Author Topic: 1970 CB350 - whats it worth? (Read 9139 times)

Johnie · « **on:** April 21, 2014, 03:31:37 PM »

http://mankato.craigslist.org/mcy/4421314251.html

Bike is about 5 hours from me. Has title and runs great per owner. The $2950 OBO seems pretty unrealistic or are these really worth that much. Not a 750 so I doubt it would get that much. Aftermarket seat and exhaust with 27,000 miles. NADA lists as excellent $2300 (which it is not) to very good at $1500. Anyone in Mankato, MN familiar with this bike?
What is your take on it fellas?
Thanks

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2014, 03:44:28 PM »

These are a grey area...very popular to collect and restore but nobody wants to pay much more than $1500 for them...not much fun to ride either on our long, straight, midwestern roads. I'd say the quite presentable original paint really adds to the value of that one, but that is some really high mileage for these and if the motor has not been rebuilt, I would be very surprised if it doesn't need major work very soon. I think he will be hard pressed to get more than $2000-$2200.

Johnie · « **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2014, 04:37:51 PM »

Thanks barney...you are correct, the motor has not had any rebuilding to it. Some small chips of paint on the tank. He has been riding it every year. I just saw another 1970 like this in great condition sell on eBay for $1700 in FL.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 21, 2014, 06:51:38 PM »

I love that blue

That one is a nice survivor but stock OE mufflers would be even better.If it was me I would consider going to see it & offering him the $1500 and take $1700 w/ me.I looks like it's been garage kept most of it's life which is a plus..

Stev-o · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2014, 06:59:51 PM »

I love the blue/white too. Ad says he's open to offers, so he know the asking price is high.

You are dead set on getting a 350, eh??

Gordon · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2014, 09:28:59 PM »

IMO, he's asking a close-to-California price for a Minnesota bike. Probably been looking on ebay too much. Although, with the kind of disposable income some people have and the distance they're willing to go for a particular bike, it's possible he might get a few nibbles at that price. Offer him what it's worth to you, and if he doesn't take it give him your number to call if/when he decides he really wants to sell it.

Stev-o · « **Reply #6 on:** April 21, 2014, 10:35:36 PM »

Here ya go Johnie, 6 of them! Road trip....

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=136533.0

Johnie · « **Reply #7 on:** April 22, 2014, 03:41:28 AM »

Always a fan of that blue. However, I am still remembering when I had those 2 CM400's I restored. Great fun bikes, but when I was riding them I could not wait to get home to get on a 750. The feel of "muscle" riding a 750 you can not get on a 350. So I am still questioning if I need one. Those 6 in Flint would be fun for the price. Those 2 in the pickup appear to be the best ones at a glance.

Stev-o · « **Reply #8 on:** April 22, 2014, 06:08:27 AM »

Johnie - I have an RD350, I keep it in storage and bring it home to ride occasionally. It's fun, nimble and fast, but I never ride it on the highway. Apples and oranges compared to my 750.
Do I need one, no. Do I like having it, yes!
Plus it's my "token" 2 stroke street bike.

Johnie · « **Reply #9 on:** April 22, 2014, 12:21:58 PM »

Gottcha Stev-o...that is why I considered it. Mainly for city and nastalgia. I loved that blue 1970 CB350 when I was a kid and could not afford one which is why I am considering...still considering. I should be talking to the guy soon to see what price he is thinking...

Johnie · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2014, 02:39:23 PM »

Just got some more info on this bike from the owner. He got the bike in 2006 and his mechanic found these things wrong:
head gasket leaking, carbs plugged, bad chain, brake, clutch and speedo cable bad, front and rear brakes drag, electric switches not working, rusty exhaust, forks leak.
I was sent the mechanics list of repairs:
rebuilt top end first size over, paint and polish motor, new fork seals, cleaned and lubed brakes, repaired all wiring and switches, cleaned gas tank, new chain, replaced clutch, speedo and brake cables, new aftermarket mufflers, aftermarket seat, cleaned carbs and installed new diaphrams, cleaned points, adjusted timing, adjusted valves.
The parts litst:
piston kit, gasket set, bore/hore, carb kits, fuel and vent lines, brake, throttle and speedo cables.
Grand total on this 2006 job was $1,139. He said he has put on 2,600 miles since this work was done. Actually sounds pretty good.
Again, he is at $2950 OBO and I will be calling to discuss price with him soon to discuss a realistic price.
Your thoughts guys???

tbpmusic · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2014, 03:15:33 PM »

You're under no pressure to move fast, he won't get any buyers at that price.
The guy is out of his mind at $3K............

Stev-o · « **Reply #12 on:** April 23, 2014, 04:05:09 PM »

Quote from: tbpmusic on April 23, 2014, 03:15:33 PM

You're under no pressure to move fast, he won't get any buyers at that price.
The guy is out of his mind at $3K............

+1. He paid retail price to repair bike and is trying to pass that money spent to the seller.
I'm a little curious why it needed a top end at 24K?

grcamna2 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 23, 2014, 04:19:57 PM »

Johnie,
You could do a 'face to face' w/ the guy and bring cash and make Your best reasonable offer while holding out the amount to him... if it's meant to be then he'll think it over after you've given him a chance to think it over.
They'res lot's of CB's out there and it may just take a bit more time to find the one that you can both agree on.
I'm giving myself advice here while I'm saying this...

It's nice to have other choices

They'll definitely 'come your way'

Johnie · « **Reply #14 on:** April 23, 2014, 05:58:14 PM »

One thing in my favor is he has 2 other bikes he is trying to sell (03 BMW and 78 Truimph Bonneville). Maybe he wants to get one sold at least. I agree, time is on my side. I am not to keen to drive 10 hours just to make an offer. First I have to find out if the trip would be worth it. I need to find out what he means by OBO? I will also let him know NADA is $2300 mint and $1500 very good. Plus the fact another very nice one sold a few days ago on eBay for $1,700 with 6 bidders. Just heard back and will be discussing it with him on Friday. Will keep you informed and thanks for the tips. My guess is the rebuild was done because they had to remove the head for the gasket leak. Then decided - or - the mechanic decided he may as well go the rest of the way...

grcamna2 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 23, 2014, 06:28:33 PM »

Quote from: Johnie on April 23, 2014, 05:58:14 PM

One thing in my favor is he has 2 other bikes he is trying to sell (03 BMW and 78 Truimph Bonneville). Maybe he wants to get one sold at least. I agree, time is on my side. I am not to keen to drive 10 hours just to make an offer. First I have to find out if the trip would be worth it. I need to find out what he means by OBO? I will also let him know NADA is $2300 mint and $1500 very good. Plus the fact another very nice one sold a few days ago on eBay for $1,700 with 6 bidders. Just heard back and will be discussing it with him on Friday. Will keep you informed and thanks for the tips. My guess is the rebuild was done because they had to remove the head for the gasket leak. Then decided - or - the mechanic decided he may as well go the rest of the way...

He'll have to be a Good guy to have you drive all of 10 hours. I hope he's the right seller for you.
I messed up a number of times by trying to buy/'liberate' a bike from a seller w/o asking myself what I'd really want and ended up at a loss later.I'd like to know if he'll give you some type of guarantee on the condition or at least let you speak w/ the Service dept. of the shop that did all the work to it... Make him 'Sell it' to you or no deal. The seat isn't original or the mufflers so it's not as 'Classic' as he may think. Johnie,I think you're a good 'buyer' who should find a 'seller of Integrity'

Some folks on CL really bug me along w/ many PO's

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #16 on:** April 23, 2014, 07:06:28 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on April 23, 2014, 04:05:09 PM

Quote from: tbpmusic on April 23, 2014, 03:15:33 PM
You're under no pressure to move fast, he won't get any buyers at that price.
The guy is out of his mind at $3K............

+1. He paid retail price to repair bike and is trying to pass that money spent to the seller.
I'm a little curious why it needed a top end at 24K?

Steve-O, I'm curious why MORE work wasn't done at that point. Top end on these is usually pretty well done for at 12k. These are not like SOHC4's with massive amounts of oil gushing throughout the engine. They don't even have a replaceable oil filter, just a centrifugal dirt trap on the end of the crank...works similar to the spin trap in your washing machine!

grcamna2 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 23, 2014, 07:29:28 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on April 23, 2014, 07:06:28 PM

Quote from: Stev-o on April 23, 2014, 04:05:09 PM
Quote from: tbpmusic on April 23, 2014, 03:15:33 PM
You're under no pressure to move fast, he won't get any buyers at that price.
The guy is out of his mind at $3K............

+1. He paid retail price to repair bike and is trying to pass that money spent to the seller.
I'm a little curious why it needed a top end at 24K?
Steve-O, I'm curious why MORE work wasn't done at that point. Top end on these is usually pretty well done for at 12k. These are not like SOHC4's with massive amounts of oil gushing throughout the engine. They don't even have a replaceable oil filter, just a centrifugal dirt trap on the end of the crank...works similar to the spin trap in your washing machine!

HondaMan had much helpful experience to share w/ me about 2 years ago on these 350 twins & other vintage Hondas from the early 70's and that past era.He told me that the cylinder sleeves weren't heat treated as well as they should have from the factory & as a result the rings wouldn't always seat as well as they should as the sleeves would partially get 'heat treated' as the bikes ran and would need a bore job to make the bores perfectly round again.That may have been the case w/ this 1970' K2. They're Great running bikes after the bore job !

I'm not sure if I remember exactly but he told me that it was good to go to the 2nd oversize(.50mm) to be sure that it would bore out 'true' and to do it around about 5-7000 miles... if my memory serves me correctly.

Johnie · « **Reply #18 on:** April 23, 2014, 08:41:14 PM »

Hearing this info on the issues with these twins does make me rethink mechanical reliability of this bike too. Sure, it had the top end done, pistons, etc., but will it stand up? Like you said, I need to decide what I want in the end. I will not pull the trigger very fast. I still have my 69KO on the lift, plus a 71 CL350 the neighbor wants me to restore this coming winter. Thinking, thinking, thinking....do I need the 350??? Things for me to consider for sure...you guys really keep a guy on his toes!!!

I may just listen to what he has to say...add my 2 cents...tell him I need to think about it....see what happens.

Stev-o · « **Reply #19 on:** April 23, 2014, 08:42:35 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on April 23, 2014, 07:06:28 PM

Quote from: Stev-o on April 23, 2014, 04:05:09 PM
Quote from: tbpmusic on April 23, 2014, 03:15:33 PM
You're under no pressure to move fast, he won't get any buyers at that price.
The guy is out of his mind at $3K............

+1. He paid retail price to repair bike and is trying to pass that money spent to the seller.
I'm a little curious why it needed a top end at 24K?
Steve-O, I'm curious why MORE work wasn't done at that point. Top end on these is usually pretty well done for at 12k. These are not like SOHC4's with massive amounts of oil gushing throughout the engine. They don't even have a replaceable oil filter, just a centrifugal dirt trap on the end of the crank...works similar to the spin trap in your washing machine!

Taking 350 off the bucket list! (Wasn't really on it)

grcamna2 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 23, 2014, 08:51:11 PM »

I've worked on many CB350's and when the top end is done correctly and the oil is changed regularly they last just as long as any other Honda.Preventive maintenance is always the main factor for me.I ask someone who wants me to work on their bike if they have any idea of the service history of the work that was done and also a bike I'm seriously interested in buying. Too much 'horse trading' goes on to usually keep up with it.

The best thing an owner can do is keep the machine and keep it well maintained... and that doesn't happen nearly as often as it should,except for HERE on this forum !

Find the one you want and keep'er

it'll save lots of $ and time in the long run.I'd love to be able to 'have a barnfull' like ekpent ! That'd be sweet.

Johnie · « **Reply #21 on:** April 26, 2014, 06:49:53 AM »

Spoke to the owner and asked how he came up with $2950? He said these are rare, however, I mentioned one in FL and one in UT in same condition sold for $1700 last week. I discussed NADA was at $2300 for an excellent concours bike which this is not. The "very good" was at $1500 and I would need to be in that area for me to consider. He seemed shocked that I would not go much over the $1500. I do not know if I would even accept a counteroffer. Starting to lose interest...

grcamna2 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 26, 2014, 07:15:56 AM »

Hold to your guns Johnie

tbpmusic · « **Reply #23 on:** April 26, 2014, 07:16:41 AM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on April 23, 2014, 07:29:28 PM

HondaMan had much helpful experience to share w/ me about 2 years ago on these 350 twins & other vintage Hondas from the early 70's and that past era.He told me that the cylinder sleeves weren't heat treated as well as they should have from the factory .......

I believe Mark may be right about that. I've seen a LOT of these old twins lately exhibit what my machinist calls "hot spots" in the sleeves. He attributes it to overheating, in an uneven fashion - now Mark's comment offers an explanation. Generally we have to go 2'nd over at a minimum to get down to "clean" material, usually 4'th over.
These "hot spots" are clearly visible in the sleeves, even after cleaning and possibly honing - they appear to be spots with a different "texture" or sheen that the rest of the sleeve.
Only way to deal with it is boring till it cleans up - if it cleans up at all.

grcamna2 · « **Reply #24 on:** April 26, 2014, 07:24:41 AM »

I went 1mm over bore.I've had a number of customers come back in the past w/ their plugs fouling after I just did a .25mm over job for them...it seems to make sense.

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Author Topic: 1970 CB350 - whats it worth? (Read 9139 times)