Topic: Honda CB550 --- Where/How?

[Cafe Gator]

I'm a college student pursuing a Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Florida. I've never really cared much for motorcycles until one day I was passed by a cafe'd out Honda and I felt that grease start flowing through my veins!

I want to get a bike and start working on it. My question is where do y'all find these $500 "barn finds"?! It's driving me nuts. I have checked every city that Craigslist has to offer, and they don't have anything in all of Florida. The ones I do find the owners want like $2,000 for them.

This art of barn finding completely eludes me. Helpful comments?

[captaincrash80]

It mainly depends on the saturation of bikes in your area. Florida has pretty nice weather year round which probably helps keep the prices higher. Here in Kansas you can find some cheap bikes during the winter and such, but you still gotta keep your eyes open for whatever may pop up. 

[Bakeoff]

I've found them on Craigslist (be patient, but check it frequently and have cash ready. The deals disappear fast!) and even run across them just from talking to other bike guys.  If you mention you're working on an old Honda, someone either had one and loved it or has one their wife wants them to get rid of.  Just gotta keep your ear to the ground, chief.  Wait...that's racist...   

[rickmoore24]

Yep, CL is best. But be ready to swoop when you find one. They get scooped quick, so put your money (in cash) aside. Then bring a truck, ramp and a buddy. 

Rick

[oldrider]

I found my 1975 CB550K last October on the front lawn of a large home in the center of my home town. I picked it up for $300 with only 8730 miles on the odometer (see photos). I rewoking the Carb (bad shape) and the brake system  is next on my list. Everything else checks out ok so far.

Two weeks later while riding up in the the North West Hills of Connecticut I came across a CB Hondamatic with Vetter fairing complete but in need of alot more work than the one I scored for $500.00. You just have to keep looking and put the word out to friends and family that you looking for an old bike to build.

[luap]

post a wanted add cb550 on cl post it under motorcycles an under the for sale.. thats what i did and got a runner for 400.00.and by the time i deleted my add i had 5 bikes to choose from the cheaper the bike the more money you have for new parts

[fmctm1sw]

I have checked every city that Craigslist has to offer, and they don't have anything in all of Florida. The ones I do find the owners want like $2,000 for them.

Welcome to my world!  I theorized once that folks in these parts opted for boats instead of cycles for recreation.  Most of my bikes came from western PA/Ohio/WV.  I did luck into a 750 and CT90 here though (sans titles as it was).  I'd keep an eye on the Ocala area or Atlanta.  Those are probably your best bet for finding one.  I see things there every once in a while...

[mrrch]

Are there any barns in Florida?
Just kidding.

[fmctm1sw]

Are there any barns in Florida?
Just kidding.

I was going to make that comment too 

BTW:  http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/mcy/2242231238.html

[Cafe Gator]

Thanks for all the helpful comments y'all have left me! It seems I just have to be extremely vigilant with Craigslist.

Can't wait to get a bike! Thanks again guys.

[johnsy]

find a local gathering too...we have First thursdays here in Minneapolis usually a couple bikes for sale or you can ask someone at your local show with one where you might be able to locate one. I found mine by stopping in a Architecture  Salvage business. the guy had a Duc sitting out front and we got to talking and he pointed me to one.
good luck

[Kong]

The way you find them is you talk to everyone, you tell everyone you know you're looking for an old bike parked away in someone's garage, or shoved out in the back yard with a tarp over it.  Tell your mailman, mention it to the UPS guy who services your area, talk in your sleep about it - and look at Craig's list at least twice a day.  If your community has a local paper advertise in it (wanted, cheap honda with a title), and if not see if there are community bulletin boards you can post on and read from (there's on in our Post Office)  Then chase down every lead you get.  Oh, and don't forget E-Bay.  If you're prepared to drive two or three hundred miles, one-way, it goes a long way's toward scoring a bike.

My own experience makes me a "no title, no deal" kind of person.  You decide for yourself on that one but find out what it will take to get a title in your state before you even consider a bike with questionable paper.  Other than that keep enough cash immediately available to jump on a deal the moment it appears.