Topic: And the sandcast madness continues......

[Swoop]

This is getting crazy!

$1000 with two days to go.  

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290190292629&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:MOTORS:1123

[Steve F]

This is getting crazy!

$1000 with two days to go.  

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290190292629&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:MOTORS:1123

He says his loss is your gain............ At a $1000, he's truly the winner in this game.  Scheesh....a thousand bucks 

[Fuzzball]

More power to them I say---the buyer and the seller. There's so many ways to put this in perspective---many having to do with criminal ways to pursue or spend $1000. 

These bikes we cherish are more than just a transportation mode to get from point A to point B, right? Even my humble K8----many a Saturday morning I will stand in my garage in my bathrobe, cup of java in hand and just walk around and stare at the machine, feeling pride and satisfaction of ownership. I imagine the owners of the holy grail sandcast are investing in a similar sense of accomplishment. Too rich for my blood, but it's all relative to one's personal finances right?

It's all good, and more to the good because it's apparently a resto that's being worked on.

[Scooterboy]

Yeah, Vic World emailed me about my ignition and said he can't believe the price either!

It is my loss because now I will never own my perfect sandcast bike 

[Patrick]

And to think I would probably ruin my bike by buying a new ignition from Honda for less than $50....

[ekim98]

 A fool and his money soon part, but to each their own. The bike won't run any better and from the way some are talking it's not even sure what was or wasn't used on the first sandcast. Did they all even have the same parts? 

[Raul CB750K1]

Scooterboy, I bet you never could have imagined it would get that silly price. I just hope that the winner doesn't change your mind and complete the transaction. I have had a couple of pleasant surprises with items sold on eBay, I guess you are rubbing your hands now in satisfaction. Congratulations!

[Jonesy]

I'd love to own a historic bike like the sandcast 750, but then, I like to ride my machines often. I'd hate to have something so rare and nice that I'd never want to ride it for fear of dumping it...  (IMHO)

[Patrick]

That pretty much captures my sentiment, Jonesy. I've put more than 6,000 miles on my K5 750 this year and now I'm starting to ride my K0 far more often. My bikes are recreational transportation, not sculptures.

Patrick

[754]

I would rather have a KO or a K1 and ride it with reckless abandon, than a sandcast.

Geez to run a sandcast hard and hole the cases, boy would that feel bad!! ... or to have everyone getting on you about bagging an old classic.

Anyway KO is a third the price and 6 times as many parts out there.

I had  a pretty good sandcast and have let it go, maybe I can find another one..

[Lumbee]

many a Saturday morning I will stand in my garage in my bathrobe, cup of java in hand and just walk around and stare at the machine, feeling pride and satisfaction of ownership.

...man, we are sick...but usually Sunday before church...

[736cc]

 

I'd love to own a historic bike like the sandcast 750, but then, I like to ride my machines often. I'd hate to have something so rare and nice that I'd never want to ride it for fear of dumping it...  (IMHO)

  In 10 years I've put over 20,000 miles on sandcasts. If they're running and weather is good, I ain't afraid to ride 'em, and ride them hard. One was my daily beater for years, and it was friggin fast, too. Pegging them for all they're worth part of the motorcycle game- the early ones will achieve 125mph if you have room and lay on the tank. They're valuable not just because they're rare, they are CB750's in the PUREST sense and when properly tuned, extremely satisfying to ride. Plus the fact whenever you park at any bike hangout, a conversation piece to say the least. And an exhaust bark to back it up.
  When they're in super concours condition and up for sale, its a different story. Its not prudent put miles on them. Sort of like a 0 mile collectable, they lose value if used. A garden-variety used sandcast in nice original condition won't lose any value if ridden. Unless you drop it, but that advice is same for ANY motorcycle except dirt bikes.

[Swoop]

I ride mine weekly (When there is no snow) to the Sunday meetings. Flog it? not really but I ride it normal. I figure there is nothing on it that can't be fixed....but it is unrestored. I think I may have trouble doing that on the fully restored one. Ideally build a cafe this winter and FLOG IT! 
Steve

[nickjtc]

See also my post on 'doing your research'.

All good sentiments in this thread. I get the sense that the majority of us would rather ride our bikes than coddle them. You've got to wonder, though, whether that person who is prepared to spend $1000 on a part for a bike will perpetually be afraid to take the bike out for a decent thrash.

There have been many comments in the classic bike press about these 'show' bikes that are lovingly restored at huge expense, and then never run. To the point that some show judges will insist that the motor is started to prove that a particular bike actually has oil in the tank/crankcase getting it dirty inside.

[ken736cc]

I used my sandcast as a daily rider until it was worn out. 90,000 miles. I am now slowly restoring it. I have 3 of these switches, not new but very nice condition. I collected and hoarded restoration parts for years. I am not selling any spares until mine is finished.

[paxtonpony]

I paid $700 for my bike.  And to think, for $300 more I could have just gotten a set of keys and a lock.  What was I thinking?

[Jonesy]

You've got to wonder, though, whether that person who is prepared to spend $1000 on a part for a bike will perpetually be afraid to take the bike out for a decent thrash.

That was my point. If I had a concours-quality or even a really good condition one, I wouldn't want to ride it and, as said earlier, put a hole through the case. The Sandcast was the CB750 in it's rawest form, and I would love to wring it out for all it's worth. But, all that would be tempered with the feeling of "I better take it back before it breaks". (I know being a Honda, it likely won't break, but there is always that slight fear)

[754]

With a 16 T sprocket there is a better chance  of breakage..

Wonder if these high dollar bikes use original chain (whatever it was).. might have been part of the problem.

Myself I like dumping the clutch and laying rubber far too much to restrain myself on a day to day basis..

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Yeah, Vic World emailed me about my ignition and said he can't believe the price either!

It is my loss because now I will never own my perfect sandcast bike 

$1000 to Vic World (sandcast2) is peanuts with what he does to a sandcast. Fully restored out the door $29,995. Don't think he should complain about prices if that's the idea. He has recently sold 3 ducktail seats on EBay with the best one going for about $2500. He has recently sold 2 CR750 total loss alternators for well over $1000 each. Who's selling the CR carbs on EBay right now with the bidding at $1000.01?! Capitalism at it's finest! If I wanted it that bad and could afford it I'd probably do it too. I'm just DAMN glad I don't have a sandcast or I'd be broke as hell considering what I've spent on all the NOS and new parts I'm collecting for the eventual restoration of CB750F-1001606.

[ekim98]

I don't own a perfectly restored sandcast or any other kind, but I don't consider it my loss. I'm quite happy with my 750k. If that's what you want, then spend thousands of dollar for it, but I don't think it makes anyone a better sohc biker as some may think/believe. Those that have built up the perfect restored bike have not done anything that anyone else couldn't do if they didn't care about cost. The right parts are still out there so it's not that big of a deal to me.

[oldbiker]

I sent an eMail offering $25 buy it now, but I won't hold my breath.

[loonymoon]

Woooooahhh

That makes $1600 for a set of original exhausts for a 350F seem like an absolute bargain....

It is a shame when bikes are just show models and even worse when they don't even have working engines. I know a couple of bikes at the show I  go occasionally are pretty much show bikes, turn up on trailer and leave on trailer. I still managed to win the 70's section in the show last year with my non original pipes and 11000 miles on the clock. My bike is ridden but I guess it's also molly coddled too.

[Terry in Australia]

See, the good thing about not owning a sandcast CB750 is that you don't have to feel bad if you don't have to deprive your kids from attending college, so that you can afford the OEM ignition switch, ha ha!

I sold one of those switches to Eamon Moloney (the owner of the first K0 in Britain) for 50 bucks back in 2000, and I put a perfect "wrinkle tank" on a K4 I restored in 2001, I guess I'm just not destined to become a big "wheeler and dealer of rare and valuable sandcast parts"!

[johnny_from_bel]

FWIW. Its not even a sandcasted part.
I am going sandcast a bunch of oil pans. $2000 a pop anybody interested ?

[736cc]

  If you are restoring a motorcycle or car and you DIY, you don't belong in the game if you are not a smart shopper (restoring w/ OPM is different). There is a misconception that sandcasts restorations are way too expensive. They can be if you aren't prudent w/ your parts sourcing and evaluating what is needed; ie: paying $2500 for a ducktail and $1000 for a switch when an entire K0 w/ those parts can be bought for not too much more. But theres something else to keep in mind: if you plan to re-sell, the restoration better be correct and done right if you expect to get a big return for your efforts and investment.