Topic: What's a CB750 engine worth?

[Dunk]

I was looking for CB750 stuff on Craiglist and found an ad seeking an engine. I was wondering what mine may be worth. Background, I have a '71 CB750 I laid down on the highway. Bike came out half decent, and have been considering restoring it once I get some of my other projects sorted out. I'm also been considering just picking up a mostly done bike or my other love, a Kawasaki 750 triple (I love 2 strokes).

In any event the engine on my bike came out pretty good. No dents, scrapes, or scratches. It's jammed in gear and I've been too disgusted to touch it. Probably an easy fix. The engine has some work, not sure the extent. It's probably got head work, definitely a cam. It pulls to about 12k-13k RPM before the power drops off (once you hit 8000 it's like a 2 stroke getting on the pipe), and revs quick like those new fangled crotch rockets. Sick power, I had it up to 130 MPH once and the thing was still pulling strong. I backed off and never went anywhere near that speed again no death wish! My accident was at much lower speeds, about 75 or so when it death wobbled. Also have a AAA equal length pipe on the bike, never seen another like it. Pipe got one small ding in it from the fall.

So what do you guys think this thing is worth. I have no idea what a fair price would be if I decide to sell it?

[mrbreeze]

I'll give ya $50....sight unseen!!!!!!!

[moham]

I think you'll probably get answers anywhere from $50-500 dependent on many factors, including (but not limited to): condition, modifications, mileage, usage, market etc...

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Seriously, I would say it all depends on how you can substantiate your claims of 12K to 13K. Such as, how are you going to prove what goodies it actually has in it. Plus, with it being jammed in gear that is going to be an issue. Otherwise I'd say a couple hundred bucks since there are so many engines available and at the least it could be a parts engine. Plus it will cost someone $200 to ship it above the price they pay.

Now, on the other hand, these engines can easily cost $5,000 to build up in today's world. Ask me how I know  . If you could prove it is a RC or Yoshi then you should be able to get $1000+ if it isn't blown.   

[GammaFlat]

I'd love to have a 71 engine and I'd give 100 easily. 

[mrbreeze]

I was just BS'n ya dude!!!!....I was waiting for you to say its worth a bunch more than $50. Then I would have to say "Tell me what you want for it."  Then you would give me a price and then I would have to have you explain to me how it could spin 12-13 K and make power.Then I might wanna see some receipts to show me what kinda innards were in this motor.Then I would have to make sure that the receipts actually went to the innards of the motor.
What I am trying to say is "Talk is cheap!!!!!".

[Dunk]

I see what you guys are saying about proof that it is what I say it is. HOnestly I have no idea who built the motor. It's definitely not stock, I know it has a hotter cam than stock from how it runs (doesn't smooth out till 2500 and has a somewhat rough idle, pulls like a raped ape above 8000 where all my stockers signed off). It's gotta have head work to spin that high and rev that fast. That engine was a hoot.

The guy I bought the bike from didn't know what he had. 17 year old kid, bike didn't run right (carbs). Supposedly got it from an older guy on his way out or some such thing. No receipts no nothing to prove it performs like it does except my word.
My personal thought was with the cost to build something that performs like this motor, it must be worth at least $1000. This is assuming of course all that's wrong with it is the buggered up shifter and nothing internal. I'm still considering restoring it, so no rush to sell. Just wanted some input.

[mrbreeze]

If that motor is what you say it is.......you should run it yourself. Get it into a sweet setup and then when you go to sell it ......let it speak for itself. A blank engine just sitting there by itself can't show it's worth......do you see where I'm coming from?

[Ricky_Racer]

Price depends on location as much as anything. You might want to fill out your profile.    RR

[Dunk]

I suppose location would affect the going price. Funny, just updated my profile with more info and added a picture. One of the few pictures I have of the bike before wrecking, and only picture of me with the bike. I was wearing exactly the same clothes when I dumped it as I am in that picture... Well, plus a leather jacket (saved my upper half from skin grafts at least). Funny how quickly clothes disappear at highway speeds.

[Duke McDukiedook]

Yeah, I would recommend geting back to running condition since you don't know the innards. Otherwise it is a parts engine.

[754]

Do you want to sell the pipe?
Give me first dibs, please..

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Let's put it this way - A known new head alone done with ALL the goodies is $2000. A set of Carrillo rods is $1400. 1000 piston set with all the work done is $1000. Add in all the other necessities = $5,000+.

KEEP WHAT YOU HAVE and put it to good use or sell it to me as a unknown parts engine for $200.

Easy decision ?!

[moham]

Let's put it this way - A known new head alone done with ALL the goodies is $2000. A set of Carrillo rods is $1400. 1000 piston set with all the work done is $1000. Add in all the other necessities = $5,000+.

Isn't it a little crazy, though, to expect to get much of anything back on a $5000 engine re-build? I suppose you can get something, but I doubt you'll ever cover your investment...granted I don't know much about this, but it seems like building really modified, expensive motors is more a labor of love than a solid investment tool...

[andy750]

Hahaha you are all too generous...a 24 year old kid comes on with claims of a 13K rpm 750 motor that can pull 130 mph...hahahaha...is it Aprils Fools day yet? 

You would be lucky to get $100 for that motor anywhere 

Good luck and try not to crash next time.

cheers
Andy

[754]

I would pay more than that if it had any of these;
rods & they can prove it
big bore with sleeves, especially 970cc
Lightened crank

 If you can pull a plug & have a piston light, can pull the valve cover & turn it over you can tell enough to start  paying a bit for it.

As for revs, a stock head will easily rev 12 K with a cam.

[andy750]

As for revs, a stock head will easily rev 12 K with a cam.

If he has a stock tacho that goes to 10K then how is he going to know it went to 12-13K?   
And 130mph? Perhaps it felt like that....

cheers
Andy

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Let's put it this way - A known new head alone done with ALL the goodies is $2000. A set of Carrillo rods is $1400. 1000 piston set with all the work done is $1000. Add in all the other necessities = $5,000+.

Isn't it a little crazy, though, to expect to get much of anything back on a $5000 engine re-build? I suppose you can get something, but I doubt you'll ever cover your investment...granted I don't know much about this, but it seems like building really modified, expensive motors is more a labor of love than a solid investment tool...

Moham,

You're exactly right. It is a LOT crazy but then I wouldn't want anyone thinking anything else about me  ;)Why would I want to sell an engine that I've put this much effort and this much of my hard earned cash into?! I've had my bike for 34 years and it will only change hands at my demise and in all likelihood someone of my picking will get a $10,000+ restored rebuilt 75 750F for free.  

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

As Andy says, it all comes down to proof and cash. Bottom line.

[754]

Lots of Cheapos on here..

 if a built motor is only worth a hundred, what is a stocker worth?

 around here a dyno cover (without damage) has always been worth 50-70 bux.. or more

How come you never see them cheap guys on here selling their parts, at them lowball prices  they claim are the going rate..  ???hmmmm

[andy750]

Lots of Cheapos on here..

 if a built motor is only worth a hundred, what is a stocker worth?

 around here a dyno cover (without damage) has always been worth 50-70 bux.. or more

How come you never see them cheap guys on here selling their parts, at them lowball prices  they claim are the going rate..  ???hmmmm

I never said a built motor wasnt worth money. There is no proof its a built motor therefore its not worth the price of a built motor without proof. A stock motor usually goes for $100 -$200 depending on condition. I have sold stock parts and have bought plenty. We all have our own price limits. I base mine on market research not fantasy land.

cheers
Andy

[Industrial Cafe]

hey man, pop the shift cover off and fix your jam. start it up and post a video. i wanna hear a 750 hit 13k!
 

[Dunk]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I base my 13k on the factory 12k tach, needle went past 12 the handful of times I would it all the way out. Normally I'd keep it under 10k since I have no idea waht rotating assembly it has. Throwing a rod at 13k could get messy. I base my 130 MPH on factory speedo, so not sure how accurate that is but it's within a couple MPH when I pass radar readouts. The tach and speedo are now scattered across the highway, annoying because they were original K1 pieces in good condition... Pricey. In any event, factory tach and speedo coulda been way off for all I know, but this bike was nothing like any of the other CB750s I've had.

In any event it's probably in my best interest to get the engine running again. If I sell it it'll give some indication as to what it is, and if I keep it maybe it'll put a fire under my behind to get moving on the bike.

[Duke McDukiedook]

If the speedo read 130 you were probably doing only 115-120. These speedos get more inaccurate the higher you get up in speed. There is a chart somewheres around here that tells you how much they are actually off.

[andy750]

I base my 13k on the factory 12k tach, needle went past 12 the handful of times I would it all the way out. .......The tach and speedo are now scattered across the highway, annoying because they were original K1 pieces in good condition...

FYI - the stock tacho for the K1 dosent go to 12K - goes to 10.5K.

cheers
Andy