Topic: An Unusual Sandcast Situation

[Redrider969]

I may have the opportunity to purchase an almost complete sandcast CB750 minus only the engine and exhaust.  I've known the bike for over 35 years, and it's been well cared for.  Would anyone care to give me an estimate of what such a thing would be worth?

[Bob Wessner]

Without the engine, which makes it a "sandcast" it will pretty much be just a K0.

[HondaMan]

I'd suggest that you have a choice of the worst parts of the K0, there...the frames rusted around the lower engine mounts (inside the tubes) and the voltage regulators made the headlights strobe in the dark, the swingarm bushings are the smallest of all of the Fours, and the forks and steering bearings the weakest of all the CB750s. It's the engine, carbs, and pipes that are valuable on those bikes.  (IMO.)

 

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Agreed with Hondaman, Without the serial numbers correct sandcast engine it is just another K0.  Maybe nice with an early diecast engine installed and correct bits attached, but never a big money bike.  Under $1000 as described if the title is clean and correct.

[Redrider969]

So far, so good.  Believe it or not, somebody bought this bike to use the engine in a custom bike project.  I'm hoping they consider the leftovers to be junk.  I guess I was thinking that maybe the low frame serial number would give it special significance to a collector, but it sounds like the frame without the engine is just another frame, and not an especially good frame at that.  I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope the sellers see it the same way.

[HondaMan]

So far, so good.  Believe it or not, somebody bought this bike to use the engine in a custom bike project.  I'm hoping they consider the leftovers to be junk.  I guess I was thinking that maybe the low frame serial number would give it special significance to a collector, but it sounds like the frame without the engine is just another frame, and not an especially good frame at that.  I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope the sellers see it the same way.

Well, around Colorado, a titled frame is worth $400 because that's how much it costs to recreate a title. That may be worth the effort. I have several engines that would fit: Gammaflat has some nice K0 cases that could be a good start toward a pieced-together and real fun project.

[BeSeeingYou]

So far, so good.  Believe it or not, somebody bought this bike to use the engine in a custom bike project.  I'm hoping they consider the leftovers to be junk.  I guess I was thinking that maybe the low frame serial number would give it special significance to a collector, but it sounds like the frame without the engine is just another frame, and not an especially good frame at that.  I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope the sellers see it the same way.

Is it possible that the buyer doesn't really know what they have?  It's just some old Honda to them.  Otherwise why would someone do that as it's more valuable complete.  Find another newer and much better 750 and trade them that for that old pile of junk they bought.

[754]

The serial number makes a big dofference, the lower the more desireable..
 But.. burt.. also anything missing is more and HTF compared to late sandcast..
 Offer the guy a good 750 for what he has there..

[sandcastcb750]

The situation is probably more usual than you think. It is possible the chain munched the engine cases and the dealer or owner swapped the motor; way back when 40 years ago.

The value is a fraction of a complete sandcast. You might consider looking for a sandcast motor within 100+ #s of your frame.

The parts may be worth more than the complete bike, if a guy had a sandcast and motor frame combo and needed cosmetic parts.

[Magpie]

Parting it out, worth a ton. Just watch Ebay for the price of wrinkle tanks, cut fenders, guages, seat, short chain guard etc. I'd jump at it just on spec. because I have a low number motor looking for a home.
Cliff.