Topic: cb 750 what is it worth?

[indy650]

i just bought this bike it needs a tach cable front brakes and it has a whopping 60,000 miles on it has a crack on the battery cover. what do you guys think its worth? also it says 1972 on the rear fender does that mean its a 72 or 73 model? and the engine serial dosent match the chassis is it soposed to?
thanks

[Gordon]

About $3.50

[754]

It is a 72.

Value can vary depending on where you live and how often they are for sale in that area. It has fairly high mileage, but could still have a lot left, if it was taken care of and ridden a lot on  the highway.

serial #,s are usually out by a few hundred.

[gregimotis]

I'll give ya $3.75 for it.


If it's painted by 'Von Dutch' then $18.93

 

[gregimotis]

The # stamped on the engine shouldn't match the number on the frame.


Thing about selling an old bike is:  It's worth a lot to someone who likes vintage bikes and nothing to someone who's just looking to pick up some old bike.
Soo... it's worth whatever you can get for it.

Fix the tach cable, replace the pads.  List it as a classic and if anyone asks about the mileage, remind them that its a classic.


Please don't sell it to anybody who says "I just need something cheap to get around on, while my gixxer is in the shop."



Mine has 75,000mi, btw.  Runs great.

[75modrat]

I tell myself that I love this site for the wealth of knowledge that present. But in reality, I think it is the smart yet exceedingly humorous comments!

Frank

[Geeto67]

asking what something is worth on the internet is kinda like saying "kick me in the junk reall hard".....nobody is going to take you seriously and if they do you don't really like the outcome.

Besides this is one of those things that gets asked probably about once a week and, well, it is kind of bad form to have it be your first post.

that being said you have a working knowledge of ebay and there is this magical thing there called "advanced search" where you can look at what bikes actually sold and for what. Add this to CL ads, plus the NADA guide Values and I think you are probably smart enough to figure this out on your own.

Depending on where you live those extended forks and high bars can either not affect the price or actually cause you to get lower than you would expect on ebay - Stock bikes and well executed cafe racers sell the best and for the most money.

according to NADA this is what it is worth --> $1,075

http://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?LI=1-23-38-5697-0-0-0&l=1&w=23&p=38&f=5698&m=0028&d=1500003265&y=1972&ml=H&gc=AM&gtc=MC

[andy750]

+1 very well answered Geeto

Personally for the bike in the photo  -non-stock exhaust, no airbox/pods, non-stock seat, high mileage engine, lots of non-original parts....maybe $400-500. But even that seems high - but then again you cant tell everything from a photo.

Great first post btw...welcome! 

cheers
Andy

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Lot of jokers on here so please don't be TOO sensitive. By the way, welcome. You have a SOHC4 so that says it all no matter your level of expertise or purpose. Plus, I didn't see you mention anything about selling it contrary what someone might have suggested.

What's it worth? Not easily answered. What did you pay for it?? How much do you need to spend to make it reliable? What are you going to replace that Lazy Boy seat with? Just kidding. It's functional for riding and thats what these bikes are for. I'd say a 72 is not worth what a 71 is worth which is not worth as much as a 70 which is definitely not worth a 69. It has a fair amount of miles. I'd say it's probably worth more as parts than what I would have paid for it. My billfold might have given $500 if I already had the needed parts to use on it. But thats just me.  

[754]

I must need new glasses cuz I cannot see the extended? forks and where you said you were selling it.

I see no restriction posted here as to anyone not being able to make a post like this.

And as far as checking ebay, it is not always accurate for a few reasons.. same reasons hold true for other stuff like vintage gas pumps. Fairly often items are pickup only or a method of payment  specified that some buyers dont prefer. So depending on geographic  location  & other factors.. ebay may or may not be accurate. There is posters on here that rarely ever see cb 750s for sale in their area, and some of us could run ads where we live offering 400.00 for complete 750,s and run out of room to store them.. so you never know.

[75modrat]

Hmmm... $1,000 worth of stuff traded! could be a good deal if it were stuff you didn't want anyways (even though it had value). If it wasnt stuff you didnt want, I might say its a bit much. However, I paid $700 (cash...which I like alot) for my bike and it was mostly held together with zip ties and had bolts for fuses. So what the heck do I know?!?!?

[Gordon]

i thought i could be a help to this site being a mechanic and all but then theres people saying oh ill give you $3.50 for that so for the people that are sarcastic to me dont expect me to share my knowledge with you

That's a great attitude you got there.  I can only hope that I'll be able to get along in the future without your knowledge.

[rhinoracer]

does anyone know how to tell if its the original engine i know thats a big factor in the value

I think he paid more than $3.50 for it.

Like everybody said, it's worth whatever they're going for at the time you sell it where you sell it. You might be confusing your bike wth a sandcast which is the only one with collector value.

[UnCrash]

   Wow, that bike's up to $2,500!

Yes it's one bidder, and it is a nice look bike.  You would never see one here in maine, no matter how polished up, go for $2,500.

As others have posted, value and worth are very location dependent.  Is it scarce and desireable in your location? Bingo you hit the jackpot.

Is it plentiful and undesireable? You got shafted.

If you're 1200 in and have a good classic rider that will polish up nicely I say "Well Done & Enjoy the Ride"

Please don't mind some of us on this forum, your insight is welcome, or you could be a worthless post booster like me and just hang out!  

I know I'm a little cranky about motorcycles because I still have a freaking foot of snow in the yard, there's ice in my driveway, and there's salt and cinders all over the  roads as they haven't been swept yet this spring.

Good luck with the old girl.  Ride her high in the RPM range and just try to keep that grin off your face.

[Gordon]

Oh, and by the way.  My initail answer was serious.  You asked "whats it worth?"  To me, it's worth $3.50, because I'm not in the market for another 750.  To someone who's looking for that particular bike, it very well may be worth much more.  The value of something is entirely dependent on the person you're asking.  

That's my little tid-bit of knowledge that I'll share with you.

[andy750]

  Wow, that bike's up to $2,500!

Yes it's one bidder, and it is a nice look bike.  You would never see one here in maine, no matter how polished up, go for $2,500.

I beg to differ Ben ;-)....Bob sold his 74 on Ebay for more than that!

cheers
Andy

[upperlake04]

..you seem like a dick

 
   Go and stand in the corner young man

[andy750]

..you seem like a dick

 
   Go and stand in the corner young man

+1 read the Forum rules.....no name calling. Your making a great first impression so far...

If you cant handle sarcasm them ignore it or dont ask incredibly general-there-is-no-real-answer questions like "how much is it worth"  Or better yet use the "SEARCH" function and look at all the other threads that have asked this.....

Here are a few....

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=9828.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=10810.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=22575.0



Cheers
Andy

[upperlake04]

 Yeah, give Gordon a break - he's a little cranky what with working through that Hasselhof thing 

[gregimotis]

I find it hard to believe that a self described 'mechanic' doesn't have first idea how to price a used vehicle.


I don't find it at all hard to believe that a guy who demands 'serious answers only' in his first three posts, is calling somebody a 'dick' not five posts later.

[andy750]

My apologies Indy that I could not find a specific thread on what a 1972 CB750 is worth...you are right I clearly have no idea what Im talking about. I suggest you start your own Forum and ask and answer your own questions  ....you will likely be MUCH happier.

So long,
Andy

[Geeto67]

I must need new glasses cuz I cannot see the extended? forks and where you said you were selling it.

Maybe it is just the angle of the photo but the bike looks like it was sitting back on it's tail and the engine looked tilted back as compared to the ground. It could just be a trick of photography or it could be extended forks.

To search ebay completed items there is an "advanced search" link next to the search field. It is kind of hard to spot. Click on the link and it will have you log in. then when the search page comes up there is a check box marked "search completed items" under the keywords field. Check that and enter 1972 cb750 into the key words. When the search comes up sort by highest price and that will float all the bikes to the top. Green prices are items that sold, red prices are items that did not sell. Ebay is a good indicator of what people will pay in ideal conditions. As with any price guide you can't rely on one source but averaging between 2 or 3 sources can get you pretty close. I find that the NADA guide tends to be a little low for things because they are usually based off of last years registered sales, and that helps to balance the high prices of ebay. I also find that whatever a bike is listed for on Craigslist, you deduct about 10% and that will get you close to what she sold for (20% if you live in NYC).

Now for some reason, geographically CB750s sell better in NY than a lot of other places. They have become a cult bike in NYC and that helps drive the price up. Plus there were a lot sold here and many people have fond memories of them here (I have noticed some bikes are more regional than others). I could see you getting $1500 for it here in the city, but in upstate it may be a little harder.

As far as putting money into it, if it makes you feel any better the restored values NADA listed go up to $4000. Plus the bike is well into its appreciation curve as a classic so the longer you hold it the more it becomes worth.

[GammaFlat]

Indy,

All of us are here for differing reasons (most of us for the long haul).  There are, however, some common threads among us and some camaraderie that lead to a generally applicable rule:  Be humble*, and the world is yours here. 

There is no good way for me to measure how much information I've gotten from this forum in accuracy, depth, breadth, etc.  I might add that I have learned most by searching. 

Some forums (not this one) are more about insults and arrogance.  I think that you'll find this one does not have that.  People here are serious about learning and helping each other.  There is the occasional debate over a controversial topic or two but the moderators have done a great job of keeping it a "play nice" environment.   

Please consider refraining from names (and I'd get your post modified before a moderator jumps ya ).  This is a place you should really be able to enjoy.  Good luck with your bike and cut us all some slack. 

*Humble  (on this forum, #2 and it's analogy apply to me )
1.   not proud or arrogant; modest: to be humble although successful.
2.   having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience, etc.: In the presence of so many world-famous writers I felt very humble.
3.   low in rank, importance, status, quality, etc.; lowly: of humble origin; a humble home.
4.   courteously respectful: In my humble opinion you are wrong.
5.   low in height, level, etc.; small in size: a humble member of the galaxy.
–verb (used with object)
6.   to lower in condition, importance, or dignity; abase.
7.   to destroy the independence, power, or will of.
8.   to make meek: to humble one's heart.

[gregimotis]

no you're not.

[andy750]

I didnt see anyone mocking your bike. And no one bashed you. They were merely pointing out that a very general question like yours has no real answer. Are you really that sensitive?

We are all SOHC enthusiasts here and we all enjoy working on and riding these bikes. Thats it. And everyone here has an opinion. if you dont like it move on to the next opinion. It costs nothing as you pointed out. But its a public, free-for-all-forum run by the very generous Glen Stauffer. If you come with an attitude and begin name calling on a public forum what do you expect to happen?

Cheers
Andy