Author Topic: SUPER NEWB!!! Decision #1, should I buy... (Read 1546 times)

Swanny1917 · « **on:** July 02, 2014, 09:50:13 AM »

Been doing homework on the 550's for quite awhile now. I think I'm ready to pull the trigger. What do you guys think for a newbie, is this a good first café build bike? If you had 2k post buy, what would you spend your money on?
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1976-Honda-cb500-500-112362122

kwarreno2 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 02, 2014, 10:04:26 AM »

Personally I wouldn't spend 3k on a bike your going to chop up...but what do I know. I'm also a newb...however. I bought my cb750f for $450 and it ran and drove great. Its not as pretty as that one your looking at but considering your going to cafe it anyways.... Just my opinion

flybox1 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 02, 2014, 10:12:07 AM »

Quote from: Swanny1917 on July 02, 2014, 09:50:13 AM

Been doing homework on the 550's for quite awhile now. I think I'm ready to pull the trigger. What do you guys think for a newbie, is this a good first café build bike? If you had 2k post buy, what would you spend your money on?
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1976-Honda-cb500-500-112362122

+1 to kwarreno2
That would be a great bike as-is. Original. Good condition. A survivor of at least one PO.
If you hack it up, you'll get an ear full by a few here.

Titled, running bikes can be had for MUCH less, which are more suited to personal 'cafe' treatment.

Swanny1917 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 02, 2014, 10:17:41 AM »

I guess the better term would be customize. I would like to replace the old forks, brakes, chop the rear fender, update rear shocks, clubman handlebars or clip ons, etc... Still unsure if I would "Cafe'" it up or not. Would love some basic input on what you would do.

flybox1 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 02, 2014, 10:20:31 AM »

Keep it and ride it as the pristine survivor it is, and leave all 'cutting' tools in the garage

then find a $400 runner and take the sawsall to it

flybox1 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 02, 2014, 10:27:26 AM »

Improvements, like new(similar) rear shocks and new fork springs would be wise upgrades.
Servicing systems like the brake system would be advisable, but there isnt much to 'upgrade' there.
Its already got a drilled rotor.
'cafe' bars....i suggest you try the bars that are on there if you buy this one.
Sporty enough but comfortable for long rides.

arncruz · « **Reply #6 on:** July 02, 2014, 10:30:00 AM »

Swanny,
You said you wanted a cb550 but the ad says its a cb500. It looks clean and at a fair price. Are yo u still wanting the 550 though?

Duanob · « **Reply #7 on:** July 02, 2014, 10:36:03 AM »

Please NO! That's in beautiful restored condition. If you want to see what the whole "cafe" fever is doing just browse cariagslist. You will find piles of "cafe projects" that people with ADD didn't finish or chopped up beyond recognition and ability to finish.

ekpent · « **Reply #8 on:** July 02, 2014, 11:50:09 AM »

It may be worth close to what is asking price now to the right person in stock trim but by the time you throw a bunch more money at it for your personal mods and maybe actually lower the value it may not be the best fiscal idea. Like others mentioned plenty of way cheaper bikes in need of a facelift out there for a starting point on a custom build.

dave500 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 02, 2014, 12:43:26 PM »

the add says 500 but its clearly a 550,if you want to café that why not just throw it onto the train tracks instead?same end result.

Short shins · « **Reply #10 on:** July 02, 2014, 05:46:08 PM »

Another "i'm Gunna build me a Cafe Bobber"
Can't wait to see this in the Projects section.
Put me down as a Please leave it alone

Thamuz · « **Reply #11 on:** July 02, 2014, 06:25:29 PM »

add me to the leave it as it is. I know for a fact getting a cheap "project" is more what ya need. Leave this beauty alone and enjoy it as is.

FlatShoalsRoad · « **Reply #12 on:** July 03, 2014, 05:01:19 AM »

Welcome! Great to see another n00b diving in head first. I agree with Ekpent, a substantial portion of this bike's dollar value is tied up in the stock components, so that money would be spent unnecessarily... Like buying a car with premium air conditioning if you live in Alaska. You can certainly find less expensive options, and the best way to do this is to hit the "refresh" button on craigslist every 3 minutes from 08:00-11:00 on Saturday and Sunday mornings. That's where the sweetheart deals are, and they go fast!

Read "How to Buy a Used BMW Motorcycle" by Ted Verrill (super applicable for our bikes too: www.verrill.com/moto/kbikebuyingguide.shtml) then go out and look at every craigslist bike in your city from 1974-1982. With a couple of weeks' patience you'll be able to scoop up a running candidate for under $1000, which will leave you plenty of coin to execute a higher-quality cafe build.

Honda's CX-500 is also a funky cafe candidate. Good luck!

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Tapatalk

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #13 on:** July 03, 2014, 07:41:15 AM »

I would keep that sucker stock. My PO already hacked my K3 up so it didn't matter at that point.
I would keep that baby bone stock and enjoy it.

750K · « **Reply #14 on:** July 03, 2014, 07:46:41 AM »

Quote from: dave500 on July 02, 2014, 12:43:26 PM

the add says 500 but its clearly a 550,if you want to café that why not just throw it onto the train tracks instead?same end result.

Lol Dave, that was funny and true.

That bike is beautiful just the way it is, you would be crazy to cafe it up. Find a good runner in not so nice cosmetic condition and make a cafe racer if you feel the need to hack something up.

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #15 on:** July 03, 2014, 08:20:21 AM »

That bike is a good deal at $2,600 and anything of those things you are thinking about would make it worth less, not more. By all means find yourself a 550 to customize, but you can find a nice runner for $1k or sometimes less to make into 'your' dream bike. Don't ruin one of the increasingly rare clean original bikes.

Stev-o · « **Reply #16 on:** July 03, 2014, 05:46:43 PM »

^^^^Listen to those guys^^^^ That is a nice bike.

rb550four · « **Reply #17 on:** July 03, 2014, 06:18:57 PM »

That's not a project bike newb. More investigating is in order if what you think you want and what you're looking at is the same thing.
I say leave that one go to someone who can appreciate what it is the way it is, and find something a little rattier to cut your teeth on...it'll be more effort on your part but, not only will you learn all about the machine that you will build and ride, you will also gain respect here and, street cred for building it from one in a poorer condition.
Are you up for the challenge?

Dr. Noisewater · « **Reply #18 on:** July 03, 2014, 06:25:37 PM »

That bike needs to be left as is. It's rare to see them in that good of condition these days. That's a pretty good price IMO, but must be left alone! BTW, it's clearly a 550f.

Thamuz · « **Reply #19 on:** July 03, 2014, 06:57:35 PM »

If you were closer, here is one that's super cheap

http://iowacity.craigslist.org/mcy/4548894605.html

Isn't all there, has a few issues.

rb550four · « **Reply #20 on:** July 07, 2014, 03:18:38 PM »

Wow! look at all the road tar on that bike! and a Schwinn seat too!

hank3841 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 07, 2014, 03:34:50 PM »

If you plan to "chop" it up, leave it for someone who wants a basically stock classic.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #22 on:** July 07, 2014, 04:24:36 PM »

Quote from: Swanny1917 on July 02, 2014, 10:17:41 AM

I guess the better term would be customize. I would like to replace the old forks, brakes, chop the rear fender, update rear shocks, clubman handlebars or clip ons, etc... Still unsure if I would "Cafe'" it up or not. Would love some basic input on what you would do.

By a bike NEEDING work and leave that beautiful stock example alone, no wonder prices are going through the roof...

Tews19 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 07, 2014, 05:27:35 PM »

Quote from: Thamuz on July 03, 2014, 06:57:35 PM

If you were closer, here is one that's super cheap

http://iowacity.craigslist.org/mcy/4548894605.html

Isn't all there, has a few issues.

That Iowa bike looks like the owner decided to rattle can the entire thing assembled. Lol.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #24 on:** July 08, 2014, 11:55:34 AM »

Oh my gawd, he rattlecanned nearly every surface.

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Author Topic: SUPER NEWB!!! Decision #1, should I buy... (Read 1546 times)

hank3841