Topic: Early sandcast 750?

[750K4]

I ran an ad in the local paper looking to buy a CB750. I got several calls, and went to look at what was desribed as a 1970 model. It has 39,000 miles. It is in a tumbledown garage, covered with dust and debris. The bike is partially disassembled, but appears pretty complete from the inventory I took while evaluating its condition. The owner has removed the engine to replace gaskets. The paint is faded, but the tank is undented and not rusty inside. Sidecovers are broken and unusable except for the emblems. Airbox is intact, undamaged, and is painted the same color as the tank (red). The frame is greasy, but unrusted. The headlight, turn signals, taillight, chrome, and instruments are there and in pretty good shape, except for the tach lens which is damaged. The horn is mounted on the left side of the frame. The key switch is on the left side of the frame, under the fuel tank. It has a cheap fiberglass fairing/windshield, and a set of slip-on white fiberglass hard luggage bags. I wrote down the VIN and, upon further research, discovered what I believe may be an early CB750 w/vin CB750 100034XX. The engine has had the crankcases replaced, due to chain breakage early in the bike's life, and as a result has no engine number stamped into the pad where there is usually a number. The owner has had this bike since 1971.
From this VIN, is it a sandcast model? (I realize the sandcast engine cases have been replaced.) Anyone want to make a guess as to what I should pay for this bike? Would it be worth more parting it out? I hate to pass on it if it is an early bike. Thoughts, anyone?

[KB02]

Grab it!!! Save it!!! Don't tell him that it could be a sandcast and figre out what to do with later.

Offer him $100. See what he thinks.

[Bob Wessner]

Sandcasts went to 10007415 or there abouts. However, with newer cast and unnumbered cases, a great deal of value re:  "sandcast" is gone. However, there may be other parts that would truly set it apart as an early 750 within the sandcast range that could make them valuable in themselves. For instance the side cover emblems as orig. are of value, if the fuel tank has a wrinkled bottom (you could see this through the filler hole) it is also valuable. The horn on the left side is consistent with a very early 750. As to it's worth, or the max you should offer, hard to say without seeing and inventorying what is there and orig. as well as each parts condition.

[Raul CB750K1]

Go check the old posts, but recessed ignitions, short chainguard, wrinkle gas tank and non-lip front mudguard can each one alone sell for more than 100 bucks.

Raul

[750K4]

OK. You guys convinced me. Even though I don't need another project, I offered the guy $100 for it. We shall see. How can I go wrong at that price?

[Bob Wessner]

If you get it for $100 and it even has a few of the original parts in fair condition, you have made a good deal. 

[Raul CB750K1]

Man, I thought that barn finds didn't exist anymore!!!

I don't think you will have much trouble finding the part. Most of the engine internals are interchangeable and still available new from Honda.

Congratulations!!! Can you post some pics of the basket case?


Raul

[750K4]

I will finally bring this thread to a close.
After chasing him for weeks, the guy finally called me back when I raised my offer from $100 to $500. A couple more weeks went by, then he called me again and said he'd found the title and was ready to sell. Not wanting to miss out on this bike, I agreed to go over last night and pick it up. We spent the better part of two hours digging it out from the dingy old garage. We had everything pretty much loaded up in my pickup when I realized something was missing. The head was missing one of the camshaft holder assemblies. There are two pieces bolted to the top of the head, and he only had one. We looked high and low for it, but came up empty. He grew quiet and apologetic, explaining he had thought everything was there, and he had no idea where it could be. He said he'd have to give me some of the money back. I agreed and imagine my surprise when he handed me $400 back from the $500 I'd given him. He said he just didn't feel right after all we'd been through!

So I'm now the proud owner of Sandcast #3412, minus one Camshaft Holder, Honda part #12010-300-020. Is anyone out there familiar with interchangibility of this piece from the early motors with anything newer? I need one if you have one lying around. Here's a pic of the part that is missing it's #1 or #2 in the photo:

[Raul CB750K1]

When posting, select "Additional options" and include the pictures. They must be small, <128kbytes, otherwise will be rejected.

Raul

[SteveD CB500F]

Go to the new Gallery: www.sohc4.net/gallery and register there using the same name and p/w.

You can create a personal album and post loads of pictures of "before" and "after"

PM me if you have any trouble