Topic: CB750 f3 help value? Possibly buying tomorrow!

[andyvclifford]

Hi,

My name is Andy Clifford, I am a cb750 K5 owner and am looking for my next project.   I recently found a CB750F3 (almost 100% sure its an f3 correct me if im wrong) that i will be looking at tomorrow.  I have some pictures of the bike and the seller wants 1500 for the bike.  I am hoping to show up with a reasonable idea of what to look for, and what to offer him. 

At the moment he hasnt run the bike in 15 years (!) and its been sitting in his garage.  It seems like it is in decent physical shape based on the pictures, but they are kind of blurry.  He does have the carbs and airbox, but for some reason they are off the bike at the moment.  He has no idea if it runs, and im sure theres no way we can discern how much work it needs in a short visit.  I am assuming im going to have to go through the whole bike, possibly rebuld the engine/ect.  I want to offer him an appropriate ammount of money within reason, but 1500 maybe seems a little much? Any things to look out for on this particular model? What do you guys think.

Thank you!
Andy

[jaguar]

If you don't have knowledge of this, or any vintage bike.....don't buy a project.

A $2500-3000 running bike that is currently on the road/used( not some junk that kinda runs on starting fluid) is MUCH cheaper in the long run.

Also gets you out on the road and having fun faster.

[Don R]

I always spend a thousand to fifteen hundred on getting brakes correct, new battery, carbs cleaned, tires, always something electrical, and misc missing, non working items. And I do most of my own work.  Just a guideline, this one needs paint and the exhaust is a question. Only you know your skill level. Deal accordingly. I sold an awesome F1 for $2700 delivered 4 hours away.

[scottly]

Just my opinion, but a partially assembled, non-running bike like that With a title would only be worth a max of $750 to me, and then only if the motor wasn't stuck. No title or stuck motor, maybe $350 on a good day.

[seanbarney41]

I bought my F3 three? years ago, long storage, not running, with stuck motor, carbs in a box, otherwise all complete, original paint for around $400

project thread here...
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,133916.msg1502254.html#msg1502254

[Stev-o]

How many miles?  The later F's were know to wear out valve guides by 25K miles.

If I were you, I would be taking a road trip to Buffalo this weekend.....


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

[andyvclifford]

Thanks for the responses!  My Mechanical skill level is moderate -  I have rebuilt most of my bike except the engine and am interested in having a project bike, which is the main goal of finding something that I can specifically work / learn more on.  I was thinking of offering 500 for it, but that is a significant amount less than he is asking so I just was hoping to get some corroborating advice from the forums.  Based on your guys experiences it sounds like 500 is reasonable for a bike that he has no idea if its running and the carbs are off in a box.  I suppose ill just make the offer and hope he is ok with it.

That buffalo bike looks amazing!  I wish i lived closer!

[70CB750]

How many miles?  The later F's were know to wear out valve guides by 25K miles.

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

That!

It would mean complete head job, new guides, valves, springs, retainers...and dont ask me how I know 

Don't get me wrong, I am happy with the Red, it is a unique build and the F engine has power available I really like, but if I knew I would not go with the F engine.

[rocs]

i bought 2 F3's and a K yesterday for $1200 for all three and the super sports are in great condition.

I would keep looking.

[andyvclifford]

Wow, thats quite a haul!  I think i would have to very lucky to find anything like that around here.  I cant seem to talk him down, he seems to think that 1500 is an ok price for a non running motorcycle thats partially dismantled.. oh well.

[Stev-o]

Heres a good project bike for a grand.  Text him for pics....

https://syracuse.craigslist.org/mcy/5422162835.html

[Sdsbassist]

Heres a good project bike for a grand.  Text him for pics....

https://syracuse.craigslist.org/mcy/5422162835.html

Yes buy this. Post pics.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[andyvclifford]

I sent him a message and he texted me some pictures that I included below - what do you guys think?

[andyvclifford]

a few more -

[Stev-o]

Is a runner and has a title? Looks like a decent project bike, would be a good buy at $800.

[jaguar]

It looks like the standard rusty bike that is in a million garages.
Not to sound mean, but it isn't anything spechial.
Missing all the original parts that resto guys look for, and doesn't have anything stand out that the performace guys want.
Like I said, I'm not putting it down, but you still have not really given much info.

The question isn't if it is a good or bad bike, but if it is a good or bad fit for you.
Personally if you are asking the web, then I assume this is a bad bike.

Spend the $3k on one of the solid runners that gets posted here every day.
All "barn finds" are $1000-1500 away from the road.  And that is if nothing major is wrong.  So the risk goes up if you don't know how to spot a good bike.
Also that number is for doing your own work, not paying someone to do things.

If you are well versed in these bikes, have spare parts, tools and time then I could see a guy paying $1000-1500 for it and having a blast (it does turn over and have a title right?  If not it is worth less then scrap value)