Topic: Help with new purchase.

[safd]

Hello, new here great site!  I have an itch to get an older bike to commute on.  I found a '78 CB750 F for sale, 4 1/2 hours from me with 7,400 miles on it.  The pictures aren't the best and he wants $1700 for it delivered down to me.  Does this sound like a decent deal?  He says it's running great and he cleaned and synced the carbs, newish tires...
Here are a couple of pics:


What do you all think and thanks.
ben

[myhondas]

please fill out your profile so that we know where you are at, etc.  Then if we know where the bike is at, and how many miles it has to go to be delivered to you, maybe some more pics that are closer, could give a reasonable answer. What you have are what I call 15 foot pics.....hide a lot of problems.....I prefer 6" to 1 foot pics for close up and 3-5 ft. pics for overall.

[safd]

I'm in San Marcos TX and the bike is 250 miles north.  Here are a few more pictures, again they are all I have.
thanks
ben

[nobody]

I'd say that is a pretty good price, the mileage is a little lower than you'd usually find on a $1500 750f. Assuming the condition of the bike is as good as the owner and the pictures state, I think you'll be happy with it.

[Industrial Cafe]

go buy it.

[myhondas]

bike delivery runs from $0.50 - $2.00 per mile depending on the bike (weight & size) and where you are located at. So figure that he is asking for $about $1450 for that bike. personally, I would not pay more than $750-$850 for it. But that is because the 78 & 79's are not much in demand and bring less $ when you try to sell them. For the kind of $ he is asking, you can find some really nice earlier K and F bikes out there. I guess it is really a matter of personal preference and what you are going to do with it. just my .03 worth(inflation)

[SOHC Digger]

I think it would be in your best interest to take a day and drive out to the bike.  If you have a pick-up or a buddy with one, use it.  If it is delivered, I am sure you will have to pay up front and then you're probably stuck.  If you can negotiate some money off for picking it up, score.  If it is in as good of condition as stated, then it is probably worth 1500 to 1700.  I paid $450 for a non-running 78 F model with no title and siezed carbs last year.  Good luck!

[safd]

I can find abused cheaper ones, but none 'close' to me that seem to be in good condition with low miles.
thanks
ben

[nobody]

Either drive to it or take a chance and commit to him driving it to you... If he brings it to you it's yours though, in VERY poor taste to turn him away after several hours of driving. Like I said before, if the condition is as good as he says it's worth it.

[laser145]

I think it would be in your best interest to take a day and drive out to the bike.  If you have a pick-up or a buddy with one, use it.  If it is delivered, I am sure you will have to pay up front and then you're probably stuck.  If you can negotiate some money off for picking it up, score.  If it is in as good of condition as stated, then it is probably worth 1500 to 1700.  I paid $450 for a non-running 78 F model with no title and siezed carbs last year.  Good luck!

I couldn't agree more. The price may be OK...but only if everything the owner says is spot on. I wouldn't spend that much on something I hadn't seen.  I think, for your money, it's best to find a way to get to him.

But then again...the gamble could be fun

Taylor

[Stev-o]

Go check it out, ride it for 20 minutes then make an offer of $1500 [unless you find major issues].

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

-Steve [in Austin]

[safd]

I posted my question on another forum and got this reply:
78 F2's killed the valve guides due to the valve angle. From the factory with contact breaker ignition, not my first choice for commuting. Otherwise, enjoy, fun to ride.

Can someone explain this to a newbie?
thanks
ben

[Cormac]

If it is burning oil, it may need the valve guides replaced. No smoke out the back? All good!

It has a points ignition, very typical for the 70's. You will need to get familiar with the gapping procedure for points, as they need to be re-gapped every 2-3K miles. Or just get an electronic ignition of some flavor and have done with it. I think I paid $130 for my DYNA S ignition.

Long story short, it is old, and you WILL learn to work on it. If you can't, or won't learn how, you probably don't want it for a commuter. Also, get used to leaving for work early, just in case.

[vanillagorilla]

I been watching that bike, glad someone on the forum got it!!!