Topic: Advice on buying a CB750F1

[Raul CB750K1]

Hi everybody. I've come to this F1 in Spain. SOCH's are rare here at the import was banned back then. Actually the bike have a Canary Island plate, that is where almost any expensive vehicle used to be imported as they had a different import laws.

The guy is asking 3.000 euro (3.800 bucks). It seems way too much for me. The bike runs and have about 30.000 miles. It is titled and road safe, but from what I know the wheels, headlamp and turn signals are not original. Also, the paint is a little faded according to him. I don't know if this model had spoke or comstar wheels, but those one's are neither of them.

Exhaust seems to be the original. Seat seems to be in good shape but I don't know if it's the original. Right sidecover is missing.


Do you see any other incorrect part on it? How much would you pay for it?


Regards

Raul

[Terry in Australia]

Hey Raul, where's that testicle mate? I've been standing guard near my mailbox, but so far, not packages from Espanol? Hmmnnn......... Oh, back to your question Raul, you better include a pic mate, might help with our responses? Cheers, Terry. (three balls) 

[Raul CB750K1]

#$%*, I simply forgot!!! Here they come...

[Raul CB750K1]

Terry, regarding the ball you are waiting for, I'm frightened of cutting it, so you probably wait until I try the Vegemite you sent me. Probably the balls will come off by themselves!!!!   

[MRieck]

Raul
  You're right about the price- too much in my mind. It does have the Lester(or something very similiar) wheels and the dual discs BUT.... The rear turnsignals are stock as is the exhaust(which were prone to rusting and dragged easily(first hand experience on my part). I always loved the Sulphur Yellow color. It's OK but overpriced- your instincts are correct.

[Raul CB750K1]

To that price I should have to add the paint job, a new sidecover and the headlight and headlight shell. It's a shame that the guy bought a new honda headlight, but for a newer model, and simply adapted to it. I bet he could have found the original in eBay at half the price. Front turnsignals are from a modern Yamaha SR250 Special.

Is it true that the F1 handled better than the 's? If I'm not wrong the engine is exactly the same, as well as many other engine parts like carburetors. Rear brake is hidraulic, and of course the bodywork.


AND, the bike is about two-hour drive from my place. I would not mind to lie to my wife and tell her I have been given it for a small amount, but it's difficult to organize a trip with a trailer to bring the bike to Madrid without her knowing it.

I would not mind to have it, but I don't have much space in the community parking. Also, if the bike is very similar to my 750K1, what's the point? I would like to have something different: a CB400F or a CB500, so I can enjoy the benefits or a smaller size and lower weight, but they appear very seldom. A month ago I saw and ad of a CB500 for 3000 euro (the same price than this), and the title was french. In my experience running through all the paperwork is a pain, so I rather wait until a good example comes around.

Also, I believe that the best moment to buy a vehicle is when you don't need it, because if you are not in a hurry you only buy it when it is really a bargain. So I generally have a look at the ads waiting for a good deal. That's how I got my CB750K1, all original, for 1200 euro (back then dollar was stronger and the rate was about 1000 bucks).

The guy has another 15 or 16 bikes. He bought it from a neighbour and payed all the import duties. I was thinking about talking clear about the bike state and offering what I think is a fair price, something around 1000-1500 bucks, but I'm afraid that he have spent more on it so he will not be willing to sell it for less. Probably he will be forced to have it for a looooooong time.

Rather than paying 3000 euro for it, I buy it from Germany or England, that are in better condition, and have it sent to me here. I would have to do the import but it is easier when seller and buyer agree and sign all the documentation at the same time.

Raul

[MRieck]

Raul
  That bike has slightly more compression (.2 pts) and a slighty different cam. Some of the transmission gear ratios are different from the K as well. Wheelbase was a bit shorter which does help the handling.

[MRieck]

Here you go Raul http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4555484165&category=6708

[Terry in Australia]

My first (and only) new bike was a sulphur yellow F1, I got it cheap because the Honda dealers couldn't sell them, compared to their competition, the Kawasaki Z1 900 or Suzuki GS750 etc, (or even the early "K"s) they looked like they'd been beaten severly with an ugly stick. My only real memory of it was that I wished I could have afforded the F2 then, even though in hindsight, the F1 was probably a better bike, certainly the engine was a lot less fragile.

Having said that, the one in the pics looks quite nice now, so either it's my new rose colored prescription glasses 27 years down the track, or more likely those neat aftermarket mag wheels, they really do look nice. Not 3000 bucks nice though, even here where everything is expensive that price seems excessive.

I want to bid on that F1 in NY, what a bargain! (famous last words) Cheers, Terry.