Author Topic: Should I pay 700$ for this bike? (Read 3983 times)

B.O.X.N.I.F.E. · « **on:** December 28, 2009, 02:10:54 PM »

With the last couple bikes I've bought I knew the value and felt confident, but I'm on the fence about this one. Would you drop 700 on this guy, or whats ya'lls estimated value?

'77 CB550F Super Sport
Kerker exhaust
Nighthawk style seat
39k miles
New tires

runs, has a title

Queeg · « **Reply #1 on:** December 28, 2009, 02:12:49 PM »

no.... but i will!

hahah i dunno thats one sexy looking bike. but its also in the rain.

how does it look dry?

ahhh just buy it. its only money.

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #2 on:** December 28, 2009, 02:14:19 PM »

What is that all over it, acid rain or something? Does it come off?

B.O.X.N.I.F.E. · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2009, 02:23:11 PM »

it's a little grimey, needs a top to bottom clean. no acid rain, too poor for any kind of industry in Arkansas.

ps - If I don't keep it I'll just flip it. I guess the real question is if i'm thrifty about finding a seat and put a few days of elbow grease in it, could it be a $1,200 bike? this is classified money, not 'in the know' pricing like we're all used to.

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2009, 02:31:47 PM »

Quote from: B.O.X.N.I.F.E. on December 28, 2009, 02:23:11 PM

it's a little grimey, needs a top to bottom clean. no acid rain, too poor for any kind of industry in Arkansas.

ps - If I don't keep it I'll just flip it. I guess the real question is if i'm thrifty about finding a seat and put a few days of elbow grease in it, could it be a $1,200 bike? this is classified money, not 'in the know' pricing like we're all used to.

It would where I'm at. People want that much for a bike here without a title and not running...

Really? · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2009, 03:41:14 PM »

I would where I am at too.

Industrial Cafe · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2009, 03:46:51 PM »

don't buy it, it's junk... maybe worth 40 bucks.
Now, this is important- give me the guys number so I can chew him out for trying to screw you out of $700.

paddy paul · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2009, 03:53:29 PM »

Yes, and then sell it to me for 500, write the loss off when you do your taxes in April, everybody is happy

seriously though, The bike is well worth that out here in CO that bike would go for around 1500 if you can find them for some reason the 550 are becoming kind of Rare.. plus I love the 550, it was my first SOHC

Flying J · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2009, 03:59:01 PM »

I Bought the same bike a few months ago for exactly half that price. Mine has a seat in worse condition, and didnt run. Oh and the muffler fell of due to rust. If that one is running good your money ahead to buy that thing.
heres mine

Tugboat · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2009, 05:08:25 PM »

Same here - in Nashville someone would want at least $1k for that thing. Buy it.

nobody · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2009, 05:12:28 PM »

That's a steal, buy it.

Grnrngr · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2009, 06:19:01 PM »

Running with a title and new tires, that's a low to average price for around here too, definitely worth more in the spring time if you're gonna turn it. Wouldn't even worry about the seat if you're not gonna keep it.

i2edman · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2009, 09:44:57 PM »

I'd buy this bike; I don't care..I can do a lot to it believe me..
..trash the seat; the handlebar, clean or remove the engine and replace all the bolts with allen bolts.

.
--tune it up, synch it up..new plugs, chain & sprockets just to be safe on the road..yeah get it before someone does. like me

Head · « **Reply #13 on:** December 29, 2009, 12:00:56 AM »

Is the motor in good condition? Wheels round? Swing arm tight? Steering head tight? Electrics-Wiring in good shape? Do the forks look straight, Is the wheel pointing straight in reference to the handle bars? Do the forks work? Brakes work? Chain and sprockets? Any dents or bends in the frame? Just the first things I look at on the initial inspection in about ten to fifteen minutes of any bike! + Pull the dip stick look and smell the oil!
If it all looks reasonable for the age and wear and tear then its sounds like an alright deal Head

westondc · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2009, 06:21:15 AM »

looks like a great deal to me. a running bike with a title and minimal cosmetic work needed... those type of bikes disappear pretty quick around here.

Nikkisixx · « **Reply #15 on:** December 29, 2009, 06:28:56 AM »

That would be a good deal around these parts. The only thing that would keep me from buying it would be the wife

bill440cars · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2009, 06:58:08 AM »

Oh Yeah, I would GO for it! That's what I gave for THIS one:

80' CB650C Runs, has title AND a set of Comstars w/ new rear tire and
original gas tank.

steam-powered man · « **Reply #17 on:** December 29, 2009, 07:02:09 AM »

"could it be a $1200 bike?"

if keeping it i'd check: compression, age of tires, condition of chain/sprocket, then full tune-up, change oil/filter/fork oil, check/refurb brakes, check/lube steering head and swingarm bearings, and take a hard look at the cam chain and guides. you could easily dump $450-$500 into it and it would then be a $1200 bike.

if selling, it depends on what it needs now and how thoroughly a prospective buyer checks out your bike when it's for sale. he may be smitten by a clean bike but pissed when the cam chain fails. damhik

dewjantim · « **Reply #18 on:** December 29, 2009, 09:51:49 AM »

I paid $568 for this Super Sport 550 on ebay. After about two weeks worth of cleaning, I put on boge shocks, NOS Dunstall muffler, TT100 Dunlops and Jota adjustable clubman bars, and a few more small goodies. This is the first couple of pics in orange attire. Then I had my other set of bodywork painted and installed it with a quarter fairing and superbike bars... the blue pics. With the orange paint I had about $1250 in the bike..... with the blue I have about $1750. It looks, runs, and sounds like a new bike. I could have gotten by with a lot less..... but I built it the way I wanted.....

....

SHELLFISH · « **Reply #19 on:** December 29, 2009, 06:01:04 PM »

Nice looking bike! What grips do you have on it?
I just ordered a set of soft grips that look like those from Cafe Racer.

dewjantim · « **Reply #20 on:** December 29, 2009, 06:31:34 PM »

Don't know the exact name, they came with the bike. We used to call them gel grips back in the 70s'. Very comfy

.......

SHELLFISH · « **Reply #21 on:** December 29, 2009, 06:38:28 PM »

Thanks for the reply.
I have a set like that on mine too that I put on in 1976.
I'd like to get another set for my new 1976 K.
I like the way they ride; much better than the stock grips!

bill440cars · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2009, 06:46:06 PM »

Quote from: dewjantim on December 29, 2009, 09:51:49 AM

I paid $568 for this Super Sport 550 on ebay. After about two weeks worth of cleaning, I put on boge shocks, NOS Dunstall muffler, TT100 Dunlops and Jota adjustable clubman bars, and a few more small goodies. This is the first couple of pics in orange attire. Then I had my other set of bodywork painted and installed it with a quarter fairing and superbike bars... the blue pics. With the orange paint I had about $1250 in the bike..... with the blue I have about $1750. It looks, runs, and sounds like a new bike. I could have gotten by with a lot less..... but I built it the way I wanted..... ....

I agree, great looking bike (either way). I like the Blue better, I think. So, will it stay blue or do you change up now and then, as the mod strikes you. Or will it stat blue?

dewjantim · « **Reply #23 on:** December 29, 2009, 08:12:21 PM »

I am going to leave it blue and look for another 550 with cosmetic problems for the other bodywork. When I bought the bike the orange was pretty sad looking, but with a little rubbing, wax, and detailer it turned out almost perfect. After I find another 550 I will probably sell this one. My next 550 will be more radically modified than this one... think it will have a racing seat and clip-ons and old style cafe fenders with pod filters and 4 into 4 exhaust (painted black) with a small fly-screen instead of a fairing. I believe that many times these bikes are underrated. They corner well with sticky tires and aftermarket shocks. They (well mine anyway) will outrun a 750 Triumph easily and sound fantastic with the Dunstall silencer.....

...

lone*X · « **Reply #24 on:** December 30, 2009, 02:43:05 PM »

Quote from: dewjantim on December 29, 2009, 06:31:34 PM

Don't know the exact name, they came with the bike. We used to call them gel grips back in the 70s'. Very comfy .......

When I bought mine (still got em) they were called "Tiddi Grips" cause they felt so good in your hands.

Flying J · « **Reply #25 on:** December 30, 2009, 03:30:49 PM »

you can still get them from TAS.... or not, i just looked and they changed their site. Not much on there any more

78whiteorbs · « **Reply #26 on:** December 30, 2009, 03:44:40 PM »

has title , runs , bullet proof engine . GO FOR IT !

dewjantim · « **Reply #27 on:** December 31, 2009, 02:08:48 PM »

Quote from: SHELLFISH on December 29, 2009, 06:38:28 PM

Thanks for the reply.
I have a set like that on mine too that I put on in 1976.
I'd like to get another set for my new 1976 K.
I like the way they ride; much better than the stock grips!

I looked them up..... Gran Turismo grips. Available at most Triumph restoration shops, chopper shops, bobber sites, and maybe JC Whitney.... usually about $8-12.....

B.O.X.N.I.F.E. · « **Reply #28 on:** December 31, 2009, 02:29:59 PM »

The guy brought it by on a trailer and I went ahead and got it.

The good - It runs well, the motor is tight. Someone swapped on a 750 speedo, so it probably has a lot less than the 39k showing. Tank & covers are in decent shape, exhaust is good. New front tire.

The bad - The wiring is mangled. Seat is marginal, rear tire is not new, head gasket leak, bad kreem job in tank. Front end is tweaked somewhere, maybe the tripple?

Overall it'll clean up well. Obviously the previous owners didn't have a clue. I can fix all that stuff, but don't want to. I got to figure out what's bent up front, put on a new rear, replace any backasswards wiring and do a top end gasket kit. This'll be a flipper, I can't fall in love with anothe bike that needs a bunch of work. If anyone wants to buy it and do the work let me know!

Queeg · « **Reply #29 on:** December 31, 2009, 02:34:39 PM »

awsome, glad you got it! now about that seat....... its gotta go.

steam-powered man · « **Reply #30 on:** December 31, 2009, 02:49:25 PM »

it was SO NICE to pull the head on my 550 without having to yank the engine like on my previous 750's. i freakin'd smiled the whole time.

B.O.X.N.I.F.E. · « **Reply #31 on:** December 31, 2009, 02:59:11 PM »

Quote from: shoemaniii on December 31, 2009, 02:49:25 PM

it was SO NICE to pull the head on my 550 without having to yank the engine like on my previous 750's. i freakin'd smiled the whole time.

Yeah, after going through the top end once already it doesn't phase me now. I saw the head gasket leak on it and did the math in my brain, '60$ gasket kit, about 6 hours of my time'. Not a big hassle at all in the 550's, certainly wouldn't deter me from buying a bike so long as the rest of the motor was tight.

Flying J · « **Reply #32 on:** December 31, 2009, 09:10:17 PM »

you might be able to just re torque the head bolts and that could fix it.

B.O.X.N.I.F.E. · « **Reply #33 on:** December 31, 2009, 11:16:49 PM »

Quote from: ffjmoore on December 31, 2009, 09:10:17 PM

you might be able to just re torque the head bolts and that could fix it.

True, better try that first. I think I'll get it right while it's cold, have some fun in the spring and pass it on before it gets too hot. I have some buddies without bikes so an extra one would be good for a short time. I might just be a one woman man. The more of these bikes I flip the more appreciation I have for that ole '74 that has taken me every place I wanted to go.

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Author Topic: Should I pay 700$ for this bike? (Read 3983 times)