Author Topic: 1976 CB550K Near Seattle (Read 2169 times)

Duanob · « **on:** March 24, 2011, 08:39:32 AM »

Oops sorry wrong section.

I wished I would've been more patient. I figure I have at least $2000 into my bike and still have a long ways to go.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2279462055.html

1976 Honda 550/four - $2000 (sedro woolley)

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Date: 2011-03-22, 7:00AM PDT
Reply to: sale-vj2ek-2279462055@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

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1976 Honda 550/four.
12,320 original miles
runs perfect
showroom nice
have original crash bars, sissy bar, fairing and hard luggage box
$2,000

for more info please call 360-853-6973

flybox1 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 24, 2011, 08:46:06 AM »

...makes me feel kinda lucky i got my 350F for $1000

( only maint and tires needed too

)

these CB's arent getting any cheaper

neverendingproject · « **Reply #2 on:** March 24, 2011, 08:56:09 AM »

I've recently been wondering if those prices I see have been realistic, guess that confirms my suspicion. Would you happen to know if there's any demand for a CB500 in original condition with a nice "patina"? I'm considering picking up a project to ride for a while and turn around. Either that or do my best to get it into the hands of someone on here.

fletcha221 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 24, 2011, 09:07:04 AM »

What would be the fun in buying a bike thats done:)

I live outside Philadelphia, and finding CB's is becoming almost impossible. Since they have become so trendy, the prices have become completely ridiculous. Even though I've built a few, I hope the cafe racer fad goes away....soon. The first bike I built was a cb350f, which I bought for 100 bucks. It's not uncommon around here for people to getr $1500 for a non running 550. Running bikes go for around 2-3 grand. The inflation on these bikes had gotten way out of hand, especially when your insurance company thinks your bike is worth $700 anyway.

I love the SOHC's 4's, but for the price they bring, I think I might start building kz's. Anyone else feel the same way?

flybox1 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 24, 2011, 09:12:27 AM »

there's one guy on CL in WA whos been the topic of a few threads here.
he's got a snotty 500Four thats had several appearances on CL for as much as $1500, now i bellieve its $1050 IIRC.
there was a 550 out by me a week ago. titled, roughly running, and he wanted $300 quick for it. guess he needed to make rent. because my work schedule sucks, i couldnt go see it. it went quick tho.
you just gotta keep your eyes open.
might take 6mos for the 'right" one for you to come along.
My $.02 - if you do find one to turn around, keep it as stock as possible. it'll go faster...and let the next owner 'personalize' it.

krmtrains · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2011, 09:18:20 AM »

I plan to stick with Hondas. I guess we just have to dig deeper into those barns and garages. At least we are riding something that is going up in value, unlike most everything else I own! The 750s are really ridiculous, that's how I ended up with a 550. It seems like lately that even those are jumping. I think it's a combination of three things:

--increased nostalgia over things 70's in general. That stuff is now considered "old". I guess that means us too!
--rising gas prices, and people wanting to ride an inexpensive smaller machine to save money
--increase in population of people who remember those machines from their youth, and are now wanting to get back into them

Just my two cents worth. I'm glad we have ours, but I would love to find another one at the right price, so I will keep looking.

fletcha221 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2011, 09:23:23 AM »

Yep,

Don't get me wrong, I love the Hondas, and I love how simple and relatively easy they are to work on. However, when you are spending 2 grand for a non running bike and you have to put 2 grand into it.....thats some pretty rough math to swallow.

I was able to get a 750 for free, but it's a rust bucket with no title.

The sad part it, when I get this thing titled, some one will buy it for 3 grand.

http://750death.blogspot.com/

Duanob · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2011, 10:21:13 AM »

Quote from: flybox1 on March 24, 2011, 08:46:06 AM

...makes me feel kinda lucky i got my 350F for $1000
( only maint and tires needed too )

these CB's arent getting any cheaper

Fly I paid $900 for my 550 and it wasn't even running! Now I've got over $2000 into it total and I still have work to do like replacing certain chrome peices that are damaged from being down. I still haven't got it running perfect yet. In the long run I think $2000 for the bike mentioned here is a deal. It has half the miles mine does and if truely in showroom condition and runs then it's money well spent. I've found that parts for the 74 - 76 CB550Ks are hard to find and expensive relative to other old honda models. But I sure do like the looks of this particular year 550. I am thinking of buying this one and selling the one I got for what I can get out of it. I might be cutting my losses and and actually enjoy riding this summer instead of wrenching all the time. I now have the experience to know what I'm looking for in this bike. I'll never buy a non running bike again unless I plan on a total engine rebuild. Live and learn I have done both on my current bike.

fletcha221 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2011, 11:01:50 AM »

Don't sell it, seriously. If you plan to keep the bike forever, just keep plugging away. The 550 (in my opinnion) is the best bike of the SOHC's, and you will be proud of the end product knowing that YOU did it, not someone else. My whole rant is based around the fact that it's really hard to make money on these bikes anymore. 5 years ago you could pick a 550 up for a song, spend some time and turn it for a significant profit.

ANYWAY, I sold my 550 to a customer who insisted that I build him a cafe. Although the bike is cool, I regret selling it to this day. The 550 is on our site, check it out!

www.cendse.com

flybox1 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2011, 11:14:55 AM »

Quote from: Duanob on March 24, 2011, 10:21:13 AM

I'll never buy a non running bike again...

words i've heard many times....and will remember each time a bike comes along

Hey D, hope you hold on to your project, keep plugging away at it, and get that rider. $2k would be a stretch for me, but its probably worth it to you based on the time and cashmoneys you've got into your current wheels.

AND..you'll have a good parts bike if needed

later!

fletcha221 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2011, 11:18:00 AM »

Listen to Flybox...I think he's talked me off the ledge before!

jneuf · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2011, 12:12:32 PM »

Crazy hearing some of these prices...I suppose I got really lucky when I bought my bikes last summer.

Duanob · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2011, 08:32:30 PM »

Quote from: fletcha221 on March 24, 2011, 11:18:00 AM

Listen to Flybox...I think he's talked me off the ledge before!

Funny you guys mentioned this. I guess I just needed to spend some quality time with the beast. I haven't seen or touched in 3 weeks due to a bathroom remodel and a trip to Hawaii. The last time I worked on it I had installed my rebuilt head and got it running to find it making all kinds of racket, spilling gas all over the floor and still smoking like a old bar whore. I wasn't too impressed to keep working on it. I did pull the cam cover off to see what the racket was and left it like that.

Yesterday I put everything on the engine back together and made sure the cam chain was tight while I could see it tighten. Tonight I decided to pretty her up to keep up the affair. So I put on my tank and sidecovers I painted over the winter. I put on my new seat I just had recovered. Got her started up but she didn't run too good. I threw a timing light on and timed it. That helped a lot. Thern I decided I had time to throw a vac sync tool on and synced up a couple of carbs. That helped a lot. The top end rattle was gone and the engine revved up nice. I still get some smoke out of the exhaust but I'll give it a few miles and see if it vlears up. I know the valves, guides, and seals are new or in good shape.

Anyway I sat back and admired how good the bike looks. And now that it runs better I feel better. I just needed to spend some quality time. I know I know you guys want pics but it was dark by the time I finshed up so hopefully tomorrow I can get some good pics. Still have some things to buy like a right hand switch but FWIW I am happy with the results. Thanks for talking off the ledge!

fletcha221 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2011, 05:41:34 AM »

Nice man! Way to go.

I'll tell you what "two tired" told me once. I believe he said, it's not the bike that makes the frustrated mechamic, it's the mechanic" or something along those lines. I'm a terrible golfer, but I'd say building these things is a lot like golf. You can spend the whole damn day shankin the ball into the woods, water, etc, but it's the one great shot, the one thing that goes right that keeps you coming back.

Good luck man!

flybox1 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2011, 07:39:00 AM »

Quote from: Duanob on March 24, 2011, 08:32:30 PM

Anyway I sat back and admired how good the bike looks. And now that it runs better I feel better. I just needed to spend some quality time. I know I know you guys want pics but it was dark by the time I finshed up so hopefully tomorrow I can get some good pics.

post em up....we wanna see too!

btw...bad mechamics make me frustrated too, fletcha!

oldhondarider · « **Reply #15 on:** March 25, 2011, 07:48:20 AM »

Quote from: fletcha221 on March 25, 2011, 05:41:34 AM

I'll tell you what "two tired" told me once. I believe he said, it's not the bike that makes the frustrated mechamic, it's the mechanic" or something along those lines. I'm a terrible golfer, but I'd say building these things is a lot like golf. You can spend the whole damn day shankin the ball into the woods, water, etc, but it's the one great shot, the one thing that goes right that keeps you coming back.

Good luck man!

couldn't agree more! +1....

I still wrench and wrench... even if I don't get a lot done... it's still better that azz on couch watching TV...

I think I do it more for the time riding.... actually the time riding when I come up to others are just receipt mechanincs... I get a little smile from that.

I was with them once...wallet open..paying somebody else for simple wrenching...
now... I pay for parts, simple green and bandaids...

flybox1 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 25, 2011, 07:53:26 AM »

Quote from: oldhondarider on March 25, 2011, 07:48:20 AM

now... I pay for parts, simple green and bandaids...

+1

love it!

fletcha221 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 25, 2011, 07:57:47 AM »

HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

I just love the wrenching, period. I don't even have a motorcycle licence. It's really....REALLY dangerous riding around here.

To that list I would like to add work gloves, "Brakeclean", and GoJo.

Duanob · « **Reply #18 on:** March 25, 2011, 08:07:24 AM »

Quote from: oldhondarider on March 25, 2011, 07:48:20 AM

I was with them once...wallet open..paying somebody else for simple wrenching...
now... I pay for parts, simple green and bandaids...

Aint that the truth. Nobody has touched my bike except me since I've owned it. Mostly cause I couldn't find a reliable bike mechanic to save my life and I was forced to either learn how to fix it or scrap it and $900 down the drain. Frankly an old SOHC4 isn't as tempermental as a dual sidedraft Volvo-Penta boat I once had. I was able to fix that thing I figure I can fix anything!

Quote from: oldhondarider on March 25, 2011, 07:48:20 AM

It's still better that azz on couch watching TV...

I think I'll use that on my wife the next time she complains about me spending too much time playing mechanic! Thanks.

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Author Topic: 1976 CB550K Near Seattle (Read 2169 times)