Topic: Need suggestions for purchasing a bike

[kmhbike]

I'm looking at two bikes.  The first being a 1973 Honda CB500 with an asking price of $2100.  The second being a 1973 Honda CB450 with an asking price of only $1000.  The CB500 has 17,000 miles and has had a recent tuneup with carb rebuild.  It also has a new paint job and a new original stock exhaust system.  It also has a new seat and battery.  I am concerned about the high miles and it costs twice as much as the CB450.  Now, the CB450 has supposedly only 7,000 miles (odometer seems to be working).  It has a crappy paint job and it needs a tuneup and carb clean, but it only costs $1000.  I called a mechanic and he expressed a bunch of concerns about the tuneup, carb clean and how the valves and their working mechanisms may need over $1000 in repair.  The mechanic appears to know what he's talking about, but is there really a chance for a 1973 bike with only 7,000 miles to need $1000 of additional mechanical work?  Is it worth paying $2100 for a bike that has 17,000 miles, but is in good running condition versus paying $1000 for a bike that may or may NOT need some serious work?  Are either of these models prone to mechanical problems?  This is my first bike and I just don't know enough about the vintage Honda's to make a wise first purchase.  Thank you for any insight you can provide.

[Shenanigans]

For 2100 that 500 better be absolutely immaculate. I would not generally consider 17000 miles high at all for these bikes (when taken care of). You called a mechanic salesman...  Just saying to be wary of his opinion. Does he have any specific knowledge about these bikes, he might even be a great honest guy. But more info would be needed 

What evidence is there that the 450 needs and head/valve work? What kind of use are you trying to get out of said bikes?

[kmhbike]

The mechanic I spoke to was an actual mechanic that works at a shop that specializes in restoring vintage bikes.  I just called to get a quote on tuneups and we ended up having a 40 minute discussion about these bikes.  But it is usual that they try to upsell you service. 
The CB500 was pretty nice.  The paint is brand new and they have receipts for $800 worth of mechanic work.  The original exhaust was ordered and shipped from England.  But, I'm more concerned as to the longevity of this bike.
The CB450, based on what the mechanic told me, could have costly repairs and I don't want to spend more money than I have too.  If it needs a head/valve adjustment, is it still worth the purchase?  Is this a known issue with these bikes?   

[BeSeeingYou]

17,000 is not really high mileage.  What is more important is the care and maintenance.  The 500 sounds like a turn key bike and may have a documented repair history with good ownership. I would think that with only 7000 on the 450 it should not need extensive work unless it was abused so who knows.  Does the mechanic have a boat payment due?
As a newbie I would lean more to a turn key bike as opposed to one that needs work.  I would not consider a tuneup, carb clean, and valve adjustment to be major repairs but it could still be costly at shop rates. . As to the price of these two I will leave it up to others as I am not that familiar with the valuations of these two models but there are plenty of people here who are.

[bryanj]

The 450 is a more daunting bike to maintain yourself due mainly to the head and valve train and has known faults with the starter  clutch mechanism.

The 500 was made in greater numbers (ending as the 1978 550) is more reliable with a lot less known problems, is actualy easier to service--even with more cylinders---and 17,000 is just broke in with few faults to be expected except for age ones and as they are both 1973 that goes the same for both.

Having said that it needs to be in showroom condition to be worth the asking price no matter what had been spent on it.

? is the repaint as original
? when was it last fully serviced including carbs
? what are the "consumables" (tyres, chain, sprockets etc) like

[KB02]

Price will also vary by region. In my area, they are both overpriced. However, the 500 seems to be the price that matches closer to the condition of the bike. In my personal opinion, I would say the 500 sounds like a better bike for you (I take it you are a new rider?). If you are mechanically inclined at all, I would say pick up the 450 and make a project out of it (after you talk the seller down about half their asking price).

A full go-all-through-the-bike tune up at a shop could get costly no matter which one you get (hence the recent $800 service tag on the 500). Last fall I dropped $650 at a dealer for mine. My Dad dropped $1200 at his dealer this spring for his (both bikes got "full go-all-through-the-bike" tune ups, too). Once that full service is done, though, you should be good to go for a while.

Any chance of getting pics of the bikes? We're all picture junkies here. 

[myhondas]

I also would probably lean toward the 500. But I agree that unless the bike is near showroom condition, it is overpriced. Have you counter offered a lower price for the bike? If you are not in a real big hurry, I would check craigs list and ebay and cycletrader for other bikes of that model or another. If nothing else, it will give you a little better idea of the average price of the bikes.

[kmhbike]

Thank you for the suggestions everyone. I'm going to pick up the 500 on Friday. I will post some pictures as soon as I get it home. 

[alltherightpills]

Where are you located? 

Around here a CB500 selling for $2100 had better be plated in gold.  For comparison, I got a running 78 550k and 2 complete parts bikes for $800.  Also, unless you have really, really, really deep pockets, it simply isn't practical to own a 30+ year old bike without the ability or desire to be able to fix it yourself.  Most of the stuff is pretty simple, and with a few tools, a manual, this forum, and the desire to learn, you can fix just about anything on these bikes.  I got 3 bikes for the same price as that bill from the mechanic.

[Sporkfly]

+1, stick around and whenever you have questions ask, you can do almost any work on the bike yourself, save for things like machining (unless you have a machine shop of course). Don't take it to the mechanic, there should never really be a need. We can talk you down when you feel like throwing the damn thing off a bridge  A manual and a few basic tools (primarily a metric socket set, an impact driver and a multimeter) will put you in the right direction for most repairs and maintenance.

[Maxacceleration]

The four cylinder will be much smoother to ride.
Hi price maybe, but if its relatively problem free, a good investment for fun.

[Uncle Ernie]

So is that you in the picture?

I think the the 500 is a little high- depending on condition, whereas the 450 is totally out of line.  They look the part, and now seem to be popular with the youngsters who want a cheap cafe-looking bike, but I had one in the 70's and didn't like it.  Not everything improves with age.