Author Topic: why are Honda Gb500s so expensive? (Read 2522 times)

azuredesign · « **on:** March 24, 2014, 02:18:57 PM »

I just went to check one out, as I had never tried one, or even sseen one in person. Second owner claims the po put the White 601 kit in it, no proof. Light general pitting, not really maintained, asking 6500., might take 5500.

To me it's a bike that looks better in photos than in person, I aam not sure I understand where the value comes from, but whaddaiknow?

andy750 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2014, 02:50:19 PM »

No idea Ben but there are lots of images of the GB500 with hot women when you search for Honda GB500 on Google images - so be careful if you buy it may lead you to being swarmed by hot women

https://www.google.com/search?q=Honda+GB500&client=firefox-a&hs=23Y&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&imgil=rYiqN9suHH3B7M%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcT3QfJTprFvtcJdYcT46RAB9Li6iWxcBGiz6A2jnMrRhy8VAY47gA%253B4113%253B2672%253BNhL_GQN2YkypMM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fen.wikipedia.org%25252Fwiki%25252FHonda_GB500&source=iu&usg=__7CCrm6keagWbzvvr1c4rSoWcWpo%3D&sa=X&ei=5qcwU-y2NaXC0gH2l4CQDQ&ved=0CDsQ9QEwAA#facrc=_&imgdii=YkUWuDomAGBPuM%3A%3Bd52nnRobuTVyLM%3BYkUWuDomAGBPuM%3A&imgrc=YkUWuDomAGBPuM%253A%3B7x4SgwulyfQ-zM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F1.bp.blogspot.com%252F-AZPy_9dFqZ0%252FUa3cPdGwu2I%252FAAAAAAAA-t0%252FCJZO-eeM8QQ%252Fs1600%252Fc021b5ef-0cb7-420c-b088-adb46eefbc6954.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.vulcandrifterriders.com%252Fforum%252Findex.php%253Ftopic%253D22816.0%3B480%3B720

azuredesign · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2014, 03:20:50 PM »

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/mcy/4386513478.html

You obviously have a better browser than I Andrew, all I get is Arvid..

Stev-o · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2014, 04:23:08 PM »

Quote from: azuredesign on March 24, 2014, 03:20:50 PM

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/mcy/4386513478.html

You obviously have a better browser than I Andrew, all I get is Arvid..

Not worth it, IMO

Mcwilliams570 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2014, 04:26:09 PM »

It was only made for 2 years people either love them or hate them. I like the style of the bike just not much performance from it. I have heard alot of people did use the 600 top end on them to open them up. The price seems high maybe if it was pristine but not really sure dont see alot of selling of them. Its one of those things you either really want one or you dont.

Matt

knowsnothing · « **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2014, 07:28:14 AM »

I like the style. Price does seem steep, but I bet it would look good next to the beemer.

jaguar · « **Reply #6 on:** March 25, 2014, 08:23:42 AM »

Hipsters

tbpmusic · « **Reply #7 on:** March 25, 2014, 09:02:12 AM »

The styling may not appeal to our vintage sensibilities, but what's not to like about a big ol' single thumper?

I'll take that engine, thanks, if someone has one they don't want........

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2014, 11:57:16 AM »

Personally I have always thought that the whole point of the GB500 was that it DID have 'vintage' styling.

ct_racer · « **Reply #9 on:** March 25, 2014, 04:54:46 PM »

Quote from: andy750 on March 24, 2014, 02:50:19 PM

No idea Ben but there are lots of images of the GB500 with hot women when you search for Honda GB500 on Google images - so be careful if you buy it may lead you to being swarmed by hot women

This seems like the obvious reason the bike would be so expensive.

Sent from my SM-T520 using Tapatalk

goldarrow · « **Reply #10 on:** March 25, 2014, 07:37:51 PM »

I like the style of it. I'd trade one of my 550 for one.

Awhile back, may be end of last summer, there was one on feebay listed for 10k and not sell, pristine condition with 3 digits mileage.

Stev-o · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2014, 08:49:15 PM »

Quote from: goldarrow on March 25, 2014, 07:37:51 PM

I like the style of it. I'd trade one of my 550 for one.

Sure ya would. But would the owner trade a $6K bike for yours?

scottly · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2014, 11:04:31 PM »

The GB was styled to look like an early British bike. I saw one at the Honda shop in
Gilroy, CA, in the early '90s, and from across the show-room, I first thought it was indeed
a British bike. (I also thought my Seeley was a British machine when I first saw it from a
distance; turns out I was half right.

)
If I recall correctly, the GB originally came with a hefty price tag, like $4K, and they didn't
sell very well, much like the earlier Ascot. Why the GB's are so expensive is a mystery to
me as well. Perhaps it is the "sand-cast syndrome"? I heard of an "in-the-crate" GB that sold
for $10K, and that may have convinced owners that their bikes were a goldmine..
Attached is a gratuitous pic of my British-Japanese bike in 1979.

azuredesign · « **Reply #13 on:** March 26, 2014, 05:28:58 AM »

Quote from: scottly on March 25, 2014, 11:04:31 PM

Attached is a gratuitous pic of my British-Japanese bike in 1979.

Nice intake set up in that photo, and beautiful frame!

I think what bothers me concerning the GB is that it seems to shout poseur to me. I think in contrast what I admired and continue to love about the 350, and especially about the 450 and 750 Hondas was that they beautiful in their own right.
I guess the price is bolstered by the current cost to purchase a Gold Star or Velocette, which I up in the S15-20k range.

goldarrow · « **Reply #14 on:** March 26, 2014, 07:25:01 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on March 25, 2014, 08:49:15 PM

Quote from: goldarrow on March 25, 2014, 07:37:51 PM
I like the style of it. I'd trade one of my 550 for one.

Sure ya would. But would the owner trade a $6K bike for yours?

I don't know about $6k but There are 2 near by my area 4500 and 4250, no sell though

http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/mcy/4369869883.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/4342799532.html

Stev-o · « **Reply #15 on:** March 27, 2014, 06:18:58 AM »

Quote from: goldarrow on March 26, 2014, 07:25:01 PM

Quote from: Stev-o on March 25, 2014, 08:49:15 PM
Quote from: goldarrow on March 25, 2014, 07:37:51 PM
I like the style of it. I'd trade one of my 550 for one.

Sure ya would. But would the owner trade a $6K bike for yours?

I don't know about $6k but There are 2 near by my area 4500 and 4250, no sell though

http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/mcy/4369869883.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/4342799532.html

The one in the Boston CL ad posted above was listed for $6500. Cheaper in Cali? That's a first!

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/mcy/4386513478.html

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #16 on:** March 27, 2014, 06:31:09 AM »

The one in Santa Barbara looks dodgy, too many bits replaced on it.

martin99 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 27, 2014, 12:01:54 PM »

Don't know how available they are in your part of the world, but if it's a thumper you're after how about a Yamaha SRX600?

Lots of cool pics here to show just what can be done with them..
http://www.srx600.net/

scottly · « **Reply #18 on:** March 27, 2014, 07:47:35 PM »

Quote from: tbpmusic on March 25, 2014, 09:02:12 AM

The styling may not appeal to our vintage sensibilities, but what's not to like about a big ol' single thumper?
I'll take that engine, thanks, if someone has one they don't want........

The engine is basically a sleeved down XL/XR 600, which are much more common.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 27, 2014, 08:30:16 PM »

Have any of us ridden or owned one ? I want to ask how the counterbalancer overcomes the Vibes.

azuredesign · « **Reply #20 on:** March 28, 2014, 05:29:06 AM »

From what I understand, one cannot eliminate vibration with a single cylinder engine. Countershafts and balancers will diminsh some of it, and allow shifting of the residual vibration to an rpm range where it is less noticeable. I think its important to remember that like cholesterol, not all vibration is bad.

The SRX6 is a cool bike and probably THE non Brit alternative bike to the GB.

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Author Topic: why are Honda Gb500s so expensive? (Read 2522 times)