Topic: Going to buy this 1975 Honda CB750 K5, anything I should be aware of before I buy it?

[Tagzard]

Hey guys first post here. Im going to buy https://rockford.craigslist.org/mcy/5864325394.html that bike. If you guys could give me a heads up on anything I should be aware of when I meet up with this guy in early march? I'm definitely going to unwrap those poor exhaust pipes (or should I just leave it? I've never had wrapped pipes, I just hear they're as bad as death). Also how hard is it to fix the tachometer cable? My motorcycle repair knowledge is pretty minimal. Any other tips would be great!


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[Tagzard]

Also: I talked the guy down to $3,800; before anyone tells me I'm overpaying.


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[Don R]

 The seat cover looks loose and is missing the seat strap, the front turn signals appear to be the early ones and the rear are the newer ones. Expect the pipes to be gnarly under the wrap. The tach problem may be the cable or the tach it's self. Either way not anything unsolvable. Check the date code on the tires. Check inside the gas tank for rust or liners. There appears to be a little oil on the fin between the head and cylinder, the rubber seals under the cam towers may be seeping.
 Yes I'm picking it apart, but only because you asked. It might be a great bike.
 Is he going to hold it until March?
 

[Stev-o]

Looks like a nice bike except those pipes and poorly recover seat.  I'd like to see you pay closer to $3K for it, though. It's been for sale for two months, overpriced and worst time of year to sell.

Tach cable is a breeze to replace, about $25 and 10 min.

[Tagzard]

The seat cover looks loose and is missing the seat strap, the front turn signals appear to be the early ones and the rear are the newer ones. Expect the pipes to be gnarly under the wrap. The tach problem may be the cable or the tach it's self. Either way not anything unsolvable. Check the date code on the tires. Check inside the gas tank for rust or liners. There appears to be a little oil on the fin between the head and cylinder, the rubber seals under the cam towers may be seeping.
 Yes I'm picking it apart, but only because you asked. It might be a great bike.
 Is he going to hold it until March?

Yeah he's holding til march. You still think I'm over paying?


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[flybox1]

The seat is a poorly done re-cover.
Looks a little wet near the #4 head gasket....
Pipe wrap looks new    Hiding something?...check the pipe ends. 
If they're rotted....back away slowly, or earmark another $400+ for new pipes 

How well does it cold-start.
Idle sound smooth?  Any color to the exhaust after it fully warms up?

$3k is a bit high 

[flybox1]

check this as a comp



https://twinfalls.craigslist.org/mcy/5868520952.html

[eigenvector]

Not to hijack this - but well, I'm going to hijack it just a smidge...

I noticed that the Tach on that Twinfalls bike was also yellow in the redline zone - mine is too.

So the question - is that redline zone on the tach supposed to be orange, yellow, or red?

[Tagzard]

The seat is a poorly done re-cover.
Looks a little wet near the #4 head gasket....
Pipe wrap looks new    Hiding something?...check the pipe ends. 
If they're rotted....back away slowly, or earmark another $400+ for new pipes 

How well does it cold-start.
Idle sound smooth?  Any color to the exhaust after it fully warms up?

$3k is a bit high 

What would you pay?


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[Tagzard]

check this as a comp



https://twinfalls.craigslist.org/mcy/5868520952.html

That's a nice looking bike. Is it in better condition than the one I posed? The one I posted does have more detailed information on what's wrong.


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[flybox1]

Redline mark is faded.....its supposed to be red.

Better condition....meh....but it has the original exhaust ($1000) AND its starting price is more in line with what someone would expect to pay for a titled, ride-able bike.
$2500+/- is not out of the ordinary, but many on here have purchased them for much less, including me.

[eigenvector]

$3,800 seems pretty high.  It's a nice looking bike - make no mistake, and the only knocks are coming from the pipe-wrapped exhaust, and I agree with Flybox.  That wrap is new, undoubtedly because it makes the bike look snazzier, but it might also be hiding some pretty rotten pipes.

[Gene]

It looks nice. Pipes are a worry, just cuz they're covered.  It'd be better to be able to see them.  Everything everyone has said here is why it seems overpriced.  If that bike was in L.A. it would go for even more, but, it does seem a little steep - especially since it's not "unmolested".  Someone installed an oil pressure gauge - those are cool but not stock. nor are the 4 into 2 pipes - but they could have been put on by the original shop. Broken tach could be the cable/tach OR the drive itself.  Having gone through that issue w/my 550 I'd bet on the drive.  The Buchanan's spokes and new wheels are a plus, if true. (Trust no one - if your Mother says she loves you, check her sources).

What it comes down to is: Do YOU think it's worth it?  If so, you pay what you're willing to pay.  Check the tank, check the tires, check everything everyone has said here and at the end of it all, if you want it - pay whatever you think is right.

Good luck, and Welcome to the forum.

P.S. - upgrades and changes don't necessarily make the bike worth less.

[Tews19]

If guy is willing to hold until March, that is a red flag...... You are paying way too much IMO and I am just north of you....

[ekpent]

If guy is willing to hold until March, that is a red flag...... You are paying way too much IMO and I am just north of you....

I'm with Nick, pretty high for the rust belt.

[Tagzard]

If guy is willing to hold until March, that is a red flag...... You are paying way too much IMO and I am just north of you....

Yeah, the big question is "why would he hold it until March"? Or does that mean you'd buy it now, then he would hold it for you until March?

It just means if someone buys it before march or if he takes it off he'd let me know. I'll still look at it in person


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[Tagzard]

It looks nice. Pipes are a worry, just cuz they're covered.  It'd be better to be able to see them.  Everything everyone has said here is why it seems overpriced.  If that bike was in L.A. it would go for even more, but, it does seem a little steep - especially since it's not "unmolested".  Someone installed an oil pressure gauge - those are cool but not stock. nor are the 4 into 2 pipes - but they could have been put on by the original shop. Broken tach could be the cable/tach OR the drive itself.  Having gone through that issue w/my 550 I'd bet on the drive.  The Buchanan's spokes and new wheels are a plus, if true. (Trust no one - if your Mother says she loves you, check her sources).

What it comes down to is: Do YOU think it's worth it?  If so, you pay what you're willing to pay.  Check the tank, check the tires, check everything everyone has said here and at the end of it all, if you want it - pay whatever you think is right.

Good luck, and Welcome to the forum.

P.S. - upgrades and changes don't necessarily make the bike worth less.

I honestly wouldn't want to pay more than $3200 because that's what they're going for in my area. But his post made it seem like it was in near perfect condition, plus the miles are relatively low (15k). But if everyone says I can find a better deal elsewhere I would.


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[Tagzard]

$3,800 seems pretty high.  It's a nice looking bike - make no mistake, and the only knocks are coming from the pipe-wrapped exhaust, and I agree with Flybox.  That wrap is new, undoubtedly because it makes the bike look snazzier, but it might also be hiding some pretty rotten pipes.

What would you go for it? I was thinking 3,200. If I check it in person and the issues are minimal that sounds fair. What do you think


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[eigenvector]

I'm going to defer to the other people about that.

You have to understand - I only buy wrecks or junked bikes. 

But it if was my money and you wanted to pin me down on it - I'd go 2k.  Any more than that and I would want to start seeing all originals.

[mj1176]

@Tagzard this is a very difficult question to answer because we don't know your financial situation or the market for your area. Personally, I'm in no place to be spending $3-point-anything thousand on anything but a nearly-new modern bike in great shape. To me (and to a lot of other people) a CB has to be in damn near perfect shape to be worth that much. But if you're dead set on having it and paying between 3 and 4 grand for it is no big deal to you then go for it. Just know that getting it really road ready and where you want it can easily cost you another thousand before you can blink. Also, as others have said, don't trust previous owners. Ever. Just don't. Doesn't matter how nice he is, doesn't matter how much you believe them. Double check everything for yourself and DEFINITELY don't pay more for anything based on the PO's word alone.

[Stev-o]

If guy is willing to hold until March, that is a red flag...... You are paying way too much IMO and I am just north of you....

Yeah, the big question is "why would he hold it until March"? Or does that mean you'd buy it now, then he would hold it for you until March?

It just means if someone buys it before march or if he takes it off he'd let me know. I'll still look at it in person

So, you havent looked at it yet?  Why the wait til March??

[Tagzard]

If guy is willing to hold until March, that is a red flag...... You are paying way too much IMO and I am just north of you....

Yeah, the big question is "why would he hold it until March"? Or does that mean you'd buy it now, then he would hold it for you until March?

It just means if someone buys it before march or if he takes it off he'd let me know. I'll still look at it in person

So, you havent looked at it yet?  Why the wait til March??

Because it's January in Chicago. I told him I won't go higher than 3,100. He doesn't want to budge past 3,500. So I'm probably gunna keep looking.


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[Tagzard]

@Tagzard this is a very difficult question to answer because we don't know your financial situation or the market for your area. Personally, I'm in no place to be spending $3-point-anything thousand on anything but a nearly-new modern bike in great shape. To me (and to a lot of other people) a CB has to be in damn near perfect shape to be worth that much. But if you're dead set on having it and paying between 3 and 4 grand for it is no big deal to you then go for it. Just know that getting it really road ready and where you want it can easily cost you another thousand before you can blink. Also, as others have said, don't trust previous owners. Ever. Just don't. Doesn't matter how nice he is, doesn't matter how much you believe them. Double check everything for yourself and DEFINITELY don't pay more for anything based on the PO's word alone.

Thanks for the input man. The bike does look to be in fantastic condition from the pics, I told the guy I won't budge past 3,100 and he doesn't want to budge past 3,500. I didn't really know what people pay for CB750s, I always thought the average price for one in good condition is between 2,900-3,600, but you guys really opened my eyes on what's worth what.


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[ekpent]

If guy is willing to hold until March, that is a red flag...... You are paying way too much IMO and I am just north of you....

Yeah, the big question is "why would he hold it until March"? Or does that mean you'd buy it now, then he would hold it for you until March?

It just means if someone buys it before march or if he takes it off he'd let me know. I'll still look at it in person

So, you havent looked at it yet?  Why the wait til March??

Put out an alert for your personnel in the bat cave Steve and find him a good deal !

[Tagzard]

If guy is willing to hold until March, that is a red flag...... You are paying way too much IMO and I am just north of you....

Put out an alert for your personnel in the bat cave Steve and find him a good deal !

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