Author Topic: I got a "free" Honda CB (Read 7879 times)

snickram · « **on:** January 11, 2007, 01:16:08 PM »

I work at a health club and was cleaning out my desk when a member spotted a photo of my 78 CB750. He told me that he also had an old CB and ofcourse I had to ask what it was. He told me it was a 1975 honda CB 550 that didn't run.. He's the original owner of the bike and it's been sitting inside all it's life. I asked him if he wanted to sell and he replied: you can have it and he stated that it hasn't ran in years. So tomorrow I'll be picking up a free bike, kinda curious what I'll be getting but I'm sure it's worth the effort

I also found a 1974 CB 550 for $700, all original but it has higher mileage 30,000 I believe? I'm going to take a look at it and take photos just incase someone on this board is interested? I may also sell the one I'll be getting for free, not sure yet. Will see what I'm getting first?

snickram · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2007, 01:32:55 PM »

Quote from: Wykydtron on January 11, 2007, 01:21:54 PM

Oh man!!! Sounds like a "been in the barn for 10 years" special! May just need tires, breakwork, carbs gone through, battery, chain, sprockets and your off!! I love those kind.

I truly hope for the best.. I'm guessing it's fairly decent judging by the individual getting rid of it, he doesn't seem like someone that would trash a motorcycle? At least I have something to look forward to tomorrow, can't wait to see this thing.. If nothing else I'll turn it into a cafe bike.. I wasn't a huge cafe fanatic, but this board has transformed me.

Hey, is anyone on this board live near Ft. Wayne Indiana? Just curious...

Master Ted · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2007, 01:39:13 PM »

And, I thought I had a big day... I spotted two fresh S11 Bridgestones (90/90 & 110/90) standing in a corner priced for close-out since shop was dropping tires altogether. $60 for the pair!

Congrats! You can't lose on your deal even if you were to tear it down for an ebay blow out.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2007, 01:41:52 PM »

Nice find! We expect pictures of course.

emmaus777 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2007, 01:54:53 PM »

That's awesome! How come I can't score a deal like that?

kach_me · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2007, 02:16:53 PM »

We should start a group of lucky souls in the forum who have gotten freebies. I got mine, gratis, in June. All it needed was a tune up. The PO was kind enough to have put a new chain on, new tires, and new exhaust within 1 year of me getting it. Out with the old gas, in with the new gas, spark plugs, oil & air filters and I was off and riding. Course it needed a carb adjust, but otherwise... I've been smiling ever since.

Congrats on the 550. I'm sure it'll be great.

kach_me · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2007, 02:17:50 PM »

Quote from: Wykydtron on January 11, 2007, 02:15:21 PM

Quote
Hey, is anyone on this board live near Ft. Wayne Indiana? Just curious...

Hell Im close enough, Champaign area Illinois, if you dont want it Ill be there this weekend to get it!!

I live in West Central IL but have lived in Tuscola... that anywhere close to you?

Cowboy · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2007, 02:40:38 PM »

Well, as long as we're making a list of recipients of freebie CBs, I'll have to join, with a caveat: Mine is not entirely mine, though it is free.

Back when I was dating my wife, her father moved overseas, and I helped clear out his house in Colorado. He had a 78 CB550, which wound up in my garage for a couple years, then when we married, and moved, it sat in our barn for five more years.

I recently took on the challenge of bringing this bike back to life. It's running great now. (Thanks, BTW, to all the contributors to the archives here at SOHC4, which I used heavily in the process.)

The CB550 will join the ranks of vehicles my father-in-law leaves in our care, to use and maintain so that he can enjoy them when he comes back from overseas to visit. The others are a 67 Chang Jiang 750 with sidecar, and a 53 MG TD roadster. As you all might guess, I appreciate my father-in-law's taste in toys!

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2007, 02:43:27 PM »

I'm in Battle Creek, Michigan, just up I-69 from Ft. Wayne.

I'm also the lucky recipient of a FREE '77 550K. Got mine because my buddy was moving to Colorado and didn't have room for it in the moving van. It wasn't running at the time, but had run only the year before. Turns out it was an electrical short. Once I tackled that plus a tune, oil change, misc minor parts, it's been golden! Hell, I'm still riding it what with the mild winter so far.

It has developed a nasty oil leak through the head o-ring, so I plan to tear into the top half of it once 'ol man winter catches up.

snickram · « **Reply #9 on:** January 11, 2007, 03:16:50 PM »

I'll be sure to post photos tomorrow...

medic09 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 11, 2007, 03:37:01 PM »

This should be titled the "All The Rest of US Resent You All" thread...

good for you guys.

snickram · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2007, 05:05:59 PM »

Quote from: medic09 on January 11, 2007, 03:37:01 PM

This should be titled the "All The Rest of US Resent You All" thread...

good for you guys.

Hey, that wasn't very nice : ).. Too be completely honest I'm a Kawasaki man, but since crossing into the world of Honda I've ran across some really good deals.. Actually I'm beginning to like Honda's more and more, but it only helps when I run across deals like this. I'm generally not this lucky, but maybe things are beginning to change? I guess we'll see tomorrow? Hopefully this will be a nice machine? I must confess if it's too nice I'll have to give the man at least $50 bucks, I'd feel bad if I didn't.

medic09 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 11, 2007, 05:13:06 PM »

Be sure to post pics!

HITMAN · « **Reply #13 on:** January 11, 2007, 05:38:47 PM »

Sweet deal! Mine was a garage find (well used) but in great shape, still cost me a $100.

Cant wait for pics.

750goes · « **Reply #14 on:** January 11, 2007, 05:46:39 PM »

I live in the lucky country...but not apparently for finding FREE bikes.......

pictures please.....I hope you find a nice one - if so - don't cafe it restore it - you can cafe anytime.....

snickram · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2007, 03:37:06 AM »

Quote from: Wykydtron on January 11, 2007, 05:52:58 PM

Quote from: kach_me on January 11, 2007, 02:17:50 PM
Quote from: Wykydtron on January 11, 2007, 02:15:21 PM
Quote
Hey, is anyone on this board live near Ft. Wayne Indiana? Just curious...

Hell Im close enough, Champaign area Illinois, if you dont want it Ill be there this weekend to get it!!

I live in West Central IL but have lived in Tuscola... that anywhere close to you?

Tuscola is less than 20 miles south of Champaign dude. How long ago was that?? Man you shoulda just moved out of Illinois all together, sucks here. People are all snobby and #$%* in this area anyway, may as well be in Chicago. Ive spent a significant amount of time(vacationing, visiting relatives) both in the far south and far north and people are far more friendly in either direction!

Anyway look me up if you come my way.

I got my 78 550 for $100 but the guy was gonna give it to me. The trans. was toast, had serious electrial problems, and the carbs had been off it for years but I though I should give him something for it. After ALOT of work, turned out to be a really strong running bike. Thought I might sell it, but I dont think I could part with it now!

Yes, Illinois SUCKS!! I moved to Ft. Wayne Indiana which isn't a great improvement, but at least it's not flat and depressing. I like in Moweaqua Illinois - (near Decatur) for 30 years and I moved to Indiana in 2002.. I drive to Springfield Illinois once every two months for guard training and I realize during the drive that I made the right move.. Illinois is depressing to me... Not so much the people to me, but the land.. I lived in Houston Texas for 3 years and in my experience there's definetely nicer folk down south.. No comparrison...

dusterdude · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2007, 07:18:03 AM »

i hate all ya`ll

snickram · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2007, 01:57:25 PM »

Well, I went to look at her and sure enough a barn classic.. What I thought was a 1975 CB550 actually turned out to be a 1972 CB450. Atleast the frame date states 5/72.. Anyhow it was under a cover in the corner of his barn and has an Indiana plate dated 1978.. I was upset that it wasn't a CB550 until I looked at the mileage.. This baby has 1,699 miles and that's original.. It has some bad rust in certain areas, but overall I'm very pleased.. I felt bad not giving him anything for the bike so I decided to offer $50 until he told me the title "might" be missing? So I told him $50 if he finds the title and $25 if he doesn't.. I think that was fair

I'll post pictures and ya'all can decide? Did I pay too much

?? Well, I've got some cleaing to do.. I'm not sure if I'm keeping this or selling? I'll get the title and do some light cleaning and then decide.. I douibt it will take much to get her running, I'll soon find out.. Well, here's the photos... Hey, if anyone wants to make an offer or trade me something let me know.. How much do you think this is worth? Just curious...

I ran her through a car wash to knock off about almost 30 years of dust, that's how long it was sitting. It turns over great, the owner said he frequently kicked it over to make sure.. Gotta love that... Did I mention it had 1,699 miles that's amazing!!!!

snickram · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2007, 02:01:44 PM »

speedo

snickram · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2007, 02:06:57 PM »

plate

snickram · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2007, 02:09:41 PM »

documentation

snickram · « **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2007, 02:10:40 PM »

side case

snickram · « **Reply #22 on:** January 12, 2007, 02:12:03 PM »

in truck

snickram · « **Reply #23 on:** January 12, 2007, 02:19:48 PM »

almost done...

snickram · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2007, 02:20:47 PM »

1 more to go...

News:

Author Topic: I got a "free" Honda CB (Read 7879 times)

snickram

snickram

snickram

snickram

snickram

snickram

snickram

snickram

snickram

snickram

snickram

snickram

snickram