Author Topic: I need to downsize my bike collection, which should I keep? (Read 5654 times)

02z06dave · « **on:** June 04, 2018, 03:17:28 PM »

Ive recently made the decision to quit my job and work for myself. The downside of this is that I cant afford to keep all of my bikes. At least for now, i can only keep 1. I have a couple of project bikes as well that are in the beginning stages and ill be keeping those as well, since they dont have much value. I just wont be able to actually work on any of them for a while.

The options are 1964 Honda CB77, 1966 Honda CB450, 1971 Honda CB750, or 2002 Ducati 998. The 998 is the most fun to ride but also most painful and least practical. It makes a terrible, but nkt impossible commuter. The cb77 is also fun and nimble, but very slow so it sucks if i have to get on the highway. The cb450 and cb750 are both good all around, fun and practical. Currently im leaning towards keeping the cb450 because of the all around usefulness and its the most rare of the bunch. The cb77 would be the most expensive to replace because of the custom work. My argument towards keeping it would be its the only one that im upside down and ridiculously so. I know this is the sohc4 forum sonthere may be a bias, but Im interested in the opinions/perspective of you all.

Bikes is question...

Stev-o · « **Reply #1 on:** June 04, 2018, 03:38:18 PM »

Seems you've already ruled out the CB77 & the 998, I see agree to that.

So if it's between the CB450 & CB750, I think I'd have to keep the 450. As much as I'd like you to sell it to me, replacement down the line would not be easy. A K1 would be easy to find and most likey more reasonably priced.

So what is your business? Good Luck!

02z06dave · « **Reply #2 on:** June 04, 2018, 03:43:57 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on June 04, 2018, 03:38:18 PM

Seems you've already ruled out the CB77 & the 998, I see agree to that.

So if it's between the CB450 & CB750, I think I'd have to keep the 450. As much as I'd like you to sell it to me, replacement down the line would not be easy. A K1 would be easy to find and most likey more reasonably priced.

So what is your business? Good Luck!

I havent necessarily ruled out the cb77 or the 998. In fact, im really torn on those 2 because i love looking at them so much and the 998 is so gd fun. I will admit, however, that i have an unhealthy emotional attachment to the 450 as well.

I took up day trading a bit over a year ago and have started to achieve some success at it. The funds from the bikes will be primarily giving me more leverage in trading, but i will also be continuing to part out bikes as a supplement to that, and at a much higher rate than i do currently.

jgger · « **Reply #3 on:** June 04, 2018, 07:30:56 PM »

You can GIVE me the gold one with the bent tank, then keep the rest! Just saying.

It is a tough decision. You could put a stupid high price on all of them and see what sales, let the market decide.

754 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 04, 2018, 07:51:34 PM »

I think the 71 will take you anywhere you want to ride to, for a long long time.
Can you say that about the others ?
Was there any 450s at our reunion. .nope !

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #5 on:** June 04, 2018, 07:54:33 PM »

I like gold with Torch Red

02z06dave · « **Reply #6 on:** June 04, 2018, 08:23:24 PM »

Quote from: 754 on June 04, 2018, 07:51:34 PM

I think the 71 will rake you anywhere you wantvto ride to for a long long time.
Can you say that about the others ?
Was there any 450s at our reunion. .nope !

Interesting rationale. To answer the question, yes, i can probably say the same for the others. The other Hondas have already made it over 50 years, no reason to suspect they wont keep going

calj737 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2018, 02:55:05 AM »

Sell the K, keep the other 3.

Then, as your new venture brings you more prosperity, rebuild to an even higher standard a new K. There are enough donors to make a very nice bike. Meanwhile, you have a nice gamut of bikes to ride, look at, and enjoy.

I would have to say my priority would be: which gives me the most riding pleasure and visual stimulation. I'd say the 750 is no match for the 998, and the 450 (as we all know) is the most impressive Honda ever built

The 77 is almost a novelty, and surely a great 1-up banger around town or for special days.

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #8 on:** June 05, 2018, 03:59:06 AM »

I'd keep the K1 and the Duke. One for practical riding (commuting, touring, posing etc) and the other one for scary fun, and more posing. Nothing wrong with posing, as long as your bike is pose-worthy.........

02z06dave · « **Reply #9 on:** June 05, 2018, 06:08:24 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on June 05, 2018, 02:55:05 AM

Sell the K, keep the other 3.

Then, as your new venture brings you more prosperity, rebuild to an even higher standard a new K. There are enough donors to make a very nice bike. Meanwhile, you have a nice gamut of bikes to ride, look at, and enjoy.

I would have to say my priority would be: which gives me the most riding pleasure and visual stimulation. I'd say the 750 is no match for the 998, and the 450 (as we all know) is the most impressive Honda ever built The 77 is almost a novelty, and surely a great 1-up banger around town or for special days.

If i could keep 3, thats exactly what i do. I got out all 4 for reasonable length rides yesterday and will the same again today and tomorrow probably. I think the k1 is a cool bike and i like it, but it just doesn't evoke any excitement for me. Its just kind of a cool transportation. If it were a k0 especially a sandcast, I'd keep it without question. The cb77 is fun for a little bit, but compared to the others, its like its standing still when you open up the throttle all the way. The fun wears off pretty quickly. I made i mistake when i built it in not doing a big bore kit and a hot cam. It desperately needs it. I also feel like a giant on that little bike and im not a big guy at all. So im thinking as of now, those 2 are for sure out. In thinking it through more, i probably wouldnt even care to replace either with the same model in the future, so it doesn't make sense to keep them now. The decision between the 450 and the 998 is going to be tough. I absolutely love them both. Maybe ill have to find a way to keep both. Or i may take the earlier advice and list both and sell whichever gets higher offers.

754 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 05, 2018, 07:00:25 AM »

Is the 450 as quick as the 750.. i know the 350 twins vibrated horrendously, 300 miles in a day was a chore.
That 750 will do 600 a day or more..

02z06dave · « **Reply #11 on:** June 05, 2018, 07:09:50 AM »

Quote from: 754 on June 05, 2018, 07:00:25 AM

Is the 450 as quick as the 750.. i know the 350 twins vibrated horrendously, 300 miles in a day was a chore.
That 750 will do 600 a day or more..

The 450 is not as quick or as smooth as the 750, but it is certainly not intolerable to put some miles on it. Its quite enjoyable really. I literally never put that many miles on a bike in a day anyways. I think they give pretty similar riding pleasures, but the 450 looks better to me and is harder to replace.

CBGhia · « **Reply #12 on:** June 05, 2018, 07:37:36 AM »

The 998 is one of the sexiest bikes that has ever been made. It's beautiful. That said, there are plenty of them out there.

The bomber is a different story. That's a lifetime kinda bike.

Kevin D · « **Reply #13 on:** June 05, 2018, 08:30:35 AM »

If this is a money issue I would rank their values and act accordingly. It might break your heart later on but are you a rider#1? A collector#1? On the edge of something big#1?
That's a nice lineup of Hondas.

Ranked value IMHO:
1a) Corvette
1) Black Bomber
2) K1 - most replaceable
3) 305 custom -
Ducati I don't know?

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #14 on:** June 05, 2018, 09:14:15 AM »

I would lean towards the 750 mostly because it is the most versatile of the 3 classic bikes and based on what I can see, finding a replacement in similar condition would be a challenge. The 750 is fine as an around towner, but is also perfectly capable of long high speed highway travel. The Black Bomber is a close second. The ducati is sexy as hell, but easily replaceable in the future.

02z06dave · « **Reply #15 on:** June 05, 2018, 09:42:42 AM »

A lot of very valid points. The 750 is certainly the most versatile. The fact that i could most easily keep up on the highway vs the 450 is something to consider.

Mr. Mike · « **Reply #16 on:** June 05, 2018, 02:13:54 PM »

I believe you said, “for now, you can only keep 1”. (For now...)

You also stated, ”you have an unhealthy emotional attachment to the 450” or something to that effect.

That’s the hard part...the attachment, and I get it. I’m that way with my stupid little CL77...it was a labor of love, but she stands idle against the 750 and the HD. However, they are all fun in their expectations and ranges of performance.

If it were me, and I could only keep one, it would be the one which still played into my vintage bike liking and gave me the most versatility. City, highway, power, looks etc. My vote would be to keep the K and start the divorce proceedings, and it ain’t gonna be easy.
Or- a few simple games of eenie-meenie-minee-moe would do the trick!

kmb69 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 05, 2018, 04:04:14 PM »

If I could only keep 1, it would definitely be the Bomber.
Most of the others can be replaced more easily IMHO.
Plus, I'm very sentimental to the Bombers as well.
I am currently restoring CB450-1000196 and it is very unlikely I will ever sell it or know how much my heirs end up selling it for!

calj737 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 05, 2018, 04:21:39 PM »

Quote from: kmb69 on June 05, 2018, 04:04:14 PM

If I could only keep 1, it would definitely be the Bomber.
Most of the others can be replaced more easily IMHO.
Plus, I'm very sentimental to the Bombers as well.
I am currently restoring CB450-1000196 and it is very unlikely I will ever sell it or know how much my heirs end up selling it for!

If you leave it to me, Keith, we can negotiate the Sell For price before you depart. Then you could rest easily for eternity

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #19 on:** June 05, 2018, 05:20:58 PM »

#$%* Cal, better get at it and get that price set. Leroy is O L D !!

02z06dave · « **Reply #20 on:** June 05, 2018, 06:07:10 PM »

Quote from: kmb69 on June 05, 2018, 04:04:14 PM

If I could only keep 1, it would definitely be the Bomber.
Most of the others can be replaced more easily IMHO.
Plus, I'm very sentimental to the Bombers as well.
I am currently restoring CB450-1000196 and it is very unlikely I will ever sell it or know how much my heirs end up selling it for!

Wow, i would love to have an early bomber. You are very lucky

kmb69 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 05, 2018, 07:45:55 PM »

Quote from: calj737 on June 05, 2018, 04:21:39 PM

If you leave it to me, Keith, we can negotiate the Sell For price before you depart. Then you could rest easily for eternity

Many thanks Cal. I'll let Mimi know. Resting easier already!

Quote from: Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er on June 05, 2018, 05:20:58 PM

#$%* Cal, better get at it and get that price set. Leroy is O L D !!

Yep Spanky, every day I wake up without a chalk line around me is a BEAUTIFUL DAY!

Quote from: 02z06dave on June 05, 2018, 06:07:10 PM

Wow, i would love to have an early bomber. You are very lucky

Very lucky! A Bomber was the 4th Honda I ever owned as a kid behind a C200, a CA95, and a CB77. I thought the CB77 was hot until I got the Bomber. It was an absolute Super Bike and Technical Marvel to me with DOHC, torsion bar valve springs, and CV carbs. I was in awe of its performance back in the day. I could outrun all the neighborhood Triumph and BSA 650's at the time. It forced 2 of my buds to big bore their Limey bikes to 750's to keep up!

02z06dave · « **Reply #22 on:** June 08, 2018, 08:32:45 AM »

Im not surprised to see the k1 won the poll. This is the sohc4forum afterall. After considering practicality, value, and ease of replacement, ive decided the black bomber stays. I am only the 2nd owner of the bike, i dont think finding another 1 owner bike in that condition will be easy. The k1 doesnt have any sort of special history like that and k1s are pretty readily available. As are superhawks and 998s. I dont think id really care to buy another k1 or superhawk anyways. Thanks everyone for participating. It was definitely a tough call

Bob3050 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 08, 2018, 09:12:09 AM »

I would have sold that C5 Corvette and kept all the bikes!
Bob

02z06dave · « **Reply #24 on:** June 08, 2018, 09:15:42 AM »

Quote from: Bob3050 on June 08, 2018, 09:12:09 AM

I would have sold that C5 Corvette and kept all the bikes!
Bob

The car is more fun than all of the bikes, so thats a big no.

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Author Topic: I need to downsize my bike collection, which should I keep? (Read 5654 times)