Topic: New to Forum, new to SOHC-4 - advice...

[Nortstudio]

Hello folks,

I am new here to the forum, and just getting back into riding after a LONG time away.  Wanted to introduce myself, and thank you all for the amazing info, provided here on the site.

I have been looking to get a bike recently, something inexpensive and rather imperfect (looks wise) for use in the NYC area.  Notorious theft rates, a bike that is 'easier' to fix, my little experience years ago with Honda's, easy access to parts, etc have led me toward the CB series.

I have looked at a couple 2-cylinder models, but now have found a pretty good price (seems to me from research) on a 1976 CB550-4(K).  I have read just about all I can from this site (great resource folks!), and have searched around the internet for some other info.  This particular bike is certainly visually imperfect (based on photos - I will be seeing it in person tom'w), but the price is right.  It currently runs, and the owner uses it on a regular basis for commuting.  He had planned a full restore on it, and then got bogged down with other bikes.  He has several bikes, and seems cool (as best you can tell from a phone call - we have mutual acquaintances).  It has new chain, battery and rear tire, because he was planning on keeping it before he bought "another" Harley.

I guess my question is: are there obvious things to look out for on this particular year/model?  I have read and printed the "Buyer Beware" section here on this site, and have a pretty good, general page about buying a used motorcycle from Clarity.net.  But I would love to hear the experts advice about these exact bikes.  

I want something that I can ride, and something that I don't have to worry about too much, without a bit of wrenching myself (at least at first).  I would like to use this bike to help me understand more about the mechanics and workings of motorcycles in general, but know that it will take some time.  I am fortunate to have 3 very respectable shops, within blocks of my home, in case I get in too far over my head.

Am I opening up a huge can of worms with the added 2 cylinders/carbs etc, in terms of learning to fix this bike myself?

Are the parts for this model interchangeable with other years 550/750's?  I see a ton of CB750 (and sometime CB550 from other years) parts out there, but fewer specifically for the 1976 CB550K.

Are there things that, if present tom'w, you would say "walk away?"

Thanks for your time and consideration.

[scunny]

they can all have their wee problems, most of these relate to how they have been treated. in my humble opinion, if it looks good and runs ok buy it.

[bollingball]

Your ears will tell you just about as much as your eyes.

[Nortstudio]

Thanks for the reply. I don't know if it "LOOKS" good . It's old and worn, and as I said, for Brooklyn, I'm ok with that. If I want to fix the look of it as I go, great. But first and foremost, I want a mechanically solid machine. It can become my baby later

If the seller is solid, it should run ok. He seems it, so i feel pretty good about it  I'm sure I will want to start tinkering immediately, but want to make sure that will be possible with this particular year/model.

Any idea what the going rate should be for this bike?  I read somewhere about $1 per CC. Does that still make sense.   He is asking $650 on craigslist - so maybe he will work with me a bit.
 

[Nortstudio]

Your ears will tell you just about as much as your eyes.

Any basic hints for listening?  Sounds like solid advice (pun intended!).

[TwoTired]

With routine maintenance, these bike are very reliable in stock condition and maintained regularly.  
And THAT is usually the rub.  Most have had mods made to them (with unknown competency)  and the routine maintenance is often neglected during its 34 years of existence.

If it looks beat and neglected, it probably is.  They can all be returned to reliable status with the proper attention and money.  How much attention and money is directly related to it's history.

Buying to a price point without considering condition is almost certainly doomed to failure.  Everything you have to do to make it reliable adds to the initial cost.  It is quite common for owners to realize the cost of the work needed and sell the bike for max dollars instead of applying the needed repairs. The more inexperienced the buyer the better price the seller can usually get.   Don't mention the problems and the buyer may not notice until after the sale.

There is a long list of items that taken together say "worn out".

Example:
I bought a 76 CB550F for $300 not running.  I got it running the next day.  Another $1000 in parts, (exhaust system, seat, tires, chain, sprockets, carb kits brake bits, an electrical harness makeover, a new cylinder cover and cam, and a bunch of "little things"), and it became a reliable bike I wouldn't hesitate to drive from coast to coast.

I've gotten better deals, I've gotten worse deals.  But, the above is probably "average".

I don't think it is typical to get $600 bike and then drive it coast to coast.  But, after 34 years, it depends on the bike.

Cheers,

[Duanob]

I paid $900 for mine on fixer condition. The guy couldn't even get it running but I bought it anyway.

The problem is some things may sound like crap but can be fixed or adjusted easy enough (cam chain, tappets) but some things can't without tear down (bent valves, bearings, tranny). If you have a nice dry and heated place to work on it and a few tools then you might be OK. I'm in the same boat as I bought the 1976 CB550K and I haven't been on a bike in a long time. For city riding they are fun. I haven't taken mine on a twisty highway yet but I imagine it will be even more fun. As far as the freeway well they aren't much fun no matter what you drive. Long, straight, and boring, and full of state patrol. So far it's a blast to get back on a motorcycle again.

[bollingball]

Try to find someone to go with you that knows even if you have to pay.  

[Nortstudio]

Thanks. That all makes sense. I know I don't want to be falling into the "too good to be true" trap. I hope to have a bike that will run well locally, and then, after getting into some finer points, something that will then take a more coast to coast type trip.

That being said, the seller seems realistic about the value being dictated by the surface/visual wear. He did not hesitate to mention the things he might fix if he were keeping it. The fact that he replaced the chain, rear tire and battery (he seemed bummed because he said he did this while believing he'd keep it), leads me to feel decent abou the running shape of this bike. But that's gut feeling obviously.

Told me that if I just wanted to ride it, it would be fine as is. If I want it to look restored, another story.

If this is all true (I'm not trying to be naive), does $600 seem like a reasonable price? I guess if Duanob got his for $900, I might be in a decent place

[Nortstudio]

All of these responses have been incredibly helpful.  Thanks.

I think my next question would be:

For this bike, at this age, and 12,000 miles, what would be the first things to look to replace/need replacing?  I know some of your suggestions may depend on whether the owner has done it already, but basic idea of what to look for would help.

Currently, the rear tire, chain and battery are less than one month old.  Seller said i should replace the air filter.  What would be next?

I really appreciate all your help folks!

[bollingball]

Get the factory service manual and do a complete 3000 mile tune up.

[Nortstudio]

This service manual is posted on this site.  Although it doesn't list it as 1976 specific, is it good form that year?

http://www.sohc4.net/index.php?q=content/books-manuals-guides

Thanks

[Gordon]

This isn't a rule I typically go by, but time and time again, with all of the 70's era bikes I've bought and brought back to what I consider roadworthy condition (and just because a bike runs doesn't mean it's necessarily road worthy) I almost always end up spending around $1000 including the purchase price, no matter what the purchase price was.  Tires, chain and battery are things I always replace when I buy an old bike, so you could subtract $150-$200 from that, since they've already been replaced, with the exception of the front tire.    

[Nortstudio]

This "rule of thumb" definitely jives with what I was hoping to spend.  I would be happy to have that as a starting point, and if/when I decide to take it up a notch, that's fine too.  I am hoping that I can get the purchase price down a bit to give me a little wiggle room with the immediate fixes.

That's my next step, getting a good understanding of the 3000 mile checkup that was mentioned earlier.  If I can take care of the basics mentioned for that, coupled with the new parts already installed, sounds like i will be on my way toward a healthy rider that will hopefully bring me a ton (measurement, not speed of safe, fun riding.

[Duanob]

I haven't heard the mention of a title or not. I think $600 for an untitled bike is too much. I see guys around here trying to sell untitled vehicles for as much as titled ones and then claim the title is "the buyer's responibilty" or "It's easy to get a title"

BS! If it's so easy then why didn't the seller got off his lazy ass and go get one? And in our state it is the Seller's responsibilty 'by law' or buyer beware. I prefer buyer beware when it comes to titles. I won't touch it without one.

[Nortstudio]

It supposedly has a title. It's one of the first things I asked.

I have a vintage vespa from 1962 that I bought a while ago, and researched the whole "before a certain year, NY doesn't issue title.". Turned out to be true, as long as you have a registration that can be signed over and a bill of sale signed by all parties.

This bike isn't that old, so I would not open the can of worms that accompanies no title. Not worth the hassle.

I'm waiting for the seller as we type....

We will see.....