Topic: How hard to buy a CB seven-fifty in the USA?

[putnaja1]

I know I know, I've posted about these bikes before- but, I love the look, just like a SOHC Honda, only with modern brakes, suspension, motor, etc.

You know what I'm talking about?  This bike:




I think they were only sold in europe, while the USA got the 919- a detuned CBR900 without body panels, and we also had the nighthawk 750, which just doesn't appear to have the same ass to it as these bikes..

How difficult would it be to find a used CB seven-fifty and get it into the USA?
Anyone know?  Would it be ridiculously expensive?
Jason

[Terry in Australia]

I've no idea if they were sold in the US, we got some here in Oz but they weren't big sellers, but like most bikes here, they are ridden until the wheels fall off due to the almost perfect 365 day a year riding weather, and more practical bikes like that are favourites with couriers, (guys who deliver mail and parcels around the city on bikes for a living) so are normally thrashed beyond recognition.

There is a few companies here though that "grey import" Japanese low mileage domestic models. I'm not sure if it's still the law there, but all vehicles in Japan with more than 40,000 Kilometers (about 25,000 miles) on the odo must be scrapped or exported, and as they have no value apart from scrap value, they are sold cheap.

By the time they get to Oz they're a bit more expensive than an equivalent Aussie import of the same year, but are usually in much better overall condition, with much less miles on the clock. There must be a company in the US doing the same thing, or are import laws a lot more stringent there? Cheers, Terry. 

[BobbyR]

The bike may not pass the EPA requirements for even personal import. The lighting may not conform also. In another post you just sold a bike since you found traffic too dangerous. Would one of these make it safer?

[putnaja1]

hehehe  I've always drooled over these.  You are right- I personally find traffic in my over-densely populated area too dangerous.  I like(d) the idea of owning a motorcycle.  BUT, it ain't worth it if I won't ride it- pretty much why I sold my CB..

[6pkrunner]

The bike may not pass the EPA requirements for even personal import. The lighting may not conform also. In another post you just sold a bike since you found traffic too dangerous. Would one of these make it safer?

Exactly. In the exotic car business, companies make huge coin converting Italians and such to meet US EPA, lighting, and safety standards. You could wind up in a black hole of never ending testing and cash infusions and may never get it passed. Check it out before you leap. Unless you just want a neat rec room conversation piece.

[putnaja1]

Nah, I'm not really in the market for another bike- I was just curious..  I actually previously considered buying a USA model Nighthawk 750, and converting it, but I was never able to determine if the frames were the same, or if the whole bike was different.  Even if the frame is the same, you'd have to buy all the seven-fifty's bodywork, wheels, tires, brakes, probably fork too..  Anyway you look at it, it seems prohibitively expensive- cheaper to just buy something already available.

[Raul CB750K1]

You can buy second hand examples in Spain between 2.000-4.000 euro or so. The only issue I can think of is the daylight running lights; the rest is pretty much the same. In Europe, the Euro2 and Euro3 legislation is far more restrictive than the US restrictions -with the probable exception of California-. I'm just waiting for one to pop up at 1.000 euro or so to buy it and so I will have the real McCoy and the retro bike. I think it will take three or four years more until the price drops to such level. They are great bikes in my opinion but lack the streetfighter or agressive looks that is so much appreciated today, so I think they will always go cheap.


Have a look at this spanish craiglist-type to have an idea of how much are they going for. I have also thought about buying an old Harley in the states and having it sent to Spain. Euro is stronger now than the $, and the shipping should be around 1.000 bucks, and then I should have to pay VAT and custom duties -about 20% of the purchase price- and then undergo an individual homologation if the bike has never been homologued in any european country. A big PIA, not worth the money saved unless you want a given bike SOOOOOO BAD.


http://www.segundamano.es/li?q=cb+750&ca=28_s&c=0&x=3&w=3&z=