Topic: How to value a CB500/550?

[PxTx]

I think I know how to value a 550, but wanted to put it out to you guys.  For me, original paint (in very good condition) is a big value adder.  The 4 into 4 pipes are the next value adder.  The next is the smaller incidentals, like condition of spokes, matching clean gauges, no rips in an original seat and how roadworthy a bike is (valid inspection, conditin of tires, do the carbs leak etc).

The motivation for this post is a local ad on CL:

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/615654999.html

I've seen plenty of people post overpriced ads, some I agree with and others I don't.  This on I persoanlly feel it overpriced by about $1k or better.  Anyone willing to play devil's advocate?

[neil young]

well....it does look nice.
i like cheap beaters myself   add a few hundred bucks,some elbow grease and ride.
someone who just wants to turn a key and go will pick this one up.i wonder how many miles are on it?
i wouldnt pay $2800.00 for it.

[kghost]

A CLEAN TITLE AND ASSOCIATED PAPERWORK (bill of sale and application for title signed by the OWNER...not just a title signed 10 yrs and 3 owners ago ) Whatever is required in your state.

After that.....Depends where your skills lay.

If you can paint... well then color or paint condition doesn't matter. Paints cheap it just takes time.

I'd say original and unmolested counts for most.

I hate tracking down parts. I hate Mod's. You can keep your windjammer fairing, sissy bar, luggage, ape hanger bars...they add nothing to the value.

Some new Parts I can order but the discontinued and unavailable stuff (like some exhausts) will drive ya nuts. Some of them get expensive.

I hate fixing other peoples shoddy work. Fix it right or please...don't make it worse. An example would be chopped up electricals.

I prefer to know the history. Also helps if it runs or you know beyond a certainty why it doesn't.

Frame condition counts as well...if its rusted and ugly...well thats a complete tear down.

As for spokes I can replace a set in about a day so that is not a concern.

Tire condition? Unless they have a pretty recent manufacture date and are in good condition I replace them

If its sat for any period without regular use...the carbs are going to have some problem. Clogged, leaking, out of sync/ adjustment, corrosion in carbs/fuel tank or some combination there of. (sometimes its all of them)

I don't worry about valid inspection.


Now that bike in the ad looks like it would fit the bill with the exception of the exhausts. Get some info on the mechanicals and what its status is mechanically

[neil young]

in my neck of the woods.the standard price for a running 20 to 30 year old bike is $2000.no matter the mileage.
you have to really look around and be patient to find a bike under $500.
i have a stock 72 CB 500.the candy jet green still looks awesome.it needs an exhaust.if i could get $3000 for it i would be ecstatic.considering i paid $260 for it

[Klark Kent]

it is worth $2800 to that guy and a lot of guys would rather not sell the bike than take less than what they think its worth- what it is really worth- so that is the value of the bike.  chances are it is not worth that much to you so move on to the next one.  when i was looking for my bike i found a 450 with modified exhaust- well maintained, but not very original or pretty- the dude would not take less than $1500 because he loved the bike and would rather keep it than sell it for less.  He helped me find my 550- not running and belonging to a guy who did not have such a high personal value on it.  i could have brought the guy with the 450 hundreds of printouts from the internet stating the market value of a 74 cb450, and it just would have made him pissed.  Philly is a big market and you should be able to find a bike with the right mix of real world value and realistic seller, but make no mistake,  trying to negotiate with these guys is a waste of both of your time- and definitely one, possibly both of you will feel they compromised too much.  

The right bike will find you.

good luck
-KK

[PxTx]

Thanks for the perspective guys.  I'm not looking for any negotiating tips or leverage but the comments are helpful.  So it sounds like a clean non original CB550 does have at least $2800 in real market value.  That helps my conscious since I can easily influence myself to over pay when I find what I want.

[Gordon]

There's no such thing as a "market value" for these bikes.  There's not enough demand for them to balance out the huge range based on where the bike is located, time of year, different mods, originality vs. non-originality, condition of certain parts, personal value to the current owner, nostalgic value to the prospective owner, etc.  To someone who finds the exact bike they're looking for, chances are they're willing to pay a lot more for it than someone who's just looking for any old bike.

Ask 20 different people the "value" of any of these bikes, and you'll probably get 20 different answers.  The only answer that matters is yours.

[bryanj]

Value decreasing items
1 Wrong colour and paint scheme
2 no tank badges or trim
500 with 550 badges
4 wrong seat cover
5 non original exhausts
6 clocks look wrong but cant be sure.

An absolutely mint 500 AND ORIGINAL(as in looks like showroom with new HONDA parts where necessary) in the UK would have an insurance value of about £2,500 (POUNDS NOT DOLLARS)

[kayaker43]

I was just at a vintage bike auction in Daytona. I almost bought a pristine CB550 I saw in the parking lot with perfect original paint and pipes and low miles. He wanted $2500 and I was sure I could buy it and auction it the next day for more. I went home and researched ebay to find they weren't selling for much so I passed.

The Friday auction had one that was even slightly more perfect and it only went for $1800 so I would have lost money. Around here that craigslist bike would be lucky to get $1500.

I think now is the time to buy one, the late 60's bikes have appreciated well and the 70's bikes are just starting to increase.

[Geeto67]

if he rode that bike to NYC he'd likely get it. Plenty of retarded hipsters round here with no concept of bikes and dot com money to spend.

The thing I don't get is a nice original usually is a $1500 bike on ebay but throw a set of checkered stripes, rearsets, and low bars on it and all of a sudden it is a $3500 bike.

[Gordon]

The thing I don't get is a nice original usually is a $1500 bike on ebay but throw a set of checkered stripes, rearsets, and low bars on it and all of a sudden it is a $3500 bike.

Sounds like a good business plan right there!