Topic: New Member! Which CB to buy?

[ascanio1]

Hello Everyone!

I am writing for advice! Please help me make the right choice.

My name is Tommaso and I am 48 yo, freshly married, Italian (sorry, nobody's perfect) and I live in Japan. I used to race in Supersports category and I tried a few rounds of Superbike. I own several Italian bikes: a few classics and a few modern: Laverda SF750, Ducati 888SPS, Ducati 998R, MV Agusta F4, Benelli Tornado Tre.

I have memories of my father taking my brother and I for rides: my brother in front (on the tank) and I behind... no helmets either! It was the 1970's and we were all much less concerned with safety. It was a CB750 with a four in one exhaust (probably aftermarket) and I always loved this bike. For a long time I wanted to own one and today I finally have the space and money to buy one.

I am writing to ask for help in choosing the right one.

1. Which are the 2 or 3 most valuable models from a classic collector's point of view (K0, K1, K2 etc)?
2. Which are the 2 or 3 most practical models to ride every day (perhaps all are very practical)?
3. Which are the average prices in the US, for the models which you recommend me, in good conditions (*)?

Thank you for your help!

Tommaso

(*)
By good condition I mean a bike which is:
- 100% roadworthy (mechanically) but not necessarily cosmetically.
- Completely original (original replacement parts are ok).
- Does not need major cosmetic work: can be used as is.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

An Italian in Japan! That's gotta be great 

Most collectable is a 69 - 70 K0 or better yet a K0 Sandcast which has a serial number of 7414 or less.

As far as which is best to ride I'd have to say the one that is in the best condition. Simple.

In the States you can generally find a decent 750 for $2500 and up if you are diligent and patient. There may be less expensive finds too.

 

[Stev-o]

Welcome Tommaso! Sounds like you have a nice collection and want to add to it. Good choice on the CB750. 
By far, the most valuable model is the Sandcast model, first came out in 1969.  In good cond, these are now selling for $10,000-$15000 US or more.  There were a
Title more than 7,000 of this model made so they are not easy to come by and expensive when you find them. 

Are there many CB's in Japan?

PS.  I'm Italian too, my parents were born there. 

[ascanio1]

Thanks for the model info, Steve-o; by the way, where were your parents from? I mean, which city?

In japan there are really lots and lots of CBs. Any one day there are at least 30 or so for sale, only in the city of Tokyo. Mainly 550s but lots of 750s too. the problem is that they are very expensive. The less pristine ones sell for 5,000USD and the best ones can go for 20,000USD.
I haven't found any 750s under 6,000USD and these are not the K0, K1 or K2... only later models. But, on the good side they are mostly very well maintained and parts are plentiful and very easy to come by. In fact, should anyone need any I'll gladly help out from here.

[Stev-o]

Thanks for the model info, Steve-o; by the way, where were your parents from? I mean, which city?

My Father from the North, near Bologna and my Mother South, near Napoli.   You?

CB750's are relatively cheap here, look at this one that appears to not have sold for $1600.


https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mpo/4578423360.html

[ascanio1]

Thanks Rxman,

In the States you can generally find a decent 750 for $2500 and up if you are diligent and patient.

Can you link me to 3 or 4 US (or other) buy/sell websites? I checked eBay (US) and there are a few there. Any other advice? I was told to look on cracklist or something... but I can't find this website.
Would you know anything about US procedures for export, by any chance? Are they complex? In japan it is dead simple but in Italy it's hugely complicated...

[Stev-o]

Here is a link to "cracklist"!


http://www.searchcraigslist.org


Just enter what you want to find. 

[ascanio1]

Thanks for the link! Yes, i was told "craiglist" but I couldn't remember the name. I also checked eBay...

Anyway, yes, CBs seem much more affordable in the US. Do you know any shipper?

BTW, I'm from Napoli!
I still go there 2 or 3 times a year.
That's where I keep my bikes.
Sunshine and other factors make it the best place to ride! Amalfi Coast...

[Stev-o]

Thanks for the link! Yes, i was told "craiglist" but I couldn't remember the name. I also checked eBay...

Anyway, yes, CBs seem much more affordable in the US. Do you know any shipper?

BTW, I'm from Napoli!
I still go there 2 or 3 times a year.
That's where I keep my bikes.
Sunshine and other factors make it the best place to ride! Amalfi Coast...

I love the Amalfi Coast, been there twice.  The road from Sorrento to Positano is incredible, would love to ride it! (I was in a Mercedes taxi)

I do know shippers within America and would be happy to help you. But I do not know about exporting, but it's done all the time.  I would start a separate thread on that.

[ekpent]

As mentioned first year 69-70 are most collected but for a good rider that still has higher performance and a few refinements along with easier parts swapping a 1971 or K1 are pretty hard to beat 

[calj737]

Gents: perhaps Terry in Oz could provide some insight to an international shipper?

Welcome, Tommaso.

[lucky]

This is my recommendation.

Engine 1978 Because it had the most improvements. (21 altogether)
1978 frame because it had a longer rear swing arm.

1969-70 Carbs. They were the lightest,most tunable on the bike.
I could say much more but not enough space here.

Wheels-CB750A Alloy wheels. 6 lbs lighter (each) than the steel wheels.

Regulator /Rectifier Rick's
Electronic ignition,Dyna

[ascanio1]

Wow... thanks! I appreciate the replies and the advice from everyone!

I have been checking into importing but...
It's not so simple from this end: once the bike would arrive it would be considered as "new" and would have to pass all regulatory requirements. Obviously impossible. So I can't import it as roadworthy. I have 2 options.
A. I import it not for riding. Basically a metal piece of art!
B. I import it as a collector's vehicle. But to do this, apparently, I need some certificate or declaration from the exporting motoring authorities (which are?) that it is a collector's vehicle.
Cost appears to be in the region of 2,000USD including paperwork.

I have also been looking into buying.
I went to have a look at a K2 (red) for sale here and it seemed in really good conditions! Asking price 750,000JPY=7500USD and I think he will come down to 7,000$. The owner claims that it's perfect both mechanically and bodywork. He claims that it is completely original (paint, etc.).

I also went to have a look at a K1. Yellow. Asking price 8,500USD not negotiable.

Any comments are very welcome (please)!
Are they a K1 and a K2? Do they seem original?
:-)

[ascanio1]

From a merely economic standpoint, if a K0 were worth 100$ how much would a K1, K2, K3, ... etc be worth each?

[ascanio1]

Engine 1978 Because it had the most improvements. (21 altogether)
1978 frame because it had a longer rear swing arm.
1969-70 Carbs. They were the lightest,most tunable on the bike.
Wheels-CB750A Alloy wheels. 6 lbs lighter (each) than the steel wheels.
Regulator /Rectifier Rick's
Electronic ignition,Dyna

@ Lucky,
Thanks! I like your advice because I generally make the same considerations. I look for the improvements which matter and the facelift years before I buy a classic. I'm now restoring 2 cars a Lancia Fulvia HF 1.6 "Lusso" and an AlfaRomeo Giulia 2000 Veloce. I picked these 2 instead of their previous models (which have higher collectors value) because of their better usability.

But this is the body shape of a 1979 model. To be honest it is not the shape which I like. I like the classic look. So, I think that I will have to stick with previous models. Up to what year did the shape remain the same? 1976?

Again, thanks!

[ascanio1]

@ ekpent,

As mentioned first year 69-70 are most collected but for a good rider that still has higher performance and a few refinements along with easier parts swapping a 1971 or K1 are pretty hard to beat 

Thanks. I found a few K1 in craiglist... are there any posts that list the main or most evident items to look for to recognize the various models? For example headlamp brackets of a particular shape and colour, disk brakes with/without holes etc etc...

I don't want to go through the whole literature. I'm looking for a simple model guide for dummies...

[ascanio1]

I love the Amalfi Coast, been there twice.  The road from Sorrento to Positano is incredible, would love to ride it! (I was in a Mercedes taxi)

If you happen to come to Italy, again, let me know. If I'm in Naples you can borrow one of my other bikes and we can go for a bike ride. I love riding that road. It's amongst the world's top 3 or 4 roads for bike riding in the world - IMHO!

I do know shippers within America and would be happy to help you. But I do not know about exporting, but it's done all the time.  I would start a separate thread on that.

Will do. Which forum is the most appropriate?
Classifieds - Services Wanted?
World Tour?
General Forum - News and Information?
Open Forum?

I'm sure that on the World Tour many must have had to solve this same problem... right?

[Stev-o]

I love the Amalfi Coast, been there twice.  The road from Sorrento to Positano is incredible, would love to ride it! (I was in a Mercedes taxi)

If you happen to come to Italy, again, let me know. If I'm in Naples you can borrow one of my other bikes and we can go for a bike ride. I love riding that road. It's amongst the world's top 3 or 4 roads for bike riding in the world - IMHO!

I do know shippers within America and would be happy to help you. But I do not know about exporting, but it's done all the time.  I would start a separate thread on that.

Will do. Which forum is the most appropriate?
Classifieds - Services Wanted?
World Tour?
General Forum - News and Information?
Open Forum?

I'm sure that on the World Tour many must have had to solve this same problem... right?

Ok, I'm booking my trip to Italia!

Start your new thread in Open Forum, World Tour is for the Rally we are doing. 

The bikes you posted above look pretty good and mostly stock.  The fat stripe on the tank is typically on the K3 and later models, but on a 40 year old bike, who knows what has been changed. 
Ask for the Vehicle number, that is the best way to check the model year and if the correct engine for that year is bolted in the frame.   

[ascanio1]

Take a look at this:
http://bike.yahoo.co.jp/nubike/search.php?type=key&opt=&p=CB750&pagenum=200
there are some 30 CB750 for sale!
Start from page 11 (it's in Kanji but I'm sure that you can work out how to work it out)

[lucky]

From 1969-1978 All SOHC.

All CB750's during that time could be considered collectable for customs.

[Bankerdanny]

Both those bikes are pretty original, although the seat on the red one is not stock.

The 69-76 all look basically like the two you posted. The 77-78 is a bit of a transition look between the classic original and the later double over head cam bikes.

The 77-78 has a hidden fuel door and the mufflers are a more pronounced reverse megaphone.

The later years are getting more valuable, but for the SOHC4 750 collectors its the '76 and earlier bikes that are the more valuable, generally the earlier the model the more valuable the bike but there isn't a huge difference between the K2-K6 bikes. The big bucks are the K0-K1 bikes, particularly the first 7,400 or so K0's with the 'sandcast' cases, which sell for $25,000+ in perfect condition.

Here's a shot of the stock K7. A couple of original very low mileage bikes have recently sold on eBay for over $5,000.

[Phoenix]

Tommaso
I just stumbled on this site last nite.  It shows the differences between the different years.  Maybe it will be of use to you.  Good luck.



http://honda750expert.com/

[ascanio1]

@ Phoenix,
Thanks! Exactly what I needed! It's a very cool and well done website.

@ Bankerdanny,
I like this bike, it still looks very close to the original shape! Is this the K7? Is this the '76/'77 model?

@ Lucky,
Yep, you're right. I confirmed with the US customs that any of these would be considered as such and so I might be able to import it into Japan bypassing many test.

@ Everyone,
Thanks for all the help! I really appreciated the time and sharing the expertise.

[Bankerdanny]

That picture is a stock 1977 K7. The K8 would look the same.

[Franky]

Hi ascanio1
Besides loving my two CB's (360 & 550), I'm also quite a nut for small 50 cc 4-stroke mopeds... I know, can't help it :-) Some are almost only available in Japan and prices are very reasonable. Maybe we could figure something out with you shipping some bikes from Japan to Denmark? Something like this: Buy a few bikes on http://www.goobike.com, lightly dissasemble, put in crate, ship to Denmark via a shipping agent I have contact to in Tokyo. We can PM the details if you'd like to help me out.

Best of luck with seeking out a CB. My two cent in that matter is, that I like the 550 the best. They handle easier and still have good power. I find the 750's somewhat heavy.