Topic: How much should I offer for this 76 CB550 Cafe? (Midwest)

[itzjoker]

Looking to purchase this CB550 as my first bike. Current owner bought recently in June 2018, is selling to buy  equipment for a garage he just bought (he's a mechanic).
I was told by him that the previous owner had it for 3 years and took care of the bike very well. It was rebuilt and supposedly bored out 3mm.

Details:

-Bike runs very very well will fire on first kick
-recent oil change
-Good tires
-doesnt leak a drop
-overall a very solid bike, by no means a show bike but a very nostalgic cafe racer.
-new headlight bucket
-gas tank cleaned and coated with original cafe racer paint job done in the 80's
-tank has a few scratches and isn't perfect but it's a rider not a showroom bike
-18,000 on odometer
-changed handlebars, brat style seat, speedo, brakes, calipers, wheels, suspension

The bike is what I am looking for. Just curious what you guys think I should offer? Owner is asking $2000. I'm located in Midwest, and all the CB's around my area are asking $2,000 for your average stock CB, up to $3500 for rebuilt/very clean.
Should I be worried about buying a rebuilt, bored out bike? Since the build is complete and the bike seems to be running well (from what I am told, haven't seen it in-person yet), that shouldn't matter right? I also don't mind doing minor work to maintain this bike, I'm not mechanically inclined, but I have some experience working on cars.

Pictures (top bike, ignore the bottom): https://i.redd.it/sikd55xdcvl11.png

[ekpent]

 Pretty low end cheap looking build. Be nice if it came with all the stuff that was taken off. I'm not going to assign a value as these are not my thing but it does not look very high end. Does he have an asking price you would want to divulge ?

[Scott S]

 That's not a CB550. At least, not a SOHC4 550.  Nighthawk, maybe? A **SWEET** Nighthawk in stock form is an $1800-2500 bike.
 I wouldn't pay more than $1500 for that with the flat seat. The tractor seat is fugly.

[przjohn]

Find a nice used Ninja 250 as a first bike. Get a bike you can ride all day and not work on all night as a first bike.

[jaytee-nz]

As per his post, he's looking at the bike in the top pics - not the other bike in the lower pics.

[itzjoker]

^ What he said.

I felt like you guys didn't even read the post lol.

The bike I am referring to is the CB550 in the top of the picture. The bottom one with the tractor seat is a CB750k, ignore that one.
Owner is asking $2k.

I'm pretty set on a 70s CB550, I'm not interested in other bikes.
$1500 seems really fair for the CB550, but I don't think the owner will budge on that. I might offer $1600-$1800, I just wanted your guys opinion because I don't want to be over paying or ripped off. The CB550 has the look I'm going for so price is a bit more justified for me personally.

[540nova]

I personally would not pay more than $600 for that beater.

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[CB_Dan]

In my opinion, top would be $1200-$1500. The bike's been hacked quite a bit and doesn't sound like it comes with the original parts that were removed, i.e. handlebars, seat, exhaust, stock airbox, battery harness, etc. These things will affect your resell, if/when that time comes.

But I'll tell you something that the PO of my bike told me, "it's all about selling to that right person". So if you're that right person, and you have cash to spend (now and certainly in the future), I'm not sure there's anyone here who will sway you.

[ekpent]

 What part of the Midwest, in Michigan by chance ? Just finishing up this project that I am probably going to be selling next. Next little project is getting a CB500 ready.

[Jooky]

Find a nice used Ninja 250 as a first bike. Get a bike you can ride all day and not work on all night as a first bike.

Like przjohn and Cal say, a CB550 isn't a bad first bike, but you will definitely spend way more time wrenching on it than you will riding; trust me, my first bike is a 75 CB550. I love my 550 and I've put a lot of work into it, but not having a lot of saddle time over the course of the last year has been disheartening and downright maddening at times. My 75 is largely original, but I can imagine it'd be more of a puzzle trying to piece together or diagnose issues on someone else's cafe project. If you are set on a cafe style bike, I wish you luck with this one; otherwise, I'd strongly encourage you to look for something closer to stock that the manual and fine folks here can help you with. Or better still, something a bit more modern that will give you more saddle time as that's what it's all about anyways, right?

[flybox1]

$400

[low-side]

Whatever your budget is, consider that you will want to add at least $500 in parts to make it rideable.  You will want bars, a different seat, and a front fender at least.  Probably an airbox too.  No one thinks they will need a front fender until they get caught in the rain or run down a gravel road or drive, and then they get one.  It looks like all the mods have been done as cheaply as possible and it has bone stock suspension, so I would expect tro replace some of this as well.  If it ran decent and I was really enamored of it I might offer a grand, but more likely $750.

[Scott S]

 I notice that it has  Motion Pro or dirt bike style throttle. Is there a kill switch? That's usually in the RH control. What about the starter button?

[Bobarama]

I think $600 would be top of the mark.

[Bankerdanny]

As a frame of reference in July I sold this one in Chicago for $1,800.

[itzjoker]

Thanks for the input guys! I learned a lot about the value of these CB's. I will try to get it under $1500 as long as it runs as good as he says it does.

[540nova]

Looking at it again,  I'd consider that a parts bike. Useful because it has a running engine,  a frame,  and 2 wheels. Other than that, everything needs a do-over.  The things that are done, don't look like they were done well at all. 
You can do MUCH better for $1500. Be patient and shop around. 
  $600, tops.

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[Greaser Greg]

I paid $999 + 300 shipping off eBay for a '74 with elctronic ignition and a 4-1, unknown miles and only had to clean the pilot jets and buy a tach.  Needs a tank now as after a cleaning it developed a pinhole bubble on the side. Doesn't leak though, thanks to the thick epoxy paint job! Ride it all the time and other than above, just basic maintenance. Keep looking!

[evinrude7]

i bought my 750 k6 for $400.  it's now a reliable bike.  didn't take that long.  if i knew that i was doing it would have taken a couple weekends but at the time i had no clue.  that's a $500 bike tops.  keep looking. 

[itzjoker]

Yeah after much thought, I may hold off on that one.

What do you guys think about this one? https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy/d/vintage-honda-cb-550/6686212181.html

[Scott S]

 If you get that one, PLEASE keep it original. Maybe a handle bar change if you like, but please don't chop it up.

[754]

The orange bike rocks.. at full price way better deal than the other.
 You are now at the time of year where prices are lower, and its easier to negotiate.
 Most people that want to sell won't hang on to get a higher price  this time of year.,...in the spring they will.

[Scramps]

I second what Cal said about the starter, I can't think of a reason why someone would skip that portion. Otherwise, the bike looks very nice. Near stock and very clean from the pictures, I'd go for it! If you can haggle a couple hundred or so off the asking price with the 'riding season's over' angle, then all the better!

Best of luck

[Stev-o]

I second what Cal said about the starter, I can't think of a reason why someone would skip that portion.

I'd bet a little bit of money that the issue is the right control, easy fix.    Offer $1500 on the orange bike, that looks nice

[Bankerdanny]

Two questions jump to mind: why the “rejet” on the carbs with a stock airbox and exhaust? Two, why doesn’t the electric start work if a Reputable Vintage Repair shop just went through it?

It’s a much better bike in its condition, and probably worth $1,500 all day long from a picture,maybe a tad more in person. End of season up your way, use that to your negotiating advantage.

My guess would be that "rejet" = jets replaced when the carbs were done, which tells me the professional that did them didn't know much about old bike carbs and the problems with aftermarket jets.

Still, that looks like an excellent candidate, much better than the first one. If the exhausts are solid then it is worth every bit of $1,900. If they just look pretty in the photo and have major rust damage then $1400-$1500 is more reasonable.