Topic: have you ever regretted....

[westondc]

I've been lurking on Craig's List in search of old motorcycle deals ever since i picked up my first CB350 three years ago for 300 bucks. I've ran across a few good buys from time to time but theres one that i really regret not jumping on. A few months ago i saw a listing for a barn find Blue 1968 Suzuki T500 Cobra with title in hand. this was one of the early year Suzuki Titans originally called the Cobra and had the rubber knee pads and chrome tank. in the pics the bike was complete and in really nice shape. how much you ask? $500 obo. a big old 500cc two stroker! i was pinched for cash at the time but i'm regretting not buying it ever since... anyone else with a similar story?

[supersports400]

Hi,

Yes, I once walked away from a CB750 K2, in original en perfect condition, candy gold, 27.000 km, new original mufflers and no damage.
He asked 2500 euro, which was a good price, but in that time it looked too much.

Later I bought a CB400f, the reason that I am on this forum, also in original showroom condition, original new muffler, but high mileage, but for 750 euro.
Now, at the time being I'm rebuilding the engine, but I will stay below the 2500 euro in total.

I also walked away from an restored and rebuild (including notes) CB92 '59, no mufflers, but asking price was 4000 euro.

Jensen

[markb]

A member had listed an early sandcast engine and frame that I kick myself everytime I think about it.  I have a complete early K0 that I could have put on it and had a complete early sandcast.  Things were a little tight at the time but I should have figured out a way to make it happen.  Nuts!

[bill440cars]

  Well, it wasn't a Honda, but I had the chance to get a Yamaha XS1100
 for $1500 once. I don't remember the exact year of the bike, I think it was around a 78' maybe and this was in the early to mid 80's.

  Now, I DO have one I DID have one that I got for Nothing and messed around and SOLD it, instead of fixing it up. If that counts, it was a 73' CB350F. I have really regretted passing that one on, ever since. But money was a little tight at the time, so......

[Magpie]

Does an almost that taught me a lesson count? I put in a wanted ad looking for parts and a fellow called with a sandcast engine for $1250. I'm not sure he knew what he had. He eventually talked himself down to $750. Money was tight so I said I wasn't sure and left it there. Came to my senses and got it for $700 the next morning. It's going in a K0 resto.
Cliff.

[BeSeeingYou]

Maybe I should keep my mouth shut but about a year ago there was a 69 CB750 listed on the local CL for $1500.  It had been in storage for many years and the picture showed it to be in decent shape with a non stock exhaust.  It was about 150 miles away and I rationalized it by thinking that it would be long gone by the time I could round up the money,trailer and get there.

[tbpmusic]

Not so much for an entire bike, but.......

In the early 70's I had a pair of CB450 K2's.
Failing to appreciate the handling characteristics, I fitted both bikes with Ceriani road race forks and Koni shocks. The Cerianis cost me about $200 per set, complete with stems and triple trees/top clamps.

Years later I sold both bikes and all the stuff for $400.

I'd give anything to have those Cerianis (or even the Konis) back now - at their current price of about $2,000 per set, you can imagine what a bozo I feel like..........makes me feel sick to my stomach.

[bill440cars]

Does an almost that taught me a lesson count? I put in a wanted ad looking for parts and a fellow called with a sandcast engine for $1250. I'm not sure he knew what he had. He eventually talked himself down to $750. Money was tight so I said I wasn't sure and left it there. Came to my senses and got it for $700 the next morning. It's going in a K0 resto.
Cliff.

            Glad you were able to rebound and pick it up aftyer all AND for $50 less, even.  

[bill440cars]

Not so much for an entire bike, but.......

In the early 70's I had a pair of CB450 K2's.
Failing to appreciate the handling characteristics, I fitted both bikes with Ceriani road race forks and Koni shocks. The Cerianis cost me about $200 per set, complete with stems and triple trees/top clamps.

Years later I sold both bikes and all the stuff for $400.

I'd give anything to have those Cerianis (or even the Konis) back now - at their current price of about $2,000 per set, you can imagine what a bozo I feel like..........makes me feel sick to my stomach.

           I can imagine. Must have been a reason though.

  I can identify though. When I was stationed in Japan in the Air Force, I bought one of those Factory race seats (that go for around $1,300 or so now) And I had a set of those Factory Clip-on handle bars (and I saw a pair of those go for well over $1,000. AAND I sold them for cheap! Hind sighht and foresight!    

[detdrbuzzard]

passed on a '78 goldwing for $1000 and later in the week passed on a "79 wing for $850 both were running. the '78 had a locked up rear brake the '79 i could ( should have ) ride home

[Gaucho]

Yes, 1979 Suzuki GS1000S Wes Cooley edition, original owner, 15K miles. Sold for $1,500.-
I e-mailed the owner for a phone number and while I was waiting for a reply went to Orbitz and made a reservation to fly to see the bike. The response e-mail was "sorry, bike is already sold".
Sorry? SORRY!!!??? That bike is mine! Mine I said!!! 
I can still picture myself blasting down the road on that puppy.
Gaucho

[dhall57]

Last year I walked away from a auction sale  bidding on a 1970 CB750 KO. The bike was all original had been in storage for more than 20 year and still in good shape, but of course it would of needed a complete rebuild and lot more time and money put in to it to just get it ridable and road ready and I just didn't have the funds. Since this I have purchased a ready to ride, great condition 76 750 that I love and have not had to turn a bolt on it. But to be truthful I still can stop thinking about that 70 KO and what might of been.
Here's a pic of that 70 KO and my current 76 750.

[westondc]

Last year I walked away from a auction sale  bidding on a 1970 CB750 KO. The bike was all original had been in storage for more than 20 year and still in good shape, but of course it would of needed a complete rebuild and lot more time and money put in to it to just get it ridable and road ready and I just didn't have the funds. Since this I have purchased a ready to ride, great condition 76 750 that I love and have not had to turn a bolt on it. But to be truthful I still can stop thinking about that 70 KO and what might of been.
Here's a pic of that 70 KO and my current 76 750.

those are both nice bikes, your 76 750 is looking sharp. i bet that KO went for a pretty penny

[Don R]

Lots of them, the worst was a 40 ford truck from an army ordinance depot that had never been on public roads. It had a model B 4 cyl. and a flat bed. Still had the military paint and number under the hood. The jerk that bought it used the doors on another truck and threw it away. $400.00 in 1973. Waah. Instead I got a 40 chevy coupe for free and I still drive it today.