Topic: Ebay seller wants $10,000 Buy Now for 1972 CB750.

[Tim.]

Another example of a premium priced bike.  Closing in on $4,000 with nearly 2 days to go.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=001&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=110124714993&rd=1,1

I paid $550 for the exact same bike (was even originally the same color), which needs to be completely dissasembled, repainted and rebuilt to be the same bike.  But, I know I could do that less than $2,000 including paint I would say no problem.  Mine has 16,000 miles on it.

Maybe we'll start seeing these old UJM's on Barrets auctions soon 

Possible before and after:

[puppytrax]

Possible before and after:...

Never mind the Yammy...what's that Bimmer in the background?? The one with the huge gas tank??   

[Jonesy]

I would sell for $7500, now.

In the ebay auction, his wife says he will regret selling it. But when the check arrives....................................

Happened to a guy I know. His wife kept after him with the whole "You never ride that thing anymore, you ought to sell it" bit. So he finally caved. 2 Days after the sale he comes home to find all new furniture in the living room...

[Sons_0f_Liberty]

Well, economics is partially to blame. While there's still a healthy supply of these bikes still out there every year any number of these bikes get butchered for parts. While demand might only be propotionate to population increases (god forbid hollywood ever did a "Fast And Furious" type movie about old jap bikes!) supply is gradually being depleted. But in all reality ebay is really to blame. It's the lazy way out, instead of putting a little effort into tracking down something they want/need they let other folk dig it up and they spend the extra money for convience (which were all guilty of to some extent).

[Sweep]

I wouldn't even pay that much for one of Carpy's overpriced imports.

In terms of the time and expertise Carpy puts into his bikes I'd say they're cheap.  If I was to add up all the time I'll have spent building my '76 cb750 and multiply it by my consulting rate I'd be in the neighborhood of around $100,000.00.  He always built his bikes as new for 8k but even at 20k they're a good deal for those with no time or ability and just a bit of good taste.

[moduleum]

I wouldn't even pay that much for one of Carpy's overpriced imports.

In terms of the time and expertise Carpy puts into his bikes I'd say they're cheap.  If I was to add up all the time I'll have spent building my '76 cb750 and multiply it by my consulting rate I'd be in the neighborhood of around $100,000.00.  He always built his bikes as new for 8k but even at 20k they're a good deal for those with no time or ability and just a bit of good taste.

I disagree.  I do agree that he puts a lot of effort into the bikes, but his "mark-up" isn't worth that much.  Maybe on an old bimmer of ducati or other import bike, but a Honda?  Come on....  I feel that he's almost as much at fault as ebay for the ridiculous prices that some bikes are going for.

[DammitDan]

You're forgetting the fact that Carpy is also an artist.  That's like looking at an original Renoir or Van Gogh and saying, "Bah, that's just a bunch of paint slapped onto a piece of paper, anyone could do that!"

The question is:  Considering how much it would cost you to get a bike "customized" by a shop in the same fashion as Carpy, and considering that you may not have the TIME to spend hundreds of hours fabricating the customizations yourself, is Carpy really overcharging?  I don't think so...

[WJL75]

Don't blame eBay or Carpy.  On eBay you have get what you get.  If you don't want to pay...don't bid. I'm sure that's one of the forst places everyone here goes to sell though. 
Point of fact is that Carpy puts in a lot of time fabricating parts to make his bike unique.  If you don't want to buy one, don't.  If you think you can build the same thing, go ahead.  He sells them to make a profit...that's why it's callled a business.  He is one of the lucky few that gets to go to work every day to a job he loves.  If he can make money putting in time and effort into something he loves, and others appreciate it enough to pay him for that time and effort, good for him.

Without eBay many of our bikes would not be on the road.

Carpy is still underground cool.  We just happen to be in his underground. 

[Tim.]

Possible before and after:...

Never mind the Yammy...what's that Bimmer in the background?? The one with the huge gas tank??   

That's my 1975 R75/6 'Survivor'.  Never restored, repainted or rebuilt.  All original except for tires, a headlight relay I replaced (with the correct BMW part) oil and filters.  36,000 miles which for a BMW is nothing.

The gas tank is the factory option 6 gallon touring tank.  Unfortunately not one of those monstrous Heinrichs that sell for $1500 or so    I'd love one of those!

http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=6.0

[moduleum]

Yeah, you guys are probably right.  He does make some pretty cool stuff that it would take me a hell of a lot longer to fabricate.


I guess I just don't want bikes like these to go mainstream, like the above poster was stating about the fast&furious.  I doubt they will though, especially at that price! 

[eldar]

Without ebay, I would be screwed on a lot of parts. See I dont live in bike graveyard heaven. There is no big stockpile of parts to be found within 200+ miles of where I live. So it may be the lazy way but then maybe it is the ONLY way.

[jerrybb]

A question for any of you members who have restored one of these 750's to 100 point original condition-

How much did it cost, not counting labor (which prob works out to 50 cents/hr) to put it in that shape? Chrome is a fortune, paint not cheap anymore, and does it look like this bike when done?  I'm not saying that a museum piece should be the goal, but sometimes a high price up front is cheaper than nickel and dime'ing yourself over a period of a few years, and you still don't have something that looks like this one. I have a nice K4 but not nearly in this shape but at least I'm not afraid to drive it. This Ebay one is for show, not necessarily for go. And I guess what a vehicle is worth is actually what someone will pay for it. I have some experience in the vintage car world and I've found that it's usually much better to spend top dollar up front for a mint original machine (if you can find one) than it is to restore it, unless the fun of restoration is actually your goal. Just my 2 cents, jerry

[tmht]

I wouldn't even pay that much for one of Carpy's overpriced imports.

Regardless of my personal opinion of Carpy's bikes, He sells them for dirt cheap if that is his only source of income. I am currently budgeting out a cafe project and let me tell you... I am up to over $5K in parts and machine work after making some compromises.

[Blaize]

Yes but don't forget he leaves the engine and ignition bone stock on most of them. In fact aside from cosmetics they are mechanically std. machines. Allot of the money we all spend is on aftermarket coils, and points ect. I would go so far as to say that while to some his may look better, I would bet that there are allot on this forum that run better

[Andoo]

Yes but dont forget he leaves the engine and ignition bone stock on most of them. In fact asside from cosmeticks they are mechanicly std. machines. Allot of the money we all spend is on aftermarket coils, and points ect. I would go so far as to say that while to some his may look better, I would bet that there are allot on this forum that run better

'

Not true, he contracts out to machine shops to do engine work. While he focuses more on aesthetics his bikes are mechanically sound.  Electronic ignition and new coils does not necessarily make a better running bike.

We are talking about the Honda CB750, A near perfect bike from the factory.

AS people have said before... a bike is worth what sombody is willing to pay for it.  It's just that simple.

[Blaize]

No I didn't mean he doesn't rebuild the engines, I just meant he doesn't stray too far from stock. Nothing wrong with that of course mine is stock, but allot of people here have spent big money on aftermarket ignition, cams, pistons, dual disc front ends and the list goes on. I am sure his run as good as new but there are a few around here that run better than new.

 Nice airhead tintin, I used to have the exact same model but with the std. tank. I have been thinking of getting another. I kid you not the day I installed the rearsets, and I mean within minutes, My wife came down to the garage and announced she has changed her mind and wants me to take her for rides on the back of it. You couldn't make it up. On the plus side when I said I would just have to get another bike that seats two she completely agreed. Good girl that one.

[edbikerii]

For those prices he should be doing complete tear downs, and gasket/seal/chain/tensioner replacements throughout.

Jeez, for $5,999 (without any negotiating) you could walk into a Suzuki dealership and ride off with a brand new SV650 with Fuel Injection, lots more horsepower and torque, electronic ignition, dual front multi-caliper brakes that actually work, reliable high capacity charging system with AGM or gel-cell battery, a headlight that actually works well, handling that is light-years better, and gaskets that aren't already leaking.  Plus you get a 12 month, unlimited mileage warranty from a company that just might still be in business in 12 months, too.

If you desperately want cafe racer styling, then throw some readily available aftermarket clip-ons and rearsets for a couple hundred more.  Fancy checkerboard paint might cost a couple hundred too, but you should get vinyl for that because you might just get tired of it quickly.

I guess I'll hear responses like the old HD lines.  You know, "if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand".  No I don't understand.

Yes but dont forget he leaves the engine and ignition bone stock on most of them. In fact asside from cosmeticks they are mechanicly std. machines. Allot of the money we all spend is on aftermarket coils, and points ect. I would go so far as to say that while to some his may look better, I would bet that there are allot on this forum that run better

[nickjtc]

Jeez, for $5,999 (without any negotiating) you could walk into a Suzuki dealership and ride off with a brand new SV650 with Fuel Injection, lots more horsepower and torque, electronic ignition, dual front multi-caliper brakes that actually work, reliable high capacity charging system with AGM or gel-cell battery, a headlight that actually works well, handling that is light-years better, and gaskets that aren't already leaking.  Plus you get a 12 month, unlimited mileage warranty from a company that just might still be in business in 12 months, too.

I agree. But it's not about the money, totally. If it was no one would buy any of these exotics. Frankly I'd rather throw money at Sophie knowing that I will never see another bike like her hereabouts, rather than a newer, more common 'bike.

[nickjtc]

Without ebay, I would be screwed on a lot of parts. See I dont live in bike graveyard heaven. There is no big stockpile of parts to be found within 200+ miles of where I live. So it may be the lazy way but then maybe it is the ONLY way.

I'm with you. eBay has been a great source of bits and pieces at reasonable cost to help me tart up Sophie. I've also had good success as a seller. All of the bits I took off Sophie made more than enough money on eBay to pay for the bits I replaced them with.

[edbikerii]

Please, please, throw some of that money my way, then.  You can buy my 77 CB550K one-of-a-kind cafe racer, for only $5999.00!  I'll throw in half a garage full of spare parts, probably more than enough to build a whole second bike!

 

Jeez, for $5,999 (without any negotiating) you could walk into a Suzuki dealership and ride off with a brand new SV650 with Fuel Injection, lots more horsepower and torque, electronic ignition, dual front multi-caliper brakes that actually work, reliable high capacity charging system with AGM or gel-cell battery, a headlight that actually works well, handling that is light-years better, and gaskets that aren't already leaking.  Plus you get a 12 month, unlimited mileage warranty from a company that just might still be in business in 12 months, too.

I agree. But it's not about the money, totally. If it was no one would buy any of these exotics. Frankly I'd rather throw money at Sophie knowing that I will never see another bike like her hereabouts, rather than a newer, more common 'bike.

[nickjtc]

Please, please, throw some of that money my way, then.  You can buy my 77 CB550K one-of-a-kind cafe racer, for only $5999.00!  I'll throw in half a garage full of spare parts, probably more than enough to build a whole second bike!

A steal of a deal!! But what will you replace it with.....

[edbikerii]

Oh yeah, baby.  I'd be ridin' instead of wrenchin' on my brand-spanking new SV650.

A steal of a deal!! But what will you replace it with.....

[Andoo]

For those prices he should be doing complete tear downs, and gasket/seal/chain/tensioner replacements throughout.

Jeez, for $5,999 (without any negotiating) you could walk into a Suzuki dealership and ride off with a brand new SV650 with Fuel Injection, lots more horsepower and torque, electronic ignition, dual front multi-caliper brakes that actually work, reliable high capacity charging system with AGM or gel-cell battery, a headlight that actually works well, handling that is light-years better, and gaskets that aren't already leaking.  Plus you get a 12 month, unlimited mileage warranty from a company that just might still be in business in 12 months, too.

If you desperately want cafe racer styling, then throw some readily available aftermarket clip-ons and rearsets for a couple hundred more.  Fancy checkerboard paint might cost a couple hundred too, but you should get vinyl for that because you might just get tired of it quickly.

I guess I'll hear responses like the old HD lines.  You know, "if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand".  No I don't understand.

Yes but dont forget he leaves the engine and ignition bone stock on most of them. In fact asside from cosmeticks they are mechanicly std. machines. Allot of the money we all spend is on aftermarket coils, and points ect. I would go so far as to say that while to some his may look better, I would bet that there are allot on this forum that run better

You said it exactly, anybody can walk into a Suzuki dealership and walk away with a new bike for the price.  And you will have a bike that everyone else has.  The prices Carpy charges is a bargain in the custom world. You are buying a bike that nobody has, and that comes with a price. Not saying I would do it... I build my own rig... but not everyone can.

[edbikerii]

I guess I just think that any fool (like me) can throw a cafe seat, clip-ons and paint on an old POS.  I wouldn't pay, or expect to collect, $8000 for that, though.  As I asked, what kind of mechanical rebuild does he do for those prices?

For those prices he should be doing complete tear downs, and gasket/seal/chain/tensioner replacements throughout.

Jeez, for $5,999 (without any negotiating) you could walk into a Suzuki dealership and ride off with a brand new SV650 with Fuel Injection, lots more horsepower and torque, electronic ignition, dual front multi-caliper brakes that actually work, reliable high capacity charging system with AGM or gel-cell battery, a headlight that actually works well, handling that is light-years better, and gaskets that aren't already leaking.  Plus you get a 12 month, unlimited mileage warranty from a company that just might still be in business in 12 months, too.

If you desperately want cafe racer styling, then throw some readily available aftermarket clip-ons and rearsets for a couple hundred more.  Fancy checkerboard paint might cost a couple hundred too, but you should get vinyl for that because you might just get tired of it quickly.

I guess I'll hear responses like the old HD lines.  You know, "if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand".  No I don't understand.

Yes but dont forget he leaves the engine and ignition bone stock on most of them. In fact asside from cosmeticks they are mechanicly std. machines. Allot of the money we all spend is on aftermarket coils, and points ect. I would go so far as to say that while to some his may look better, I would bet that there are allot on this forum that run better

You said it exactly, anybody can walk into a Suzuki dealership and walk away with a new bike for the price.  And you will have a bike that everyone else has.  The prices Carpy charges is a bargain in the custom world. You are buying a bike that nobody has, and that comes with a price. Not saying I would do it... I build my own rig... but not everyone can.

[Andoo]

He doesn’t just slap on a seat and call it a day. Look at the bikes he starts out with and all the work that is done and I don’t see how you (cant) appreciate the labor involved.

Be realistic. Show a picture of your bike next to his and HONESTLY tell me yours looks better.