Topic: Cafe 750 article in MCN

[andy750]

Here:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/Customs--modified-bikes/2009/December/dec2409-lossa-cafe-racer-honda/

[Toxic]

That bike was on ebay a couple of times.  I think they were looking for around 6k for it.
It wasn't quite finished when it was listed but would be completed within 3 weeks of the auction ending.

Nice bike

[george]

Love that street tracker style ! Sorta the look I will be going after whenever i do start my build .

[veganxr2x]

I've bought a bike from Jay and I've seen this particular bike in person. There's no way in hell you're getting it for anywhere close to 6K. This thing isn't some rattlecan and bailing wire job performed by a meth-fueled shade-tree mechanic. It's show if not museum quality.

[eurban]

I don't think 6K is that far off.  It has a sweet paint job but otherwise is not showing much more quality or inventiveness than any number of 750 cafes. Has the engine been upgraded, rebuilt?  Electrics?  Ignition?  Carbs? Swingarm bushings?  Steering bearings? Forks? Etc Etc.  Basically does it go or is just a pretty face?  I'm sure that seat isn't comfortable and I'd like to see the rider in a rainstorm (but thats true of most cafes) . . .
I don't really care for Carpy's work but he has an established name that adds to the sale value.  Benjie's stuff involves serious fabrication and modification that creates a completely different looking package.  That too seems to add to the the value.  I'm sure it took a good amount of time and effort to put together but that doesn't necessarily equate to big $ or museum status.

[Industrial Cafe]

for some reason that bike is just "meh" to me... like it could be more aesthetically pleasing with a little tweaking.

I think it's the headlight/gauge height, the fat front tire on an 18 inch wheel, and the lack of a fender.
   then there's those rear shocks that look like someone put a tiny chrome briefcase at the bottom of them.

the whole bike is laid out all flat and sleek, then the front end feels like a train wreck.
       look at this picture and think of the sound of a cartoon train crashing



      "CHUNK CHUNK CHUNK SKEEEEEE CHUNK BAM.....SSSSSSSSSS"
I see $3200 tops


EDIT:
I don't know...
       I hate to be a Debbie Downer.
 but I keep seeing that bike everywhere on the web and I had to say something.

[veganxr2x]

Here's the description from the ebay ad.

"1976 Cb750K built by Lossa Engineering, "F" model tank, motor was re sealed with ALL new gaskets, seals and "o" rings, degreed cam, velocity stacks, rare Maxi-x exhaust, oil pressure gauge, Dyna coils & Taylor 8.8mm red wires, vintage finned side covers & tappet covers ( powder coated gloss black), 530 chain conversion with new front & rear sprockets and a gold DID "o' ring chain, polished then nickle plated frame, aluminum Akront(front) & DID(rear) wheels also nickle plated with black zinc plated stainless steel spokes, rear wheel is 3 1/2" wide with a 140mm wide Pirelli dual sport tire, front rim is a 3" width with a 120 wide tire, front hub is nickle plated, rear hub is powder coated, all hardware was either black zinc plated, nickle plated or replaced with stainless steel, Rare Redwing shocks, dual disc brake conversion with CNC drilled rotors, Nissin master cylinder, brand new fork tubes, custom paint work with gold leafing & red pinstriping by the world famous Harpoon, tinted headlight, REAL leather pleated upholstered seat, tapered head bearing conversion, new swing arm bushings, bear trap pegs, all unnecessary tabs and brackets removed(center stand), new fork gators, aluminum headlight brackets, l.e.d. dual tail light, headlight and tail lights are tinted, headlight has a zenon H-4 bulb conversion(the brightest bulb available) Currently registered, title in hand!!Ready to Rock!!

Bike has been entered in several shows, including the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona CA, where it took first place.  I will be featured in a upcoming issue of Cafe Racer magazine and appear in a TV show airing in October."

So that answers the questions about the bike's condition/quality.

True, Carpy has name recognition, but so does Lossa. A really sweet CB160 he built for Jason Lee was featured a few months back in Cafe Racer.

I'm not saying EVERYONE is going to love the bike (I'm not particularly fond of it) or that he'll get back what he put into it. I'm just saying with the amount of work and cool #$%* he's done to it, to the RIGHT PERSON, its worth way more than most other Hondas.

[sangyo soichiro]

Well, the paint is definitely cool.  And I really dig the tail lights and turn signals (is that what's stuck in the frame ends?).  The front headlight "grid thing" is interesting - I don't think I've seen one before.  Gotta love the exhaust.  Seat looks cool.  There are definitely things I like about it.  But...

The problem with these old bikes is that the guys that really dig them would rather build their own.  I know I would.  So, while I might dump 10-grand into my bike building it, I would probably never pay 6-grand for the same bike already finished.  Strange as it may seem.  But it's not about a business deal for me.  

[andy750]

Does it have a rebuilt engine? Does it have an 810/836/890/900/1000 cc kit? No...its a stock motor with some fresh gaskets. All the rest of the bling is to make it pretty but wont make it go any faster. "Rare" shock and exhaust? Hardly...just no one else is buying them...for a reason . Things like chain, dyna, finned this/finned that are not so uncommon these days. Cool paint job but I wouldn't pay 6 grand for it.

[swellguy]

I hate the paint.

[Swoop]

Does it have a rebuilt engine? Does it have an 810/836/890/900/1000 cc kit? No...its a stock motor with some fresh gaskets. All the rest of the bling is to make it pretty but wont make it go any faster. "Rare" shock and exhaust? Hardly...just no one else is buying them...for a reason . Things like chain, dyna, finned this/finned that are not so uncommon these days. Cool paint job but I wouldn't pay 6 grand for it.

I agree...all Bling....no Zing...and too much cha ching $$$$$$

[sangyo soichiro]

Just an observation...

We usually like these bikes until we find out they're for sale.  Then the wolves come out.


I agree with you guys, all of you, I'm just sayin'.

I actually think it's kind of funny.   

[andy750]

Not really...I always think that about a bike...why spend all the money on making it look good? Id rather spend it on performance ...but thats just me..I like to go fast 

[Industrial Cafe]

Just an observation...

We usually like these bikes until we find out they're for sale.  Then the wolves come out.


I agree with you guys, all of you, I'm just sayin'.

I actually think it's kind of funny.   

ha! 
I'm just sayin' the whole bike looks nice, if you put your thumb over the front of it.

[veganxr2x]

Bottom line, love it or hate it, this bike is doing its job by creating buzz and getting people talking. Remember a few years ago when Eminem released a single where he called Moby a fag? Gay and lesbian groups flooded the streets in protest. The album went on to sell around 20 million records. Basically, there's no such thing as bad press and if you don't like this bike, you are likely gay or lesbian (kidding about the last part. Relax.).

[Industrial Cafe]

that must be why I only half like it...

[sangyo soichiro]

that must be why I only half like it...