Topic: Does stock have value?

[amitr0]

This is likely to get polarized, but i want to hear both sides...

Is there value in maintaining these classic Hondas as pure stock
As far as I know, not all of them are considered rare. A sandcast is, the 350Fours are, but all other ones like the regular 750s, 550s etc are not.

So as an owner of one such not so rare ones, does it make sense to maintain it as all stock, put NOS parts for everything etc. Does it at all increase the value of the motorcycle? We all most never get back  the money we put into these machines, it is mostly about personal satisfaction, but still that dame money, can be routed to other projects.

After market upgrades, like electronic ignition, dyna coils, rear disc brakes, dual disc in the front, better after market exhaust, new aftermarket wiring loom, modern automotive fuses, regulators and rectifiers, after market air filters/pods with proper rejetting or carbs or velocity stacks, LED headlights etc all make the bike safer and more performant and safer.

So what matters most?

Should these upgrades be made that doesnt change the looks of the mc from outside but makes it core modern, or should it remain stock?

[Alan F.]

Upgrade whatever you must, keep all the stock parts, don't cut any wires and don't cut any tabs off the frame so its easy to return to stock later on.

A nice bike will always be easier and cheaper to keep stock, but a rough, neglected bike might be easier and cheaper to modify.

It all depends on your style, your viewpoint and your budget. Some will smile and some may frown but it's your bike.

[flatlander]

pure, unmodified stock in a good sate fetches high prices and they will keep increasing as finding bikes in that condition will become harder as they age.
anything you modify will be down to the value of the parts and changes in the eye of the buyer, and that almost always deprecates over time.

that's my view on how "investment" into these bike (or any classic vehicle) works.
but that's not all, as not everybody owns these as an investment. you may get some personal value out of your ownership based on the bike's usability, performance, aesthetics, the fun of riding it or working on it or whatever else is important to you.
in other words, your personal choice may be that spending money on your hobby or passion, having some fun, can be worth more than keeping it as an investment.

[PeWe]

I'm sure a pure stock CB750 will be easier to sell than a modified bike. Especially K0-K6. Rebuilds are usually very personal, another persons dream.

It is possible to rebuild by replacing parts and later turn it back to stock when selling it. Dual front brake mod is just extra parts mounted in existing threaded holes.

Saving good stock 4-4 when using a 4-1,  store stock good looking tank with covers and use something else is a good investment.

But, maybe no plans to sell it. Enjoy the bike as you want it.

Frame kit is one obvious needed frame modification that is not visible unless creeping around under the bike with a lamp. Maybe it will make bike more difficult to sell. 
Clamped version can be turned back by welding it together. Only missing material is the thickness of the blade.

Cutting frame more will most likely reduce price and number of buyers. A vintage racing bike a different thing since that will not be registered as a street bike anyway.

The future buyers will hopefully see the good use of frame kit and only not pure stock museum guys with no plans to really ride the bike very much.
Modify but still keep the beautiful CB bikes soul and look.
I have seen many beautifully restored stock bikes on this forum that look much better than most of the cafe'd bikes.

It reminds me about early 80's where we changed our bikes to look anything except stock.  We thought it looked good and cool back then.

When looking back today it was one way to make bikes to look not that good as we thought back then.

[Don R]

 I've had rough bikes that went back to stock but right now I have a pair of seriously modified bikes that don't make sense to restore original. However, if one was a rare model like an early diecast, it would tell me a different story. The bike tells me what it wants to be.

[PeWe]

I bought my K6 as a stock bike for many years ago. Within a year it got longer fork, 16" rear wheel, RC 4-1, higher bars and a banana seat.
Handling was horrible but it was really cool and loud as it should in late 70's- early 80's!!
Stock fork and rear wheel came back a few years later. Engine got a tune up with 836 and more. It became a good long tourer 5000-6000km rides in the mid 80's.

It has been developed closer back to stock look the last 5 years and got even more engine mods.
Fun bike, I'll not sell it the closest years. No chance to get the money back. This is the exact reason why I still have it.
I did not sell it in the 90's, early 2000 by that reason. Later redid all costly rebuilds a few times more thanks to this forum! A really fun hobby.

No limitations what to do with the bike when you have no plans to ever sell it!

Having a really good stocker is better to keep that way.

Find a restore object for a fun build.
My mostly stock K2 is built on parts.

I have another CB750-1975 project going on, also with parts getting a new life. That will not be a stocker!

[markmyodb]

From observing sBay for 15 years...

Stock restored sells best, and for the most money. K2-K6.  K0 & K1 same but sell for much more. Full Cafe' o not appear to sell as well, I seldom see a full cafe' sell for even 50 to 60%  of a nice restoration.

For me I like mine to be resto-mods to make it "mine" in a market where many thousands of machines are out there.

[MauiK3]

My K3 has some K0 livery because it’s what my K0 looked like back in the day. It’s pretty stock beyond that. I’m a pretty “stockish” guy. If I’m buying something I look for stock because basically most of the mods I see are poorly done.

[jlh3rd]

value is subjective, I think. What matters most, is subjective also. An unrestored, 100% original in pristine condition grows in monetary value whether its a
rare model or not. They are worth more ,money wise ,than a rider. It doesn't mean a rider can't be priceless to an owner..
A 75 550F sold new for around $1700. I bought an original, unrestored immaculate one in 1994 for $700. It's on display at a local museum that insured it for $10,000. So there's the money thing.
That's not the "value "for me. It's displaying the bike at concours and local shows and enjoying discussing the bike with surprised people ...and the inevitable " I had one just like that". then comes the smile in remembering....me too.
     I can't ride it, irreplaceable parts, 45 year old tires, etc..
If I had a rider, I wouldn't spend money for NOS parts. I'd save 'em.

[jlh3rd]

didn't I see a 75 550k model go for $9500 on Bring a trailer ?

[beemerbum]

Yes

[david 750f]

A stock 1978 CB550 just sold for $9100, as previous posters have stated there are always more buyers for stock bikes.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1978-honda-cb550k-four-5/

[Kevnz]

That's a nice looking bike. There is an identical model in similar or better condition for sale here in NZ and NO-ONE is interested, no bids, no questions, nothing. But I don't believe they were ever sold new here, so no heartstrings being pulled. But if it was hotrodded, there would be less than no interest.

[PeWe]

I have seen CB750's for sale here where they have removed expensive parts, call it for a Bobber and expect a higher price!!  

The word about good money for the old CB's and Kawasaki's has spread to people that do not realize that their bad looking bike, maybe parked in the 80's with the typical rebuild of the time need lots of money to get back the former glory they compare the price with.

New 4-4, New tank with sidecovers plus all badges with trims if missing and not possible to only repaint the original. New tires, maybe new rims+spokes and additional parts. Plus an engine restore.
So the old bike need additional parts for $10.000US plus the job.

The old wrecks are still too pricey. Right price can be $1500-2000US, not closer to $10.000-20.000US as mint bikes.
Better to buy a fresh completely restored bike or a well kept original parked in a warm dry garage without moisture, started now and then if not internally protected by a thin layer of oil.

My long parked CB750 in a barn got rust pits on valve seats that had to be cut. Engine was kicked around each year.

[Two500]

I'm relatively new here, I just got my 500 K1 roadworthy and I love it. I also have a 71 500 that is pretty rough and I was planning to maybe cut the tail off and cafe the thing down the line, but is it a K0, sandcast, whatever valuable bike, and how can I tell? What kind of price does a 71 500 project bike fetch with complete engine, not locked up, and a title?

[Vintageguy]

As components and other parts improve as time evolves, it is always tempting to modify. No surprise that it is possible to actually improve a given part  or component (brake rotors, for example) with a modified part over OEM. That said, for me it is more important to maintain and preserve where and whenever possible. It is possible to rewrite history, but isn't historical accuracy usually more interesting and surprising? As someone said above, when you buy something it is yours, giving one license to create what you desire. 

[Don R]

  I admit to once being the guy that didn't realize the value of an original machine. I recently spent two weeks undoing things I did to a bike when I was younger and dumber. I also have been repairing (not restoring) a modified bike that's gone way past the point of restoration.

[Alan F.]

I'm relatively new here, I just got my 500 K1 roadworthy and I love it. I also have a 71 500 that is pretty rough and I was planning to maybe cut the tail off and cafe the thing down the line, but is it a K0, sandcast, whatever valuable bike, and how can I tell? What kind of price does a 71 500 project bike fetch with complete engine, not locked up, and a title?

There were no sandcast CB500's sorry.

Rule of thumb for a non-running project bike is $1 per cc.

[bryanj]

There are no sandcast 500 BUT the very early ones had a different shaped crankcase at the front which makes them rarer. If you want to pm me the frame number i will look on my list and give you an approx build date.

[HondaMan]

There are no sandcast 500 BUT the very early ones had a different shaped crankcase at the front which makes them rarer. If you want to pm me the frame number i will look on my list and give you an approx build date.

Bryan:
aren't those also the ones where the "HONDA" logo keeps falling off the alternator? The first one that was test-ridden by CYCLE magazine back in the day did that, too!

[bryanj]

Not sure, we never officially had K0 in the UK except 3 press bikes but quite a few were imported by UK dealers from Holland etc.
The casting difference is the topcase at the front is taller with a "squarer" angle as seen in the Honda workshop manual pictures. Unfortunately my early one had a newer engine fitted some time in its life.

[Two500]

I think I see the difference in the two castings. the one in the lighted garage is the 72 K1, the picture taken in the dark is the 71. I see the center of the crankcase above the oil filter has taller fins on the 71.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wsNBGpZPGgDN1p238

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HhBjhRKtrZSVZ1ky5