Author Topic: Is it worth it? searching the craigslist ads.... (Read 3100 times)

youngerthanmybike · « **on:** March 28, 2010, 07:41:17 PM »

(Skip this section, bump down to my newest posts.... I passed on the 750's)

It's a 1976 750 Supersport, the asking price is $650, and it's four hours away from me, so I can't just stop by on my way home from work.
So here's the bike I'm looking at, and here's the issues:
-Clearly it needs a real muffler, not a glass pack for a 67 Chevy.
-PO lost key, so somebody hacked into the ignition wiring, so that needs to be sorted out.
-Right side of tank looks like it needs some help, who knows how much.
-Side cover tab has been busted off and bondo'd back on.
-The white seat cover has to go.
-Bike has 36K on it, what specifically should I be concerned with?
-Hasn't been run in at least 6 years, that's how long it was left in a storage unit.
-Oh, and it doesn't have a title.
-It does have compression and both brakes work.

So my main concern is that I'm looking for a bike that can be a drivable project for close to $1000. I'm trying to discern if that is possible at all, and if it is possible with this bike. Yes the paint needs to be done. I can do that during the winter.

shizzomynizzo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2010, 07:50:45 PM »

I Would say NO. But that's just me.

It's going to take time, and maybe money just to register the bike. I would say 200 for an exhaust, 50 - 100 for a new cover, 2-300 for tires, 50 for a battery, paint will be 3- 500 for professional.

Check this out
http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/mcy/1657546697.html

youngerthanmybike · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2010, 07:56:07 PM »

I'm going to look into the re-titleing bit.
I agree with you, but I live in Montana, so Detroit is close to 2000 miles away.... which would probably cost me close to 200+75+250+50.

Old Scrambler · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2010, 08:01:44 PM »

A little rich for my taste...........that tank is rusted out! You have to spend more than a day and 3 tanks of fuel to get it!

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2010, 08:37:53 PM »

Definitely no but it may be to the seller. He needs to understand thats a parts bike only and it would take a fair amount of cash to make it operate. Try to find a tank! That one is shot. Side covers, ha, good luck there too. And thats just the beginning. The front end isn't correct. I'd tell him to fire it up and if the engine seems good it could be worth a couple hundred only. Then again he may be proud of it

youngerthanmybike · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2010, 08:49:45 PM »

Thanks for the opinion on the tank, I wasn't sure if that was fixable or not.

Just out of curiosity, how do you know the front end is not correct?

Elkie · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2010, 09:01:18 PM »

The bubbling paint on the tank generally means its rusted from the inside out, so think its shot. For $650 I'd expect it to run and have a title.

mgbgt89 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2010, 09:02:59 PM »

Quote from: youngerthanmybike on March 28, 2010, 08:49:45 PM

Thanks for the opinion on the tank, I wasn't sure if that was fixable or not.

Just out of curiosity, how do you know the front end is not correct?

F's didn't have fork gaiters. Looks kinda cool with them though, never seen them on an f.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2010, 09:50:35 PM »

Yeah that headlight, blinkers, fender, and headlight brackets are not correct. Maybe the whole fork is incorrect but can't tell from the pics. Possible it was in an accident and had a K front end put on? I am guessing it has the K bike front caliper too but I can't see from the pics. The front end is probably functional but why was it changed. It looks like more than the ignition was hacked up. Like the others have said without a title and non runner it's value is that of a parts bike worth $100-200 unless you really like that paint job.

Grnrngr · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2010, 11:08:07 PM »

I'd pass at $650 too, there's lots of stuff like that (only better lookin) around here in the $200-$300 range. There was a pristine 80 750f up the road from me for $500, no title, the guy called it a project because it dripped a little gas from the carbs and petcock. I might be tempted to go $400 if it was a good running motor, but I'd want to hear it. The one side of the motor does look clean, but I'd second the "rusted from the inside" opinion of the tank and sure wouldn't try to start it with that one. If the current owner tried, might as well put "clean rust out of carbs" at the top of the "things to do list".Just because it sat for 6 (or more) yrs doesn't mean it won't run, but it does mean some work to get it there, and that one needs bunches. Save your money and keep watchin CraigsList, one will jump right out at you soon...

david 750f · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2010, 01:09:53 AM »

I would definitely pass on that 750F. Wrong front end, even the front fender is wrong for an F bike. No title just makes it a parts bike.

youngerthanmybike · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2010, 06:35:16 AM »

Thanks guys- that's why I hang around here.
It keeps me from doing a few stupid things once in awhile...

And helps me do a few others........

Toxic · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2010, 07:37:19 AM »

Keep looking.

Not even enough good parts on it to make it a worthwhile parts bike.

mlinder · « **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2010, 07:59:07 AM »

No title, no 650 bucks.

youngerthanmybike · « **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2010, 06:04:39 PM »

Wise advice boys. I guess I'm just anxious to go riding again, but patience is a virtue.

Found another one though, this one is about 5 hours away.....

1976 750 Supersport....
22k miles
Running.....
Titled.....
Licensed.....
I'm waiting on pictures.....

He said he'd let it go for $800

Stev-o · « **Reply #15 on:** March 29, 2010, 07:02:12 PM »

No offense, but that thing is ugly! And looks to be "rigged" just a little too much. Look into the $800 one...

Grnrngr · « **Reply #16 on:** March 29, 2010, 08:20:45 PM »

Heh...offer him $650...

fasturd · « **Reply #17 on:** March 29, 2010, 08:52:02 PM »

Keeeeeep mlooking! I +1 everyone here! LOL. Patience will reward you.

HondaMan · « **Reply #18 on:** March 29, 2010, 09:16:45 PM »

That gaiter'd front end is from a K1/K3 era 750. It was probably crashed into something, the front end replaced, then handled poorly because the steering head bearings weren't replaced with the new front end, then the swingarm bearings were found to be loose (at that mileage) and the dent in the crease of the tank has cracked the weld, so it leaks slowly into the paint.

Whew.

There's about $400 worth of bike left there.

youngerthanmybike · « **Reply #19 on:** April 01, 2010, 01:50:20 PM »

Okay, so I've passed on the 750's, especially the 750F's. I just really like that chrome rear fender, I don't think a CB looks right without one, even if it's been shortened.

Anyhow, here's a new one. A rescued 75 550K that needs to be finished:

http://spokane.craigslist.org/mcy/1669081958.html

$500 - runs, no title.
Here's the email I got from him: "I purchased the bike in 2007 to tear down and turn it into a cafe. The bike was a mess. I think they were using it as an off-roader. I took it all apart and cleaned all the dirt and grime off then started a rebuild. My grandfather is a mechanic and he helped with the engine, but we didn't find any problems, so I basically cleaned it and put it back together.

I had the frame powder coated and started putting it back together. It was missing all electrical, the sidecovers, the seat, and much more, so I searched around and bought all the parts I could find and put together a bike. The electrical harness came from a '77 and the gauges and ignition came from a '76, but it did not come with a key, so I wired in an push button start hidden next to the gauges (it works perfectly), also added small blinkers and a flush tail light in the fender. The side covers are from two different bikes and don't match perfectly. I cleaned and re-coated the inside of the tank and put in new fuel lines.

I fired it up today and took it around the block. It starts great and runs, but has very little power, because I never had the carbs timed right. It also leaked oil two summers ago, and I haven't tried to fix that yet. One of the carbs also leaks fuel (most likely a float that sticks). The bike looks great and has cool lines. The tank and side covers need painted, and the seat needs recovered, but it could be a cool bike. I haven't put any real miles on it and the the gauges are from a different bike, so I have no idea how many miles are on the thing. I will get some more pics in the morning and send them to you."

Here's the pics:

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #20 on:** April 01, 2010, 02:04:42 PM »

$300 max. Sounds like trouble though, you think you could get a title for it if you get it running right?

youngerthanmybike · « **Reply #21 on:** April 01, 2010, 02:26:04 PM »

Yeah, doesn't sound like that's too tough in Montana. I won't have to go through one of the title service companies and pay an arm and a leg. Shouldn't cost me much more than the normal registration, as long as I have a notarized bill of sale and a few other DMV forms.

Elkie · « **Reply #22 on:** April 01, 2010, 03:08:53 PM »

Well if you like to color of the powder coated frame, it might be worth more to you, seeing as its already done. That might be part of his price. If you get it, and don't want the exhaust, lemme know.

fastbroshi · « **Reply #23 on:** April 01, 2010, 04:55:38 PM »

Carbs leaking no big deal. I'd try and get some more details as to the condition of the motor. If that cam tensioner isn't right, the top end's coming apart. How's the tranny shifting? That's a 750 speedo, I think. I know for sure there weren't any 550s with 130mph speedometers!!

Stev-o · « **Reply #24 on:** April 01, 2010, 05:41:06 PM »

If title is not an issue, offer him $400 under the condition you run the VIN # to be sure it is not stolen.

Good Luck.

News:

Author Topic: Is it worth it? searching the craigslist ads.... (Read 3100 times)