Topic: How important is mileage when buying a vintage CB?

[KJ]

delmar ... i want to hear your continuing story because i bought my first ... a 750 c5 and am considering someone to help me restore.  i want to ride a classic.  i already have a kawi c14 and a suzuki bandit 1250 ... these are my "reliables"

[Spanner 1]

The other option for 'a newb' would to buy a used sportbike of limited capacity from an established dealer, to minimise the ' taken advantage of' syndrome you have mentioned repeatedly in your posts and seem to be afraid of.... no experience etc., might be a good idea to see if you like motorcycling and it suits your personality and dedication to problem solving generally and specifically around small combustion engines.
That's what I would do.... if I was you

[Spanner 1]

  .... pranksters... but y'all go ahead.

[delmar]

I dont know what it is that draws me to these older bikes, but this was my fourth motorcycle purchase. I just cant get into the cruisers or crotch rockets. I was going to buy a 2010 SUZUKI TU250 x, but i thought the 250 engine would just be a tad too small. Its too bad they arent 350s.

but if i were you KJ, id stick with it workin with a manual and dansmc.com course. ive learned a lot and i dont think id of done it any other way. I really wantred a helping hand because i was overwhelmed, but the dude son here and others have been mighty helpful.

[few-regrets]

Ouch! Problem with 500/550s is that ya get almost all the weight and FAR less grunt. Average 350/4 or 400/4 will smoke it and handle a lot better too. And unless it's "showroom" that's a wee bit too many $. I've known guys that just LOVE 'em though. My oldest friend has one with 88k miles and while it smokes when ya start it, it runs like a scalded ape! My first street bike was K2 750 that I got 36 years ago. Never looked back. Hope it works out for ya.

[pdxPope]

Problem with 500/550s is that ya get almost all the weight and FAR less grunt. Average 350/4 or 400/4 will smoke it and handle a lot better too

 



-JP

[Stev-o]

Ouch! Problem with 500/550s is that ya get almost all the weight and FAR less grunt. Average 350/4 or 400/4 will smoke it and handle a lot better too.

If you're gettin' a 400/550 SOHC for speed or handling, you're in the wrong era!
Guessing you've never riden a Ninja!?!

[kck3]

His name is jeremy and he runs vintagehondacb.com

Still figuring it out! >_<

Reason why you dont pay someone to do a bike for you out of state and upfront:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/aos/2033051410.html

[argie69]

Take your time when looking, don't rush...
I was looking for a 74-76 CB550/750 when I saw a 78 CB550 on EBay that looked too good to be true, rode up to NY, strapped it down in the back of my pick up and the rest is history. All original and approx 1800 original miles

I would never buy anything without looking it over first
 

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Wow on that craigs list find.  I can tell this buyer was honest and sincere and not just going off half cocked on a misunderstanding.  It is too bad there are scum even involved in these old bikes.  Can't they just stick to real estate and law? wow.

[voch]

I paid 1600 for a CLEAN 6500 mile 550 with a clean title and NO problems.


should i flip it? lol

[Gordon]

Problem with 500/550s is that ya get almost all the weight and FAR less grunt. Average 350/4 or 400/4 will smoke it and handle a lot better too

 



-JP

+1

The average 350F ain't gonna smoke anything!

Don't get me wrong.  I love the 350F, but quick is not a word that ever comes to mind when thinking of the typical example.