Author Topic: 750K4 - Should I Buy - Update... (Read 8036 times)

Johnie · « **on:** July 21, 2009, 03:34:18 PM »

I went and looked at a friends titled orange 750K4 today for another stock restore project. Build date of 9/73, 26,000 miles, runs, idles and shifts very smooth. Engine #CB750E-232**** frame #CB750-231****.
Compression with warm engine = #1 - 87, #2 - 95, #3 - 95, #4 - 100. Tires good Conti's. Sprocket and chain look good. Overall a clean bike. Tank is rust free. Not a dent in that tank. Just faded on top as expected. Tank decals pretty nice. All electrics & starter work. The blinker buzzer is silent. Gauges pretty decent and working. Oil changed 2009. Negatives are the left side cover is cracked bad with lower tab gone, right side cover is good. Front caliper is leaking and when you apply the front brake not much stopping action. I think the pads are wet with fluid. I could possibly just rebuild the caliper piston and put in new pads to solve that. Both fork ears are bent and need replacing. Headlight bucket looks OK. All 4 chrome blinker housings are toast. Throttle cable sluggish. Oxidation on the forks and engine covers should clean up. Dented points cover. Stator cover has some scratches but not bad enough to replace. Should clean up pretty good. Needs OEM seat and OEM exhaust $$$$. Needs OEM handlebars as he put on tall and narrow which make handling poor. Rims should clean up nicely. Usual minor head gasket leak present. Front fender needs replacing and rear appears restorable. They want an adult to buy it to restore it. Not interested in selling to a kid or someone to part it out. Asking is $2,000. Please give me your input guys...thanks. Let's save another....

Click the pic to enlarge...

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2009, 03:35:20 PM »

See, I told you would end up owning one of each.

Johnny5 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2009, 03:38:21 PM »

With those cans and that seat, I'd pay $1500.

Johnie · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2009, 03:40:04 PM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on July 21, 2009, 03:35:20 PM

See, I told you would end up owning one of each.

hahaha Bob...just looking...

mcpuffett · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2009, 03:40:49 PM »

I would buy it

, it doesn't sound to bad from your discription, and you know you will enjoy the resto

, cheers Mick.

GammaFlat · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2009, 04:34:19 PM »

Your wet caliper might be a leaky fork seal.... which is no big deal (new fork seals).

I'm thinking that the price is kinda high. I'm thinking something more like 1200 or less would be good but you still might not want it. To have some of the things done that you need... $400 for paint, $100 for side covers shipped, $800 for exhaust (if you want to go stock), $300 for a seat. You may find short cuts here and there but as long as your gonna upgrade all those components, you might think about a cheaper bike to start with.

Good luck!

jsaab2748 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2009, 05:40:19 PM »

Let it sit for a while and see if the price drops. It's still a 35 year old unrestored Honda that will need a lot more money to make it newish again. Gammaflat makes a good point. Definately worth owning, but not worth 2 grand to start with. The bike didn't go for much more than that new. Just another opinion

Hush · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2009, 05:46:21 PM »

$1500 tops, nice bike but you gotta be realistic with prices, there's a CB750 for sale here in NZ in not such nice condition and the goober wants $13500 for it, another dreamer.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-231465059.htm

Some people have no idea of current market value, old does not equal antique/collectible.

myhondas · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2009, 05:48:34 PM »

Johnie,

I would agree. Worth owning but not at that price. $800 to $1200 would be the most that I would pay for it. When you add up all the stuff that you will need to restore it (stock) and all....there are still of lot of bikes out there to be had. I would counter offer $700 and see where it goes. You might want to check this out..................

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=52387.0;all

Steve_K · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2009, 06:18:09 PM »

I brought CB750 K3 last week that did not run when I brought it. I hot wired it and it ran (carb likely dirty). Rims look to be OK and the brakes, too. I paid $500 and the seller tossed in a 77 engine and a set of carbs. I did not dicker over price. I plan to ride it and be sure the tranny works OK and then change the oil and filter and put it in storage for a year while I finish my 550. I am happy, wanted one for years.
Steve_K

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2009, 06:52:53 PM »

A little light on compression no?

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2009, 06:58:58 PM »

Quote from: Johnie on July 21, 2009, 03:40:04 PM

Quote from: Bob Wessner on July 21, 2009, 03:35:20 PM
See, I told you would end up owning one of each.
hahaha Bob...just looking...

Ah, huh, sure.

Johnie · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2009, 08:00:22 PM »

Quote from: fmctm1sw on July 21, 2009, 06:52:53 PM

A little light on compression no?

So what do you guys think about those compression numbers on a warm motor?
#1-88
#2-95
#3-95
#4-100

TwoTired · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2009, 10:48:40 PM »

Quote from: Johnie on July 21, 2009, 08:00:22 PM

Quote from: fmctm1sw on July 21, 2009, 06:52:53 PM
A little light on compression no?
So what do you guys think about those compression numbers on a warm motor?
#1-88
#2-95
#3-95
#4-100

Depends on the test apparatus used.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=369.msg476032#msg476032

Has the bike been sitting a lot in recent years? Might just need a good regular highway run to re-seat things.
A recent valve adjustment would be good too, as well as a compression test with wide open throttle and no choke applied.

Johnie · « **Reply #14 on:** July 22, 2009, 06:17:15 AM »

Quote from: TwoTired on July 21, 2009, 10:48:40 PM

Quote from: Johnie on July 21, 2009, 08:00:22 PM
Quote from: fmctm1sw on July 21, 2009, 06:52:53 PM
A little light on compression no?
So what do you guys think about those compression numbers on a warm motor?
#1-88
#2-95
#3-95
#4-100

Depends on the test apparatus used.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=369.msg476032#msg476032

Has the bike been sitting a lot in recent years? Might just need a good regular highway run to re-seat things.
A recent valve adjustment would be good too, as well as a compression test with wide open throttle and no choke applied.

Bike has not been sitting idle. But the owner died 2 years ago and bike has seen limited running. Has been run since then a few times a month for short rides to operating temps. I used the same compression hose set-up as you but my system is a Craftsman. I doubt if the valves have been adjusted in a while...maybe never. My test was done with warm engine, no choke, fuel off, and closed throttle.

flybox1 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 22, 2009, 06:29:52 AM »

for $ comparison.....with a few goodies thrown in too

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/mcy/1282373453.html

Shoeboxjoe · « **Reply #16 on:** July 22, 2009, 06:31:23 AM »

This is the one that is in Wausau WI isn't it? I called the woman selling that probably 4 times and she thinks its some super rare vintage motorcycle that's worth big $$$$$. She originally wanted $3000 or more if I remember right and I offered her $1k and they told me it was no longer for sale. It was her fathers who passed away recently and had a lot of sentimental attachment. They relisted it a couple weeks later for $2400 and I called again and offered $1200 and again they were not willing to negotiate at all. I would have paid $1500 for it.

It was probably for the best as I was looking for a cafe project and that would make a nice candidate for restoration.

Joe

ekpent · « **Reply #17 on:** July 22, 2009, 06:39:57 AM »

Hey Johnie. I think I would agree with some of the other guys that with the seat and pipe issues $2,000 is a little high for a full resto starting point.Orange is a hot color for these though good resale value.Around good ole depressed Michigan some prices may be a little cheaper. My latest was this nice 20,000 mi 74 that just needed the tank and carbs cleaned for $900.00. There out there. Good luck and keep up your fine work.

Johnie · « **Reply #18 on:** July 22, 2009, 07:05:09 AM »

Quote from: ekpent on July 22, 2009, 06:39:57 AM

Hey Johnie. I think I would agree with some of the other guys that with the seat and pipe issues $2,000 is a little high for a full resto starting point.Orange is a hot color for these though good resale value.Around good ole depressed Michigan some prices may be a little cheaper. My latest was this nice 20,000 mi 74 that just needed the tank and carbs cleaned for $900.00. There out there. Good luck and keep up your fine work.

Ekpent...that is a super looking 74...$900 a great deal for you. Those OEM pipes look great too. What a find...

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #19 on:** July 22, 2009, 07:42:50 AM »

$1200 max.
It will take some $$$ to get it back to stock if that is what you want to do.

markb · « **Reply #20 on:** July 22, 2009, 08:03:52 AM »

I think the price is a little high too, but I think you should buy it and sell me your K1!
Mark

Johnie · « **Reply #21 on:** July 22, 2009, 10:02:18 AM »

Quote from: markb on July 22, 2009, 08:03:52 AM

I think the price is a little high too, but I think you should buy it and sell me your K1!
Mark

Good one Mark...heck, my K1 is not even done yet. Going in for OEM paint in next 2 weeks. Still considering this orange...

TwoTired · « **Reply #22 on:** July 22, 2009, 10:26:23 AM »

Quote from: Johnie on July 22, 2009, 06:17:15 AM

Bike has not been sitting idle. But the owner died 2 years ago and bike has seen limited running. Has been run since then a few times a month for short rides to operating temps. I used the same compression hose set-up as you but my system is a Craftsman. I doubt if the valves have been adjusted in a while...maybe never. My test was done with warm engine, no choke, fuel off, and closed throttle.

Then I wouldn't worry about those numbers. Closed throttle starves the engine of air, less air/less compression. If the carbs aren't properly synced, some cylinders can be more starved for air than others. If the valves aren't opening the same amount due differences in valve lash, this can also effect the volume of air available to to compress.

Johnie · « **Reply #23 on:** July 22, 2009, 10:34:12 AM »

Thanks TT for the reply. Very informative and appreciated.

myhondas · « **Reply #24 on:** July 22, 2009, 02:20:31 PM »

Johnie,

Print out some of these replys and photos of other bikes that were bought at less than a 1k and maybe they will see the light and start to deal.

ray

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Author Topic: 750K4 - Should I Buy - Update... (Read 8036 times)

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