Author Topic: Possible purchase. (Read 3691 times)

milsurp · « **on:** August 03, 2006, 06:33:56 PM »

Greetings,

I have a chance to buy a 1972 CB750 for four hundred dollars. The bike is located about 1.5 hours away one way. I'm seeking advise and opinions about this possible purchase.
This is my first post here but I've participated in other forums about other topics and I find that these forums are the single best resource there is while researching a particular subject. Here is what the seller has to say about his bike. I'm also attaching a picture. Please tell me what you think

Regards
Tony

1972 CB 750. I'm the third owner. It was a San Francisco bike
it's whole life as evidenced by a bit of surface rust on some of the
brightwork. It was my daily ride until three years ago when my crazy
neighbor in Abq. backed into it one morning an knocked it over. A couple
dents occurred, one on the front fender (I scored a new one yet to be
attached, see pic) and the handlebars we very mildly tweaked (also have new
bars uninstalled, see pic). And she busted a rear view mirror. Somewhere I
have new brake levers as well. This coincided with a very busy schedule so
the bike and its needs remained unaddressed. It's been under a tarp for
three years, and the 35 year old paint has begun to fade and peel. It's got
a new rear tire, new battery that's lost it's charge, brand new plugs, and a
lot of life left.

Basically it needs someone who's got a garage and a little time to clean the
carbs, charge the battery, and swap the handlebars. Or someone who wants to
restore it to show condition which is totally possible.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2006, 06:37:57 PM »

Are you going to have an opportunity to ride it? He doesn't say much about the mechanics and engine. Sounds like it took most of the hit to the front, might have fork, wheel or steering head issues as well.

milsurp · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2006, 06:40:02 PM »

Bob,

I doubt I can ride it due to the length of time it's been sitting. Carbs are probably gummed up and it won't start.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2006, 06:42:21 PM »

no question whatever. you won't get many chances like this in your life - BUY IT.

milsurp · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2006, 06:48:52 PM »

Thanks cbjunkie. I pretty much want this bike but have not made up my mind on it yet. I'm over at the tech forum researching carb cleaning. How hard is it exactly to clean these up? Are any special tools required other than for the synch?
Think there is any chance at all of this thing fireing up at all before cleaning the carbs after havng sat there for 3 years? Just enough to hear it run a bit I mean.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2006, 06:59:00 PM »

just stick around here - there are people here that have forgotten more than i will ever know for the rest of my life...and they are perfectly willing to share every last drop of that knowledge.

now go get that sweet bike and get to work!

bill440cars · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2006, 08:08:10 PM »

I agree with junkie, you have take things into consideration. 400 bucks is a bit of money but, look at what a decent bike would cost you as compared to this one. And, the thing is, this bike looks like a great place to start and they're not getting any cheaper. I say, go for it!. Later on, Bill

milsurp · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2006, 08:14:09 PM »

Thanks Bill

The owner has just sent me some hi res pics of the bike and I've been examining them. The bike is a bit of a rust bucket. The spokes are coated with rust as well as every possible head of a bolt it seems
There also appears to be a light coating of rust on the wheels and handlebars. Sure can tell the bike lived in salty air near an ocean. It makes me wonder how strong those wheels are and how solid the frame is.

Regards
Tony

Jeff · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2006, 08:18:29 PM »

If it's just surface rust, it can be taken care of.

If you really want the bike, use that as leverage. If the guy really wants to get rid of it, and he's asking $400, offer him 2 or 3 hundred.

Jeff

milsurp · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2006, 08:26:18 PM »

Jeff

Can't really tell how deep the rust is from the pictures he sent. My best guess is that with a few hours of sweat, oil, and steel wool would remove most of it. Sure is ugly though. Every single head of a bolt and presumably the bolt itself is rusty. The steering head nut is a big rusty hex just sitting there. I doubt he will negotiate. He *says* that there are others interested in the bike.

GoatBaSS · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2006, 09:23:46 PM »

You guys remember that bike under the shed in Lousiana. That was a great deal worse. 400 dollars is a small investment in a great deal of pleasure. You get the bike and use this forum and you are set. If you are willing to do the work. It is a great thing to be a part of. You need this. All the cool kids are doing it. Get on the band wagon. Ya chicken? HEHEEHEH!

He will come to our side soon enough.

Funny thing about regret. It's better to regret something you have done than something you have'nt done. And by the way...

Just say yes.

mrbreeze · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2006, 09:34:24 PM »

It doesn't say if the motor spins over but by the looks of the bike,I'd say its in good enough shape to be worth $400.It also is close enough to you to go pick up.You will search quite awhile on E bay to get a bike that looks as presentable and as close by.I would bag it up.

milsurp · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2006, 10:36:28 PM »

Thanks guys. One way or another, a decision has to be made overnight. The deal will or will not happen tomorrrow.
Here are some more pics. I gather from what he said...the engine spun over fine 3 years ago. Who knows about now though.

Thanks
Tony

milsurp · « **Reply #13 on:** August 03, 2006, 10:47:19 PM »

All that rust means nothing huh? Ok. ya'll are the guys that know. So basically to get it on the road for a short ride before doing more extensive work to it it needs the carbs degunked and I guess the spokes checked out....
Gastank and filters, points inspected and cleaned of possible rust on the contacts.
What am I missing?

750goes · « **Reply #14 on:** August 03, 2006, 11:05:03 PM »

Have you bought it yet

I paid $300 AU for mine and it was 10% of the bike you showed in the pictures....I may be a bit foolish with money sometimes, but if the gut instinct in the first place was to buy it, then that instinct should be followed...

If it works out too much for you, it's possible someone on this forum will take it off your hands..... (after they tell you all the horrible stories about how hard they are to keep from breaking down, how expensive they are to keep running, bull#$%*, bull#$%*, bull#$%* etc etc..) someone will beat a path to your door in quick time..

more pictures ... it looks fine.......

milsurp · « **Reply #15 on:** August 03, 2006, 11:14:55 PM »

Such enthusiasm! You people are good for corrupting a person into buying an old bike. I guess you can't corrupt the willing though. Anyway, here are a couple more pics that he sent and I modified to fit the forum.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #16 on:** August 04, 2006, 01:57:25 AM »

really. listen. buy the bike. if you change your mind someone here will give you 500.

get it.

ChrisR · « **Reply #17 on:** August 04, 2006, 02:02:50 AM »

I'd buy it for that price - I think you could pay a mechanic to recommission it and still be happy with the deal. The guy sounds honest enough (?) and bike looks like it has 'patina' rather than deeper issues. Ask him whether the engine turns over at least - I'd be surprised if it doesn't. Good luck.

nippon · « **Reply #18 on:** August 04, 2006, 02:21:26 AM »

BUY IT!
If you recognize after your purchase, that there is too much work and money to spend
to bring it back on the road the way you like it, part it out and sell it on ebay and you do not loose
money,....you will earn a little bit. (Or you could sell it to a member of the board.)
I want to say,...there's no risk, buy it!

nippon

bill440cars · « **Reply #19 on:** August 04, 2006, 04:40:05 AM »

Compared to what some guys have started with, I'll bet that bike looks good.
Anybody got pictures of their bikes before they were transformed? It appears to be complete.
Consider what it is also. Like it has been said before, they are getting to be fewer around and
the prices are going up. That bike is asking to be resurrected. My opinion, of course. Bill

dusterdude · « **Reply #20 on:** August 04, 2006, 07:27:20 AM »

get it

StevieMac · « **Reply #21 on:** August 04, 2006, 07:31:46 AM »

I'd buy it for that price in a heart beat.

Chris Schneiter · « **Reply #22 on:** August 04, 2006, 08:22:10 AM »

What are 750's going for these days? I've had mine for almost 4 years. It took me 2 years to find. It had 19500 miles, very little rust, ran really well and only needed a new tire and rear brake pads to put it on the road. It had some wiring issues, but I worked those out over time. I got mine for 500.00. Have they gone up that much?
If you're not a mechanic, I'd recomend bringing it to someone and have them do the carbs. I'm not a mechanic, and I messed mine up. I brought it to my guy, and in 24 hrs. he cleaned (Ultrasounded) them, put them back together, balanced them and it runs great! Cost me another 200.00, but if I had gone to him in the first place, I would have saved the 80.00 in parts I had bought, and the cleaner, AND a whole weekend with my hands and arms in solvent....I've found that I'm way ahead to pay someone to do the hard stuff (after I figured out what I can't do), and save myself to do the fun stuff!

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #23 on:** August 04, 2006, 10:43:03 AM »

If it was still in SF, it would all be sprayed flat black by now- no rust to worry about anymore.
Drain the whole tank and float bowls before trying to start it (make sure there's oil in there first).
When it doesn't start, buy it anyway.

Rushoid · « **Reply #24 on:** August 04, 2006, 10:52:52 AM »

Did you buy it yet? Did you buy it yet? Did you buy it yet? Did you buy it yet? Did you buy it yet? Did you buy it yet?

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Author Topic: Possible purchase. (Read 3691 times)

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