Topic: the ones that get away

[Leganto]

Last week I watched a good looking, strong running CB750 on Craigslist go for 1000.

Today, I see another one going for 550.  The sad part is I don't have the cash on hand. I would love to have a 750.

I just hope that when I do have the money, the good deals will still be out there.

Do you think the well will dry up any time soon? Or will there be hidden barn bikes out there for awhile yet?

[Tews19]

welcome and yes there are plenty of bikes out there.. Dont worry usually now is when people try to get ride of their bikes after beating the piss out of them during the summer.... Prices will be lower but always keep an eye out for a diamond in the rough.. Look up my two bikes on here.. 78 550 I bought for 700, sold almost 400 of extras from it so far... Its my avatar right now... .. be patient and look around.

[dhall57]

Don't give up Leg, your dream bike is out there keep looking and talk to people and ask them if they know of anybody with old motorcycles. You will be surprise how many do. Ive been there done that just like you. Here's a red KO that got away from me in 2009 at a auction sale because like you I didn't have the money. I didn't give up and 5 months ago here is the KO I brought home. You just don't know what the next day holds

good look finding a bike
dhall

[Gordon]

Don't worry.  Once the current fad is over many of the people who bought these bikes for that purpose, but didn't have the knowledge or desire to actually put any work into them, will be selling them cheap just to get rid of them.  The rest will be the barn finds of the future.   

[DavePhipps]

Don't worry.  Once the current fad is over many of the people who bought these bikes for that purpose, but didn't have the knowledge or desire to actually put any work into them, will be selling them cheap just to get rid of them.  The rest will be the barn finds of the future.   

Here's one of those examples where it just didn't work, and will probably be sold cheaper later
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cafe-racer-CB550-Project-80-complete-/280743209844?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item415d996b74

[Greggo]

Don't worry.  Once the current fad is over many of the people who bought these bikes for that purpose, but didn't have the knowledge or desire to actually put any work into them, will be selling them cheap just to get rid of them.  The rest will be the barn finds of the future.   

Here's one of those examples where it just didn't work, and will probably be sold cheaper later
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cafe-racer-CB550-Project-80-complete-/280743209844?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item415d996b74

Woof.

[RustyStuff]

Don't worry.  Once the current fad is over many of the people who bought these bikes for that purpose, but didn't have the knowledge or desire to actually put any work into them, will be selling them cheap just to get rid of them.  The rest will be the barn finds of the future.   

Trolling the local Craigslist shows me that everyone near by wants too much for any bike. $900 for a Honda CT70 mini bike? 

[KingCustomCycles.com]

Don't worry.  Once the current fad is over many of the people who bought these bikes for that purpose, but didn't have the knowledge or desire to actually put any work into them, will be selling them cheap just to get rid of them.  The rest will be the barn finds of the future.   

Here's one of those examples where it just didn't work, and will probably be sold cheaper later
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cafe-racer-CB550-Project-80-complete-/280743209844?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item415d996b74

Woof.

Now doesn't that look comfortable........good night what a disaster.

[CycleRanger]

Don't worry.  Once the current fad is over many of the people who bought these bikes for that purpose, but didn't have the knowledge or desire to actually put any work into them, will be selling them cheap just to get rid of them.  The rest will be the barn finds of the future.   

Here's one of those examples where it just didn't work, and will probably be sold cheaper later
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cafe-racer-CB550-Project-80-complete-/280743209844?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item415d996b74

His girlfriend says it's gotta go?   Bahahahaha!

And yeah, what is up with the crazy prices for the 50-70-90cc bikes?
I'm seeing that around here too.

[Trav-i]

Too bad, I feel sorry for that bike.   Lawerenceville is just 30 miles or so south of where I live, if I had some free cash I would love to save it from that god awful tank.  Maybe another day.

[RustyStuff]

Don't worry.  Once the current fad is over many of the people who bought these bikes for that purpose, but didn't have the knowledge or desire to actually put any work into them, will be selling them cheap just to get rid of them.  The rest will be the barn finds of the future.   

Here's one of those examples where it just didn't work, and will probably be sold cheaper later
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cafe-racer-CB550-Project-80-complete-/280743209844?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item415d996b74

His girlfriend says it's gotta go?   Bahahahaha!

And yeah, what is up with the crazy prices for the 50-70-90cc bikes?
I'm seeing that around here too.

Theres been a few honda express mopeds that people want $500 for, that don't run. $1500 Trail 90s that need carb work. $1000 125cc early 80's enduro's that don't run. $1500 100cc kids atvs and dirt bikes.  Theres a kawi enduro that they want $350, with a sized and blown motor. :/ Wtf. I was just at a junkyard, asked if they had any bikes. They told me no. Right out the door in a fenced in area are some classic cars, and...... 2 honda bikes.A Cb750f and a honda 350 twin "sport" all messed up and sitting in the weather. Ask about them and am told they are waiting for the right person with deep pockets. :wtf: the 750 had been in an accident, forks were messed up and and the frame looked tweaked.
It's stupid.

[72500john]

i know what you all are talking about.. just bought a 72 500 and at the same time a friend turned me onto a 400 four for 300 bucks!! only so much in the piggy bank.
was going to get it but it was gone. oh well one project at a time.

[Five Five Oh]

Hey all, what's up.  I've been browsing this site for about a week and figured this is where I'd make my first post.  This one is about the one that didn't get away.... In my fathers shed is a 1971 450 scrambler, speckled red. He had this bike before I was born. It worked till about 1983 or so then was seized and so it still sits all these years later with the squirrels living in it.   My lil bro and I bastardized whatever parts from it we could fit onto z50's and mopeds when we were growing up. About 2 years ago a guy on my indoor soccer team said he had a Honda cb550 to sell, he had trouble starting the bike rust in the gas tank.  I couldn't afford it at the time but it renewed my interest in these bikes. So I looked at my dads bike again and hell, it's  alota work to get that thing up and running so I was kinda bummed out so that will have to be a future project...(maybe my sons project).   To make a long story long...the dude couldn't find a buyer and just gave me the bike a few months ago...signed over the title an all!!!  So it didn't run and I gave it a little TLC and some fresh parts, clean gas put bout 100 bucks into it and I have an all original 1974 cb550 with 16k miles. Thing runs awesome and is super strong! ..but in the meantime, moral of the story, these beauties are out there. I hope the chips fall your way! Good luck!

[VoodooChild]

I saw a beautiful cb750 on craigslist the other day for $900. One of my buddies is kicking around the idea of getting his first bike, so I sent him the link. Earlier today, I saw the same bike listed for $1850. When I say the same bike, I don't mean the same model, I actually mean the exact same bike. Some dude bought it from craigslist and listed it again for more than twice as much. He said he wanted to cafe it, but he decided it was in too good of condition to chop up. He also apologized if he beat anyone to the deal. Apparently he isn't too sorry if he wants that much more for it. Seemed like a crappy thing to do, in my opinion.

[DavePhipps]

kind oflike house flipping in the 90s, and just like that, the bubbble will burst on the old bike market.

[cwheelin]

I just thought bikes were overpriced here in Cali,sounds like its everywhere

[esquire]

Speaking of the bike bubble... http://mobile.craigslist.org/mcy/2603360146.html

[TommyRocket]

Trolling the local Craigslist shows me that everyone near by wants too much for any bike. $900 for a Honda CT70 mini bike? 

Not everyone collects CB750's. I've had a pile of sub 125cc Hondas and they can be worth a good buck.

[Bluegreen]

Don't worry, word on the street is older enduros are the new "in" bike. So my cooler friends tell me....

[NP3]

I've been looking for a CB for a little while now, too.  I've been keeping an eye on Craigslist, eBay, and local papers.  I started a post here titled "Advice on buying a CB750".  I haven't been able to find anything that I would consider a good deal just yet.  A couple guys here mentioned that they've found some good deals, but passed because other things took priority.  If anyone happens to come across any good deals and don't plan on jumping on it yourself, it'd be great if you would let some of us interested in buying know about it.  I've been looking for a mid-70s 750k.  I'm in north New Jersey, but would travel 100 miles to pick up.

[greenjeans]

They are out there - I just picked up a 69 K0 CB750 Sandcast yesterday for $500 bucks !   Guy thought it was a 73 - just wanted it out of his garage.

I usually have an add running on CL -  WTB 69-76 sohc CB750K etc.    I've had it running pretty much constantly over the last 5 years.   Every now and again, it gets flagged.  I don't post it over and over - I just want something there if somebody does a search for CB750.

I get alot of overpriced stuff, and some people don't read the add and try to get me to buy other stuff.    I've found the last 5 bikes that I've done this way.

Down here in Texas, it seems like they are becoming really scarce.  All the hipsters in Dallas are overpaying and driving the market up.

As tough as it is to keep money around these days, I try to have $500 stashed away for "bike" emergencies - on the off chance something pops up.

[donny]

 When I was looking for a 750, I could't find one.
     When I  wasn't, they pop up.
        Just bought a '74 for $200 which make 3,  average price $225.

[NP3]

Hey donny, in what shape are these bikes for an avg. price of $225, and how much more do you put into them?  What do you do with them: Just get them back in running order or full restore/customization?