Topic: 1973 CB500 looking at...

[Elpresidente]

First of all... I'm a total newb.  The bike... 13,500 miles on it... dude says it runs good, road ready but needs new tires.  He put a new battery in it recently and replaced a leaky petcock.

If it's as advertised how much would be reasonable... he's asking 1300$.
Also what should I look for when I go see the bike?

[Elpresidente]

Some more pics... 

[shizzomynizzo]

Look for rust on the exhaust (underneath, side, etc...) Look for holes, bubbles, etc...If they look good, that is a plus. Those 4-4 are worth some money.

Look inside the tank for rust. If there is there will be some work to do there. Open up the master cylinder, or have him do it...be sure to not get brake fluid on the paint it will ruin it. Make sure the fluid is clear and clean, if it's not that will require attention too.

I would offer 800 myself, and work up to 900 or 950 tops, but that's me. Tires are going to run about 150 with tubes, and rim strips, plus mounting/balancing (with you removing wheels yourself should be 20-30 each). If the tank is rusty, or the brake fluid is nasty, I would knock off 50 to 100 for each problem from that offer. The spokes look rusted a bit, so expect to spend some time cleaning them but that is another issue to talk him down with.

The paint looks good from the pics, if it runs good, go for it.

Good luck

[Scott S]

 I thought $1300 sounded reasonable...til I read Shizzo's reply!

 Seriously, it looks OK and the price is still "sane". Check it out and see what he'll take.

 On the front downtubes, near the horn...what is that? Oil cooler or

 Edit: Looked at the bigger pics. Yep, that's an oil cooler.

[Elpresidente]

Thanks guys...    Very helpful, trying to look at it this evening... will post how it goes.

[Holden]

Just out of curiosity, where is it located?  Around here, that bike would be gone for his asking price or close to it.

[haill]

the bike looks good cosmetically, paint etc and is mostly stock, but things made of  rubber like brake hose lines, carb boots, clutch and throttle cables tend to go off with age and sun, so those need to be replaced. if the motor is running smoothly, no cam chain slop,  primary chain stretch and shifts gears well, then the price is reasonable.
they always need parts and a going over, but that bike looks like a good start, with some cosmetic work, getting it all back to it's former glory.
PS. it has had the rear shocks replaced, which is good, for the originals weren't up to much.
Also check the wiring that it hasn't been hacked/spliced or shows signs of corrosion.
it's missing the seat strap and the headlight ears have been changed.

[Elpresidente]

Well...  1100 was the price.  Pick it up tomorrow.   Sounded good... mist if the rubber looked really good or replaced.  The inside of the tank looked as though it had been coated, no rust in it.  Seemed solid.

[Elpresidente]

Oh, Richmond, va. 

[Randy]

I have the same year and color...I paid 500 for much less than that... Bike didn't run.tank, the pipes were wasted, no air box...

[Elpresidente]

She's ran 26 miles in almost two years...  Fires up good though.  I have not had time to do anything but that.  (did notice a silver dollar size oil spot behind the center stand this morning)
Brake fluid looked clean, tank looked clean, oil dirty, tires hard...  thought about driving it to the shop for a look over (and tires).