Topic: 1975 Honda CB550 price guide ???

[argie69]

New here, Am looking at a 75 CB550 Orange Metallic, 10,000 orig miles, looks to be in great condition. rebuilt carbs, front brakes & master cylinder, everything appears original except for the exhaust, the guy is firm on $1500. Any advice will be appreciated, been trying to find a price guide with neg results. Are the CB550 parts easier to find,buy ?  Thanks

[fletcha221]

i just bought that exact bike, not running, but in good shape for $950. So far I've spent about 500 to get it running and safe. $1500 is more than fair if the bike dosen't need anything.

I've had a pretty easy time finding parts on ebay.

[laser145]

Price depends on a great many factors that are too difficult to quantify with any real accuracy... Among them, Where are you located? Original Exhaust? Title? Original Paint?

These are only a couple... and prices will vary widely, but without knowing more...$1500 could be a fair price. You could find one cheaper maybe, but you will also see them listed for a lot more

The question is a personal one...is the bike worth $1500 to YOU?

Cheers

[argie69]

Bike has a clear title, paint appears to be original, exhaust is not original ,2 into 1 single exhaust each side, Thanks for the replies

How is the reliability of the CB550's ?

I recently had a 69 Triumph Trophy so Im going to have to get used to shifting on the other side, parts prices were insane

[dhall57]

Laser145 is right. What is the bike worth to you??? In my situation I bought very nice 76 CB750 last year for $2400. Several forum members thought this was $500 to $1000 to much, but to me getting a bike that was road worthy just the way she sat needing only gas in the tank and tags and insurance made  it worth it to me. By the way I rode it the 65 miles back to my house after I bought it and it didn't miss a beat. All I've done to it since is-change oil, plugs, and frt pads. Yeah it was worth it.

[Accolay]

The reliability of the 550 depends on how much regular maintenance you do on it after you get all the baseline stuff down.

To me, the price indicates how much work you would have to do to make it safe and rideable i.e. "what am I going to have to replace?" (tires/tubes, brakes, chain, oil/filter, shocks etc)

Parts that I've needed have been fairly easily obtained and not too bad on the wallet. I bought mine for $800 and it needed all the general things replaced. I probably have put in about $1000 in parts, but I also bought a muffler, seat cover, painted it, new shocks etc.

[gravano]

That's a very fair price with clear title and good running, cosmetic order.

[Stev-o]

That's a very fair price with clear title and good running, cosmetic order.

+1. If it's road worthy, buy it! The 550's are very reliable and parts are easy to come by [but not all are still available from Honda].
I, like Fletcha, bought a bike for less than a grand but have more than $1500 in it now that it is running.

Good Luck.

[Raef]

I bought 1 for less than $500.00 but I have spent a bunch on it since, I have rode it as a daily rider since I have got it sorted out.

I mine was in good condition but had sat in a shed and had lots of dry rot

One ready to ride would be worth $1500 to me now seeing what tires, tubes, coils, wires, seat cover, carb rebuilds muffler and the like have cost me in time and money.

Mark

[phrige]

I spent $1200. Pretty fair deal though ive spent prob over $500 to get it in better shape. new tires etc.

$1500 seems alright, I'd imagine if its so firm that much engine and electronics solidity is a given and the question comes to paint quality, leather, side covers etc.

Good Luck!

[ieism]

Not a bad price for a good running bike. But honestly, the things he rebuild are very cheap to do yourself. Check if it has good tires, a decent battery and chain and sprockets. Those are the items that will end up costing you money.
I would testdrive it for a while and see if it really is as good as advertised.

If you're thinking of maybe gettting the original exhausts later, forget about this particular bike. They are impossible to find or very expensive, so make sure you are happy with the exhaust on this bike.

[camelman]

Not a bad price for a well running bike.  I've gone through seven bikes in the last year, and I've come to the conclusion that spending more up front will save you much more money and headache in the long run.  There is absolutely no substitute for a motorcycle that has been cared for its whole life (or at least during the last few years).  It will need less, it will run great, and it will be worth just as much when you are ready to sell it.

Trust me, trying to find the "deal", and accepting things that are wrong with the bike so that you can save some money on the purchase price just isn't worth it.  There are always other examples, but most of the time those "examples" come from people with loads invested in spare parts and tools already.

Specifically to your question, $1500 is a good and fair price for that bike... from your description.

Camelman

[Stev-o]

Pics, we need pics!

[fletcha221]

I bought my cb350f for $150 bucks. Spent $3800. Categorically, I'm a retarded person. It all depends on what you want to to it....if you are looking for resale, these bikes are not exactly a great investment. (unless you do a full model/year correct restoration). However, $1500 for a running bike is a deal.

[redbullssg]

I think it all depends on what you plan to do with it.  If you plan on riding it, just the way it is, and want it clean and running good, then 1500 is a fair price for a nice running bike.  If you plan on going through it anyway, and or converting to a cafe, then you should look for something for less and maybe not worthy of a Restore to original.  In my case, I started looking for a nice looking running bike to covert to a Cafe, and the more I thought about it, I am getting rid of the seat, the forks the tank and cutting all tabs off cutting the frame and altering it, changing the wheels out, etc, etc.  So what does that leave me with?  A frame and motor, LOL....  SO I started looking for something that I would just run, maybe not running at the time of purchase, but I know I can get running.  I ended up buying 2 CB550's for $300 for both.  Both I know would run, one had everything and the other missing a lot, but had everything that I wanted. I one running a couple days later, then tore it down to the frame... 

So, like I said, it is all what you intend for it!  If you want an nice looking CB550 that runs, and that is all you want, but maybe make it better, 1500 is a great price. 

As for reliability, I have heard it over an over about the 550 and 750, that they are bullet proof.  The one that I got running in a day, hasn't been started since 1989.  I haven't tried the other yet, but I know I will get it running, and that thing hasn't been ran for over 25 years.  One thing that should be noted, there isn't much to these motors, so, if something does go wrong, it is fairly easy to figure out what it could be.....  I would suggest upgrading to a electronic ignition and get rid of the points for added reliability....

[country joe]

I think 1500 is a fair price from what you've explained has been done to it. I have a '78 CB550K I'm ding work on right now. As far as parts, I've found a lot of replacement parts, engine gasket sets, carb rebuild kits, and that stuff fairly easy for it. The one tough thing to find for CB550's is aftermarket exhaust systems. Ain't a whole lot out there that I've found. I have found a lot of parts online at Dime City Cycles, Old Bike Barn, and believe this or not I actually found replacement side covers through JCWhitney motorcycle department.

[TwoTired]

The dollar amount of a 1975 CB550 varies from $0 to $3000 -ish depending on the care and maintenance done to it since it came off the showroom floor.

Additionally, the beholder also places a value on the object.  Some, wouldn't even accept a pristine bike as a gift.  Some are willing to pay higher than asking price due to lust for the object.

There is no way for even an experienced person to put a qualified value on a 35 year old machine without seeing it or examining it.

If you want to know replacement value, ask the insurance company.  KBB seems to think it's value is $390 in good condition.
http://www.kbb.com/motorcycle/trade-in/1975/honda/cb550/69099

All my running 550s are certainly worth much more than that to me.

[argie69]

Thanks for all the replies, unfortunately..............

I talked to the guy selling it last nite and he said today I could come and look/purchase but not til after 11:30am and said I was going to be first one to look at it, that there has been a lot of tire kickers but not much interest in laying out the cash.

He calls me this morning around 9am and tells me a guy is coming with a trailer to look at it, then calls me at 10am and tells me its sold. Oh by the way it was on Craigslist.

[fletcha221]

Shady-ass craigslist. I live right outside phila, and the stuff I've dealt with in regards to craigslist is ridiculous. Sorry man.

[country joe]

Ah man, that sucks. Keep looking though, you'd be surprised at what you might find. My CB550 was free. Out here where I live (in the country), Some of the old farmers will pass away, and the kids just wind up selling the contents of the barns. Motorcycles pop up on farms more often than ya probably think. If the rural life isn't far from you, check out barn sales. Even if they don't have any bikes, I've gotten some great deals on tools from a couple of 'em.

[bender01]

At least he called you! I talked my Dad (who wanted one too.) to check out a pair of 750s 3hours away! One way! He called the night before and arrived at 9 am. Then a guy came to look at them also. My dad said well Ill take them! and the owner told My Father he had Promised them to the other guy! Maybe he didnt believe my Father was driving so far. As far as I know hes never been to jail but i think it was close that day. Craigslist..It is what it is.. free. That doesnt seem to far off on price. Ive got around $2k +  on the bike in my avatar. Half on bike half on exhaust. The rest 30 years of missed maitenance.

[bikebitzofvt]

A bike's value is all in the eyes of the beholder. 

I picked up one of my 74 CB550's at a local fire department's annual fund raising tag sale for $50.00.  I would've paid $200.00 or so given the condition it was in but the chief wanted it gone   The speedo showed 4800 miles, last registration sticker was from 1981, last inspection was 1979.  The amount of filth from sitting in a barn was incredible.  It had a bunch of hideous 70's touring crap on it that came off and went into the dumpster.  I just tried to pull up a "before" pic but the wife lost it off the computer   Anyways, I cleaned the carbs and fuel tank, adjusted the valves, performed the rest of a full service, put in a new battery and a Dyna S ignition and had a rider.  Here's a pic at that stage:

I installed some tall shocks from a 82 CB750F, overhauled the front forks and installed some tapered roller bearings in the steering head.  Then I spooned on my Dunlop dirt track tires, bolted on some cool old pipes and a used stock seat bought off ebay.  All that and untold hours spent cleaning resulted in a great little commuter bike all for less than $600.00 invested.  It took a little over a year of spare time and lots of chrome polish, sandpaper, scotchbrite and elbow grease.

Here's a pic of how she looks these days:


That being said, I wouldn't part with it for less than $1200 as it sits today.  If I recovered the seat, finished the cosmetics and did some polishing, replaced the head gasket and weepy rubber pucks in the head, then applied some nice paint to the tank and sidecovers in my estimation I'd have a $2k bike.  Thats a lot more work and dollars invested for a $500.00 increase...

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[dhall57]

Good looking CB 550 bikebitzofvt. What a deal for $50. In first pic bike still has the factory pipes and they look to be in good shape. But in last pic bike has different exhaust, where the original pipes in bad condition so you had to replace them,  or you just wanted to go with non factory exhaust?

[shizzomynizzo]

The dollar amount of a 1975 CB550 varies from $0 to $3000 -ish depending on the care and maintenance done to it since it came off the showroom floor.

Additionally, the beholder also places a value on the object.  Some, wouldn't even accept a pristine bike as a gift.  Some are willing to pay higher than asking price due to lust for the object.

There is no way for even an experienced person to put a qualified value on a 35 year old machine without seeing it or examining it.

If you want to know replacement value, ask the insurance company.  KBB seems to think it's value is $390 in good condition.
http://www.kbb.com/motorcycle/trade-in/1975/honda/cb550/69099

All my running 550s are certainly worth much more than that to me.

Nada considers one worth a little more:
http://www.nadaguides.com/default.aspx?LI=1-23-38-5697-0-0-0&l=1&w=23&p=38&f=5698&m=0028&d=1500003186&y=1975&ml=H&z=48125&gc=AM&gtc=MC

[TwoTired]

The one I posted (KBB) is what a dealer should pay for one (or what and Ins co. would pay out).   
The NADA one is the retail price you would buy from a dealer.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

Thanks for all the replies, unfortunately..............

I talked to the guy selling it last nite and he said today I could come and look/purchase but not til after 11:30am and said I was going to be first one to look at it, that there has been a lot of tire kickers but not much interest in laying out the cash.

He calls me this morning around 9am and tells me a guy is coming with a trailer to look at it, then calls me at 10am and tells me its sold. Oh by the way it was on Craigslist.

I learned my lesson when a very nice CB350 came up locally on Craigslist for 300$. The ad stated clearly not to call before 5pm. I called at 5:02 and the bike had been gone for hours.

Now if I want one I persue it like a wolf. I thought playing by the rules would pay off, but someone more aggressive has the bike now. So far I haven't missed out on a bike for being too aggressive. To the contrary, I bought a 450 from a guy recently who said he sold it to me because I was the 'most persistant' 

[Gordon]

Yep.  Doesn't matter what the ad says.  The first person with cash in hand gets the bike. 

[Gordon]

I don't know about your insurance company, but mine goes by current market value, specifically what similar bikes (or vehicles) are listed for in and around the area. Bluebook has little affect on it. My camaro had a bluebook of 900. It was a decent 87 350 TPI, but had 180K miles. It was totaled and I sat down with the adjuster. He showed me the bluebook and I was astonished how low it was. He then pulled up traderonline.com, ebay, and the local classifieds section of the paper. We agreed on $4200. After my deductible I received a check for $3700

Now on my 550, I have a stated value policy so they will pay out WAY more than $300, without having to sit down and negotiate.

If your insurance only pays out trade in value, that's a load of crap. I would be finding a new insurance company. I would buy any vehicle I could for trade in value!

How much extra do you pay for the coverage over liability and how much would it actually cost to replace or rebuild your 550?  I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'd actually like to know. 

I only carry liability even on my K1, which is definitely the most valuable of my current three bikes, because the cost of comprehensive (with $500 deductible figured in) seems like more than it's worth over the course of several years of riding.  By putting the extra I would pay for comprehensive, let alone an agreed upon value, into my savings account, I have saved more than it would cost me to repair anything but a complete destruction of my bike.