Magilla]

That's a lot of cash

[Terry in Australia]

Over here you'd pay that much and a bit more, but that's way too much in the US, and I guess that's why he hasn't sold it yet.

[Lars]

As long as the marked is worldwide, a fair price is not a fixed thing. There will always be someone with plenty of money and no skill to work on a bike that has to pay more where he lives.

As this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/IMMACULATE-ORIGINAL-HONDA-CB750-/330892001876?_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&forcev4exp=true
 

and we can follow this auction, same bike and year.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1973-Honda-CB750-original-unrestored-/171013402937?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item27d1317139

[JamesM]

Yeah, prices are going through the roof on these things. Which is lame, they're supposed to be a cheap, fun bike.

[Magilla]

If anyone wanted to pay $10k or even a few grand less for my 750, it would be gone.  i like the bike but I don't want to get in the way of a fool looking to be separated from his money.

[Greggo]

I think you guys are forgetting that this is an ad from Los Angeles 

[Duke McDukiedook]

Ah yes, LALA Land.

Say no more, say no more.

[KCbarsos]

there was another k3 750 here in the bay area about a month ago (i think around santa cruz?) asking 10k. ad was gone in a few days. super clean but.....

[KCbarsos]

but seeing that it was painted in Maxim Brown Metallic, (best color ever) i can understand 

[Bankerdanny]

Prices are so ridiculously hard to predict. When I sold my very very clean original 11k mile '77 550k in 2011 on eBay it went for about half what two basically identical bikes had sold for the week before.

Getting max $$ is all about timing, the right person looking for the kind of bike you have willing to pay the price you want.

[754]

Reserves are your friend..

[750K]

I just watched a K0 in not as nice unrestored condition on ebay sell for $10,100usd, not as low of milage either. Blew me away.

[goldarrow]

I think you guys are forgetting that this is an ad from Los Angeles 

+1

Ah yes, LALA Land.

Say no more, say no more.

+2

[lucky]

I feel sorry for the person that buys this bike.
Although it may be original and unmolested it is still almost 35 years old,

The cam chain rollers could be dry and cracked and coming apart.
When the oil sump screen is checked it could have lots of little bits of rubber in it.
The valve guide seals could be rock hard and cracked. The crankshaft oil holes could be clogged with debris. Other issues also.

There is no law that a person cannot ask any price they want.
But when you sell something for a high price and problems are found you may be held accountable.


The fact that this bike has 8,600 miles means it has been sitting a lot over the years.


Just my opinion.

[Terry in Australia]

I've sold 4 CB750's in the last couple of years, prices as follows:

1970 K0 (running, unrestored but rough with lots of K1 parts) $7500
1972 K2 (mild custom, "Goldie" BOTM winner) $6500
1973 K2 (restored to original, BOTM winner) $6500, and
1977 F2 (restored to 90% original with K6 top end) $3750.

I could have held out and gotten more on a couple of these bikes, but as I'd built all but the K0 from parts or junkers, I was happy.

I grudgingly agree with Lucky's concerns regarding buying a bike that's been laid up for many years, while at the same time I'm happy that my 1980 Honda CX500 that was laid up for 14 years has suffered none of the problems that he describes, although the brake MC seal was buggered and the front calipers were both partially seized after all that time.

Obviously a major service would be mandatory, which would have to include a thorough oil and filter/oil pump screen change, brake overhaul with new hoses and seals, pads, etc, fork seals and oil, air filter, plugs, new tires and tubes, chain and cable lube etc.

Or, just park it in your lounge room and look at it..........      

[Bankerdanny]

Reserves are your friend..

True. I had a reserve initially (ony $1,500) and it did't hit it. In the end I had already decided to sell, so I relisted without a reserve and let the chips fall where they will. In the end I got out what I had in and I had a great summer riding it. I can't say I was happy with the selling price, but it was one I could live with.

[longshanks]

Well this is actually San Diego, which is a little cheaper than LA. Good to know I'm not the only one who thought the price was through the roof.

[bluesoverlord]

If the bike had an overhaul by one of you lot on here, then maybe it would be a believable price.

I've always wanted low prices except on the cars I restored. Now I want to find bikes for low $$ and sell high, but I can see by you guys numbers working on these bikes is more often than not just a labor of love and not a great investment in time OR a great business. Sure, if you get yourself on Cafe Racer TV you might garner yourself a name and find someone with money and memories of the old days.

However, it may not stay that way. Prices are going up and will continue in my best estimation. Course, who am I to say? I agree with those who say that these bikes, because they were cheap, were also treated that way much of the time. They stopped working and they were set against the barn wall to rust. How many were tenderly sea foamed and stored? They seem to have dried up completely here in North Dakota.

[iron_worker]

Not sure what the original part does to the value ... Many people really desire the "original unmolested" bikes but as Lucky pointed out there could be problems due to the age as well.

I do know that you can easily put that much into a restoration if it's a complete top to bottom, inside and out job .... trust me... 

IW

[RAFster122s]

Fuel costs being what they are in California as well as motorcycles being allowed in the HOV lanes are advantages. The HOV lane shortens the commute time as you are moving more of the time.

Prices are high in CA and probably always will be.

[rb550four]

I've been finding bike prices going up drastically around the northeast lately and the availability is dwindling,The story that I have been told at numerous wrecking yards is that there is some guy in Pa. that has been paying bigger bucks for machines so's he can corner the market, and ships them in containers to Europe. I think that this kind of activity is driving up prices. Has anyone else heard this  or similar recently?

[RAFster122s]

Well, it ain't MoMo doing it as he is finding some real nice barn finds from time to time at low prices...

[Greggo]

I've been finding bike prices going up drastically around the northeast lately and the availability is dwindling,The story that I have been told at numerous wrecking yards is that there is some guy in Pa. that has been paying bigger bucks for machines so's he can corner the market, and ships them in containers to Europe. I think that this kind of activity is driving up prices. Has anyone else heard this  or similar recently?

Wouldn't surprise me...If I could get my buddy in Japan interested, I would start shipping bikes over there, but he's not into it

[BPellerine]

I seen this happen before with the English bikes.They used to be affordable to the average joe and it was a whole lot of fun to find and fix up much like what members are doing here.If you ship them away they are sold to investors and the prices of bikes and parts will be out of reach for people just wanting to enjoy these great machines.Once they are gone they are gone!It really should not be about the what is it worth thing.If you have to do it just to make a profit it becomes a job and takes the enjoyment .It really hurt when I sold my bikes because I could not afford the high prices to keep them on the road.Try buying a 500 british single!bill