Topic: Restore my bike or buy one thats in better condition?

[ateamsam]

I have a 1974 CB550 (sunrise orange) with about 38k miles on it.  I know its mechanically sound but it needs restoring in the looks department.    Heres what it needs
-Engine paint is peeling.
-Tank is faded on parts
-Side cover emblems are losing the white in the numbering
-The frame has some superficial rust at parts
-Chrome is ok but pitted on the mirrors
-The engine has a slight leak which dirties everything up.

Here's the deal.  I came across my exact bike (year, color, and all) that is in way better condition and has the original exhaust!  It has lower miles (under 14k) and has been maintained by the owner (performed the tuneup and all on his own and has been working on these Honda's for 5 years now (not sure if that's a good thing or not)).  Here is the link to his ad:
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/mcy/1883337912.html

I'm not sure if it makes sense for me to invest in my bike since it will cost more to get it to the quality of this one.  I'm confident I can sell mine locally for $1k and would have to shell out $1,500 for this one. 

What do you guys think the right move is?

-Sam

[laser145]

Depends on what you want.

I think a lot of members here enjoy working on their bikes and knowing that the bike is sound b/c they did the work themselves. If you know your bike is mechanically sound, I would probably opt to keep it and spend the money fixing it up. If you're not in a hurry, you can slowly pick up nicer parts of the web for decent prices.

What if you spend all this money on the new bike only to discover it has an oil starvation issue or a transmission problem... then you have different problems.

I do understand your feelings though. I've got a 750K6 that I've been debating keeping. On the one hand, I've only got $500 in it and it's in nice running shape (well it was until a week ago, but I'm working on that). One the other hand, it's engine has been opened up before by the PO, the electrical has been altered, etc...

Part of me would like to get rid of it and find a less molested bike. But it's always a gamble, you never know what you'll end up with.

Cheers

[TwoTired]

With bikes this old, you need at least two.  One to ride and one to work on.  It's OK to have both working, though. 
Any bike is going to look worse if it is ridden regularly.  It's called normal wear and aging.

It's really nice to have two bikes that are exactly the same.  That way, the part you need for the runner is always available.  The "work-on" bike will only be down while you locate a replacement elsewhere and you can still ride.

While these bikes are reliable when properly maintained.  You WILL have to work on them to keep them reliable (and nice looking).

If you don't WANT to work on them.  Then find a newer bike.

Cheers,

P.S. I'd bet he'd take $2000 (maybe less) for that pretty bike if you make a solid cash offer.

[laser145]

With bikes this old, you need at least two.  One to ride and one to work on.  It's OK to have both working, though. 

This is so very true...

I love to wrench, but I get really frustrated when my only bike is down and I don't have the skills to fix it quickly...

[ateamsam]

With bikes this old, you need at least two.  One to ride and one to work on.  It's OK to have both working, though. 

This is so very true...

I love to wrench, but I get really frustrated when my only bike is down and I don't have the skills to fix it quickly...

I heard that!  I don't have the tools, time or patience at the moment (or for the next 3 years at that) to wrench with the bike.  I can do the most remedial task (cleaning the bike, oil change, etc.), but when it comes to anything like performing a tuneup i'm toast. 
Ideally I'd like to be able to just ride it and take it in the shop for regular maintenace, which I know I can do with my bike.  It just seems like it could get pretty expensive to make my bike look like that.  I think i'm going to have to make the hour drive to check this out.

[SKTP]

That 550 looks frickin' clean

[BeSeeingYou]

With bikes this old, you need at least two.  One to ride and one to work on.  It's OK to have both working, though. 

That makes a lot of sense, maybe even three.....but how do you explain eleven?

[Retro Rocket]

With bikes this old, you need at least two.  One to ride and one to work on.  It's OK to have both working, though. 

That makes a lot of sense, maybe even three.....but how do you explain eleven?

11.....1+1.....=2.......Male logic....

Mick

[TwoTired]

With bikes this old, you need at least two.  One to ride and one to work on.  It's OK to have both working, though. 

That makes a lot of sense, maybe even three.....but how do you explain eleven?

Practiced in the art of collection.  Dismal in the art of sales.
Although I did manage to sell one bike three times. 

Anyway, 5 were given to me.  It's not my fault! 

Cheers,

[RAFster122s]

Maybe it is a situation of being bored with riding one each day of the week and he wanted a little more variety so he didn't need to repeat as often?
This way he gets to ride each about 3 times a month.


To have the space for 11 bikes...
I always wanted a nice large well appointed shop & garage with a nice house attached.

David

[Stev-o]

With bikes this old, you need at least two.  One to ride and one to work on.  It's OK to have both working, though. 

This is so very true...

I love to wrench, but I get really frustrated when my only bike is down and I don't have the skills to fix it quickly...

I heard that!  I don't have the tools, time or patience at the moment (or for the next 3 years at that) to wrench with the bike.  I can do the most remedial task (cleaning the bike, oil change, etc.), but when it comes to anything like performing a tuneup I'm toast. 
Ideally I'd like to be able to just ride it and take it in the shop for regular main tenace, which I know I can do with my bike.  It just seems like it could get pretty expensive to make my bike look like that.  I think I'm going to have to make the hour drive to check this out.

If you don't have the time or tools, I suggest you go forward with the purchase of the bike.

[Joksa]

A rule of thumb is, the more expensive a bike/car is to start with, the cheaper it will be in the end.

[ateamsam]

So I drove the 1 hour and 40 minutes to see this bike and compare today.  It is very nice and the guy was super knowledgeable about these classic bikes, but something struck me oddly about the paint, more specifically the decal on the tank.  I asked about the decal and he informed me that the painter decided he was going to just paint the design of the decal as opposed to putting it on and painting over it.  It looks clean and the work is 1st rate, but after coming home I did some investigating and found that he got the scheme wrong.  On my 74 CB550, as I assume all others, the decal has a gold strip, black, white, and I think black again.  This guys paint scheme of the decal omitted the gold.  I didn't realize it at the time so I didn't say anything, but it did seem slightly off.
Anyways, the exhaust looks great and it purred something really nice.  My boss (a.k.a. my common law wife), gave me the go ahead but i'm not sure if I should jump until I sell the one I have.
What do you guys think?

[JimJamerino]

Personally I'd go ahead and buy it, if I had the cash lying around.  You'll pour $1500 into the one you already have anyway, so... $1500 for a nice runner, or $1500 to work on yours.  Your call.

[Stev-o]

Make him an offer of $2K. Unless you plan on putting it into a concours show, the slight variation of the paint really won't matter [noone except a few guys on this site would even notice!].
Then put your bike for sale for $1500...

Good Luck.

[Zaipai]

I heard that!  I don't have the tools, time or patience at the moment (or for the next 3 years at that) to wrench with the bike.  I can do the most remedial task (cleaning the bike, oil change, etc.), but when it comes to anything like performing a tuneup i'm toast. 
Ideally I'd like to be able to just ride it and take it in the shop for regular maintenace, which I know I can do with my bike.  It just seems like it could get pretty expensive to make my bike look like that.  I think i'm going to have to make the hour drive to check this out.

Sounds like you made up your mind with this statement. Its a sweet looking bike, if it were me and I had the money I would get it. It seems to be in really good shape and you can always find some thing to do on it should the mood strike.

.: Scott :.

[ateamsam]

So, for the time being, I've decided not to buy the bike and just stick with what I have.  It took a while to decide because I had to factor in my likes and dislikes about the bike, my long term goal, and prioritize my some financial responsibilities and goals.  To tackle the first issue, I'm 6'1 and the bike is OK for me but terrible when I ride 2 up.  I'm planning on getting a bigger bike in the future and if I pick this one up I'd be that much further from getting a more fitting bike for my needs.  Also, I still need to finish college, get out of an apartment, and pay off my car.  It seems very unwise to invest in this bike when I have other obligations that are more pressing.  It sucks being an adult.

[Zaipai]

So, for the time being, I've decided not to buy the bike and just stick with what I have.  It took a while to decide because I had to factor in my likes and dislikes about the bike, my long term goal, and prioritize my some financial responsibilities and goals.  To tackle the first issue, I'm 6'1 and the bike is OK for me but terrible when I ride 2 up.  I'm planning on getting a bigger bike in the future and if I pick this one up I'd be that much further from getting a more fitting bike for my needs.  Also, I still need to finish college, get out of an apartment, and pay off my car.  It seems very unwise to invest in this bike when I have other obligations that are more pressing.  It sucks being an adult.

Personally I think it was the best decision you could have made given every thing else. Course I am currently paying for my step son's collage 4th year in the fall, and all the other expenses.. So I can appreciate your dilemma.

.: Scott :.