Author Topic: how long before MAJOR problems  (Read 2779 times)

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pacific_muscle75

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how long before MAJOR problems
« on: February 08, 2010, 05:19:05 PM »
assuming all maintenance is somewhat correct (oil, plugs, points). how long does a typical cb750 run?

I'm looking at a 1976 in a dealer with around 45k on the clock for 1500 and am concerned it has been used and abused. I plan on looking at it very soon, but want to know if 45k is decent for the age. I don't plan on paying that much for it, just because I dont think its worth it.

let me know what you think.

Offline fmctm1sw

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2010, 05:28:33 PM »
That's a tough question to answer.  Someone here's got one with 100k on it I think...  Sorry, not much help..
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Offline Popwood

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2010, 05:36:47 PM »
There are forum members who have decades of experience with these bikes and I think they will tell you there's no reason why the engine won't give 100,000 miles service before tear down and overhaul---- if, and that's a big IF, the bike was properly serviced and not mechanically abused. Of course, how do you know that? How do you know that especially from a dealer unless it's your uncle. And if your uncle is a dealer you still should wonder a bit!
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Offline 55fbomb

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2010, 05:38:21 PM »
i saw a matic with 104K on it last year, still ran good.
or maybe im just dumb . . .

Offline MCRider

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2010, 05:38:59 PM »
Its tough to answer as the question needs to be cleaned up, qualified and quantified.

Basically, the CB750 can go 100,000+ miles. With the routine maintenance. It'll get a little rattley, but it'll be fine.  45,000 is high relative to motorcycles in general, but not to a CB750. You won't find many with that much mileage, doesn't mean they (and many other models) can't do it. It means motorcycles are toys and owners often buy them and never use them.

The problems come in from age as much as use. And what happened in all those periods of less use. Was the 45,000 put on early in life, late in life, or spread throughout?

I'd rather the miles have been put on recently as the owner would have had to deal with the issues brought on by age and sitting.

If the use was early, and its been sitting, you'll have issues with condensation in the cables, electrics, front forks, aged rubber (tires older than 6 years need to be replaced before serious use). Carburetors will give you problems, gas tank may be rusty inside, etc.

If a lot of these issues are minor, the price is decent. $1,000 would be better, tires are a negotiating point. Get the age from the DOT stamp on the tire. Go armed with DOT style warnings from the internet about using old tires on the street. Could use new steering bearings, likely rear shocks are sacked.

Its an old bike, you'll have to work on it as you go.

PS: all maintenance is NEVER correct.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2010, 05:43:53 PM by MCRider »
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1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

pacific_muscle75

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2010, 06:10:46 PM »
great replies guys. I love this place!

I think I'll go inspect tomorrow.

Upon looking at the pics from the web many things are NOT original. rear turn signals, exhaust, and paint is kinda faded. I think I can push them to a grand. I know about tires, believe me, I'm not driving on two patches or hard slippery rubber with tons of cracks.

you guys have actually insired me to look further.

assuming.... and I mean assuming all is normal wear and tear, how long will the clutch hold out and how much is it to get replaced?

Offline bwaller

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2010, 06:13:22 PM »
45,000 on that speedo, nothing saying that's the original. That mileage in some hands and it'll be toast, well maintained and it's just a baby.

Ask to ride the thing and based on that and the general condition, make an offer. Just know that parts aren't cheap so take a close look!

Offline MCRider

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2010, 06:17:08 PM »
great replies guys. I love this place!

I think I'll go inspect tomorrow.

Upon looking at the pics from the web many things are NOT original. rear turn signals, exhaust, and paint is kinda faded. I think I can push them to a grand. I know about tires, believe me, I'm not driving on two patches or hard slippery rubber with tons of cracks.

you guys have actually insired me to look further.

assuming.... and I mean assuming all is normal wear and tear, how long will the clutch hold out and how much is it to get replaced?
The stock clutch will last forever, pretty much, if never abused, and costs about $100 - $125 to replace, and that's with a better clutch. easy owner doable.

If you get a chance to ride it, and get away from the shop, There are a couple of clutch tests. Listen to Click and Clack on public radio? They tell people to set the front bumper up to an immovable object. Put it in 4th or 5th, rev it as high as you can stand and let the clutch out. It should kill the engiine. If it doesn't the clkutch is slipping. A little bruitish perhaps.

Get it out about 1/2+ throttle in 2nd gear. Nail it and see if the clutch slips.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2010, 06:20:28 PM by MCRider »
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"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline 754

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2010, 07:55:01 PM »
Clutch is the least of the issues.. but could be a bargaining point.. but really 150 to fix max

 Worry about oil burning, handling issues, tranny or engine noise.

 In the hands of most riders , touring, 45 K is dick all.. 10k around town, lots of burnouts and wheelies, different story..
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pacific_muscle75

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2010, 09:06:53 PM »
Clutch is the least of the issues.. but could be a bargaining point.. but really 150 to fix max

 Worry about oil burning, handling issues, tranny or engine noise.

 In the hands of most riders , touring, 45 K is dick all.. 10k around town, lots of burnouts and wheelies, different story..

quite a good point. Im going to see it tomorrow (weather permitting) and giving it a close look over. Assuming it was a trade in, don't you think it would have been inspected by the dealer to see if it is worth a certain value.

I plan on pulling a plug, hearing it run, shifting through the gear, checking brakes, checking suspension, checking the gas tank, checking the tires, checking all electrical end points, and looking at the oil. anything else I seem to be missing?

If all checks out, I plan on asking a grand and going from there, if they have records of recent service I'll ask 1200.

seem reasonable?

Offline MCRider

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2010, 05:04:23 AM »
Clutch is the least of the issues.. but could be a bargaining point.. but really 150 to fix max

 Worry about oil burning, handling issues, tranny or engine noise.

 In the hands of most riders , touring, 45 K is dick all.. 10k around town, lots of burnouts and wheelies, different story..

quite a good point. Im going to see it tomorrow (weather permitting) and giving it a close look over. Assuming it was a trade in, don't you think it would have been inspected by the dealer to see if it is worth a certain value.

I plan on pulling a plug, hearing it run, shifting through the gear, checking brakes, checking suspension, checking the gas tank, checking the tires, checking all electrical end points, and looking at the oil. anything else I seem to be missing?

If all checks out, I plan on asking a grand and going from there, if they have records of recent service I'll ask 1200.

seem reasonable?
Dealers need to sell several $10,000 bikes per week to stay in business. How much time can they give a $1500 trade in? Not much. They just glance over it and take a chance. Hope its someone elses problem soon. Can't hold it against them, its just business.
Ride Safe:
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1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline andy750

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2010, 05:20:06 AM »
I can give you a recent example...this past weekend I opened up a 1972 CB750 K2 engine. First time in 55,000 miles.

Background: Ive had it since 30,000 miles (since 1999). It ran very well before I opened it up. I mean really well - would cruise at 90mph on the highway no problem if asked. Pulled like a freight train.  Ive used car oil for most of the mileage - regular 10W-40 - Castrol GTX mostly. Inside found the cam chain had been loose at some point and scored a nice groove. No filings were ever in the oil. Cam chain tensioner rubber was toast. 6 of the 8 rocker arms were scored and wont be reused. Cam had some pitting and wont be reused. Pistons were fine with a little blow by but nothing too bad. Cylinder walls were good. Valves were ok. Head gasket had been leaky (hence the top end rebuild). 

If I hadnt opened it up and ran it as is Im sure Id have got another 20K out of it. The rest of the bike had been rebuilt from the ground up. Appearances arent everything ;-)

Good luck
Andy
Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline blackhog02

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #12 on: February 09, 2010, 03:04:13 PM »
My cb750 had 78k on the clock when I got it and I have put another 10k on it.  It runs great leaks a little oil.  I know that If I tear into the motor it is going to cost me more than what I paid for the bike so I just run it and keep adding oil!

pacific_muscle75

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #13 on: February 09, 2010, 09:37:35 PM »
well I braved the snow today and went to see it.  :-[

First, I'll start off with the good, this bike was in fairly good condition and much, MUCH better than most of the "barn find" starts to the restorations here in the project threads. It was mostly there with only a few things missing although a few things had been replaced with aftermarket equivalents, but to its credit it did start and run fairly well on a basically dead battery and god knows how old gas.

The bad:

The thing had a pretty bad death knock in the top end that I can only imagine was the cam or cam chain pound away at the cases. I assume it had been stored outside, the top half of the tank had been painted purple along with the side covers, one of which was cracked.

It would be a great start to a project and I will post the link to the bike (hope its not against forum rules). It is located at Honda East in Maumee, Ohio. I'm convinced someone could easily talk them down to $500 - $800, I just didn't want that big of a project.

http://showroom.auction123.com/honda_east/inventory/8584/ID_782407030.html

Offline Don R

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #14 on: February 09, 2010, 09:42:27 PM »
Wonder if the chain tensioner is working?
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Offline gregimotis

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #15 on: February 09, 2010, 10:08:15 PM »
Wonder if the chain tensioner is working?

My first thought also.  It's common for the tensioner's on these bikes to seize causing the enigne to sound like a washing machine... X2 if there is anything else out if tune.

Thing is, it IS going to be a project - you're going to have to give it a full (30,000 mile) tune - you're going to have to rebuild the carbs (probably), the brakes (probably), the head gasket leaks (probably).  These machines are really pretty easy to work on, even tearing down the engine, and parts aren't all that expensive really (carb kits 12.00$ ea X4).

It's an old bike and it's going to have more maintenance than a newer, more expensive one.  On the other hand its got about 20 million times more class than a CBR will ever have ever;  and when you pull up to a bike hang out; the old guys with the interesting stories are going to amble over to you and hang out.

So that's it - a late eighties nighthawk is probably easier for the same money if you just want a bike... but it's a pretty good looking CB for 800.00-1200.00 bucks.
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Offline gregimotis

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #16 on: February 09, 2010, 10:10:17 PM »
Mine has 86,000 miles by the way - 17,000 of them mine.  It's been on several ~1000 mile trips.
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Offline andy750

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Re: how long before MAJOR problems
« Reply #17 on: February 10, 2010, 06:36:25 AM »
Nice bike and it looks to be well taken care of given the condition of the chrome etc...not much of a head gasket leak either. Id buy it!

Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350