Author Topic: Far and few this summer (Read 2774 times)

Tews19 · « **on:** July 24, 2013, 06:26:02 PM »

Not sure how it is as time passes but this summer I have seen very few Honda CB's.... When I say few I mean almost none.... I have been going to a few bike nights on different nights during the week and it's the same thing....

I went with the wife tonight and I was the only Honda CB750... There was one 550... Rest were the usual Harleys or CR's........ The most at one time I saw this summer was at the Vintage races at Road America... Even then there were very few....

I search CL daily and the supply hasn't been as abundant as the past 3 years... Maybe in our area.... Who knows.....

I am curious if anyone else has noticed what I have...... Or maybe it's the fact that my biking buddies all drive modern bikes...

Accolay · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2013, 07:06:22 PM »

I can tell you that for myself, I haven't even brought my 550F out of winter storage yet here in Mpls. I had to put her away last August because of leaking carbs and I haven't made the time yet to get her running this season. Such a shame.

Stev-o · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2013, 07:18:18 PM »

Their hiding not riding. Seems the same to me, will see one occasionally.

There are eight SOHC CB750's for sale in my area right now, including one of mine.
Unheard of, maybe that's why it hasn't sold in a week despite being the cheapest (and ugliest and an F).

Tews19 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2013, 07:31:08 PM »

Possibly the housing market boom here... Everyone is scrambling to buy a house as prices are sky rocketing here..

HotCarl73 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2013, 08:07:47 PM »

i went to a vintage bike night last month here in vegas and there were 4 other cb750's besides mine. it was my first one, so i don't know if that's more or less than usual. it's still over 100 degrees at 11 pm here, so i'm expecting there to be more when it cools off a little. i'm not going to another one till september or so.

Bootlegger56 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2013, 08:37:24 PM »

I have been riding my K5 here in Statesville, NC for four years now and I have yet to see another CB anything on the road. Every thing here is Harley or crotch rocket with a six foot swing arm and 20 foot chain. I know of one other local that has a 750 parked in an open air carport but I haven't seen it moved in several years. There seems to be a fairly good supply of bikes available in the area on CL and privately. I had a call several weeks ago from a gentleman wanting to sell a K1 550 that he bought new, put 1000 miles on it the first weekend and 800 miles since. The bike has been setting in storage ever since 76. It is unfortunately locked up and has the typical 40 year rust issues but for 300 bucks with a title maybe a winner.

Bailgang · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2013, 01:57:36 AM »

I think I'm the only one in this area that rides a '70s era bike of any make on a regular basis. Everything else is V-twin cruisers of some sort or crotch rockets.

70CB750 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2013, 05:15:23 AM »

I can count on one hand SOHC4 I seen in last 12 month. Last was a CB500 cafe in Flagstaff, AZ. Locally - not counting Kickstart, Andy and Andrew

- only Honda CL500 in West Virginia.

nevernoluck · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2013, 05:27:42 AM »

To me it's kind of expected, these bikes are getting old, requiring more work than the typical newer bikes, some of these cb in great shape go for some 5-10 year old bikes that you hop on and ride, and people are stuck on "image" and names, if you have a Harley you are special or tough or fit in etc etc etc

Bootlegger56 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2013, 09:04:28 PM »

I don't know about the "Harley" thing. I hang out at a local gas station that usually has multiple Harley's parked around my K5. Regardless of how nice the Harley's are people walk right around them and straight up to my old Honda; check it out and proceed to tell me how they learned to ride on an old CB or how their father or grandfather had one just like it. It ticks the Harley guys off (good natured of course) but I cant blame them since they are having their 25K bikes upstaged by a hundred dollar Honda.

Tews19 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2013, 07:00:52 AM »

Over 40 plus 750's listed on eBay... If I recall last summer the most at one point was maybe 25 at a time... They would be bought right away... Is it possible the market is there but people think they all can get top dollar?

bambuhiphop · « **Reply #11 on:** July 26, 2013, 08:12:16 AM »

I've only been looking on CL a little but in the Sacramento area there do seem to be less on there this year than last. I remember seeing a few a week. Now I have only seen a small hand Full. Of those most do seem to be 750's. I have only seen 1 500 and I think 6 550's. Forget about the 350's. I have only seen 2.

As for on the road I have only seen 2 this season.

harisuluv · « **Reply #12 on:** July 26, 2013, 09:27:55 AM »

Yes this is a trend that is growing more and more apparent.

People are all snatching them up, however, I never see them on the road. They are either perpetual projects from aspiring builders, or trophies for hoarders.

Not to mention the bikes that are daily parted out ebay.

With all the demand for cafe projects though I never even see a cafe CB on the road!

Dimitri13 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2013, 10:39:46 AM »

I've seen no more than 10 CBs on the road and on craigslist combined since I got my 550 in October 2011.

reddyvv · « **Reply #14 on:** July 26, 2013, 11:35:33 AM »

Talking about café or restoration projects - how about the bikes that get taken apart and never put back together again? I've seen quite a few CG ads lately for CBs - frame w/out engine or parts in boxes, etc. I would take a guess of at least 5 to 1.

bambuhiphop · « **Reply #15 on:** July 26, 2013, 12:25:36 PM »

Feels like I am seeing more bobber projects on CL list too when a CB does pop up on there.

gto_ron · « **Reply #16 on:** July 26, 2013, 01:38:54 PM »

I agree, I think too many have been used as bobber projects or just parted out. I've seen none this summer. I helped my son restore a decent 78 550K so I guess we'll ride together but all I see around here are crotch rockets and JAHs(just another Harley).

My son's 550 draws a lot of attention, from the occasional 'thumbs up' to being asked "where did you find it?" I had my K6 at work and when I went outside two guys were standing around it and had many good things to say. One of them is a Harley owner.

I just wish there were more of us on the street.

Ron

Shane72 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 26, 2013, 03:19:31 PM »

Around here I rarely see others on the road, but I know they're all around me (somewhere...).

At the local monthly bike night last night, there were at least two other cafe style early K bikes, and another early K bike chopper in pristine condition.

So, at least 4 early 70's 750's all in one place at the same time, all ridden there.

Nice to see,

Shane

Rookster · « **Reply #18 on:** July 26, 2013, 03:45:15 PM »

I was riding a CB750 K6 in the early 90s and I never saw another one around where I lived back then. It is rare to see one now unless its parked in my garage. I have seen a few K7s a few summers ago though. Its just a part of them getting older.

Scott

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #19 on:** July 26, 2013, 04:47:29 PM »

I've actually seen a lot of them this year. I'm working in another town and I see a guy on a 650 custom almost every day. I've seen a 550 and a 750 as well... oh and a CBX. Seemed to be a few more sohc4s on cl around here too. I picked up a 650 a couple months ago I'm working on now.

HondaMan · « **Reply #20 on:** July 26, 2013, 09:50:57 PM »

Quote from: Bootlegger56 on July 24, 2013, 08:37:24 PM

I have been riding my K5 here in Statesville, NC for four years now and I have yet to see another CB anything on the road. Every thing here is Harley or crotch rocket with a six foot swing arm and 20 foot chain. I know of one other local that has a 750 parked in an open air carport but I haven't seen it moved in several years. There seems to be a fairly good supply of bikes available in the area on CL and privately. I had a call several weeks ago from a gentleman wanting to sell a K1 550 that he bought new, put 1000 miles on it the first weekend and 800 miles since. The bike has been setting in storage ever since 76. It is unfortunately locked up and has the typical 40 year rust issues but for 300 bucks with a title maybe a winner.

I need to get a pickup truck and come out there...

david 750f · « **Reply #21 on:** July 26, 2013, 10:18:15 PM »

Here in Toronto, Canada it is the complete opposite. I live downtown and the "Hipsters" have adopted the SOHC Honda. Just on my short street there is a 400F, 550 and two 750's.. It is very unusual to go for a walk/ride and not see a CB750.. Maybe they all ended up in Canada

Tews19 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 27, 2013, 07:13:00 AM »

Quote from: gto_ron on July 26, 2013, 01:38:54 PM

I agree, I think too many have been used as bobber projects or just parted out. I've seen none this summer. I helped my son restore a decent 78 550K so I guess we'll ride together but all I see around here are crotch rockets and JAHs(just another Harley).

My son's 550 draws a lot of attention, from the occasional 'thumbs up' to being asked "where did you find it?" I had my K6 at work and when I went outside two guys were standing around it and had many good things to say. One of them is a Harley owner.

I just wish there were more of us on the street.

Ron

Reminds me of what happened Tuesday night on our way to a local bike night...... My buddy on his Buell 2001 X1, My K1 and my other friend on his new Harley.. At the lights a guy pulled up and he was giving a thumbs up... My buddy on the Harley seemed as if it were to him and did the head nod. The guy with the thumb was waved him off and pointed at me.... He proceeded to roll his window down and ask if my bike is a 750... I did the smile and had nod.... Then asked if it is a 72... 71 as I gave him the index finger for a 1...... Said some other stuff and we pulled away..... At bike night right when we pulled up my Buell buddy has pictures of his bike taken for a website and mine... Kinda cool.... He got a 25 gift card for his bike...

ekpent · « **Reply #23 on:** July 27, 2013, 07:59:53 AM »

Just bought a neat little blue 550F at a yard sale this morning Nick. Going to pick it up soon. Think it may be like yours or the one you sold. Check out 'what did you do' thread tonight for pics---TEASER

Tews19 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 27, 2013, 08:09:56 AM »

Quote from: ekpent on July 27, 2013, 07:59:53 AM

Just bought a neat little blue 550F at a yard sale this morning Nick. Going to pick it up soon. Think it may be like yours or the one you sold. Check out 'what did you do' thread tonight for pics---TEASER

Lol you are wrong! You want to make a quick flip to me?

toytuff · « **Reply #25 on:** July 27, 2013, 08:11:48 AM »

I have seen a few 750 models but a lot of 550's. Honda must have sold a bazillion of those.

Prices are high, most are rough and not anywhere close to the asking price. West Coast prices.

I had a dealer in SoCal that wants to sell my 750 on consignment. Told me they are a "hot" item. Well, I haven't gotten any calls.

Maybe floor room traffic would help but just not keen on the idea.

www.powertoys.com

tt

Tews19 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 27, 2013, 08:19:54 AM »

Lol do you or anyone really need to pay someone to attempt to sell one?

toytuff · « **Reply #27 on:** July 27, 2013, 08:39:23 AM »

Quote from: Tews19 on July 27, 2013, 08:19:54 AM

Lol do you or anyone really need to pay someone to attempt to sell one?

If he guarantees my money I don't really care. Speaking of which. Did you pick up the "secret bike" yet?

tt

Greggo · « **Reply #28 on:** July 27, 2013, 09:04:40 AM »

Both for sale, and on the road I've seen lots of SOHC4's in the San Francisco Bay Area. Young riders and old. There are at least three various SOHC4's that park within a three block radius of where I work in SF: a 500K, a 550K, and a beautiful red 400f. There was a dry spell on Craigslist for a few months earlier this year where I saw very few for sale, or they were just getting snatched up REALLY quick, but lately there has been an influx of good bikes with cheap asking prices. If I had the time space and money this summer I could have picked up a dozen bikes to flip.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 27, 2013, 09:05:51 AM »

...seems like no one else can find any sohc4's lately 'cuz Ekpent is buying 'em all

bambuhiphop · « **Reply #30 on:** July 27, 2013, 10:13:21 AM »

Quote from: Greggo on July 27, 2013, 09:04:40 AM

Both for sale, and on the road I've seen lots of SOHC4's in the San Francisco Bay Area. Young riders and old. There are at least three various SOHC4's that park within a three block radius of where I work in SF: a 500K, a 550K, and a beautiful red 400f. There was a dry spell on Craigslist for a few months earlier this year where I saw very few for sale, or they were just getting snatched up REALLY quick, but lately there has been an influx of good bikes with cheap asking prices. If I had the time space and money this summer I could have picked up a dozen bikes to flip.

That's funny Greggo cause just up the freeway it is the opposite.

News:

Author Topic: Far and few this summer (Read 2774 times)