Topic: 1978 Honda cb750f asking price?

[TwoTired]

TT - I should have been more clear.  I believe the aftermarket exhaust on the "first" bike is Jardine.

Ah, I see.  You may well be correct, then.  I don't recognize that add-on with the subject bike.

[Wobbly]

I like the stock exhaust on the F models

I like the stock exhaust on the F2/F3. But do you really like the muffler on the F1? I think, it looks horrible. Apparently, that was not just my opinion. Dunstall offered a slip-on for the F1 at the time. Marvin still offers one today.
The F1 was my first CB 750 back in 1976--totaled by a Mercedes with an apparently blind driver.

[Stev-o]

I like the stock exhaust on the F models

I like the stock exhaust on the F2/F3. But do you really like the muffler on the F1? I think, it looks horrible. Apparently, that was not just my opinion.

Yes, I like it on a totally original bike, if doing a "proper" restoration, that would be the way to go.
Aftermarket pipes were manufactured for various reasons , not just looks.

[jtb]

The headlight ears are painted.  Bars look stock to me.  I'm partial to the 77-78 models, myself.  The tips of the valves were mushroomed on mine when I got it, and the guide problem much in evidence.  Dr. Reick rebuilt the head for me, with new valves and guides plus a little stage 1 porting.  25,000 miles later, it runs great. 

I'd buythat bike.  Be aware that the stock pipes and muffler are almost impossible to find.  I was looking at Cone exhaust's display at Barber's yesterday. If somehow I don't outlive the muffler, I believe they can put something together that i could live with.

[cgarbe]

UPDATE:

So I went and saw the bike today...looks good for a 35 year old bike! Rode nice, when the bike was first started (cold) a little white smoke came out of the tailpipes (the right side more than the left). It didn't plume out...only came out a few inches. When idle I couldn't tell if I was hearing a rattling or the cam chain...it was constant and didn't change pitch. When I rode the bike and got it up to 60mph the engine sounded amazing. Just purred. Gas tank had no rust, the engine did have an oil leak where the tachometer connects to the engine. Also, the electrical looked good however the when idle the turn signals would not blink...however when the engine was rev'd they would then start to blink. Is this common?

BTW, you guys are good. The first owner put a huge fairing on the front and the c.o. tried to put it back to stock as much as possible (including the handlebar). So the headlight and ears were aftermarket (had the ears powder-coated). Of course the exhaust was aftermarket and the c.o. did swap out the jets to 115...he thinks it is still running a little lean but wasn't sure.

So with that said, I offered him $1,600 and he is currently thinking about it and talking it over with his wife. I will find out later this evening what he wants to do. With that said and everything else noted above...what do you guys think now? Any concern with the tach meter connection leaking oil?

I'm not worried about making everything stock...I really just want to make some upgrades to the bike and customize it for myself when I'm not riding it.

Thanks again guys! Let me know what you think!

[jtb]

Tach cable leak is an easy to replace oil seal...  cheap.

[TwoTired]

White "smoke" out the tail pipe when cold is just water vapor and nothing to be concerned about.

Tach drive leak is just a replacement oil seal.
Rattle at idle might simply be a carb vacuum sync issue.  Hard to diagnose a noise over a text medium, though.

The turn sig relay is voltage sensitive, and the voltage is lowest during idle.  I routinely use the flash rate to tell me when the battery voltage is getting low.
If they stop, it could be as simple as the wrong bulbs were use in the signal, Also a weak battery could be indicated.  You will need a voltmeter to further diagnose, and if you need it, maybe a new flasher unit.  I certainly wouldn't let it prevent a buy.

Sounds like a good bike.  Don't be surprised if he sells it to someone else.  But, you might get lucky.

[Stev-o]

Sounds like a good bike and you've made up your mind.  Surprised he didn't counter offer. Good luck.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Sounds promising. A little 'rattle' is expected. Could be clutch, cam chain, or primary chains. Pull clutch lever in and it goes away then it's the clutch. No biggie unless it slips. Cam chains can be adjusted. Primary chains, well thats another issue for you to just ignore from your description.

+2 or 3 or the tach drive seal.

I also use my turn signal beeper for a volt meter. Sounds like it may need that battery that TT speaks of. You may want to put a multimeter across the battery terminals. Check the voltage when the bike is off. ~12.6V. Check it throughout the rpm range. As the rpms increase say from 1800 up the voltage should increase up to a max of 14.5V. If so the charging system is good.   

[mono]

You can buy a $9 flasher from suoerbriteleds.com that will make the blinkers blink constantly no matter what the voltage.  Also, get some leds to replace the gauge bulbs and the indicator panel bulbs, and the brake light.  It's a cheap swap and saves some juice.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

[MOONDOGNYC]

You can buy a $9 flasher from suoerbriteleds.com that will make the blinkers blink constantly no matter what the voltage.  Also, get some leds to replace the gauge bulbs and the indicator panel bulbs, and the brake light.  It's a cheap swap and saves some juice.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

Mono- where does one purchse these bulbs?  Part numbers?

[mono]

Oh man, I actually posted all that stuff when I bought them, but forget what thread.  Just do a forum search and it should come up.   The website that I got my stuff from was superbriteleds.com I think

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

[cgarbe]

Welp, I bought the bike for $1850...picking it up tomorrow after work. Now, just have to get the title switched over and register it and I'm good to go! More pictures to come!

[lwahples]

Congrats!

[jtb]

Good Move!  Enjoy it.

[mono]

congrats!!! nice!

[70CB750]

Very good, congratulations!

[cgarbe]

Thanks everyone! I will add pictures soon and will probably start another tread showing progress on the bike. First thing to go is that horrible windshield! Does anyone want to buy an ugly clear windshield...I'll give you a good deal! : )

[mono]

LOL that windscreen would probably look good (ok, not as BAD) on another kind of bike -- if it's a universal fit windscreen, clean it up and eBay it!  should fetch at least $50 i'd think.

[Wobbly]

First thing to go is that horrible windshield!

Thank You!

[cgarbe]

A new shield is $210...I may be able to get $100 for it!

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Remove it but hang on to it. If you ever get out on the road you'll be glad you installed it. Keeps wind, rain, snow, dust, cold, bugs, road debris, etc off the rider. Helps reduce fatigue also. Mine stays in the cabinet most of the time. I have a Vetter Ghost. 

[TwoTired]

Before you make a decision based totally on style preference.  Drive around with on for a bit, in order to understand its functionality.  Then remove it and ride.  The windshield makes a short trip machine into a longer trip machine.  It also allows riding in much colder weather with much less torture.  I have bikes with and without windshields or fairings.  Prefer fairings for any time speeds over 45-50 are sustained.  It is probably why so many older bikes are found with fairings/windshields.  Those shields extended their operating life before turning away from them, I expect.

Of course, if you are superman, it really won't matter much either way. 
But, you may find that the style mavens are full of #$%*e.  You should do what works for you, imo.

The style mavens usually scoff at side cars, too.  But, their owners usually have great fun with them.

[mono]

A new shield is $210...I may be able to get $100 for it!

even betterer!

[Stev-o]

First thing to go is that horrible windshield!

Thank You!

+1.  The "style mavens" will thank you!  You don't need no stinkin windshield...