Topic: 50K miles on a CB750?

[Scott S]

 I have a buddy that's been hankering for a CB750 for quite a while. He just sold his 350 twin and is now in the market. Budget is a concern.

 This bike is in Asheville, not far from us. Looks OK, especially for the price. Needs a little carb work, but nothing unusual, it seems. The question he asked me....and that I was unable to answer...was "Is 50K miles a lot on these bikes? Will it need engine work soon"?
 The answer, of course, is.....maybe. All depends on maintenance, history, etc.

 I'm a 550 guy. While it would be ideal to hold out for a ~$2500 bike that has less miles, time and money are of a concern to him. Money more than time.

 What is the general consensus in "high mileage" CB750's? And what do you think of this bike in particular?
 Does anyone within a few hours of Charlotte, NC have a decent 750 for sale?

 http://asheville.craigslist.org/mcy/5405860687.html

[Stev-o]

I would prefer to buy one with lower miles, but I did buy one with 67K miles and it ran very good.   Forum member Ofreen has 150K on his without a rebuild, so that proves with proper maint these bikes can last a long time.

Here's one with 10K in his budget, might be a little far, looks to be in real nice original cond for $2300. 

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/mcy/5427120801.html


 

[Scott S]

Wow! I always liked the F models with wire wheels. Too bad that one's so far away.

 I have a feeling he's more into the K bikes. I know he preferred my 550K over my 550F.....styling thing, I guess.

[Flyin900]

If the bike is local do some due diligence and a leak down test or at minimum a compression test. I restore bikes and have a small portable compressor and leak down hose and compression tester that I use on any bike I buy. A small garden tractor battery and jumper cables complete the test set up.
Buying one that needs major motor work isn't something I want to do, as you end up under water financially pretty fast with that as part of the ownership cost.

[70CB750]

It all depends on the bike, I got Dorothy with 8000  miles on aftermarket odo, put 25 000 miles on her and after opening her up, the engine was in pretty good shape, except for the worn out 2nd gear dogs.

[754]

Find out if most was highway miles, if it was I would not worry too much..if its not smoking..
 Ask how often they changed oil.
 Does tyek price reflect the mileage ?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

IMO if that is the original engine and it hasn't been opened up then it hasn't been abused. BUT, how does the engine sound? Depends on his intent. Go get the Super Sport and ride it home. It should run circles around that K and 40,000 less miles. If that muffler is good it's worth $200 - $300 to the right buyer. That's what they're for - riding. It's only a few states up.

[PeWe]

Most bikes need to be restored due to long storage with corrosion and age despite rather low miles.

[Chachi]

I'm assuming you are hounding Craigslist? This is in Apex. 72 750, $3,900 OBO. Not sure what his budget is.

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/5428904859.html

[jaguar]

I would prefer to buy one with lower miles, but I did buy one with 67K miles and it ran very good.   Forum member Ofreen has 150K on his without a rebuild, so that proves with proper maint these bikes can last a long time.

Here's one with 10K in his budget, might be a little far, looks to be in real nice original cond for $2300. 

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/mcy/5427120801.html


 

WOW.
Great color.
These early F bikes are really undervalued.

[rocs]

WOW.
Great color.
These early F bikes are really undervalued.

I agree. More so now that I have a 76 F model. With the tanks becoming more popular in the café scene, these bike should climb a bit more. I always keep an eye out for Cb750F's due to the fact that the two I have purchased came with Hayashi wheels on them

[Wobbly]

"Is 50K miles a lot on these bikes?

I have done this mileage four times over and then some with one recent overhaul and a flat rear tire some years ago.
But there is a difference between a bike that only had one owner and is meticulously cared for, and another one that was neglected and abused time and again. In other words: the mileage does not mean much. If budget is a concern, I would certainly opt for a cheap, newer Japanese bike. In fact, sometimes, it doesn't make much of a difference if you get an old Honda free or pay for it. In the end, the former might get more expensive. I don't think that is any different from any other 40-year-old vehicle. But I have certainly never owned a more reliable motorcycle--and the reliability of the CB750 Four is legendary. But everything can be destroyed in little time.

[Stev-o]

Not sure what his budget is.

$2500

[Scott S]

 Or less.....

 I think if he can swing $2500 he'd have better choices.

[seanbarney41]

What I have found with the cb750 is that if you tear the engine down you will find something that needs fixing, always.  Whether that something is actually gonna cause the bike to stop running any time soon is a whole 'nother story...

A bike with 50,000 miles?  If it does not leak, someone else has likely already been in there...sounds ok(these are not inherently quiet engines), compression good enough to push your finger off the open plug hole when cranked?...It's gonna stay running longer than the average vintage bike owner will ever ride.

[madmtnmotors]

Here's a nice one (spoiler alert: shameless plug):

http://orlando.craigslist.org/mcy/5429531944.html

My "Evolution" project, slightly de-volved...

Nothing left to do to it but ride!