Topic: Bike Value Question

[Rosinante]

I don't wish to break any rule here so my first question is:  Can I ask a "What is this bike worth" question?

[scottly]

Go ahead and ask.

[Rosinante]

Thank you.

I want to sell this 1978 CB750K showing 39K miles on the ODO.  Carbs have been rebuilt including accelerator pump but I have not been able to make this bike start easily.  Once started and warmed up, it works smoothly.  I have an extra bank of carbs and stuff such as factory headlight bucket & mechanism.

I'm thinking of asking $1K.  Is that about right?

[scottly]

How are the exhaust pipes? Do you have a clear title? 1K sounds a bit on the low side to me?

[CycleRanger]

I agree, $1K is too low.
If the bike is titled and running, despite the starting issue, I'd list it for at least $2500, perhaps a bit more.
Depends on how bikes are selling in your area.
You can always reduce the price if necessary.

[Rosinante]

Whoa!  Thank you!

Yes, I have clear title.  Exhaust pipes are actually in pretty good shape.  Far from perfect, but they are pretty quiet.

[Rosinante]

Tire date codes are 2023.  Chain and sprockets are fresh.  Master cylinder recently rebuilt.

Hmmm.....

[Mikey G.]

Starting at $2500 sounds smart.  The later bikes don't pull quite the stupid money that the early models sell for, but it's still a CB750.  My rule of thumb for a bare minimum rider is $1000.  This is either a basket case for (say) $500 that needs $500 worth of work to get going, or a rough-looking but mechanically "acceptable" bike for the full $1000.  This is worth more than that.

Plus, unless you're dead set on getting your exact asking price, you'll want a little negotiating room.  List for $2.5K, you may negotiate down to $2K and still feel good about things.  If you don't need it gone right away you might even start higher, maybe $3000, just to see if anybody bites.

Ultimately, "value" is whatever you can get somebody to pay for it.  Good luck.   

[Rosinante]

That makes sense.  Thank you.

[CycleRanger]

Starting at $2500 sounds smart.  The later bikes don't pull quite the stupid money that the early models sell for, but it's still a CB750.  My rule of thumb for a bare minimum rider is $1000.  This is either a basket case for (say) $500 that needs $500 worth of work to get going, or a rough-looking but mechanically "acceptable" bike for the full $1000.  This is worth more than that.

Plus, unless you're dead set on getting your exact asking price, you'll want a little negotiating room.  List for $2.5K, you may negotiate down to $2K and still feel good about things.  If you don't need it gone right away you might even start higher, maybe $3000, just to see if anybody bites.

Ultimately, "value" is whatever you can get somebody to pay for it.  Good luck.   

Exactly!

[BenelliSEI]

Join the club on the “cold start”. Both my cb750K7 and K8 always needed to be warmed up for a few minutes, and then ran great.

[seanbarney41]

I sold a very comparable condition K7 for $1500 last summer.  Mine started, ran and rode perfectly but didn't have the nice pipes.  Values here in Michigan are traditionally lower than the rest of the country and K7/8 are particularly dime a dozen.  The thing really did ride like a champ though.

[HondaMan]

I agree, $1K is too low.
If the bike is titled and running, despite the starting issue, I'd list it for at least $2500, perhaps a bit more.
Depends on how bikes are selling in your area.
You can always reduce the price if necessary.

Yeah, what CycleRanger said.
These bikes are capable of 100,000 miles with excellent maintenance and about half that with nominal care.
Most bikes, regardless of when they were made, can't hold a candle to that.

[BenelliSEI]

So true…. My K7 (pictured above) is now being ridden regularly by a retired farmer that had one when new. He looks after it really well and has added 8,000 miles in the past year. We just did valves and a tune up and it runs like a top. It will hit 50,000 miles by Fall.

[MauiK3]

Hard to beat the longevity of a well cared for Honda SOHC, especially the 750, in this world of throw away things. It seems so much stuff now is "use it up and toss it". Landfills and junkyards are full of not very old things,

[beemerbum]

I don't wish to break any rule here so my first question is:  Can I ask a "What is this bike worth" question?

I think many members and lurkers here would appreciate a bit of the collective knowledge available. As we age, some thinning of the herd could be wise. Is there anything wrong about asking about value of our SOHC's for sale purposes? I know the market varies wildly with location

[Don R]

I don't wish to break any rule here so my first question is:  Can I ask a "What is this bike worth" question?

I think many members and lurkers here would appreciate a bit of the collective knowledge available. As we age, some thinning of the herd could be wise. Is there anything wrong about asking about value of our SOHC's for sale purposes? I know the market varies wildly with location

 I wouldn't mind a "what's it worth?" section. I'm getting near a thinning of the herd myself. keeping in mind area value differences, etc. I did search Bring-a-trailer this am to see what K0 750's are selling for.

[seanbarney41]

I don't wish to break any rule here so my first question is:  Can I ask a "What is this bike worth" question?

I think many members and lurkers here would appreciate a bit of the collective knowledge available. As we age, some thinning of the herd could be wise. Is there anything wrong about asking about value of our SOHC's for sale purposes? I know the market varies wildly with location

There are no rules about asking bike values.  But threads can get heated when questioner does not like the answer they get.  Also, there are rules in the for sale section about posting an asking price.  This is not an auction site.  Also, I do not think that Bring a Trailer (or any of the big money auctions)gives us a realistic idea of value.

[Mikey G.]

I got to agree with the Bring a Trailer sentiment.  It blew my mind when a so-so Gl1000 (clean, but a couple aftermarket parts and incorrect details) went for like $6000.  Around where I live that would've been a $1500 bike at best.

The best value indicator for me is searching the local facebook marketplace.  You get a general idea of prices in your location, and if bikes tend to stay listed for a long time, the asking price is probably high.

[kyle750]

I know the market varies wildly with location

The market for vintage collectible large bikes is absolutely Crazy here in Thailand where I live.  For over 50 years Thailand has added a 100% import tax on any bikes over 400cc.  The Harley that costs 25K new in the the USA costs 50K here. 

And the high prices also extend to the secondary used market.  An older, excellent condition used HD Road King that can be bought for 8K in the USA would be valued and priced at 15K here.