Topic: New bike options for a newbie

[Toddbrown]

Hello all!  This is my first post so I hope works.  I am new to classic bikes but not new to cycling.  A few years back I owned a CBR 600F2.  I really liked it but sold it due to college.  Now, I would like to get a new bike but something that is a classic but reliable (to some degree).  I am currently looking at 2 bikes.  One is a 1977 CB550 and the other is a 1975 CB550.  The first one is already disassembled and is in good shape (but is in a thousand pieces).  The other needs some engine work, but does turn freely, and is totally assembled.  The first one is 200 bucks and the second one is 400 bucks. I am pretty mechanically inclined but what would the average cost be to get one of these guys running? (I know it's not really a fair question since you have no idea of the condition of the bike).  But worse case, if I bought it and it needed total engine work and electrical work?

[douglascoolgrey]

Do you have a place to work on it?
Where are you?
Are you looking to restore the bike or just get it to run?

Engine and electrical work can be cheap if you have tools and patience and experience. Body and cosmetic work is more expensive. I bet you could get the '75 running for under a grand. I'd go for the first bike, however... Then again, I already have a bike to ride while working on a second.

Heck, buy both. You'll have everything you need and you'll get a running bike for under $1000.

Have you ridden a 70s sport bike before? They're lots of fun, but they're not CBRs.

[Paul]

"You want it when..?"
For two or four in my book you can't go too far wrong. (But that's in my house where things are expensive)
The second may seem a better option to go with but then what ISss the engine work. ?
The first may look all there until you start putting it together - why is it apart, was the work done and it just didn't get back together yet.? or did someone realise it would never go back without a fat wallet and a month of Sundays.
and as i sit here...i'm thinking ..buy both, use spare parts where needed, sell the rest.
do you want it to restore or just get running.
so many questions....only you can decide.
wait here for some more opinions, and...Welcome to the club.

[Toddbrown]

Thanks for all the replies!  I do have a place to work on it, my garage.  But, it's got a boat in there so space will be tight.  I just want something to work on since I love to "restore things."  But, there comes a point where it may not be worth it.  I love the cafe look.  I was hoping to achive this look while I rebuild the bike.  I am located in Portland Oregon so the winters are more for working on it anyway.  How is the ride different from a CBR?  Just wondering.  I am not looking for a fast bike like my F2 was. I was getting too comfortable on it and pushing things a bit much.  I just want a relaible crusier.  I can do all the cosmetic stuff myself.  I figure a budget of 2K to make this a nice running, reliable bike.

[bistromath]

$2K will do it and then some. If you have some experience rebuilding engines I'd go for the disassembled one, otherwise it's easier to tear down and rebuild than it is to build from scratch if you've never seen it together. On the other hand, if you go for the assembled one make sure it turns over, make sure it has compression, etc.

The 550 is one of the better handling SOHCs but it's no Ninja. It goes, and goes well, and will go well forever if you look after it, but you won't be lifting wheels off the ground unless you really, really try for it (and have a hefty girlfriend, ha ha!). To me, its main strength is it is just SO damn classy. I get plenty of thumbs-up and the occasional girls waving out the windows at me, and I can't imagine it's my stunning good looks. =P

[Paul]

If you have a budget of 2K, and you can do the work yourself, you should have a seriously nice bike and loads of change at the end of the day.. oh and ..some grey hair..
or....buy a good running one, but you won't get the pride factor.
As for the handling, you won't get around bends as comfortable as a CBR, the frame flexes slightly, the ride is much more up-right / more comfortable.
you get a gentle breeze in your face (Actually all full force of it) not exactly double bubble on these.
you can sit up, relax and enjoy the surroundings, talent, whatever. more so than a CBR.
Great bike, loadsa fun.

[Bob Wessner]

The first one is already disassembled and is in good shape (but is in a thousand pieces).

Are you certian all the pieces are there for the first bike? No fun to find out its not all there the hard way.

[jotor]

I do have a place to work on it, my garage.  But, it's got a boat in there so space will be tight.

I've always heard that the second happiest day of your life is when you buy a boat.  The happiest day is when you sell it.  ;-)

I'd either buy both (can never have too many bikes) or get the assembled non-runner and put in a good 650 motor.  But, that's me.

Either way, welcome to the board.

[Toddbrown]

The guy said it was all there but he ran out of time to restore it.  Which is why is it totally disassembled.  So, no I am not 100% sure of that which makes me nervous as well. I am going tonight to look at the first bike.  I am going tomorrow to check out the second.  What’s the parts availability on these bikes?

I hear ya on the boat thing!  I do love my boat since I wakeboard but during the off season, I pay for something that I can not use.  That sucks

[Geeto67]

buy them both, most of the pieces are interchangable. Use the best parts for yourself and ebay the rest. If you are lucky, what you get for the left over parts should offset any money you have in the bikes. The hardest part about these bikes is the stuff you will need to make becasue there is no off the shelf bolt on (rearsets for example unless you like paying through the nose for raask ot tarozzi's). These bikes are a different animal. They will notbe fast at all but certainly feel fast. My cb750 at 80mph feels like you are going for the land speed record, my ninja at 120 feels like I am doing 35mph.

[Gordon]

Parts availability is good for just about all the sohc/4's.  Check out the FAQ for a list of reputable suppliers. 

If I had the option, I'd get both and either use one for parts or restore both and sell one later.  If I were forced to chose between the two of them, I'd get the '75 because you know all the parts are there and it's no fun trying to put a bike together that you didn't take apart. 

[Toddbrown]

That is a good plan, I just have to find a plcae for storage.  I'm glad it is not a "fast" bike becasue I don't want to have that option of going fast.  I am more into just tooling around the city and coutry roads.  Maybe a trip through the moutians if I know it won't leave me with the pine trees.

[Gordon]

Maybe a trip through the moutians if I know it won't leave me with the pine trees.

Which mountains you talking about? 

[Toddbrown]

Cascade range or Mt. Hood. 3500ft elavation max.

[bistromath]

I had my 550 up at 11,000 feet before it wouldn't go any higher =D But that was in first gear, wide open at 15MPH, totally bogging down and probably fouling up my plugs.

You can expect it to pull you reasonably well up to 7,000 feet before you want to take the airbox off or install leaner jets.

No CV carbs or fuel injection on these guys =D

[SteveD CB500F]

I'm glad it is not a "fast" bike becasue I don't want to have that option of going fast.  I am more into just tooling around the city and coutry roads. 

Don't be fooled by the 70's technology. 100mph is plenty fast enough to frighten you ****less !!  That frame/suspension was not rated when new, let alone 30 years later.
I find that 80-85 is about max with the riding position, but hit a bump on a bend and you'll know all about it.

This site has plenty of members who have experienced the "it ran when I stored it" and "it was all there when I took it apart".

I'd also go for both as the parts are intechangeable and you'll never be posting here with "is there supposed to be a little widget thingy between part A and part B coz they won't go together"

PS.  If I could buy 2 550s for $600 I'd do it now. That's only £325. Jesus...