Topic: New to Classic Hondas, is this a good price for '76 CB550?

[RainyRider]

I'm looking at this bike, he wants $1700. I think it is a decent price, it is his daily driver and was refurbished at a reputable shop last year.

http://picasaweb.google.com/blonardo/HondaCB550ForSale#

There is an oil leak, somewhere around the shift lever, he doesn't know. He claims it is about a quart a month, small pool the day after a big ride.

It is definitely not stock, paint is custom I believe, striping on tank was hand-done.

I'm looking for a reliable daily driver. I heard it run today and it sounded smooth and sweet after a couple minutes of warm-up. Throttle seemed a little sticky, but I believe it is original grip and cable from 1976 and lube/replace the cable might help(). 

Any advice would be appreciated. There are a lot of similar bikes around here (Seattle), going for similar prices. I just worry that the oil leak will be a money pit. I am willing to do moderate gasket replacement, but stop sort of machining anything   

Thanks! 

[bender01]

A quart is alot. The guages are backwards and the seat doesnt look correct, maybe recovered? Are the pipes absolutely rust free? title key(s) tools manual? In your area you can do better I think. For that money you should be able to find a stock 750 all original complete, running, needing maybe a tuneup. If it was refurbished why does it leak? Cables for throttle could be routed wrong after refurbish or the slides in carbs are sticking. Did you ride it? For $1700 you shouldnt be worried about your purchase. Wait till you find the one.

[dustyc]

You could probably find one for less, or a better deal, but you can always find a better deal, so do you hold out forever?

I'd want a list of what was done at the shop and by the owner and I'd want to know what the oil leak is.  A shifter seal for that bike is $2.75, so no big deal if you don't mind getting your hands dirty.  Probably $100 to have a shop do it. 

That's a Travelcade seat cover and it looks a little loose, but it's probably new and most old seats are either split or will split within a short amount of time if you're riding it every day, so a nice seat cover is a good thing to me.

There are quite a few things that are not perfect if you're looking for a collectible, but if you like it, and the refurb had some value, I'd go for it at that price.  It would go quick around here.

[dustyc]

Having the 4 into 4 pipes if they aren't rusted is a big plus for that bike. 

[RainyRider]

You could probably find one for less, or a better deal, but you can always find a better deal, so do you hold out forever?

I'd want a list of what was done at the shop and by the owner and I'd want to know what the oil leak is.  A shifter seal for that bike is $2.75, so no big deal if you don't mind getting your hands dirty.  Probably $100 to have a shop do it. 

That's a Travelcade seat cover and it looks a little loose, but it's probably new and most old seats are either split or will split within a short amount of time if you're riding it every day, so a nice seat cover is a good thing to me.

There are quite a few things that are not perfect if you're looking for a collectible, but if you like it, and the refurb had some value, I'd go for it at that price.  It would go quick around here.

Yeah, he apparently bought it from a mechanic at the shop, and he said I could take it for a couple hours to test ride, so maybe I'llride it down to the shop and talk to the previous owner about its history and the oil leak.

Frankly, all the running, decent late 70's Hondas are going for about this price around here. There is a big Cafe crowd (not my interest) that is grabbing them I think.

I set some criteria for myself that this bike mostly fits. The leak is the variable for me.

Thanks for the info!

[RainyRider]

Having the 4 into 4 pipes if they aren't rusted is a big plus for that bike. 

The pipes looked to be in GREAT shape.

[dustyc]

There is a big Cafe crowd (not my interest)

Watch out, them's fighting words around here.  Seriously, there are a bunch of Seattle area Honda freaks on here.  They're probably looking at that one too.  They might chime in on this thread, especially if you put your location in the title.  I'd say they'd be good folks to know if you get it. 

[Hush]

It looks very clean, there are no leaks under it in the photos.
Getting to talk to the PO would be a bonus.

[RainyRider]

There is a big Cafe crowd (not my interest)

Watch out, them's fighting words around here.  Seriously, there are a bunch of Seattle area Honda freaks on here.  They're probably looking at that one too.  They might chime in on this thread, especially if you put your location in the title.  I'd say they'd be good folks to know if you get it. 

Ha! Yeah, nothing against cafes, I think they're cool, but I'm just a simple commuter.

I look forward to hearing from any experts about this stuff.

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Man, is it worth it to you? I pay anywhere from $150.00 to $500 for projects and sell anywhere from 1600-5000.  It all averages out.  I am a big believer in divine guidance and destiny.  Look for coincidences and odd things that stand out to tell you if this is the path for you.  You might just be getting into something that demands you grow. (new skills, faith, etc..) Or, you might be getting into something that is so good it demands thankfulness.  Hey, it is Sunday morning!

Buy it and it is a POS, "god help me"
Buy it and it runs like new "god thank you"
you can't lose, so why worry?

[fastbroshi]

   Keep in mind, your probably not at a Mecum's auction, so it's not like someone is out to sell this thing for every stinking dollar they can get. It seems like a reasonable price.   Taking into account how nice the exhaust is and the fact that someone's obviously given the bike some attention (read: guages, upside down band clamps on airbox, new tires), I'd say it's worth it. 
   Have you made a checklist of things right and wrong with it?  Right off the bat I'd say the rights outweigh the wrong.

[paulages]

i tend to think that "national" replies to this will be a little out of context, as the price of these bikes has gone up quite a bit in the pacific NW. i watch the seattle list all the time, and though i don't buy and sell up there i can tell you that i could sell a bike looking like that for that price in a day here in portland. around here, i'd expect a grand at least for a competent runner, and $1,500 for a runner and looker. i'd buy it and fix the leak if you're looking for a bike you don't plan to spend all winter preparing before you can fide it.

[WFO]

There is a big Cafe crowd (not my interest)

Watch out, them's fighting words around here.  Seriously, there are a bunch of Seattle area Honda freaks on here.  They're probably looking at that one too.  They might chime in on this thread, especially if you put your location in the title.  I'd say they'd be good folks to know if you get it. 

Ha! Yeah, nothing against cafes, I think they're cool, but I'm just a simple commuter.

I look forward to hearing from any experts about this stuff.

That sir is not a simple commuter it's a badass commuter 

[Double A]

I just saw on Craigslist Seattle that a '74 CB200 just sold for $1800, so maybe Seattle's economy hasn't been hit as hard as Chicago's (we had 4.79/4.89/4.99 gas this summer, cigs are $8.00, our sales tax is over 10%) or maybe there's just more of a supply/demand mismatch on old bikes up there, but for what it's worth in Chicago that would be a tough price to get for a '76 550.  Old Honda's are everywhere down here.  My 550K cost $700 just to give you some incentive to maybe wait for a better deal or possibly shop in a another city & consider riding it back home.  It is a nice looking bike...happy Honda hunting!

[oldhondarider]

It's gonna depend a hella of a lot on how the bike was maintained...  I saw that thread on CL.... dunno....it looked clean... but you gotta ride it... see how much oil gets on your leg...I think it's from the left side of the engine.....but a quart is a lot of oil...(who cares if that's only $3.00 a quart...but if you forgot..and yadda..yadda..yadda....

It could be a few bucks to get it worked out....   I picked up a bit of advice from a local guy that continues to ring true.... if you're not interested in wrenching on them... better to spend more money for a good runner than a few bucks and a lot of time leaving it in someones shop.

I don't see the add on CL anymore... maybe he sold it... maybe he pulled it cause of low bidders...

[RainyRider]

OK - so I rode it around town today, and rode it down to the local specialty shop. My first impression was that the front end was very loose. The shop confirmed this, and said fork head bearings and seals would fix it, and needed fork oil. The oil leak is most likely the oil pump (their concensus), fairly simple fix. The blinkers don't blink and rears don't turn on at all, blinker module to blame most likely they said. Tires will need to be replaced in the spring. Sticky throttle twist is likely mis-routed cabling causing it to be tight. All said, about $600 would get it ship-shape.

The guys at the shop remembered it (they sold it for a friend of theirs) and it tested 38hp on the dyno. I felt that the engine was very strong on my ride. So, I offered the guy $1400 and he accepted. 

Thougths?

[WFO]

 did you read benders post?

[dustyc]

Welcome to old Hondas.  You negotiated down half of the repairs and if you're inclined to learning your bike, you can probably do them with less cash spent than that $300.  I'd make a list of the repairs and do them one or two at a time so you don't end up totally disassembling it and keep it rideable most of the time.

[RainyRider]

A quart is alot. The guages are backwards and the seat doesnt look correct, maybe recovered? Are the pipes absolutely rust free? title key(s) tools manual? In your area you can do better I think. For that money you should be able to find a stock 750 all original complete, running, needing maybe a tuneup. If it was refurbished why does it leak? Cables for throttle could be routed wrong after refurbish or the slides in carbs are sticking. Did you ride it? For $1700 you shouldnt be worried about your purchase. Wait till you find the one.

The seat is re-covered. Guages: I'm not a purist, but could there be mechanical implications? Pipes have some rock dings in front and one 4"x2" oval scrape, but just surface rust on these. Title: check. Key: Check (fits ignition, gas cap, and seat lock). Tools: Is there a stock tool kit? I didn't see one under the seat. Is it under a side cover? I didn't look there. Manual: I didn't ask. He doesn't have a repair manual - he's not a wrencher - but I don't know if he has the owner's manual.

Throttle cable is routed wrong. Overall, the ride was good. I had to slack the clutch cable adjust at the lever because it was engaging way out at the fingertips.

I feel pretty good about this for $1400. I like it for more than it's flaws can detract.

[Gregorymoto]

Well if the bike is not stock and leaking oil its worth a 1000 at most, this is with out looking at it.
I would pay 1700 for a OEM 550

[dustyc]

Search for manual download and look for the post by Einyodeler.  That post has all the manuals for download for free.  Search the forum for all your problems. 

Above here, you'll see The Single Overhead Cam 4 Forums > Tech Forums > SOHC/4 Bikes > Topic: New to Classic Hondas, is this a good price for '76 CB550?

Click The Single Overhead Cam 4 Forums > and that will take you to the uppermost level of the forums, then in the search box that doesn't say google custom search, type in search terms you're looking for -the shorter the better.  Lubricating cable (rather than lubing and routing my throttle cable) is a good example, then another search for throttle cable routing.

Most of the questions you'll have have already been answered. 

Don't let folks bother you with their estimation of how much you should have paid.  Even if you overpaid, you got the bike you liked and you couldn't have overpaid by much.  Alot of people would pass one up that would otherwise make them happy for the sake of a few dollars.  I say you did fine. 

[edbikerii]

Excellent old-bike project management advice!

Also, if it is the oil pump, there are three o-rings that are replaceable under the pump, but the pump cover has one that is not listed separately as available from Honda.  This, I find, is usually the one that leaks.  Honda would prefer for you to purchase a new oil pump for upwards of $180 (if still available?) to resolve this leak.  However, I prefered to pay less than $2 for an o-ring at my local hardware store, remove those 3 philips-head screws, and replace it myself.

There is another list member, Kevin Hunter I believe, who has the exact spec o-ring available, or knows where to get it.  If you find him he will probably mail you one for much cheaper than you'll find it elsewhere.

Unfortunately, even if you know the exact size, it is nearly impossible to order just one from an o-ring supplier.  They usually have a minimum order of $30 or something, but each o-ring costs about $0.20 or so.  So, it makes sense to get a couple from Kevin and just be done with it.

BTW, you mentioned that you want a commuter bike.  Generally 32 year old bikes need some work to get them back to the point of everyday reliability.  You might want to leave some extra time in the morning for some inevitable failures in the first few weeks/months of riding this bike.  These bikes are generally very reliable, but they take some getting used to, lots of regular maintenance (like valve adjustments, chain lube, etc.), and a 32 year old bike will probably need a significant amount of rehab.   Expect to have some misc. failures, and don't get discouraged.  If you replace all of the common failure stuff (throttle, clutch and choke cables, chain ------ DON'T EVEN THINK OF USING AN O-RING CHAIN ON A CB550 or a CB500 -- brake pads, caliper cleanup, brake fluid, oil & filter, air filter, tires, fork seals, etc.) then you'll have a pretty reliable bike on your hands, but it might take a few months.

Congratulations,

Ed

Welcome to old Hondas.  You negotiated down half of the repairs and if you're inclined to learning your bike, you can probably do them with less cash spent than that $300.  I'd make a list of the repairs and do them one or two at a time so you don't end up totally disassembling it and keep it rideable most of the time.

[mark]

Toolkit - lives under the seat, in the tray on the air cleaner cover - also often missing.

Oil leak - Oil pump? not as likely as the Oil Light Switch. Also possible... someone has installed an o-ring or x-ring chain(as Ed mentioned) which has eaten the mainshaft plug:http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=39180.0


It looks like a reasonable enough deal to me. Enjoy!


Happy trails.

[bender01]

You did fine. I assumed all cold weather climates have more bikes available. Blinkers come on in the front? Could be wired wrong after they took it apart. Check your fuses under the left side cover.Might be a ten cent fix. Those pipes are cool. When they arent patched up and still full of holes.  Congratulations.

[edbikerii]

Yeah, good point mark, maybe somebody already buggered the mainshaft plug by running an o-ring or x-ring chain.  .  Once you've replaced the chain with a stock chain, this can be repaired with a product called "the Right Stuff" from Permatex.

Toolkit - lives under the seat, in the tray on the air cleaner cover - also often missing.

Oil leak - Oil pump? not as likely as the Oil Light Switch. Also possible... someone has installed an o-ring or x-ring chain(as Ed mentioned) which has eaten the mainshaft plug:http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=39180.0


It looks like a reasonable enough deal to me. Enjoy!


Happy trails.