Author Topic: Help me value these bikes. (Read 19506 times)

Scott S · « **on:** December 28, 2015, 01:22:27 PM »

I know, I know....almost as bad as an oil or pods thread...

I'm considering thinning the herd. I have a couple of really nice 550's that I love, but I need to make some changes. I have some numbers in mind, but I've seen better bikes sell for less and worse bikes sell for more.

Tell me what you think the market would bear. I'm at the NC/SC state line but I've shipped bikes all over before.

1975 550K. New Candy Jade Green paint (or close approximation), less than 7,500 original miles. Polished stuff, nice 4-4 with only a minor scrape on one pipe, stock seat, 400F bars, rebuilt brakes and suspension, Lester mags. I also have the really nice wire wheels with original tires, so there's an option there as far as wheels/tires and price go. Rebuilt carbs, Pamco, etc., etc. Runs as it should. No leaks or noises.

1975 550F. Purchased from the original owner. Less then 8,000 original miles. Original paint with some minor scuffs (very minor). Same with factory 4-1 exhaust. Original brown seat. The 400F bars and Lesters were installed before it left the showroom in '75. Went through everything....carbs, suspension, brakes, etc. Runs as it should with no leaks, noises, etc. Also have the original wire wheels and tires, though they show some oxidation on the spokes from storage.

What do you think the market would bear? Keep in mind that a set of 19/18 Lester's is worth at LEAST $500 on the low side. I value these, with new bearings, tires, polishing on the one set, etc., in the $700-1,000 range. I've turned down offers of $700 for the polished set.
I think either of these bikes are $3500 bike WITHOUT the Lester's. Would I scare people away asking $4K or better for bikes like these?

goldarrow · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2015, 01:28:05 PM »

Beautiful bikes! I think your price point is good and fair. But anything if these bikes over $3k takes forever to sell.

Gene · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2015, 01:32:29 PM »

Here in L.A. those would easily sell for that price - in like, a day. I think you can ask more. between 4-5K at least.

heyitsrama · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2015, 01:54:49 PM »

Yeah +1 on that 4-5k range them in LA area. Man i know its just a bike and everything. But it would be a shame to sell these in their OEM condition just to have someone "cafe" them. $:-\$

flybox1 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2015, 01:55:57 PM »

Nice bikes you have there.

$3500 is a bargain for mechanically sound, titled, low mileage CBfours.
You'll get quite a few tire kickers trying to low ball your offer. ufckem!
Start higher ($4500) The ones that do come calling, will actually know what you've got, and (hopefully) appreciate it.

Scott S · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2015, 02:11:39 PM »

Oh, there's no way that I'd let them go for $3500 with the Lester' s.

I may be able to work a deal for my ex GF to take ownership of the 550F at a special price. That was "her" bike when we were together and I know she'd keep it original. It's been just like that since 1975! The green one I have less of an attachment to, though I do sorta see them as a pair.

harisuluv · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2015, 02:27:09 PM »

Nice bikes Scott.

The first thing I thought was that they are so close to stock that I think it would be worth it to just make them stock and sell the Lesters separately.

Just that for a real nice stock bike it can command a premium on its own, then you can get a good price for the Lesters too.

754 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2015, 02:30:54 PM »

How much value do you consider the Lesters ro be . To me its under a thousand, and then minus a good detailed wheelset off that so i am thinking 500 tops , if that.....

Sorry when I typed rhis,I missed your paragraph on the wheels and values..

RevDoc · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2015, 02:33:56 PM »

Quote from: harisuluv on December 28, 2015, 02:27:09 PM

Nice bikes Scott.

The first thing I thought was that they are so close to stock that I think it would be worth it to just make them stock and sell the Lesters separately.

Just that for a real nice stock bike it can command a premium on its own, then you can get a good price for the Lesters too.

+1 I'm with James on that approach. Especially if you take Cal's idea and make a run to the L A area for a show!

przjohn · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2015, 02:44:32 PM »

Quote from: heyitsrama on December 28, 2015, 01:54:49 PM

Yeah +1 on that 4-5k range them in LA area. Man i know its just a bike and everything. But it would be a shame to sell these in their OEM condition just to have someone "cafe" them. $:-\$

+2 on that, though I don't think bikes that go for 5K to start end up being Sawzalled that quickly.

Scott S · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2015, 04:28:50 PM »

Quote from: 754 on December 28, 2015, 02:30:54 PM

How much value do you consider the Lesters ro be . To me its under a thousand, and then minus a good detailed wheelset off that so i am thinking 500 tops , if that.....

Sorry when I typed rhis,I missed your paragraph on the wheels and values..

We all agree that a bare set of 19/18 Lesters would be sold for $500 in a skinny minute. I was offered $700 for the polished set and turned it down. Throw in the brake rotor and backing plate, New All Balls bearings, polishing work on the one set, and a set of tires installed and BOOM !, you're at a grand easy. Maybe a couple hundred less for the non polished set.

So, if those are $3200-3500 bikes, plus the Lesters , that's where I end up. I have the option to haggle with someone by offering the stock wheels with good but original.... i.e., old and hard....tires. But they all still have good tread and hold air. They're essentially 40 year old take offs.

mrfish2 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2015, 04:52:35 PM »

You gotta remember though we're out here in NC/SC and the riding season is just about over, so not many people looking to buy right now. I'd say hold off until March before listing them, and the others are right about it taking a while to sell them. Beautiful bikes though, if I had the extra money I'd drive down to ya to take a look at them.

jaguar · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2015, 05:12:21 PM »

Can't take a stock bike value and then add the value of the lesters.
While many, like myself like them, others do not and see them as a burden.
They will want a discount of the amount of money to get clean stock wheels.

A few years ago prices were very strong, now not so much.
Hipsters have moved on too, prices are soft everywhere in the hobby.

That isn't a bad thing.
Just is what it is.

The same people complaining prices shot up will now complain they can't get top dollar anymore.

I would think that there is a buyer for either bike at $3k, maybe $3500.
Will take time to find the right buyer though.

754 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2015, 05:40:00 PM »

Well if you have stock wheels in very good shape, you can sell either way and adjust price.
But if the stock wheels are in poor shape, you can easily spend 300 to get up to those bikes standards and that does nor include rubber.
Sometimes its nice to have the choice..

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2015, 06:38:42 PM »

Sell them in LA for those prices without the Lesters. They will go fast.

RSchaefer · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2015, 06:45:04 PM »

Is that a stock color for the the 500F in '75, orange?

Kenzo · « **Reply #16 on:** December 28, 2015, 06:57:49 PM »

Quote from: RSchaefer on December 28, 2015, 06:45:04 PM

Is that a stock color for the the 500F in '75, orange?

My stock orange 550F Super Sport has a 3/75 manufacture date but the VIN says 76...I bet this is nearly the same situation.

Cheers
Kenzo

Scott S · « **Reply #17 on:** December 28, 2015, 07:06:08 PM »

Yes, stock color. I can tell you the manufacture dates of both bikes when I get home. The Orange bike is original paint, not a repaint.

RSchaefer · « **Reply #18 on:** December 28, 2015, 07:09:09 PM »

Correction 550? The exhaust looks the same as my '75, 750F, but I have the flake Sunrise Orange and this looks like non-flake orange

mrfish2 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 28, 2015, 07:28:45 PM »

It's stock for the F model 550's

mrbreeze · « **Reply #20 on:** December 28, 2015, 11:29:59 PM »

Nice looking pair and I'm not even a 550 guy. I would do some research for sure. I go with everyone that's saying to get them out to California but that is a bit of a trek...............uhhhh...all the way across the country guys!!!! It would even cost a buttload to ship them here! How would you like to sell them? Ebay? I would see what they are going for. The conditions are good but the time of year and your location...not so much. Having the selection of wheels could really change the price around depending on who's looking. I would clean both sets of wheels as good as you can. Let the buyer decide which ones he wants. Hell...ya never know. He may want both sets. If you arm yourself with knowing the value of both sets you will likely get good money. These bikes are not getting any easier to find. They seem to be getting more desirable if you ask me. I've heard of many big money players scooping them up to send over seas. That just adds to the rarity of them. Do your homework and regardless of what people tell you....set a minimum that you will take for em. Hopefully you aren't unloading because you need quick cash. Good luck with it man!!

guitarkev66 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 29, 2015, 06:01:44 AM »

Your definitely going to get bottom dollar selling them at this time of year. 550's are wonderfully running bikes maybe the smoothest of the sohc bikes but pretty plentiful in the market place which equals prices lower than they should be. I also think the market has been flooded since the spike in prices a few years ago they are being restored and pulled out of barns more and more lately which really kills the market. You have two beautiful bikes and someone who appreciates there quality will pay up a premium for them it just may take you longer to sell. And even though your jade green looks great its still a repaint which will definitely hurt its price no mater how nice and f bikes never bring top dollar they just lack the vintage appeal the k models have with the candy paint. IMHO

Scott S · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2015, 06:18:41 AM »

I dunno....I've seen two F models just like mine bring $5K on eBay recently. And they didn't have Lester's.
I don't have to sell now. The only reason I would is so I can replace 3 or 4 bikes with one and pay cash.

And it's still in the 70's in SC. We're still riding!

jaguar · « **Reply #23 on:** December 29, 2015, 08:26:34 AM »

Can not put much faith in ebay prices these days.
WAY to many are shill bids and do not actually represent real "sold" prices.

The ship has sailed on vintage Hondas.
The bubble popped.

It is what it is.

These are beautiful bikes and I am sure there is a buyer out there that wants it.

Just the days of slapping a $5k for sale sign on a CB and having the phone ring off the hook are over.
Buyers have a ton of options and hunt for the right bike for them.
Being open to ship either in the USA or overseas helps reach more buyers, but I cant see the point to moving a bike pre sale to a different market.

Scott S · « **Reply #24 on:** December 29, 2015, 09:42:28 AM »

This just sold for $4300, and I don't see anything really special about it. My STF2 project will be much nicer with a better engine when done.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1975-Honda-CB-/262200134793?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&nma=true&si=7IZDn6r352oX56z%252FMRfq0%252BrLyD0%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

And this guy probably should have taken the $3500 for a 350 twin, IMO.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231788843350?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

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Author Topic: Help me value these bikes. (Read 19506 times)