Topic: Help me value these bikes.

[GV1390]

Do you have more pictures of these?

 Me? Of my bikes? Yes....plenty.

Mind sharing? I really love both of these.

[Scott S]

[b5rider]

here are a few bikes from Graigslist ads of today. Most of these are stock, although I laugh at the guy who posted '100% original' with some hideous black aftermarket pipes.

[greenjeans]

While part of me thinks the CB750 bubble has burst, I do follow ebay and CL regularly.  There are significantly less bikes out there that are complete.  The days of finding nice $500 bikes are gone.  I still think nice ones still get good money, especially in the LA and DFW area.  It seems like the same bike will show up on ebay several times before it is actually sold.  Lots of shill bids and ding dongs out there.  Collectors lean toward the early bikes and low-mileage survivors.  Top level restorations will always trade back and forth.   I'm working with a guy that is from Germany - they are harder to get over there and bring more $$.   We shall see.

If those 2 were my bikes, I'd list them on ebay and see what kind of action you get.   Then you could figure out if it would be worth it to change them over to spokes and sell the Lesters separately.

Sure do love that green one.

[Scott S]

[b5rider]

ooops. here is the 100% original post

[ogsmakdade]

Both beautiful bikes, I'm especially partial to the green one.  If you separate the lesters from either bike, I'm interested in the wheels

[mrfish2]

If you separate the lesters from either bike, I'm interested in the wheels

You and everybody else on this forum 

[jaguar]

Interest is one thing.
Paying a grand is a different thing.

[rocs]

Put the green bike back to full stock and list it for $6,000. I have turned down $6k for my green bike (in sig) and it has more miles than yours.

[Stev-o]

If you separate the lesters from either bike, I'm interested in the wheels

You and everybody else on this forum 

Not everyone.

I've bought two bikes with Lester's, sold off both sets to fellow members since I don't care for them.

[guitarkev66]

Put the green bike back to full stock and list it for $6,000. I have turned down $6k for my green bike (in sig) and it has more miles than yours.

Is your jade green original paint Rocs?  I feel that no mater how nice and professional the repaint it takes away value on an original bike. I even feel that yamiya tank sets affect prices negatively and they are near perfect copies.  You loose the natural patina that true collectors are looking for.  But that being said there are always exceptions to the rule, and if you have two people bidding it up a nice clean bike like both of yours could sell for what you want or more.  I wish you luck with your sale.  The more yours sell for the more all of ours are worth

[rocs]

Put the green bike back to full stock and list it for $6,000. I have turned down $6k for my green bike (in sig) and it has more miles than yours.

Is your jade green original paint Rocs?  I feel that no mater how nice and professional the repaint it takes away value on an original bike. I even feel that yamiya tank sets affect prices negatively and they are near perfect copies.  You loose the natural patina that true collectors are looking for.  But that being said there are always exceptions to the rule, and if you have two people bidding it up a nice clean bike like both of yours could sell for what you want or more.  I wish you luck with your sale.  The more yours sell for the more all of ours are worth

Hey Kev,

Yes, my tank is the original paint. There are some slight imperfections but its in pretty good condition for the age. I agree with you completely. I feel original bikes with original paint and patina are more valuable then repainted bikes. I also feel that an unrestored bike is more valuable then a restored bike with all NOS parts.

That being said, my bike was restored with all NOS parts but the tank and side covers were untouched.

Edit: this was just posted on my local craigslist
http://cnj.craigslist.org/mcy/5385728648.html

[guitarkev66]

Put the green bike back to full stock and list it for $6,000. I have turned down $6k for my green bike (in sig) and it has more miles than yours.

Is your jade green original paint Rocs?  I feel that no mater how nice and professional the repaint it takes away value on an original bike. I even feel that yamiya tank sets affect prices negatively and they are near perfect copies.  You loose the natural patina that true collectors are looking for.  But that being said there are always exceptions to the rule, and if you have two people bidding it up a nice clean bike like both of yours could sell for what you want or more.  I wish you luck with your sale.  The more yours sell for the more all of ours are worth

Hey Kev,

Yes, my tank is the original paint. There are some slight imperfections but its in pretty good condition for the age. I agree with you completely. I feel original bikes with original paint and patina are more valuable then repainted bikes. I also feel that an unrestored bike is more valuable then a restored bike with all NOS parts.

That being said, my bike was restored with all NOS parts but the tank and side covers were untouched.

Edit: this was just posted on my local craigslist
http://cnj.craigslist.org/mcy/5385728648.html

Great looking bike Rocs.  If thats yours on craigslist?  I love that color its my favorite for the 550's.  I feel you'd get more attention with it on ebay craigslist is limited to local eyes....

[Stev-o]

Put the green bike back to full stock and list it for $6,000. I have turned down $6k for my green bike (in sig) and it has more miles than yours.

Is your jade green original paint Rocs?  I feel that no mater how nice and professional the repaint it takes away value on an original bike. I even feel that yamiya tank sets affect prices negatively and they are near perfect copies.  You loose the natural patina that true collectors are looking for.  But that being said there are always exceptions to the rule, and if you have two people bidding it up a nice clean bike like both of yours could sell for what you want or more.  I wish you luck with your sale.  The more yours sell for the more all of ours are worth

Hey Kev,

Yes, my tank is the original paint. There are some slight imperfections but its in pretty good condition for the age. I agree with you completely. I feel original bikes with original paint and patina are more valuable then repainted bikes. I also feel that an unrestored bike is more valuable then a restored bike with all NOS parts.

That being said, my bike was restored with all NOS parts but the tank and side covers were untouched.

Edit: this was just posted on my local craigslist
http://cnj.craigslist.org/mcy/5385728648.html

craigslist is limited to local eyes....

Not necessarily true, kev. I've bought a few bikes that I found on searching "All of CL" nationwide, 1 bike came all the way from Nevada

https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=008732268318596706411:nhtd4cwl5xu&q=cb550&oq=cb550&gs_l=partner.12..0l2.3145.4688.0.6557.5.4.0.1.1.0.152.497.1j3.4.0.gsnos%2Cn%3D13...0.1568j664122j5..1ac.1.25.partner..0.5.496.sVCCaFshVyA#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=cb550&gsc.page=1

[rocs]

Put the green bike back to full stock and list it for $6,000. I have turned down $6k for my green bike (in sig) and it has more miles than yours.

Is your jade green original paint Rocs?  I feel that no mater how nice and professional the repaint it takes away value on an original bike. I even feel that yamiya tank sets affect prices negatively and they are near perfect copies.  You loose the natural patina that true collectors are looking for.  But that being said there are always exceptions to the rule, and if you have two people bidding it up a nice clean bike like both of yours could sell for what you want or more.  I wish you luck with your sale.  The more yours sell for the more all of ours are worth

Hey Kev,

Yes, my tank is the original paint. There are some slight imperfections but its in pretty good condition for the age. I agree with you completely. I feel original bikes with original paint and patina are more valuable then repainted bikes. I also feel that an unrestored bike is more valuable then a restored bike with all NOS parts.

That being said, my bike was restored with all NOS parts but the tank and side covers were untouched.

Edit: this was just posted on my local craigslist
http://cnj.craigslist.org/mcy/5385728648.html

Great looking bike Rocs.  If thats yours on craigslist?  I love that color its my favorite for the 550's.  I feel you'd get more attention with it on ebay craigslist is limited to local eyes....

No, not my bike. Its also my favorite color. Took me some time to find mine.

I agree, eBay is the way to go to get the right attention from the right buyers.

[Scott S]

  I test rode a possible replacement "Do-It-All" bike today and, while I'm sleeping on it over the weekend in order to not make an impulse buy, I'm probably putting down a deposit on Tuesday.
 The green bike will most likely be the first to be listed. I have the stock wire wheels and what are probably the original tires. I'll swap those over first. If someone here is interested in it, we can talk about putting the new tires from the Lester's over onto the wire wheels. Or, sell it with the Lester mags. A few options there.
 I'm thinking with the wire wheels and original tires, I'll start the listing at $3900 and see what happens.

 Next up, the 550F and my ZRX 1100!

[Scott S]

 Well, they're listed. See the For Sale forums.

[RAFster122s]

Maybe you hire someone who has the free time to haul them out there and you catch a cheap flight close to there. Vegas tends to have deals, they presume you are staying in that area...
You could hook up with the "driver/transport" and you pay the gas and meals and inexpensive hotels for a 4 day trip to get there, if you hook up in Vegas quickly. Then you can spend a long weekend or more in LaLa-land.  Play tourist if you haven't been there and take in a bike show or classic auction and enter the bikes to sell...preferably you sell them yourself...


Some people would like the trip...but we are fast approaching weather that makes the trip more of a challenge. So, you would need to do it soon.


The transporter would use equipment you provide and they have insurance and a great driving record.
I know someone who could do what I've described.  If you are willing to give it a spin. 
Gas prices are cheaper so, it would be a few hundred cheaper to do it. You would need the flexibility to allow them the freedom to spend a week on their dime, resting and enjoying the west coast...
Heck, meet up with a few Westerly coaster (SOHC/4 owners) and have a parting ride...Maybe with Godzilla if he's doing anymore touring. Mooshie usually kicks off the trip but, I'm not sure where Zilla is these days or if interest has died for that activity.


Commercial movers will charge you minimum of $700-$1200 to move a bike from coast to coast and it will be packed in their equipment like a sardine.
Ballparking...
BUT, movers pretty much take the winter off because of the increased liability and risks involved with the weather problems in Winter, even on most southern routes you risk ice and snow most years...especially in late Jan-Feb.


David M



P.S. They could fit in a large full size van with the mirrors off. Could even rent a van if you don't have access to one, pull the seats and strap them down and cover them in a black plastic so they can't be seen and outline is not distinguishable. Maybe fake box around them both. Use seat anchor bolts or seatbelt anchors to piggy back the D-ring to hook your ratcheting straps... pull the mirrors...

[jaguar]

I just got a quote to move a bike from Detroit to Albany NY for under $300.

[b5rider]

I used UShip last January and shipped a bike and attached sidecar from Chicago to Los Angeles for @600

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[jaguar]

U ship is great!

[Tews19]

Rocs, you turned down 6k for your 550?? WOW that's ballsy. I had as close as near mint 550 all original with the smallest of imperfection and couldn't get 6k for it when I listed. I bought it off the original owner who babied his entire collection. I had people contacting me all the time when it was listed from CA,WA, and even in Japan. The buyer ended up buying my 71 750 as well. Just saying if you were offered 6k for a 550 I would be searching for the person who made the offer and sell it. I do not recall who stated this last week on the forum but I to think the CB bubble has burst for the time being. This is of course my opinion.

[rocs]

Hey Tews,

YEah I agree that the bubble has burst for the time being. The popularity isn't near what it was last year. IN reality I should have taken the $6k and ran but I am kind of attached to the bike.

[Tews19]

Hey I completely understand! When the buyer paid me for the 550 I wasn't attached. But when he kept making offers on my 750 I decided to sell it. I regret that so much. I had some great times on the bike and headaches which I enjoyed looking back now that the bike is gone. Keep the bike and in due time the bubble will be as popular as it will ever be. Especially with the 50th coming up.