Author Topic: Is there a Honda CB "bubble" or something? (Read 12637 times)

robdrobd · « **on:** June 07, 2011, 08:11:42 AM »

I have been looking ahead for next year's project already and can't find anything at a reasonable price. There's people on craigslist selling 750's for $1500 WITHOUT titles! Did I miss something, or is this just a fad? I have yet to pay over $500 for my titled projects, but I think those days are long gone. Is this a bubble, or the real deal?

Pinhead · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2011, 08:17:44 AM »

The price for gas is pushing the price of anything on 2 wheels through the roof. Try pricing a small "gas saver" bike and it'll amaze you; bikes that I'd buy for $200 aren't touchable for less than $1k.

Dyrden · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2011, 08:27:42 AM »

Ive been looking for a 750 project for a friend and I told him I couldnt find anything around for under 1500.00 Theres a guy in Weston selling a 750 for 14k.

phil71 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 07, 2011, 08:28:28 AM »

see this>?

TwoTired · « **Reply #4 on:** June 07, 2011, 08:31:11 AM »

The MC prices in spring and summer are always higher when the demand increases, aren't they?.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #5 on:** June 07, 2011, 08:37:36 AM »

I think it's the hipsters doing the cafe thing in a lot of cities. I was seeing all sorts of japanese cruisers going for $1000-$2000 and less, old japanese v-twins that would take a ton of work to sort out... but people are realizing what a wonder the engineering of the inline four really is, God bless 'em. Maybe someone will actually start coming out with neat aftermarket stuff for cb650s.

naaaah.

Greggo · « **Reply #6 on:** June 07, 2011, 08:39:31 AM »

Bubble...but I think the prices are trending upward anyway. Collectible classics at a fraction of the price of a classic car. I think the REAL collectible bikes of this group (the K0's and sandcasts) are going to hold their value pretty well. I think in a couple years there will be an influx of half (assed) finished project bikes on the cheap.

That's my .02, but I'm only 26, so...

Greggo · « **Reply #7 on:** June 07, 2011, 08:41:56 AM »

Quote from: TwoTired on June 07, 2011, 08:31:11 AM

The MC prices in spring and summer are always higher when the demand increases, aren't they?.

After a couple years of Craigslisting/ebaying, I think this holds true.

Frankenkit · « **Reply #8 on:** June 07, 2011, 08:44:19 AM »

Or maybe the venerable CB is starting to bubble the way old harleys have. Have you ever seen what vintage harleys go for? It's just unreal.

cookindaddy · « **Reply #9 on:** June 07, 2011, 08:50:43 AM »

Maybe this happens every year in the Spring? Prices go up when people think about riding?

I know that I bought mine in the early spring and paid far too much. Silly me.

Radam · « **Reply #10 on:** June 07, 2011, 09:04:18 AM »

I think the spring/summer thing has some to do with it. I bought my bike in November last year and got a good deal. Probably should have kept that parts bike though.

Toxic · « **Reply #11 on:** June 07, 2011, 09:06:34 AM »

Quote from: cookindaddy on June 07, 2011, 08:50:43 AM

Maybe this happens every year in the Spring? Prices go up when people think about riding?

This is not a recent spring price increase scenario, imo. Pricing has been trending upwards for the last couple of years, especially in Canada where the supply of them is much less.
If you want one, I think you are going to have to bike the bullet and get them while you can.
Interesting idea about there being a glut of nearing completed project bikes in a couple of years. I hope so.

gnarlycharlie4u · « **Reply #12 on:** June 07, 2011, 09:06:58 AM »

it's the hipsters. the "cafe" bike is the cool thing now so anything from that era is immediately more valuable. just a couple years ago it was nothing like this. but all of a sudden BOOM the prices of these bikes just exploded.

cookindaddy · « **Reply #13 on:** June 07, 2011, 09:25:44 AM »

I see. So I should sell my meticulously restored 78K 750 to someone who wants to make a cafe and take the big bucks and buy an old HD? (just kidding)

c(b)hris · « **Reply #14 on:** June 07, 2011, 09:44:43 AM »

when the prices get high enough (can't be much longer) maybe resourceful ppl building cafes will move on to another platform and take some heat off cb's. hipsters seem to have lots of money tho.
personally im hoping for the market getting saturated with half finished projects thing.
i haven't been around long enough to notice a big hike in prices, which i think means im part of the cause.

Operator · « **Reply #15 on:** June 07, 2011, 09:51:24 AM »

I think it is guys like me who grew up with dads and uncles and such riding these bikes can finally afford to buy one. I would buy a newer bike, and could afford one, but there is no sentimental value attached to it.

2 cents

Operator · « **Reply #16 on:** June 07, 2011, 10:21:49 AM »

I think we are all aware that the younger generation has the attention span of a cocker spaniel puppy, and will quickly move on to something "cooler", almost certainly leaving a trail of cheap and readily available parts for our creations..........can't wait!!

robdrobd · « **Reply #17 on:** June 07, 2011, 10:23:28 AM »

For the past three years I have purchased a project CB, fixed it up, rode it all summer, and then sold it in the fall. Using the money to buy my next project while pocketing a little profit. I am not doing the cafe thing (although I do chop a rusty fender once in a while. ) The whole reason I ask the "bubble" question is this; I have a 1977 cb400f (US model-Yellow)and was going to ride it all summer and then let it go in the fall. Maybe I should let it go now and hit the spring/summer crowd, or let the bubble keep rising? If I keep it I won't be able to afford a new project, especially with the way prices have gone up. Would anybody like to rent my 400f down south?

bollingball · « **Reply #18 on:** June 07, 2011, 12:41:35 PM »

You are going the wrong direction try Canada

cookindaddy · « **Reply #19 on:** June 07, 2011, 01:04:28 PM »

robdrobd - interesting logic. I suppose if you had the $, you could be keeping your seller bike until the spring but doing your buying in the fall. You'd have two bikes around for the winter, one in storage and the other you were working on. Otherwise you'd be missing out on the riding which might be the important part?

73hutch · « **Reply #20 on:** June 07, 2011, 01:58:30 PM »

alot of younger kids are getting into old hondas. call them "hipsters" or whatever. all older things with 2 wheels are cool. motorbikes, bicycles, and mopeds. people are paying alot for all of them. there's a big crossover from the skateboard community too. around here, alot of them graduate to a sportster after a year or so. i've been told i could get $1500 for my stock 77 cb550 that i paid $800 for a few years ago. tempting, but i'm going to hold on to it.

robdrobd · « **Reply #21 on:** June 07, 2011, 03:12:32 PM »

I think I might ride the 400 all summer and then store it for the winter as suggested. I think I may have missed the window already in Syracuse. It's supposed to be 96 tomorrow:) Well, I guess I better start saving for my winter project. Looks like it will be a real pile of junk this year

maxspeed140 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 07, 2011, 03:41:47 PM »

Theres a nice 550 that just came up on craigslist in our area

cookindaddy · « **Reply #23 on:** June 07, 2011, 03:44:14 PM »

robdrobd - it does not have to be expensive, or a pile of junk. Be patient and buy well. Take your time. You have a bike to ride. Forget talk of a "bubble". There are always opportunities waiting.

HondaMan · « **Reply #24 on:** June 07, 2011, 04:19:37 PM »

Quote from: Pinhead on June 07, 2011, 08:17:44 AM

The price for gas is pushing the price of anything on 2 wheels through the roof. Try pricing a small "gas saver" bike and it'll amaze you; bikes that I'd buy for $200 aren't touchable for less than $1k.

What he said...

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Author Topic: Is there a Honda CB "bubble" or something? (Read 12637 times)

bollingball