Topic: '75 CB400F... Restore or Part?

[z3r0]

Good afternoon! 

So here's the scoop guys and gals, I need some serious opinions on what to do here. Recently I walked into an estate sale just on a whim, and left with a '75 CB400F for the grand total of $30.  It has no title, but I did have the foresight to call the Sheriff and have them run the numbers to make sure it wasn't reported stolen or anything.  The elderly man who owned it had had it for the past couple decades and it just sat in his garage.  ANYWAYS... The thing is definitely rough, but it's not missing much from what little I know. haven't even tried to fire it up, but the engine does turn, it's not seized and seems to have good compression, again from what little I know. Transmission, clutch "seem" to be working, nothing is stuck at least. like 13k on it from what I can tell. Few parts broke, most noticeably the left turn signal, it was obviously laid down at some point...  Picture attached below to get you folks a feel for the condition.



So now for the questions... Is it too far gone to make sense as a restore project? assuming I could even get a bonded title for it? Or do I skip the bonded title process and just part out what I can, but destroying an otherwise nearly complete classic motorcycle of the likes that I'm understanding are becoming more rare?  (Do I really want to become THAT guy?)  Anyways ladies and gents, I really appreciate your time reading this and any suggestions or thoughts you may have.  I was going to do a Noob post but I wouldn't have much else to talk about when it comes to my experience with these bikes, so, HI! and thanks again!

[Scott S]

 Definitely not too far gone to restore. Depends on how much time and money you want to spend on it.
 If you part it out, I call dibs on the foot pegs, shifter/linkage and brake pedal.

[flybox1]

Definitely not too far gone to restore. Depends on how much time and money you want to spend on it.
 If you part it out, I call dibs on the foot pegs, shifter/linkage and brake pedal.

He'll take that seat, too 

[NobleHops]

Good afternoon! 

So here's the scoop guys and gals, I need some serious opinions on what to do here. Recently I walked into an estate sale just on a whim, and left with a '75 CB400F for the grand total of $30.  It has no title, but I did have the foresight to call the Sheriff and have them run the numbers to make sure it wasn't reported stolen or anything.  The elderly man who owned it had had it for the past couple decades and it just sat in his garage.  ANYWAYS... The thing is definitely rough, but it's not missing much from what little I know. haven't even tried to fire it up, but the engine does turn, it's not seized and seems to have good compression, again from what little I know. Transmission, clutch "seem" to be working, nothing is stuck at least. like 13k on it from what I can tell. Few parts broke, most noticeably the left turn signal, it was obviously laid down at some point...  Picture attached below to get you folks a feel for the condition.



So now for the questions... Is it too far gone to make sense as a restore project? assuming I could even get a bonded title for it? Or do I skip the bonded title process and just part out what I can, but destroying an otherwise nearly complete classic motorcycle of the likes that I'm understanding are becoming more rare?  (Do I really want to become THAT guy?)  Anyways ladies and gents, I really appreciate your time reading this and any suggestions or thoughts you may have.  I was going to do a Noob post but I wouldn't have much else to talk about when it comes to my experience with these bikes, so, HI! and thanks again!

Chris is that you?

This is a decent starting point for a full restoration IMO. I'd hate to see it parted only because of that, but OTOH we all need parts.

I've done two and taken them all the way back to "Excellent" or just shy of it, and they fetched about 4K ea. So the market likes them, but it doesn't LOVE them :-).

It's tough to see a restoration as an investment.

You wanna have a ball? Make a tidy runner out of it, keep your expenses low, and just enjoy it. Want to make a few sheckels? Clean the tank, get it running, and stop right there and sell it. Any money or time spent following that is sunk cost IMO.

Enjoy!

[NobleHops]

P.S. If you do want to sell it, be in touch. I have most everything needed to make that tidy in hand, which would make it much more doable and cost effective.

[Stev-o]

Dont be "that guy".  I've restored worst, if you have a grand to spend, it could be a very nice bike.

[MoMo]

Dont be "that guy".  I've restored worst, if you have a grand to spend, it could be a very nice bike.

a grand Stev-o?  Maybe.  But it needs Handlebars, tires, tubes, side covers, chain, seat, paint job, battery, air filter, cables, on and on...

[przjohn]

That is a perfect candidate for restoration. I've restored worse that cost a hell of a lot more than a round of golf. Please don't part it out. But if you do part it out don't be like some of the Einstein Grease Monkeys out there that want $50 for a part still available from Honda for $6.95.

[Stev-o]

Dont be "that guy".  I've restored worst, if you have a grand to spend, it could be a very nice bike.

a grand Stev-o?  Maybe.  But it needs Handlebars, tires, tubes, side covers, chain, seat, paint job, battery, air filter, cables, on and on...

A grand minimum, but prolly at least two....didn't want to scare him off!

[NobleHops]

Dont be "that guy".  I've restored worst, if you have a grand to spend, it could be a very nice bike.

a grand Stev-o?  Maybe.  But it needs Handlebars, tires, tubes, side covers, chain, seat, paint job, battery, air filter, cables, on and on...

A grand minimum, but prolly at least two....didn't want to scare him off!

I need another project at the moment like I need another hole in my head, but I have cables, seat, tanks, header, gauges, headlight, fenders, taillight and bracket, and many many other parts this bike needs. But it would be something like #10 on the project list at the moment.

[z3r0]

Sorry for late response.  Been a long weekend.  Thanks a bunch for the comments.  I think for now I'm going to hang onto the bike and try to get the title.  I'll probably start buying bits and pieces here and there and see if I can't get it road worthy in the next year or so.  I just had my first kid a a few months ago so it's hard to envision a project like this right now.  I'll have to do some reading up.  I'm a car guy, mechanically inclined, but I've never worked on a bike to be honest so it's going to be a steep learning curve, I'm sure.  I think I'll get the oil changed, maybe get some fuel in it (if I can figure out how to hook the fuel line(s) back up (haha) and see if I can't get it to fire. I doubt it will but that's pretty much where I'd start on an older car so unless one of you suggests I tear it apart before that I think thats where Ill begin here too.  Anyways, thanks again for the comments!

[z3r0]

I woke up this morning and took a few more quick photos of the bike on my way out the door to work.  I'm going to assume, for now, that the engine is serviceable and start building up a parts list....

[76400F]

Dibs on the carbs...I'm at the end of my rope with mine.

[cgarbe]

Good afternoon! 

So here's the scoop guys and gals, I need some serious opinions on what to do here. Recently I walked into an estate sale just on a whim, and left with a '75 CB400F for the grand total of $30.  It has no title, but I did have the foresight to call the Sheriff and have them run the numbers to make sure it wasn't reported stolen or anything.  The elderly man who owned it had had it for the past couple decades and it just sat in his garage.  ANYWAYS... The thing is definitely rough, but it's not missing much from what little I know. haven't even tried to fire it up, but the engine does turn, it's not seized and seems to have good compression, again from what little I know. Transmission, clutch "seem" to be working, nothing is stuck at least. like 13k on it from what I can tell. Few parts broke, most noticeably the left turn signal, it was obviously laid down at some point...  Picture attached below to get you folks a feel for the condition.



So now for the questions... Is it too far gone to make sense as a restore project? assuming I could even get a bonded title for it? Or do I skip the bonded title process and just part out what I can, but destroying an otherwise nearly complete classic motorcycle of the likes that I'm understanding are becoming more rare?  (Do I really want to become THAT guy?)  Anyways ladies and gents, I really appreciate your time reading this and any suggestions or thoughts you may have.  I was going to do a Noob post but I wouldn't have much else to talk about when it comes to my experience with these bikes, so, HI! and thanks again!

Chris is that you?

This is a decent starting point for a full restoration IMO. I'd hate to see it parted only because of that, but OTOH we all need parts.

I've done two and taken them all the way back to "Excellent" or just shy of it, and they fetched about 4K ea. So the market likes them, but it doesn't LOVE them :-).

It's tough to see a restoration as an investment.

You wanna have a ball? Make a tidy runner out of it, keep your expenses low, and just enjoy it. Want to make a few sheckels? Clean the tank, get it running, and stop right there and sell it. Any money or time spent following that is sunk cost IMO.

Enjoy!

NobleHops;

Not me...however my project is on hold right now. Just moved to Chicago and had to put almost all of my projects in storage back in Columbus. : (

[John Eberly]

This is a good start to get a bike back in circulation. You could sell it on and make at least 10x your investment. So good job for snapping it up.

I have brought back a couple of basket cases and I own a rider 400-4. My opinion is that this bike would be a $2,000 and a 6-12 month project to put back into rider condition with decent finishes.

I started working on bikes after my kids were out of the house and I find it relaxing when I don't have too many other time commitments. My bills are paid and I have a little play money. I don't know your situation, so think about whether this project will help or hurt your daily stress level. Having something like this "in process" and taking up space is a real commitment.

I guess I'd suggest that you think about what you want to accomplish.

If you want to have a bike to work on and ride, and you're not too concerned about looks, and your body fits this bike (you are 6'-0 or shorter) you could fix it on a budget and keep it. Probably $1,000 and 6 months if you have the skills and tools.

Parting it might sound like a way to maximize your return, but you have to tear it down, spend time selling and shipping parts, and what do you do with the leftovers? The folks who make money junking bikes do it all of the time. Do you have time for that?

Maybe you could make a grand in cash if you got it back on the road, but that's not counting the value of the time you'd put into it. Plus you have to buy parts and get painting and plating done. Your profit margin gets pretty slim, and you have to do top notch work or it's not worth much at all when you're done.

If you want to maximize the value of this bike in financial terms you should flip it right now. You bought it right, and I think you can easily make 3 to 5 hundred bucks without a lot of time and effort. If you get a title and make it run you'd be in a better negotiating position, but there's value there right now.

Just my opinions, but I congratulate you on a great deal. I suspect this won't be your last score in the world of classic motorcycles.

John Eberly

[Bankerdanny]

That header looks to be in really good shape. It appears to need the typical old bike consumables (battery, cables, hoses, ect) along with the seat. Replacement bars are cheap.

I would do the bare minimum to see if it will run, which means clean the tank (if necessary) and carbs, change the oil, and then see if she will fire. If it runs well, then most of what I see it needs from the photo's are cosmetic in nature.

[z3r0]

This is a good start to get a bike back in circulation. You could sell it on and make at least 10x your investment. So good job for snapping it up.

I have brought back a couple of basket cases and I own a rider 400-4. My opinion is that this bike would be a $2,000 and a 6-12 month project to put back into rider condition with decent finishes.

I started working on bikes after my kids were out of the house and I find it relaxing when I don't have too many other time commitments. My bills are paid and I have a little play money. I don't know your situation, so think about whether this project will help or hurt your daily stress level. Having something like this "in process" and taking up space is a real commitment.

I guess I'd suggest that you think about what you want to accomplish.

Well, I certainly am a little strapped for cash at the moment (just had our first kid, bought a house).  Space isn't such a huge issue as I have a very decent sized garage and I can make more room if necessary.  Like you said though, I'm definitely not going to have a bunch of time, at least not for awhile.  Part of me thinks it would be a seriously awesome father son project here in another decade, but do I really want to hang onto it that long?  It's hard to imagine finding another bike for sub $50 bucks in as "good" condition.  I'm just torn.  My biggest concern however seems to have been unanimously answered in that it looks to be a great candidate for restoration.  I have no qualms with learning as I go but my lack of knowledge when it comes to motorcycles and how everything works definitely required a little reassurance that this was even a viable candidate to repair and ride, so I really appreciate the honest feedback.

If you want to have a bike to work on and ride, and you're not too concerned about looks, and your body fits this bike (you are 6'-0 or shorter) you could fix it on a budget and keep it. Probably $1,000 and 6 months if you have the skills and tools.

I think this seems like it's going to be the most reasonable option.  Thankfully, this project isn't even my idea. My wife, who is usually against all things automotive has fallen in love with the looks of the bike and has told me she really would love to have it up and running.  That support alone makes me a little more comfortable holding onto it, ha.  Honestly, I'm too big and tall for this thing but it should suit her just great.

Just my opinions, but I congratulate you on a great deal. I suspect this won't be your last score in the world of classic motorcycles.

John Eberly

Thanks again!

[grcamna2]

I've had very good success on getting two bikes registered that I bought with no papers at all.I registered them in VT. and even though I live 'out of state', VT. didn't care. 

[heeroyuy01195]

Glad you decided to keep it  I actually bought mine in similar condition to yours and got it up and running in a few months. I'm a car guy too and knew nothing about motorcycles coming into this. Don't fret, you'll do just fine given your background.

I would go through the carbs and give them a good cleaning first. Change the oil like you said, clean out the tank, change out the plugs, check your fuses, etc. Basic things you'd do if it were a car. Good luck and have fun with it!

[rockvegas400]

Good to see you decided to keep her - she's nearly got all the bits bar the seat, can, and consumables. Can understand concern re time (kids) and $ (mortgage) as was in the same boat with mine. I think the resto was worth it in the end for the experience gained, the fun I've had riding her, and the conversations she generates in car parks and fuel stops!