Author Topic: Introduction w/ Question (Read 3893 times)

StoneDog · « **on:** July 13, 2005, 06:08:00 AM »

Hello all,

My name is Jon Edwards and I live just north of Atlanta in a town called Suwanee. I don't have any motorcycling experience but I've been lurking on motorcycle forums for years trying learn as much as possible. I'll be 33 in a few weeks and am considering buying myself a CB750K as a gift.

I have one bike in mind, definitely a project bike. I haven't seen the bike yet, so I don't know what kind of condition it's in. The buyer describes it as a "81 CB750K - ran when it was parked". He's asking $99 obo so I'm not expecting much of a bike. But, I'm not afraid to wrench on it or spend up to another $1000 over the next couple of years to get it running well.

To the folks that really know these bikes and have taken on similar projects, any advice or suggestions for a few things I should look for that will tell me the project is absolutely hopeless?

Jon

SteveD CB500F · « **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2005, 06:13:14 AM »

An '81 is a DOHC (which is a good bike but has it's own problems)

If you are a first timer, I'd spend the bucks on a bike that you can ride rather than a "barn find". You could spend thousands and never ride the thing!

Plenty of reasonable runners out there for $500 (ish)

Unless it's a Sandcast - if so take it and part it out on eBay! (run a search here on "sandcast" for the lowdown)

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

StoneDog · « **Reply #2 on:** July 13, 2005, 06:31:53 AM »

SteveD,

Thanks for the response. I just realized the '81 is a DOHC.

Guess I should've done a bit more research...

I found a '75 CB750F SS on ebay, restored and ready for the street, with current bid at $1,500. That's the closest I can come to a ready to run bike in this range.

Well, thanks for the response, sorry for the ignorant first post.

Jon

Philly550K1 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2005, 08:34:48 AM »

you sound like me a few years ago! i concur with the "get a runner" philosophy. there's plenty of wrenching to do, even when they're in good shape. it's just more fun if you know you can hop on it for a test ride instead of cursing a motionless hulk. on the other hand, don't make it so nice you'd kill yourself for tipping it over and, say, snapping a clutch lever. or bending a mirror. :| i thank myself every day for getting a bike i wanted instead of a compromise "starter" bike.

of course, it helps to pick a bike one can sensibly learn on, too. you probably have the maturity to start with a "big bike" -- i was attracted to the 550 over the 750 because it just fits me better -- 5'8" with a shortish inseam. not trying to sell you on one, just sharing that i don't feel the urge, 3 years later, to heave more tonnage around. not that i'd kick a 750 out of bed....

and for the good of the order: yes, this is one of the best net communities i've encountered, without which my bike and i would probably be a good bit less satisfied with each other!

-jon

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2005, 09:38:00 AM »

Quote

..instead of cursing a motionless hulk..

Ha, ha, did my share of that in the past year so I would agree 100%.

eldar · « **Reply #5 on:** July 13, 2005, 09:51:19 AM »

I can relate with Bob. We have intimate knowledge of our carbs, which is something NOT to be proud of!

StoneDog · « **Reply #6 on:** July 13, 2005, 10:03:09 AM »

I just noticed (via ebay) there's a guy near me in Duluth, GA that fixes up and resells various 70's era CB's.

Any chance anybody knows this guy? Here are the bikes he's offering:

http://motors.search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZjglcml2

They look clean enough, especially the '74.

FWIW I'm 5'11" pushing 205 lbs (on a good day). If the bike proved reliable I'd do some commuting on it so I was thinking a 750 might be preferable to something smaller.

Jon

chippyfive50 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2005, 04:52:50 PM »

I am 6'0 and 230, and have both, and my 550 does fine under my load. Of course the 750 pulls harder, but the little 550 is much easier to muscle around, and tachs up nicely... i find myself on the 550 more often lately?? As a novice the 500/550 is more forgiving...

Tim. · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2005, 05:51:18 PM »

I'd also check with your insurance company on quotes. Depending on where you are, it may be much cheaper to insure a 550. Of course, insurance may be so cheap it won't matter. But up here (Toronto) my friend pays $700 for his 750, and I pay $400 for my 550.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #9 on:** July 13, 2005, 06:21:42 PM »

Watch out for my two favorites; "Ran when parked" means I parked it when it conked out. "Barn fresh" means the chicken #$%* is still gooey. Unless your family plan to apply for saint-hood, get a decent bike that runs for as much as you can afford, and then plan to spend more for things like battery, tires, filters, oil, new jacket, boots to match, a decent helmet will cost $200-$400, summer gloves, winter gloves, shades, deciding if you prefer cognac or armagnac with your current brand of cigar- well, the costs just seem to escalate, don't they.

Philly550K1 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 14, 2005, 11:14:04 AM »

Another point would be, if you start with your runner, you can always easily double your collection with a cheap heap, project/parts bike. Then triple it. Then..... but that probably hasn't happened to anyone on this list....

jotor · « **Reply #11 on:** July 14, 2005, 11:22:07 AM »

Quote from: Philly550K1 on July 14, 2005, 11:14:04 AM

Another point would be, if you start with your runner, you can always easily double your collection with a cheap heap, project/parts bike. Then triple it. Then..... but that probably hasn't happened to anyone on this list....

Nah......who wants to stop at three.

You're "there" when your wife doesn't notice the new one in the garage......

VMAX1970 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 14, 2005, 11:30:46 AM »

you let your wife in the garage

dpen · « **Reply #13 on:** July 14, 2005, 11:40:26 AM »

My dog sleeps under the bike so my wife won't come in the garage.

jotor · « **Reply #14 on:** July 14, 2005, 04:06:19 PM »

Quote from: VMAX1970 on July 14, 2005, 11:30:46 AM

you let your wife in the garage

Sure, it's where we keep the yard tools.

Hud · « **Reply #15 on:** July 14, 2005, 04:29:13 PM »

I am a new member also, and about a year ago was given a 1980 CB650C that had sat in the barn for 14 yrs. It was a project alright! I didn't know what I was doing, and had never worked on much of anything , so it was all learning as I went. The bike came around very well, and runs smooooth! I think it lacks a bit of power, but I am not enough of a mechanic to tell if it is jets or what. The local mechanic said he doesn't think he could get it running better, so I guess getting a project bike for your first bike is not always bad. As long as you aren't in a hurry, and are willing to spend a LOT of time, (unless you know what you are doing) I'd say go for it! There is something to be said about getting one that you can ride immediately, but I sure feel great about fixing this classic up myself. There is a thing or two left to do, but I ride it most every day now! Good luck!

StoneDog · « **Reply #16 on:** July 15, 2005, 06:15:55 AM »

I had a couple of reasons for going for a project bike instead of a ready-to-ride bike.

First, $99 seemed like a great deal assuming the bike is still in one piece.

Second, because it probably doesn't run it will be easier to win over the wife. She's sick of hearing me talk about motorcycles and just rolls her eyes now. (If only I was riding them before we were married.) So, I roll what looks like a pile of junk into the garage and she figures I'll never actually finish it. But, over time the hard work and effort I put into it win her over and by the time the bike is done she might even consider riding it herself. Yeah, I'm living in a dream world.

So, I really like the idea of an early CB, I just need to find one that's in a little better shape.

Any thoughts on the bikes I linked to earlier in this thread?

Jon

Hud · « **Reply #17 on:** July 15, 2005, 07:06:45 PM »

I'm definitely not an expert. I took a quick look, and they look like laright bikes, but for4 one that old, I personally would not give more than about $1200 tops for one in really good running condition. Check out the Kelly blue book and NADA guide for there value. They are probably not in the book because they are so old, but you can get an idea of their value. My 1980 shows a value of about $700.00 to as high as $1200.00 last I checked. I have about $800.00 into it, and will put a couple hundred more. If I hadn't got it free, it wouldn't be worth it unless I did it for fun/education, which I did, as well as to get a bike. I have a wife like yours. She reluctantly gave in. I guess she got tired of me rubber-necking for every bike we saw. At least it wasn't women! Lots of luck.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2005, 04:08:05 AM »

I don't think Blue Book applies to anything older. A lot of vehicles sell for 2, 3 times what they cost new. Sometimes even more considering rarity and condition. Take 500 singles (something I've recently researched); a Yamaha SR500 in really good condition will go for $2500. Maybe up to $3000. A GB500 in the same condition can get $5000.
When you get down to it, anything is worth what you're willing to pay.

News:

Author Topic: Introduction w/ Question (Read 3893 times)

StoneDog

StoneDog

eldar

StoneDog

VMAX1970

Hud

StoneDog

Hud