Topic: Is this 1975 CB550 worth it?

[Torontoguymotomo]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/city-of-toronto/1975-honda-cb550-good-shape/581204326?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true


Hey guys,

I'm pretty new to bikes. I explained to my friend what I'm looking for. Fuel efficient, low maintenance, reliable. Not too big and not looking for power/speed. Something classic, simple. He came back with this ad from Kajiji. I know that prices vary widely, but from what's described in the ad, parts wise and condition etc, does this seem high for an asking price? Assuming it's road ready, what I've been seeing is that 1,500 is more the norm for this year/make. This bike isn't painted, and a lot of the stuff is mismatched. Would need 500 bucks or more to make it presentable (so says a friend of mine who customizes bikes). Thoughts?

Any help at all would be appreciated! Remember, I'm a noob at this, but I'm no idiot and want to make sure I'm getting a fair price!

Thanks guys

Cheers

Caleb

[sixthwisconsin]

The bike does seem a bit over priced but given your criteria of wanting low maintanance reliability, I am wondering why you are looking at a 39 year old bike with 4 carbs? Hate to discourage anyone from owning a sohc and you may grow to love it and all the tinkering that it takes to keep them running right. Would a more modern computerized, injected bike be a better choice for you? For around 4k, you can buy a brand new honda cbr250 and have years of maintenance free fun. Just food for thought but if you decide to buy it, come back often for the great advice offered up on this site.

[Torontoguymotomo]

Thanks for your advice. I don't think I'm getting this one as the guy doesn't want to seem to budge. My good friend who works on bikes, swears by the sturdiness and reliability of the 70's hondas and it just so happens that I prefer the look over these bikes than anything new or sporty. I've since been able to find a few others in the 1500-2000 range that are in excellent shape! Thanks again!

[750K]

They're sturdy and reliable all right, providing that you do the required maintenance to keep them in daily rider condition. Hope you're handy and like to turn a wrench, if so then a vintage bike will be right up your alley.

[Stev-o]

My CB550 has been extremley reliable over the past two years I've owned it, with minimal maint.
Are you planning on using it as a daily rider?

$2700 for that is a little high, the exhaust and seat are not original either [not mentioned in the ad]

[Bootlegger56]

That is a high price for a bike with that appearance in my area of the US.  For between 2.5 - 3K you can find them pretty nice in stock or modified condition.  Check this one out if the link works....

http://augusta.craigslist.org/mcy/4351856304.html

Not a bad bike for 3100 USD.  If they are in good shape to begin with they are not that labor intensive if you don't abuse them.  They also have "personality."  That is why Triumph is making a new bike that looks like the old right down to the fake plastic carbs even though it has EFI.  Plus if your wanting a conversation piece then people will walk right by those 30K Harley's and ask "who owns this old Honda?"

[Wollongongwolf]

Now that is in good Nick, for that money, I am in the wrong country!

[brooze72]

My 0.02 The price is a little high, more like an $1800 range (unless they are getting rarer here & I am not up to date), probably springtime affects the price too.  As started by others, a more modern bike will give better reliability AND fuel efficiency, my buddy's 800  Boulevard gets over 25% better gas mileage than I do . Let us know what you decide on.

[Torontoguymotomo]

Thanks Guys for your replies. Much appreciated. I've found this one here.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/mississauga-peel-region/1975-honda-cb-super-sport/583087508?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Talked to the guy over the phone. It needs new tires and there's rust that needs to be attended to, but he said it runs great, just had it going yesterday. My buddy who'll be working on the bike told to come in at 1800 and I can even drive out with a flatbed to pick it up at his convenience and throw in a few hundred interact deposit to hold it until the weekend. Most likely, my bud said, it'll come out being around 2000, which is fine, but the fact that it needs new tires doesn't make me wanna jump the gun at his asking price.

I'm pretty handy with fixin' up stuff and am a fast learner, so I'd be happy to keep it well maintained and learn the ropes. Probably a daily ride, but just around downtown Toronto, no long hauls. Around town bike. Love to have an interesting looking bike, like you said, a conversation starter. It fits my unique tastes for sure.

Brooze, I'd rather take a bit of a hit on fuel efficiency and drive something that I know I like and feel comfortable on. Something that suits me. Also, anything over 550cc is unnecessary for my uses and carries with it a higher insurance cost which I'd love to be able to keep low. Thanks for the post though man!

[brooze72]

That one looks pretty decent, seems my estimate was in agreement with your buddy.  Budget $200~300 for tires, depending on the quality you want.  Glad you're not scared off by the wrenching and MPG, definitely worth it to have the "interesting" bike in a crowd
Hope you get it & maybe we'll see you around this summer.

[Garage_guy_chris]

Im a fellow Toronto member and will chime in on this

In Toronto that's not that ridiculous in terms of price there are a lot of people that buy bikes and do this sort of stuff to call it a cafe or a brat style, or rat bike and ask a 200% premium.   My suggestion is to continue with Kijiji because its the best place to look but use "Ontario" as your location and search more outside the GTA you will find better bikes for less money.

On another note if your in Toronto. Theres a standing Thursday night bike night at the Tim Horton's / Wendy's at Leslie and Lakeshore.  It starts about 7:30 - 8:30 and goes till whenever. It hasnt picked up yet this year but it will. usually theres a bunch of vintage guys. we will generally collect at the south side along the wendy's drive thru. Come say Hi. I have a Red CB450 thats cafe'd


Hey Brooze72 your all of 10min from my house. Im at Port Union and Lawrence area. All i can tell is your bike is an orange honda what is it?

[Torontoguymotomo]

Yeah, definitely. I figured about that for tires, don't wanna get a great bike and skimp on cheap tires, I have the cash, so why not. My dad is big on bikes and will help me learn some of the basics, he just bought an 82 cb550 and is cutting it up as we speak. My uncle has had a harley shop for like 3 decades and is the go to guy out east if you want to open your own shop and need to take the courses and get the certifications, so I'm surrounded by good people to learn from!  Would definitely love to get out and meet some other vintage guys, I'll keep note of the nike night Chris, thanks for your post.

[Torontoguymotomo]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/kitchener-waterloo/1979-honda-cb400t/580466388?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Since my bud is going project whatever bike I get anyway, what about getting something that's already headed in that direction, cuts down on some initial cost no? I don't mind the lower 400cc, still perfect for in the city.

[brooze72]

Im a fellow Toronto member and will chime in on this

In Toronto that's not that ridiculous in terms of price there are a lot of people that buy bikes and do this sort of stuff to call it a cafe or a brat style, or rat bike and ask a 200% premium.   My suggestion is to continue with Kijiji because its the best place to look but use "Ontario" as your location and search more outside the GTA you will find better bikes for less money.

On another note if your in Toronto. Theres a standing Thursday night bike night at the Tim Horton's / Wendy's at Leslie and Lakeshore.  It starts about 7:30 - 8:30 and goes till whenever. It hasnt picked up yet this year but it will. usually theres a bunch of vintage guys. we will generally collect at the south side along the wendy's drive thru. Come say Hi. I have a Red CB450 thats cafe'd


Hey Brooze72 your all of 10min from my house. Im at Port Union and Lawrence area. All i can tell is your bike is an orange honda what is it?

The orange one is a '72 CB500.  Thanks for posting about the Thursday gathering at TH Chris, didn't know about that one & it's right around the corner from my daughter's boat too.  Going to have to make it out there, maybe in a few weeks.

[Garage_guy_chris]

I spend way too much time on Kijiji (mostly 750 hunting...)

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/mississauga-peel-region/1975-honda-cb-super-sport/583087508?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

this is mis-listed its a 76 instead of a 67
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/city-of-toronto/1967-honda-cb/573842623?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/guelph/1978-honda-cb-550-four/571627814?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-sport-touring/ottawa/1974-honda-cb/579536828?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true


Also the spring CVMG Paris swap meet is in 2 weeks, you could probably find something there too.

http://www.cvmg.ca/Events?eventId=630591&EventViewMode=2&CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=4/14/2014


I was at the leslie & lakeshore this past thurs and there were maybe 10 people there, during the summer on a nice night its sometimes 200+ bikes

[brooze72]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/kitchener-waterloo/1979-honda-cb400t/580466388?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Since my bud is going project whatever bike I get anyway, what about getting something that's already headed in that direction, cuts down on some initial cost no? I don't mind the lower 400cc, still perfect for in the city.

If the engine is not clapped out, you can't go far wrong with most Hondas.

[sixthwisconsin]

I'm pretty handy with fixin' up stuff and am a fast learner, so I'd be happy to keep it well maintained and learn the ropes.
[/quote]
Well that is a whole new perpestective. Welcome to the sohc brotherhood my friend.

[brooze72]

I spend way too much time on Kijiji (mostly 750 hunting...)

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/mississauga-peel-region/1975-honda-cb-super-sport/583087508?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

this is mis-listed its a 76 instead of a 67
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/city-of-toronto/1967-honda-cb/573842623?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-street-cruisers-choppers/guelph/1978-honda-cb-550-four/571627814?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-sport-touring/ottawa/1974-honda-cb/579536828?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true


Also the spring CVMG Paris swap meet is in 2 weeks, you could probably find something there too.

http://www.cvmg.ca/Events?eventId=630591&EventViewMode=2&CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDate=4/14/2014


I was at the leslie & lakeshore this past thurs and there were maybe 10 people there, during the summer on a nice night its sometimes 200+ bikes

Haha I hear ya about Kijiji, that's how I ended up with a 650 last month! Lakeshore gathering sounds like Haugens on a nice night, is it a bit of a Harleyfest or a wide variety?  That Ottawa listing was up last year, kinda pricey IMO.

[Torontoguymotomo]

Cool! Thanks guys. Just waiting to hear back from the super sport and have passed on a couple other ads to my bud in case I don't hear back. Will keep you updated!

[Garage_guy_chris]

Haha I hear ya about Kijiji, that's how I ended up with a 650 last month! Lakeshore gathering sounds like Haugens on a nice night, is it a bit of a Harleyfest or a wide variety?  That Ottawa listing was up last year, kinda pricey IMO.

Ive been up to Haugens and it definately is a Harley fest.  Lakeshore is a better mix alot of sport bikes some Harleys, some metric cruisers. A bit of everything. I cant say i really follow the other Honda 4's mostly just 750's and 450 twins

I forgot about this one because i can hardly ever go but If you want almost all vintage japanese / euro / brit try Famous Sam's Restauraunt on a sunday morning but early i think like 7am'ish  that would typically be like a 20-50 bike gathering on a nice summer morning. I can't comment if this one is happening yet might still be a few weeks

North East Corner of Stouffville rd and Woodbine
https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Famous+Sams+Restaurant/@43.942412,-79.378506,16z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xd586c370c3305878

[Jimsun]

There's a guy selling a very nice spanking shiny cb500 for 2k if you're interested

He seemed to have just thrown the number. Im sure you can get it for much less.

I'll try to find the link.

If you need help with that 550 though, I sure can give you a hand also.

[Torontoguymotomo]

Hey Jim Sum,


Thanks for the post. I actually ended up getting the 1975 Honda550, it wasn't a super sport like it said in the ad, just 5 speed, but no complaints here, it has a beautifully rebuilt engine, the guy selling it works in the aerospace industry and builds airplane engines for boeing, etc. He was asking 2250 but I got him down to 1900, it only needs new tires. Had a brand new battery which he didn't mention in the ad, also new front/back brakes, in great working condition. Just trucked it back to my place downtown today. Gonna throw it in the shop next week!

[Bankerdanny]

My 0.02 The price is a little high, more like an $1800 range (unless they are getting rarer here & I am not up to date), probably springtime affects the price too.  As started by others, a more modern bike will give better reliability AND fuel efficiency, my buddy's 800  Boulevard gets over 25% better gas mileage than I do . Let us know what you decide on.

Then something is wrong with your bike. I averaged mid 40's (mpg) on my 550 and hit over 50 a couple times on longer trips. I doubt your buddy's 800 is getting 60mph on his Boulevard.

That said, a modern Jap twin 250/300 twin can get in the high 50's low 60's mpg.

[Bankerdanny]

The link is gone now on the bike you bought. Make sure that you post some pictures.

[Torontoguymotomo]

I'll do you one better!

My buddy (who owns 9 bikes and a shop) checkin her out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OzC7C_pAJs