Topic: Serial Number HELP!!!

[750]

OK, so I'm new to the forum and have been rooting around through the technical library for the past few days and haven't found a real answer to my question.  I have a numbers match K8 with an engine serial number of 3062838.  The frame is off to paint so I cant tell you that number right off hand but I promise they match.  I am wondering since there were only 142 more of the single overhead k models made if this makes it any more desirable.  In other words, because it was one of the last bikes made, is it worth any more or less for that matter?  Or am I not understanding these serial numbers properly?  Thanks for any help you guys can give me on figuring out my old bike.

[Grumpol]

If your serial numbers match (the same) then you have a ringer, non legit bike. The frame and engine numbers will be different. If this is the case and you have a K8 frame and engine i cant say i`ve heard anything that points to them being any more valuable than most other models.
i could be wrong though

[750]

My apologies, when I said numbers match I meant within 100 or so (typical of Japaneses motorcycles). Like I said, I don't have the frame here it is being repainted as we speak but it is the original motor in the original frame.  I guess when it comes to other retro bikes like the kawi 900 Z1, the lower serial numbers in the earlier years are more sought after, however I don't know how it works when your talking about the last model year of something and the final serial numbers.  Thanks for the reply, hoping for more?

[Terry in Australia]

Actually, the K7/K8 were about the least desirable of the CB750's, with the possible exception of the F/F1. Quite possibly the best engine, but back in the day, they were long past their use by date, and were shunned by the buying public.

Honda was getting killed sales-wise by the big Kawasaki, Suzuki and even Yamaha's big DOHC "Musclebikes", that were putting out at least 25% more horsepower for not much more money.

Honda's first batch of DOHC 4's in 1979 were a sales disaster, and it wasn't until the CB750/900F were released in 1980/81 that Honda started to recover from 3 or 4 years of being ignored, and there were still K7/8's sitting at the back of showrooms being given away at bargain-basement prices. Cheers, Terry.  

[750]

Great, does that mean I am building a bike that has no collector value?  I tried to figure out how much this thing was worth before I started this whole project with no real success.  I am completely restoring it.  To this point I have had literally every black part on the bike re-painted to include the frame and swing arm.  I have kept all of the stickers on and intact.  I had the tank professionally touched up and re-cleared.  The bike only had 3500 miles on it but it sat in a pole barn for the last 25 years of its life.  When it’s all said and done I will have about $2500.00 US into it.  Am I in way over my head??  Have I spent too much already?  Thanks for any replies.

[WHALEMAN]

There are a very few who can restore these bikes and make money. These are not 1911 Harleys. These are mostly done for fun and personal satisfaction. With that said if you will have $2500.00 total you will probably not lose money and could make a small amount. Pictures would help. Dan

[750]

Great, that's what I wanted to hear.  I just didn't want to hear that I put more into this thing than what it's worth.  I really wanted to do it because I had one in high school so it carries a lot of good memories with it.  I'll get pics posted as soon as I get my frame back and start assembeling.Thanks. 

[rhos1355]

If you could quantify personal satisfaction at the end of a job well done, then my friend you'd be minting it. My missus keeps on asking about my 750 resto: "So? how much money have you actually spent on that heap of rubbish so far?"
And my answer's always the same "No, and I don't wanna know!"
Having said that, last week-end I logged onto David Silver Spares and I calculated all the engine parts I woud need to rebuild the engine/gearbox (the next phase of the resto). And the grand total, including VAT came to the princely sum of £503.-

That f*cken depressed me.

Now where did I put the Prozac?

[cafe750]

My girlfriend stopped asking me how much I spend on my motorbikes...as I tell her, it's better than spending the money on strippers and booze....

[TwoTired]

The intrinsic value of an item is not necessarily the monetary value.

If you are working on these bikes to make money, you win some, you lose some.  I have no sympathy for pure capitalism.
If you are building personal value, adding pride, memories, and personal skill, as in a hobby, don't forget to factor that into the value of the bike.  And, you still get the utility of the bike after the work/investment.

Cheers,

[750]

So if this thing really is as nice as I say it is and I restore it to near mint condition, what would you say it's worth in US Dollers?  Just out of curiosity. 

[TwoTired]

It's worth what the seller and buyer agree upon.

[750]

Not the answere I was looking for but fair enough

[Terry in Australia]

Mate, if it's only going to cost you 2500 bucks to make it look "as new", then you've got yourself a cheap bike. My F2 resto cost twice that much, and more, and it's not finished yet.

Don't restore it to make money out of it, restore it to enjoy owning it. If you're not doing it for the love of these bikes, then you're on the wrong website. Cheers, Terry.

[rhos1355]

750, you seem to be hankering after making money on yr bike. Fools gold mate, you'd be better off buying yourself one of those metal detector thingys and wandering over a field hoping to find something of value underground. Perhaps Roman Medals?

[mystic_1]

So if this thing really is as nice as I say it is and I restore it to near mint condition, what would you say it's worth in US Dollers?  Just out of curiosity. 

$3.50




Heh, sorry, that's sorta become an inside joke around here when someone asks this question.  Seriously though, your best bet is to look through eBay, making sure to check completed auctions too, and see what similar bikes have fetched.  With these bikes, the early models are worth far more than the later models due to collectability. 

As others have pointed out, a full restoration on one of these is mostly a labor of love.

mystic_1

[Aaron J Williams]

The best way to make money restoring bikes is to be good enough to do it for customers. That's the only way you are assured to come out ahead on it. But first you must become good at it by restoring your own and then taking them to bike shows. Win a few awards and your name will become known and then MAYBE people will seek you out and pay you to restore their classic bikes. You will do fine with your K8, I'm sure of it.

[750]

It's not about making money, times are tough in the US and money is tight.  I just want to make sure I am not putting more into something than it's worth.  It's not a question of not finishing it or doing a bad job.  It's my hobby and I enjoy it.  Actually motorcycles are more of a passion than a hobby.  I enjoy working on them as much as I do riding them.  That being said, I have shampain taste on a beer budjet.  If all I had to worry about was this 750, the sky would be the limit on how much I would spend.  But as with anyone there are many more worries in life.  I guess in the end I just wanted to know if having a serial number that close to the end of production made this bike any more desirable and after reading your replies along with much m ore research i gather it doesn't.  Thanks for your replies.

[cafe750]

The short of it is, is most of us aren't looking at what the bike is or will be worth while we're pouring money into them. I'll never be able to get back the money that I've invested in my bikes, but that's not what its about. I build a bike, ride it and enjoy it, not worry about the end worth. If I ever decide to sell any of them (which I won't), I know it'll be at a loss, and I'm fine with that. The enjoyment that I've gotten out of them is worth far more than the money that I've put in...

[Tattoo]

The intrinsic value of an item is not necessarily the monetary value.

If you are working on these bikes to make money, you win some, you lose some.  I have no sympathy for pure capitalism.
If you are building personal value, adding pride, memories, and personal skill, as in a hobby, don't forget to factor that into the value of the bike.  And, you still get the utility of the bike after the work/investment.

Cheers,

  Well said. If it's not worth what you want when it's done. Ride it keep it looking new and in ten years I think it will be worth twice what it is now. Very few things get cheaper as it gets older. Tattoo

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Naaa.  In 10 years, it will be Ninjas and Busas that will be making the hearts of middle aged men go pitter pat.  These scoots will be either museum pieces, daily riders or orange stains in a field somewhere.

[754]

I think that eventually down the road, the fact that it is late production will help a bit on value. As more models come and go that have less signifigance tha the CB750, the desirability of them will increase. We are not that far off the times when any CB750 will be very desireable and harder to find.

Which means that bikes you now think are too rough, too incomplete, too much money.. you will look back at and say.. shoulda bought them..

To be realistic, I always consider the value of a bike before I put out money.. my future  would be bleak if I keep putting money into things that depreciate. So you have choices.. get a bike that will rise in value or nit... myself I will always take a ducati single narrowcase or a CB750, or a Whizzer, over a Suzuki 125 single or a Yamaha 400 twin..

So I have been stocking up, got another 6 pack of 750 motors since the end of summer...

[754]

In 20 years the hearts of Busa and Ninja owners will go pitter patter, when enough plastic parts are reproduced the be able to keep them running..

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Assuming of course that current Ninja and Busa owners SURVIVE long enough to make it to middle age!

[754]

Hey we have a guy at work that is about 57 that rides a Busa.. and he only totalled one this year.. ..

.. and is afraid to go to Bonneville, cuz he knows he might get hooked..


.. actually on the Salt Flats there are lots of old guys, the can finally afford to go Really F,n Fast..!! Ran into a guy in his 70s (with a sport touring bike he had ridden there) at the  garage near the salt, had tech stickers on his bike.. he said he ran 170 something, pretty big grin on his face.. lol..