Topic: CB Price Mentality

[jdhasten]

Why is it that everyone on this forum thinks that these bikes aren't worth decent money? If the bike looks good and runs good why can't the good old Cb's go for 5 or 6 grand (or more)? I'm tired of seeing posts where members go out of their way to ridicule someone for "fishing" for a good price on their perfect original bike or pristine cafe bike or chopper. When a bike (done right) is built, they are worth good money. These bikes are becoming collectors items and have the potential to become the next big craze. I'm not out to hurt anyone's feelings, and i know that everyone probably wants to keep a lid on this scene so all of the parts will stay dirt cheap and keep the "purist" at heart. I love to ride, probably too much, and I'm constantly turning heads and getting questons about my old 550. Again, I'm not trying to step on any toes out there but rather simply questioning why great bikes are selling at lower prices than a freakin' 97 ninja ex250. Also, before i get attacked for being too business minded everyone needs to keep in mind that even the most ridiculous v-twin choppers made today usually have no more than 20 grand invested and fetch over 100 in some cases. That's over 400% profit. I've got $3500 in mine and would be extremely lucky to get $4500. That's under 30%.

[grumburg]

I just sold my 75 cb500t for $2700. Probably the nicest original bike I have even done, but not exactly Honda's most collectible model.

[ic455]

You want to buy my 750?

Seriously, though, it's more of a regional thing, I think.  When guys comment on an estimated value they usually are thinking of what something might sell for in their own town, maybe even as far as 2 or three towns over, but not much farther.  Where I'm at, a CB will never sell for more than a grand, unless one of the Doctors might happen to be an enthusiast for old Hondas.  Around here, as I'm sure is the case in most areas (on the broad spectrum), if it's not a twin or a crotch-rocket, it's not gonna sell.  I compare the CB situation to my favorite car, Oldsmobile.  For a long time (and right now, for the most part) Oldsmobiles are not as popular as Chevys and Fords, so no matter what I put into my Cutlass, I won't make a profit on it.  Nobody wants an obscure hot rod.  Everybody wants to be different (but they buy the same bike or car that their neighbor has )  Individualism is now about choosing a different combo of chromies for your Harley or V-Star, or Carbon-fiber and LEDs for your 'busa or Gixxer.  There are a few folks who might pay a good price for a CB (or an Olds) but the ratio in a given area is terribly small.  I've only spoken to one biker who wants another CB because he used to have one, and was afraid the prices were outrageous.  I explained to him that he could have a very nice one for less than 1500 (in our general area to include KY,TN, IL, and IN)  He was surprised.  So there is on of the 10 or so percent of those folks who expect a CB to go for a high price for my area. 
Yes, eventually CBs will hit the limelight again (much like older Oldsmobiles are doing), and we won't be able to get parts as cheap as we do now, but it won't matter because the bikes themselves will be going for premium prices
One last example:  10 years ago, I could just about guarantee you I could find you a '70s Cutlass for under 1,000 bucks in decent shape.  Now, I wouldn't even tell you there's hope.  They are still out there, but getting extremely hard to find.  I know it's not really fair to compare bikes and cars, but Olds and Honda CBs are kinda in the same class.  They're obscure, off the radar models, that were legendary in their own time for various reasons.
Plus, you have to look at the fact that you can buy a brand new '07 Ninja 250 for right about $3,000 (depending on how much your dealer wants to make off the bike, MSRP is 2999).  Not many people who don't have a passion for the CB will pay an equal amount for a 30+ year old bike.

[toycollector10]

Good thread JDH. I agree, and a bike is only worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. I would gladly pay $8500 for a super sweet K0 diecast, except I don't have that sort of money to spend. Someone else has though.

I couldn't source a bike here in New Zealand and had to buy one on eBay and get it crated and shipped out which added over $2000 to the $5200 I bid on it in 2005.

So all you guys out there feeling hard done by because you can't find a nice K0 for under $3500 anymore should try living down here in the South Pacific or some other remote location. The same applies to parts. I gotta exchange our Pacific Peso into USD and on top of that pay for shipping. But I do it all 'cos I'm mad keen on these old bikes. My wife just says I'm mad.     

[Joel]

Let's try and keep this under wraps a little longer so I can get a good deal on one.   Then I'll help you spread the word.

But seriously, I've gotta agree that the price is just driven by the market.  The bigger you make your market (i.e. a national forum such as eBay or Cycle Trader), the more demand you have and the higher price you're likely to get.  The example that comes to my mind is the Jeep Wrangler although I'm sure they're more widely available than the CBs.  But when an owner puts $10,000 worth of accessories he/she likes on it, more than likely the market of people interested in that vehicle with those particular modifications is going to be smaller and they're probably not going to get a high return.  Also the age comes into play.  There are bound to be more things to go wrong on a 30 year old bike than a new bike.  Some people are more concerned with a little piece of mind than individuality.

[dustyc]

I think of them alot like VW bugs.  They're classics sure, but they aren't inherently cool.  Cheap and plentiful, lots of off the shelf customization parts, plenty of mods and ways to hot rod them.  Not luxury transportation.  There are some rare and low mileage examples that fetch huge bucks, but most are used, low cost, fun transportation.

As far as customizing, I think you can do it for a job for other people and charge them or for yourself as a labor of love, but customizing the way you want it isn't necessarily how someone else would want it.  To me, buying something customized is kinda like wearing someone else's underwear. 

[Gordon]

Some of the reasons I got into these bikes:

- Even 30 years later, they're still plentiful (because they last forever).
- Parts are still available and for the most part easy to find.
- Parts are relatively inexpensive.

Add these up and you have a bunch of bikes that don't command a high selling price, for the most part. 

Someone can ask however much they want for their bike, and I reserve the right to state that I think it's a ridiculous amount.  I don't think the sellers really care because I'm not a potential customer for an over-inflated UJM.  If they have the patience and use the right venues, they will probably find someone with more money than they need who wants the bike and doesn't want to have to do the work.  In general, that's not the average member of this group.  Folks here enjoy working on and restoring these bikes almost as much as (if not more than) riding them, and take a lot of pride in being able to do that, often on a limited budget.   

[Geeto67]

It is hard to accept a high price when a lot of us got cb's really cheap. I remember in the late 80's/ early 90's that I could have bought several different road ready ones for $100 (instead I paid $3000 and bought a norton). Until last year I never paid over $1000 for any cb I ever bought (and I currently own .

I the cb is a lot like the 60's ford mustang. Used to be you could buy v8- notchback mustangs for a couple of hundred bucks running while chevelles, camaros, torinos, roadrunners, etc were all getting up there in price. The mfg made so damn many of them that it took a really long time for them to begin to appreciate in value. If something is not rare it is harder to justify a high price. They will get there I just don't think it is time yet.

[c_kyle]

Seriously, though, it's more of a regional thing, I think. 

You're right.  If you want to buy bikes cheap, look to the north and possibly mid-west.  The coasts and south are where the prices go up. 

[Killer Canary]

Nobody can get my CBs and Mach 3 away from me for any price! I'll sell the kids first!

[snyquist53]

the reason i don't like 70's harleys   OVER PRICED!!! 

cb's seem to be more realistic in their pricing.  i agree,  they should be worth more than harley's.  but if they were you would have stupid goon riding cb around just because it's cool.  when i see some one a cb,  you can usaully assume that they are interesting person that actually cares about motorcycles.   i work at a shop and some people bring in old shovels that they had blown up and ruined cause they just think it is cool to have a old harley.  they don't know care for a vintage bike or want to know how.  that is why CB's should stay low

[333]

I don't want to, in any way, racist, but here goes.

First off, I love mine.  I've had 7 over the years, currently 2.  You only have to look back to the 60s to see my theory.  When Honda started importing in '59, the Harley people saw a threat(rightfully so).  They started saying things that we know were false.  We know the CBs for their durability, they said they would never last.  They were disposable.  They are a fad.  They were called tiny and underpowered(they really did lack in displacement).  Then Honda did something that would make history.  The first superbike.  I could go on.

Also, the Japanese imported cars back then too.  Camaros, Mustangs, and RoadRunners from that era are more popular than ever, but you don't hear ANYTHING about any Toyotas or Datsuns(Nissan for you young whippersnappers).  Datsun had a sports car that rivaled MGs and Spitfires of the day, yet...

If Harley had done what Honda did, Harley might have a much larger share of the market.  As we all know, to this day Harley only offers V-Twins.  Honda heard the propaganda and fought back with larger displacement, more cylinders, making a faster, smoother motorcycle.  They never stopped thinking.  They have tried countless engine configurations, even oval pistons, and the best Harley can do is the V-Rod.

Call me when you see a '68 Corolla roll across the auction show on SPEED.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Nobody can get my CBs and Mach 3 away from me for any price! I'll sell the kids first!

You can HAVE my CB.... when you pry the throttle out of my cold, dead hand!

[BobbyR]

Hello,
The CB750 price rise is well under way in Australia. About 5 or 6 years ago, I was speaking with a local bike wrecker about Honda CB750 K's and he said no one was interested in them, they were pretty cheap.I still had my old derelict K2, and was thinking of fixing it up a bit. Didn't do it then and regret it now. Everything has gone up. No doubt roughies are available cheap, but nice stuff is expensive.  I've heard of blokes with a shed full of Honda fours/Mach 111's etc. and good luck to them, wish I had had  the forethought to do the same. Met a bloke with an industrial shed full of Mach 111's and 1V's, like Aladdin's cave, what a blast.  

Oh and Mustangs, used to be $6,000 a long time ago, now nice ones are $30,000 up. The curse of liking the same things lots of others do.  

Here in NY the CB750 is highly prized in the Gay community they have a sense of style and the bucks. 

[dusterdude]

It is hard to accept a high price when a lot of us got cb's really cheap. I remember in the late 80's/ early 90's that I could have bought several different road ready ones for $100 (instead I paid $3000 and bought a norton). Until last year I never paid over $1000 for any cb I ever bought (and I currently own .

I the cb is a lot like the 60's ford mustang. Used to be you could buy v8- notchback mustangs for a couple of hundred bucks running while chevelles, camaros, torinos, roadrunners, etc were all getting up there in price. The mfg made so damn many of them that it took a really long time for them to begin to appreciate in value. If something is not rare it is harder to justify a high price. They will get there I just don't think it is time yet.

im with geeto,i paid 75 usd for my completely box stock 750.i paid a friend of mine to do the carbs and i was on the road,i guess because of my good fortune,i have a hard time justifying paying more than a 1000.00 for a runner.

[luvhonda750]

Oh and Mustangs, used to be $6,000 a long time ago, now nice ones are $30,000 up. The curse of liking the same things lots of others do.  

Yeah, in alot ways these bikes (CB's) are the Mustangs of motorcycle's. A very popular Bike that was afforadable to most anyone, and there are lots of them!

They will never be valuable like a "1955 300SL Gullwing" because so many have been made.

[BobbyR]

Oh and Mustangs, used to be $6,000 a long time ago, now nice ones are $30,000 up. The curse of liking the same things lots of others do.  

Yeah, in alot ways these bikes (CB's) are the Mustangs of motorcycle's. A very popular Bike that was afforadable to most anyone, and there are lots of them!

They will never be valuable like a "1955 300SL Gullwing" because so many have been made.

The way guys are partng them out to make a couple of bucks on ebay, it will not be long till they are rare.

[kenzie]

Theres a 1973 on ebay item # 320123994953  dont know what it will go for though. what do you think?

[grumburg]

Back in the 80s, I went through my "Big Healey" period. Had 5 over a 3 yr period. Bought them for $1500- $2000, get them back in shape over the winter, drive them for a couple months, then sell them and move on . Best one was a 57 100-6, bought for $1600, put $500 in it, and sold it for $2600. Thought I had made a killing. So many were parted out then the survivors went up in price. Now high teen to low 30's. I still see them as $2500 cars.

[ic455]

Hello,
The CB750 price rise is well under way in Australia. About 5 or 6 years ago, I was speaking with a local bike wrecker about Honda CB750 K's and he said no one was interested in them, they were pretty cheap.I still had my old derelict K2, and was thinking of fixing it up a bit. Didn't do it then and regret it now. Everything has gone up. No doubt roughies are available cheap, but nice stuff is expensive.  I've heard of blokes with a shed full of Honda fours/Mach 111's etc. and good luck to them, wish I had had  the forethought to do the same. Met a bloke with an industrial shed full of Mach 111's and 1V's, like Aladdin's cave, what a blast. 

Oh and Mustangs, used to be $6,000 a long time ago, now nice ones are $30,000 up. The curse of liking the same things lots of others do. 

Here in NY the CB750 is highly prized in the Gay community they have a sense of style and the bucks. 

I'm, uh, not real sure what to make of that info........

[huntman58]

To me it seams the longer the riding season the more you get for a bike. Back in the late 70's all I had was a bike. Man I wish I still had it a S3 400cc Kawasaki triple two stroke rocket. For back then it was fun as all get out going from light to light as not much could take it in a drag. I also in the 80"s had a 65 nova 2 door straight 6 car. Not bad looking but needed a lot of work inside and out along with the motor. I got it for 300 bucks. When I sold it a few years later I put it on the street in front of the house for 1600 and got not a bite. Crossed off the 16 and made it 1800 put it on a busy street and got one looker that’s all. Put it in the paper two weeks later for 2500 sold it in ten minutes of the paper going out and got 2500 for it. it just shows ya never know why some times .I do know now days the old gressers with the bucks want things from there teen years just look at the muscle cars . They could not afford them then but can not. Some want the car they had then .I believe it is the same with bikes. the Japanese bikes toke hold hard core in the very late 70"s and into the 80's so in the next few years to ten I see them becoming the hot ticket just like the cars of the 70's have become . I know when my father wanted an old car from the 30"s he could not get on they just were too much. Well the other talking to an old friend of mine, he has now bought two more cars bringing his stable to 8 old cars. He said in the last ten years as the muscle cars got hot the ones he liked dropped in price so he has been buying. As I said ya just never know who or how they well be in a few years one year hot as heck and then the next who knows.