Topic: Honda CB750

[eithr]

Wanting to avoid further debt, I've decided to stick with used vintage bikes rather than finance a modern bike (was considering a Harley come spring time). Currently, my running bike is a 1976 Suzuki GT380. And, I'm working on a CB350F (currently stripped to the frame). I'm considering looking at either a Honda CB550 or 750 or Suzuki GT550 (cause I love the two-strokes).

Some one just posted a 1970 CB750 for sale, in the area. List price is super low, in my opinion. Seller claims that low price is due to the chain snapping at high speed. What kind of damage might occur when such a thing happens? At $500, would this be a potentially worth while purchase?

[Gordon]

Chain breaking at speed generally results in a large hole in the engine case, which means time for new cases.  If you're looking for a good project bike that may be a good one, but the cost of getting it back on the road will depend on many things other than just the broken cases.  

Regardless, your total cost for a good-running, reliable sohc4 isn't going to be cheap, whether you buy it in good condition or get a project and bring it to good condition.

[sangyo soichiro]

^ What Gordon said.  And if there isn't a hole in the case, it still may be cracked.  You wouldn't see the crack if there's grease and dirt built up in there either.

[Spanner 1]

+1 on all above , also engine may be damaged by revving thru' the roof !! when the chain snapped if the rider wasn't very quick to shut the throttle..... can you start the bike and listen to it ?

[my78k]

psssttt.....Spanner, careful he only has 20 posts man!!


edit - sorry forgot to include many smiley faces so here they are:             

Dennis

[Hondawggie]

Wanting to avoid further debt, I've decided to stick with used vintage bikes rather than finance a modern bike (was considering a Harley come spring time). Currently, my running bike is a 1976 Suzuki GT380. And, I'm working on a CB350F (currently stripped to the frame). I'm considering looking at either a Honda CB550 or 750 or Suzuki GT550 (cause I love the two-strokes).

Some one just posted a 1970 CB750 for sale, in the area. List price is super low, in my opinion. Seller claims that low price is due to the chain snapping at high speed. What kind of damage might occur when such a thing happens? At $500, would this be a potentially worth while purchase?

Buy it.  Worth it in parts alone.
If you're lucky it's a sandcast that shows (for whatever reason) a 'date first sold' in 1970.

Also, since it sounds like you can work on bikes, no fear you can get it running.
If you can't get it running you can part it next spring/summer and at least double your money.

If the economy really improves next year, you could quadruple your money in parting it.

Me personally?  I am not the parting-out kind, I like the vintage riding experience and the fact that
unlike a new bike, you can buy a vintage machine and sell it in a few years for at least what
you paid for it.

Good luck and DONT WAIT GRAB THAT SUCKER NOW
if I'm in your area and I get there first (just kidding).

[eithr]

Awe. Is 20 posts not so hot?

I haven't seen the bike in person yet, but this definitely gives me some good things to look for if I do. Thanks for the thoughts.

These 750's are pretty nice bikes, right? For an old bike... I'm interested in doing longer rides, which is one reason for my interest in a bigger displacement bike. Also, four-stroke bikes seem a bit better for touring as I'll need to carry less oil and stop less frequently. What's the furthest you've ridden on a vintage bike?

And, I'm getting a feel for cost with fixing up this CB350F, my buddy and I are working on. I paid a little much for it up front, for the condition, but such a cool bike. I'm thinking we'll get away with just a few hundred dollars in parts... most of this is going to be labor hours spent in a cold garage this winter.

[eithr]

I need to email/call the seller to get some more info, but sounds like the engine and frame are original to 1970, but the rest of the bike might be collaged together from more recent 750 bikes. Email time!

[Spanner 1]

20 post's is fine  .... it's all about attitude of new posters, some can be very hot-headed little gits and need to be admonished for their complete lack of manners... and I will do it  .....however , no sign of a bad attitude from yourself, so plenty of help available here IMO...... ( As usual , just my opinion, not trying to represent anyone else )......

[mycb750k6]

If you are wondering if you could get away with driving it the way it is, the answer is probably not. If the chain snapped, it likely smacked the case and either punctured it or cracked it just where the chain wraps around the front sprocket. Do yourself a favor and take a look. Otherwise as others have said, it's worth five bills as parts.

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Cases may be tig welded in that location by a competent welder.  Tough to do on the bike but not impossible. $100 bucks and vrooom vrooom again............

[1974CB750rider]

Don't buy that junk you'll regret it instead give me the guys address and I'll take the burden for you. Just kidding go snag it and bring it back to life.

[Accolay]

Welcome aboard!
Now...

Wanting to avoid further debt, I've decided to stick with used vintage bikes rather than finance a modern bike (was considering a Harley come spring time)

Don't worry! You can go into debt just as fast with the old bikes as you can with the new ones! Heh! Just as long as you keep to your budget and fix the things that really need fixing, you'll be ok.

[Stev-o]

Go look at it, bring some engine cleaner with you.
Pull the sprocfket cover off [may need a hammer & impact wrench]. Look around the front sprocket [clean, if necessary], if you see damage, and the rest of the bike looks great, make him a reduced offer.
If you're not into engine rebuilding, you could always drop another motor in it.

What year is the bike? The early models are worth $$$, even in non-running cond.