Topic: Looking AT Buying '69 KO. Need opinions

[Joe Lawrence]

Build date 1/69.  Not sandcast.  #100099++ (Last sandcast was  #7500?) Need some help regarding what it's worth. No pics available.

a. Blue.....32,000 mi.,
b. Chrome pitting/surface rust,
c. Tank is darn near perfect
d.  Blue paint overall decent condition/bike needs complete cleaning.
e.  Side covers have crack(s)/1 is partly discolored from "mild abrasion"
f.   Air filter housing cracked, was replaced once already yrs ago,
g   All original except rims, still has one original rim (possibly both)
g.  Ducktail seat has tear/hole the size of a quarter toward the rear.
h.  Last driven 1980, does run & shift although I havent seen it run yet,
i.   Chain went through casing years ago.  Honda paid 100% of parts to fix it.
j.   2nd owner( since early 70's) is a mechanic.
k.   Has title
l.   Started after sitting since early 80's w/just a carbs cleaning.

   Guesstimates as to what it's worth and/or a price range.

   Ill tell you what he's asking after I get a few opinions.

  Thank you.

[flybox1]

BETTER NOT BE MORE THAN $3500!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/mcy/1985641390.html

[my78k]

Location, location, location....

You left out the most important part!

Dennis

[Bob Wessner]

Joe, you sure about that build date vs. the vin #?

[Joe Lawrence]

Hey guys, thanks for the prompt responses.

Bob, The number engraved on the frame was 1000099++.  Maybe I got too many zeros or not enough zeroes in there?  It's believe it's about 2,500 to high to be a sandcast?

Build date was definitely 1/69.  Do we know what the first build date was?  Didnt get the number off the metal tag where the build date is, but s/b the same?

No engine number (blank space where engine number s/b).  Casings were replaced years ago by Honda. Chain let go

[Duke McDukiedook]

Chain ripping into case would require new case or a welding job, take a very good look at this area that was 'repaired'.
If you don't have a chance to test ride it to make sure it runs the cost goes down significantly.

[markb]

Build date was definitely 1/69.  Do we know what the first build date was?  Didnt get the number off the metal tag where the build date is, but s/b the same?

Sorry, but 1/69 can't be correct.  Sandcasts were built 6/69 to 9/69.  The first diecasts were built in 9/69.  My K0 with number 12xxx has a build date of 11/69.
Mark

[Bob Wessner]

Had to dig out my copy of Mark Haycock's book, according to this, the first release was frame # 1000001 and engine # E1000001 on June 6, 1969.

[Joe Lawrence]

    I am thinking maybe it was 11/69 build date i wasnt gettign a clear view of it.  Definitely frame engraved number 100099++.  Almost #10,000  So it looks like this is consistent with an 11/69 build date?  Although I had plenty of inside light and a flashlight in hand, I was still kind of in a somewhat cramped place.

    The case component were replaced by Honda.  I think he said free parts only though.

    I would not buy it w/o seeing it run or at a significantly reduced price.

    So guys....please gimme a high and low price range based the limited info I have been able to supply.
Lets assume it does run. He said it did. Do tend to believe him.  Trust but verify and he know he understands that too.

    Thanx again.

[Duke McDukiedook]

No picys and no rideys with a title = $500, how about that?

If I had 10 bits for every time some dude says it ran 10, 20 years ago or all it needs is a carb fixin', well, I would have a lot of bits.

Talk is talk, either it runs and you ride it or not- that significantly affects the price in my mind.

Otherwise it is a parts bike, plain and simple.

[Joe Lawrence]

  I did say in my first post that it hadnt been started since the early 80's and he says that with a carb cleaning, adjustments, plugs, and points that it he did get it started and running right.  It will be taken out side and started and run once a price is agreed upon.

[the technological J]

i always offer 2/3 of the price i wanna pay.. but for that i would lay down 2000 in a heartbeat.... bring a wad of cash... it works as leverage dont hesitate flashing it and pretending to hold out.... all silence works in your favor.. hes the one who can panic... kelly blue book it( it will come up way short of real value) but it will be a good bargaining tool

[seaweb11]

It will be taken out side and started and run once a price is agreed upon.

What

[the technological J]

It will be taken out side and started and run once a price is agreed upon.

What

yeah on second look i would have a running price and not running price

[754]

 10/69.. is when it was built.

[Don R]

Sounds better mine was 11/69 and no. 10141XX

[Duke McDukiedook]

It will be taken out side and started and run once a price is agreed upon.

What

Ludicrous.

[Joe Lawrence]

       Meant to say a price will be decided upon contingent on it starting, running, and being fully operational.  If it doesnt live up to expectations, obvioulsy the price would be rehashed assuming I still see value in it.

       I said I'd tell you what he's asking.... which is $3,000.

       I was thinking of offering in the high 1000's...say 1700...  All the blue plastics airbox, both sidecovers are cracked and one side cover about 1/5 of the painted surface is worn away ).  For the time being I am thinking about just gettign it all cleaned up.  I Definitely plan on it being a keeper in my small collection.  Quite possibly someday giving it a 100% makeover.  As I said above most chrome is pitted and probably best to just rechrome.  Pipes however look good.  Did the early exhaust pipes not have parts number engraved on them?

       Would vibration crack the air boxes?  I never had cracked airboxes on my early and mid 70's CB 750's which of course are the standard black boxes vs. the colored boxes on early models.  I seem to recall the black air boxes maybe constructed somewhat differently possibly for better strength.  I cant recall if the airboxes are rubber mounted?  Probably also would possibly need front fork bearings with 32,000 miles on it.

    Thanx again to all who responded

     

[Duanob]

Frankly it all depends on how bad you want a K0. You could negotiate the $3000 but you should price out the parts you will need to replace and a decent paint job. Sometimes those things are really expensive and hard to find as I'm finding out with just sidecover emblems and body work/stock paint job for a tank. It's more than what I paid for my bike and I thought I paid too much! But K0's are in demand and hold value pretty well. It's a weird market right now and the near future is unknown. I'm always amazed at how much guys ask for nice clean vintage machines and I'm even more amazed at how much some guys pay for them! Good luck I hope you enjoy your purchase.

[Duke McDukiedook]

These forks don't have bearings in them, the wheels do though. If they roll and don't make noise leave them alone.
If i remember right the KO's had airboxes made out of ABS, gets brittle, cracks easily- the later black boxes held up a little better.

[Joe Lawrence]

    I was referring to the bearings in the steering head assembly.  Most 750's I have owned had issues with them once into 30,000+  mileage range

[754]

 Just in case you really dont know , what you have a chance to get there...

 The bike restored is worth 9K +..


 And you are wondering if it is worth around 3.. and its mostly there..!!

 And whether it runs or not is a deal breaker(for you)..

 And you are worried about maybe having to replace 30 bux worth of steering bearings..

 Just get it over with.. offer him 1700, and then he will never talk to you again...and someone else will be happy to get it...

 JMO..

[the technological J]

i would say your in love with the bike and offer him 2000 tell him its all you got... beg him for the bike (so hes not offended that your ripping him off) and if he doesnt come down tell him you might be able to borrow money from your grama.. but he might hint at a bottom line... this bike is my dream bike tho.... id sell my gram to get it for three thou

[Joe Lawrence]

  Let's see what happens. It's off CL today, probabaly b/c is it too old/expired.  on the other hand he said he wanted it gone by friday...today.  It was still  listed yesterday afternoon.  Money is a bit tighter now than justa  a couple of years ago for a toy like this.

  Good to know thats it worth 9k+ with a full resto.. I had figured 7k at least.

  Hey I assume you folks saw the Calif. CL listing for a sandcast (red I think) with very few miles on it.  Was on E bay went for   37,000 if my memory is correct?

   Thoughts or opinions??  I was  really surprised at such a high price

[Duanob]

"Money is a bit tighter now than justa  a couple of years ago for a toy like this."

you would never know it here on the west coast. There was a sandcast here in the seattle area that went for $41k! And all other cb 4s, people think are made of gold. I wished I would've bought just before the recession hit I think stuff would've been cheaper 4 years ago.