Topic: So what is it worth?

[rstarcher]

Sorry if this is the wrong place...not actually selling the bike yet so this is (to me) a discussion, not an ad.

My CB750 was always meant to be a first bike.  I bought it because I had always wanted a motorcycle and I needed something to learn on.  A co-worker offered it to me for cheap since it needed a lot of work.  I said I’d learn on it and ride it for a season or two then move on to something newer.  That was 2002.  Every year I’ve looked at my finances, looked at new bikes and made the decision to keep the CB for another year.  This year I’ve decided it’s time.  I’m going to be buying a new bike soon.  Well, new to me, looking for a 2003 or 2004 cruiser, preferably Honda or Yamaha.

Now I need to sell my CB750K1 and to do that I need to know how much it’s worth.  Can anyone give me an honest idea of what I can expect to get for the bike?  I’ve seen them go from $200 for a non-working bike to $5000+ for one that’s been restored or otherwise augmented.  I know mine is not worth that much, I just want to know what to expect.

Here’s a pic of the bike as it was in 2006.
http://www.sohc4.net/gallery/d/297038-2/CB750K1.jpg

In 2007 I decided I wanted to turn it into a chopper so I started customizing it.  I never got the extended forks, but changed the tank, headlight, taillight, turn signals, removed the rear fender, lowered the rear end with shorty shocks, removed the anodization from the control switches and polished them (not quite chrome but they look nice) and changed the seat to a solo seat (which also allowed my feet to finally sit flat on the ground).  I still have all the original parts and could turn the bike back into a classic CB750 within a few days.  The paint needs to be redone on the tank, gas seeping from the petcock damaged the paint around it.  Here’s a pic as it looked summer of 2007 (not quite, I’ve removed the straps from the front fender since this pic was taken):
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c28/killingtimekits/custom.jpg

The bike has approx 23k miles on it.  It runs fairly well.  I’m not a mechanic so the best I can do is state that when the temperature is warm it starts immediately nearly every time, with the choke.  It’s a little cold blooded and doesn’t want to start once the temperature drops below 60 or so.  It gets around 33 mpg.  The fastest I've ever ridden it has been 90mph before I backed off (but the bike felt like it still had plenty to give)

In 2007 I replaced the battery, drive chain, shocks, spark plugs, and replaced the headlight with an aftermarket halogen unit.  The tires are Bridgestone Spitfire S11 and were new in 2004 or 2005 and have approx 3000 miles on them.

There are no "gotchas" on the bike that I know of.  Nothing that needs to be replaced or fixed before riding season.  A new owner should need to do nothing but fill the gas tank and go.

Any idea what I should ask for it?  Would it sell better as a customized bike or should I change it back to the original parts?  I’m inclined to put the original tank back on since the new tank leaks, and reattach the rear fender since I never got around to doing the custom one (and it looks better with one than without).

Randy

[dustyc]

Throw it up on ebay and see what it fetches.

[rstarcher]

Throw it up on ebay and see what it fetches.

Trying not to screw myself
Randy

[andy750]

Ebay is your best bet as dustyc said - who knows what you`d get there but def a bigger viewing market.

Sale of bike depends on time of year, where you live, stock versus very unique bike etc etc....your original photo of the bike showing somewhat stock - non-stock paint, parts etc make it less sought after. Head gasket leak, 23,000 miles - there are lots of bikes around like this.....In past condition - anywhere from $700-$1200 (being generous here) depending on market and around same for custom condition. My opinion of course.

Cheers
Andy

[PxTx]

I would say back to original is best.  Matching the side cover paint to the tank would be advised.  Fixing the front boots on the forks and matching/putting the painted items back would also be advise.  If you could get an original type seat, that too would be best.  I would say the bike in it's customized form would have a lower number of people interested in it.  Price could be above $1000, but that would be a realistic number.  Putting it closer to stock would increase the number of potential buyers while simltaneously raising the value to about $1500-$2000.  Since you'll kinda have the bike apart for the change over, if you took the time to detail things out nice and shiney and complete some the the items I recommended the value could approach $3000.  What is your sweat equity worth?

[dustyc]

What is it worth is a debatable question.  Ask 50 people, you'll get 50 different answers.  The only way to know is to sell it.  Then the answer is what you got for it. 

If you wanted to get the very most out of it, you could sell parts for the next 6 months.  If you wanted to sell it tomorrow, selling at a low price would be the quickest way to move it. 

Find comparable bikes in your area and see what they've sold for.

[rstarcher]

Thank you, this is what I wanted to know.  I had hoped to get around $1200 for the bike but that would seem a little high now.  My fear was I'd put it on ebay, get lowballed and only get $300 for it (I'd prefer to keep it if that's all it was worth)

I do have the original (stock) seat, I just preferred the aftermarket one in the first pic, then switched to the solo seat in the second.  I expected the answer would be that a stock or near stock would sell better than my attempt at custom (everyone has their own view).  So I'll start putting the stock parts back onto the bike.  New paint is probably not in the future though.  It's not worth paying $300 to $500 to redo the paint to increase the value by $300 to $500.  Unless I do it with rattlecans, it's just not in the budget.

Randy

[Terry in Australia]

Yeah mate, don't feel that anyone is knocking you for your custom efforts, you made that old rat look nice, it's just that customs aren't as attractive to CB750 people as original, or near original, bikes are.

Over here in Oz you'd get 3000 plus for a neat original K1, but there are a lot more in the US, so $1000 to 1500 is more realistic. Cheers, Terry.

[Johnie]

Have you put in the FOR SALE area of this board yet?  Maybe someone here would like to talk to you about it?  At least you know it would go to a great home.  If you go eBay, be sure to put a reserve on it so you do not get wacked by some low-ball price.  I agree, it is a nice looking bike.

[Aaron J Williams]

If you are worried about selling it on feebay then put a reserve price on it. Another good way to gauge the market is to put it on craigslist for more than you could hope to get and then slowly lower the price until people start calling on it. That method works great in my neck of the woods! 

[PxTx]

I have to admit, I've always been very happy with the price my bikes fetch on ebay.  I would not have any reservations.

[754]

How much fun have you had when you used it??

 Is the fraction of a new bike price that you get, REALLY WORTH TO YOU....letting go of a good bike..worth what you will get for it??

 Ask youself.. will you have as much fun on the dollar??  you decide..

[.RJ]

Thank you, this is what I wanted to know.  I had hoped to get around $1200 for the bike but that would seem a little high now.  My fear was I'd put it on ebay, get lowballed and only get $300 for it (I'd prefer to keep it if that's all it was worth)

Location?

[rstarcher]

I am in Troy, Ohio

Randy

[.RJ]

Probably a good thing for me that its a little too far (from DC)

Good luck