Topic: 1971 CB750 - Should I get It?

[gwallis]

Here are the pics of a 1971 CB750 that I can purchase for $650.00.

It has 41,000 miles on the clock and is in very rough shape.  I have just finished rebuilding a 1973 CB750... but this one is in much worse shape.  And I only paid $600 for the 1973 model with only 15,000 miles on it.

So... you can understand my hesitating on spending more money on a bike in much worse shape.

I welcome any constructive comments... I trust the opinions of this site and its members.

[danyo]

Doesn't look bad at all and like you said you finished one so you need new project.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[y2kc0wb0y]

Looks to be all there...Title or no Title? You could also part that out and easily make your money back.

[jack58]

if you was to buy it and want to part it out i would be interested in the gas tank for my gold 70 model if it was close to my house i would buy it bikes and parts are getting harder to find

[whitjonw]

Seems a shame to part a bike that complete out. In my opinion, it is worth the asking price. Of course, you could always offer a bit less 

[BomberMann650]

Does she have a sister? 

[gwallis]

There is a title.  I already have enough parts to start my own Online eBay Store.... I just don't have the time to devote to it.

I am going to sleep on it.  I also have to get my buddy to help me get it home... so far he has not answered my texts.

[gwallis]

I offered $600 but he told me that he has a guy from out of State that offered him $750!

Seems a bit like 'BS'... but what do I know!

The $650 is a decent price ... I guess.

[ekpent]

 Does the engine still turn over ? Did it "Run when parked" ?

[gwallis]

Gas tank is relatively clean... has slight rust 'bathtub ring' at the fuel line.  I did not check it for compression... but the engine turns over with the kick starter.

No battery so I could not check the electronics.  To tell the truth half of the allure of these bikes is getting them to run again.  I see an old bike that has not run for several years (or decades) and I just want to see if I restore it to full operation.

[Don R]

 I just bought a similar 71 for a similar price. I think I got a deal.

[greenjeans]

I'd buy it for $750.   Getting harder to find them.  What state ?

[gwallis]

Hold on there cowboy..... If I decide not to buy it I will give you the owner's name and number.  It should be later on today.

[Dunk]

Fair price given how complete it is with title, I'd say a little on the low/cheap side. I'd likely jump on it if it were local to me.

[michael_650]

If he's getting better offers, why hasn't he taken them?  $750 out of state is trumped by $600 cash in hand every day of the week, IMHO. 

[wowbagger]

Don't haggle over the phone, haggle in person with cash in hand. I "believe" another member from out of state was interested in that bike, but he has since walked away. The "I'm getting better offers" line is to advance his selling price. You're in a better position locally and with Winter coming. Bikes sell for less from now until Spring.

I should note up front, this strategy assumes your daughter (if that is the chosen option) is older than 16.

Go in person with 4 $100 bills, 3 $50 bills, 1 $20, 2 $10s, 10 $1s and your daughter/mom/wife/girlfriend (preferably in that order). Put the 4 $100s in one pocket, put 3 of the $50s in a different pocket. Give the remaining $50s worth of bills to your daughter/mom/wife/girlfriend. When you get there and have gone over the bike pointing out all of the problems with it, offer the 4 $100s. As the haggling continues, up the offer by $50 (but don't ever pull more than 1 $50 out at a time. If you can't get the bike for the $550 in cash you had on you and feel that you really want it, turn to your daughter/mom/wife/girlfriend and ask to "borrow" $50. Make sure they eye you with contempt and put up as much of a complaining fight as possible before turning over the last $50. If you still can't get it for $600, walk away but leave your number in case he changes his mind.. Never be afraid to walk out on a negotiation.

I should also note that the amounts mentioned are how I would approach this sale. Feel free to increase or decrease the numbers to fit your budget or perceived value of the bike. If you feel that starting at $400 is "low balling," then start at $450 or $500. If you do choose to start higher, then bring smaller denomination bills for the rest to leave yourself more room to negotiate.

Good luck.

[itsahonda4]

Wow, i just learned alesson in how to get waaay better prices on my buys......

[Dunk]

Don't haggle over the phone, haggle in person with cash in hand. I "believe" another member from out of state was interested in that bike, but he has since walked away. The "I'm getting better offers" line is to advance his selling price. You're in a better position locally and with Winter coming. Bikes sell for less from now until Spring.

I should note up front, this strategy assumes your daughter (if that is the chosen option) is older than 16.

Go in person with 4 $100 bills, 3 $50 bills, 1 $20, 2 $10s, 10 $1s and your daughter/mom/wife/girlfriend (preferably in that order). Put the 4 $100s in one pocket, put 3 of the $50s in a different pocket. Give the remaining $50s worth of bills to your daughter/mom/wife/girlfriend. When you get there and have gone over the bike pointing out all of the problems with it, offer the 4 $100s. As the haggling continues, up the offer by $50 (but don't ever pull more than 1 $50 out at a time. If you can't get the bike for the $550 in cash you had on you and feel that you really want it, turn to your daughter/mom/wife/girlfriend and ask to "borrow" $50. Make sure they eye you with contempt and put up as much of a complaining fight as possible before turning over the last $50. If you still can't get it for $600, walk away but leave your number in case he changes his mind.. Never be afraid to walk out on a negotiation.

I should also note that the amounts mentioned are how I would approach this sale. Feel free to increase or decrease the numbers to fit your budget or perceived value of the bike. If you feel that starting at $400 is "low balling," then start at $450 or $500. If you do choose to start higher, then bring smaller denomination bills for the rest to leave yourself more room to negotiate.

Any time anyone has tried this with me rather than just talking numbers and making an offer, I decline to lower my price. I find it demeaning, if they had not acted like daddy warbucks on a budget I would have accepted less than my asking price. I assume if you've showed up and are making an offer, you have the money on your person and are not wasting my time. Beware using this method, not everyone will play ball. With me you'd have better luck getting a lower price by showing me previous restorations and demonstrating you are OCD with detail, doing things right, and will not cut up or part out an early bike.

[wowbagger]

Any time anyone has tried this with me rather than just talking numbers and making an offer, I decline to lower my price. I find it demeaning, if they had not acted like daddy warbucks on a budget I would have accepted less than my asking price. I assume if you've showed up and are making an offer, you have the money on your person and are not wasting my time. Beware using this method, not everyone will play ball. With me you'd have better luck getting a lower price by showing me previous restorations and demonstrating you are OCD with detail, doing things right, and will not cut up or part out an early bike.

Agreed, there are many strategies to use when negotiating. This is just one method and only works with a certain type of seller. If the seller shows any aptitude to wrenching or knowledge of what they actually have, I usually get better results just being upfront and honest with them, as Dunk mentioned. However, if they just got the bike and are just trying to get told dollar for what their 5 minute internet search has told them is worth thousands, well, then anything's fair game.

The art of haggling is something that we've lost in the US. The price should be a conversation, not an ultimatum. A good part of buying these old bikes (and most anything old for that matter) is the story of how you came by it. Don't deprive a man of his fish tales.

[jaguar]

It really depends what you want to actually do with it.

Restoration project?  Buying the bike is a drop in the bucket.
Part out?  There is money to be made
Custom project?  Its missing most of the special OEM stuff you would swap out anyway.
Such a great deal that you just have to have it?  Not in my book, but maybe you have more space and money?

[ekpent]

Any time anyone has tried this with me rather than just talking numbers and making an offer, I decline to lower my price. I find it demeaning, if they had not acted like daddy warbucks on a budget I would have accepted less than my asking price. I assume if you've showed up and are making an offer, you have the money on your person and are not wasting my time. Beware using this method, not everyone will play ball. With me you'd have better luck getting a lower price by showing me previous restorations and demonstrating you are OCD with detail, doing things right, and will not cut up or part out an early bike.

Agreed, there are many strategies to use when negotiating. This is just one method and only works with a certain type of seller. If the seller shows any aptitude to wrenching or knowledge of what they actually have, I usually get better results just being upfront and honest with them, as Dunk mentioned. However, if they just got the bike and are just trying to get told dollar for what their 5 minute internet search has told them is worth thousands, well, then anything's fair game.

The art of haggling is something that we've lost in the US. The price should be a conversation, not an ultimatum. A good part of buying these old bikes (and most anything old for that matter) is the story of how you came by it. Don't deprive a man of his fish tales.

I have to disagree with the 'art of haggling" or how it is at least done now. Being in the antique business where the haggle is just part of the deal people used to be a lot more respectful. Nowadays with all these 'haggle' shows like American Pickers, all the car buying shows etc. etc. everybody now thinks they are professionals and low ball kings, get it as cheap as they can and make the buyers bow to their whims. People get to pushy or start running down my stuff hard I just say that I don't think this one is meant for you and good luck on your hunt.
   The price on the bike is not unfair, a good bath will do wonders. Make an offer without running it down too hard or playing games after asking man to man what his best price would be and try to meet in the middle.

[754]

I agree with a lit of the last post.
The last thing you want to do, is go try to use a ploy you just read about online and not have it work.. Once you piss the seller off you may have kissed the whole deal off, so proceed at own risk..

One thing i have done of late ..is.. When a ?buyer asks, what is the least I will take...and he is not there looking at it.. I just say hey, we can end this conversation right now.... I am not making deals without you seeing the item.... That usually changes the tone of things dramatically.

[przjohn]

You better hope you don't loose it wasting time hemming and hawing on here. Pull the damn trigger, here in CT that bike would have been gone. If I can find anything in that shape to restore for $650-$750 I feel good about the deal. The days of a $150 barn find are long gone around here anyway.

[Stev-o]

You better hope you don't loose it wasting time hemming and hawing on here. Pull the damn trigger...

No kidding!  Or post the link so one of us can jump on it.

My buddy is chomping at the bit to buy a 750...

[gwallis]

Anyone local to Southeast Wisconsin?  The bike is in the town of Fredonia, WI.