Topic: $2k for a 78' cb750f 8,500 miles?

[Bgbrnbby]

Research suggests bikes cost a bit more here in the N.W. but I've been out of the classic bike game for awhile. Found a bike in Oregon. Guy said he found it in a barn in Seattle, cleaned it up and has ridden it the past 2 seasons. Replaced, rubber stuff, rebuilt carbs, cleaned and lubed brake parts and they worked. 8,500 miles on the engine. 1,000 by him. Seems like a good deal for a clean, running bike granted he probably picked it up for $750 or so not running. (Original exhaust too. New seat cover) I figure $400 in parts for $1,200-$1,300 total.  ($1,500 tops) Looks like all I'll "initially" want to change is the bars. Eh??? I'm going down to look at it/ pick it up Friday. I'm already claiming it as mine... I'm invested. 8,500 miles... $2,000... N.W guys? Branden...Tweakin...

[cameron]

It is a TINY bit high, given that it is winter.....but If it is CLEAN, and has NO LEAKS, then yes.
If it was stored outside, with faded paint and questionable headers, but was still in PERFECT running condition..... then he could probably get $1500 on a summer day... so I am thinking $2k for a clean one is reasonable.

$1800 would be a little more like it, but I wouldn't quibble too much. Try to talk him down, but pay $2k if it is at least an A-.

Pics for better advice.

[Hondawggie]

I would ask him 'do you feel the bike is in "Good," "Very Good," or "Excellent" condition?'

An honest seller won't b.s. you about the condition.  If you're dealing with an honest seller, I personally think it is okay to be a shrewd buyer.  So after asking the question above, if the seller says 'the bike's in Excellent condition' but it's clear the bike is only 'Good' or 'Very Good' -- the seller is dreaming and I spend about 2-5 minutes trying to get the guy thinking logically and if he won't budge I walk.   


Paying an "Excellent" condition price for a "Good" or "Very Good" bike is not cool because you can go out there and pay the same price for an authentic "Excellent" condition bike.  If the seller wants an "Excellent" price for a less than excellent example I walk.

If he's honest about the condition (low miles doesn't mean "Excellent", what about tires, paint, rust, brakes, overall cosmetics, seat condition, does it smoke, is it all stock, etc.)  if he's honest about the condition I either show him the most recent "Completed" ebay sales for that bike and/or show him the Nada pricing.

I think $2000 is okay if that was a garage queen but it was "found it in a barn in Seattle".
At best it is 'Very Good.'

Here's the Nada numbers, I live in Silicon Valley, if that bike went on Craigslist in San Fran or San Jose it would take quite a while to sell at $2000 if at all, and theres lots of high tech money here of course putting upward pressure on prices:


1978 Honda   CB750F SUPER SPORT
 
Pricing
Excellent    $2000    
Very Good    $1275    
Good    $725    
Fair    $550    
Poor    N/A    

http://www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles/1978/Honda/CB750F-SUPER-SPORT/Values


Its a BIG drop from 'Excellent' and if the bike was 'in a barn' and then a 'daily driver for 2 seasons' it won't be 'Excellent' most likely.

I suspect vintage bikes here in Silicon Valley sell for at least as much as a few miles up the coast there where you folks are.  Good luck man, everything's negotiable, go for it!!!!!   The 750f is a cool machine.

[Retro Rocket]

Just remember that the 78's have problems with the valve guides, they wear prematurely because of the bigger valves and different valve guide angle and need changing to better quality guides......

[Don R]

It could be a good price. A barn find can cost a grand  to get right enough to enjoy. tires are a big factor check the date codes. They may look good but be as hard as a rock. New rubber, good brakes, battery and clean carbs are worth a little extra cash.  Have fun and enjoy. I wonder how serious the valve guide issue really is on a low mile bike like this one?

[Rigid]

NADA is useless on old Hondas.  I routinely sell 20-40% OVER the excellent value here in the midwest for clean, but average, bikes.

[Bgbrnbby]

I've looked around on ebay and the like for similar bikes. Even if I get a better deal they all need "carbs adjusted" and then there is the shipping cost. The guy re-painted it himself, but there are 2 1/4 inch wrinkles in the decal that he told me about, and sent me pics of. (Not noticable from 2 feet) New tires 2 seasons ago. I just don't see these bikes complete and this clean with 8,5k miles. And yep, KBB says $1,8635. A lil' extra for his time and effort. Reckon I'll get it. Vavle guides if I ever have too. May have been part of the Honda "Delta" replacement. Thanks for your ideas and opinions I greatly appreciate being able to hear some voices of reason and experidnce.

[Rigid]

If it is a nice running and good looking bike, you won't be sorry at 2K.  Compliment him on it, point out the good features, note any obvious problems, and offer 1800, he may just come down alittle with the Christmas season aproaching and all.  Godspeed.

[Bgbrnbby]

Thanks Rigid. He started at $2200. It's the bike I used as my avatar there. Looks super clean. I feel good about $2k already... $1800 would be even better. Problem is he knows I want it. ( :

[Bgbrnbby]

Aha, I found the picture attachment button!

[CycleRanger]

That's a ~$3000 bike around here.  Even at $2K it looks ok.
You could pay less for a lesser bike and end up spending more on it.....

[Bgbrnbby]

Thanks for thr extraboost CycleRanger... I'm getting it!

[thrutheframe]

If I may, heres my take on used bike pricing regardless of age and regardless of the value added by rarity of the bike.

A $500.00 bike doesn't run and needs alot of work
A $1000.00 bike runs and might last you a season but will most likely not
A $1500.00 bike runs and should last you a season but will breakdown at least once
A $2000.00 bike runs pretty good, looks pretty good and will last you a season or two
A $2500.00 bike runs great, looks real nice and will last you a season or two
A $3000.00 bike is ready to ride, reliable, looks great, runs great, and it will breakdown in some minor way within 2 seasons.


  I realize this is very general and subject to many variables, particularly the buyer's ability to spot potential trouble and his/her ability to negotiate.  Thats my 300,000 cents worth.

[Hondawggie]

That's a ~$3000 bike around here.  Even at $2K it looks ok.
You could pay less for a lesser bike and end up spending more on it.....

I have heard this frequently that TX bikes are higher.  Not only on this board but on the RD Yamaha board, the Z1 board, etc.   Probably the riding season is all year or something.

[CycleRanger]

That's a ~$3000 bike around here.  Even at $2K it looks ok.
You could pay less for a lesser bike and end up spending more on it.....

I have heard this frequently that TX bikes are higher.  Not only on this board but on the RD Yamaha board, the Z1 board, etc.   Probably the riding season is all year or something.

You'd be hard pressed to find anything Honda worth buying here for less than $1000. 
Or so it seems.  I'm sure there's some deals that come up but they get snatched up very quickly.
At least that's my experience.

[Don R]

act fast, once you start talking about it things seem to happen.

[yozuri54]

I live in the Chicago area and had a 1978 750F with only 2,300 original miles! I trolled it on craigslist for months for $2500 and finally let it go to the only person who showed ANY interest for $1850. The bike had a couple of minor cosmetic issues, but ran flawlessly.
     When I worked in a Honda shop back in the 70's, we routinely replaced valves and guides on these motors for oil smoking...some bikes had only 5K miles! Because of unique and scarce parts for this model (try getting stock pistons/rings for this thing at a reasonable price), make sure all systems are functional, so you won't need to replace anything right away. f the bike starts and runs very well, with no smoke, $2000 is a good deal, but my motto is " It never hurts to ask - would you consider less for cash today!"

Good Luck

[Bgbrnbby]

act fast, once you start talking about it things seem to happen.

Lots of wisdom here. I know he didn't re-list it cause he'd get more for it at tax time or next spring.

Hondawggie Hondas seem to cost more here in WA too with our short "dry" riding season.

Thrutheframe I'm hoping I'm getting a deal on a $4,000 dollar bike. ( :

Of course I'll see for myself, but he says he's had no issues. No smoke. Just been riding it for the past 2 seasons since he's cleaned it up. Got a Gold Wing and decided to sell the SS.

[Stev-o]

When are you going to check it out?  Before you commit to yourself to buying it sight unseen, make sure it runs good, not a rust bucket and has a title.  The gauge faces are a good indicator if a bike has spent a great deal of time outside, but of they could have been changed out at some point.

[Bgbrnbby]

Going Thurs. or Fri. to check it out. Taking a trailer and cash. The pics look good though.

[toytuff]

Very nice! Good luck, she is a beauty.

Motorcycles are high in the southwest also. Just bought this a few weeks ago for $2500.00. I tried to get it cheaper but did not want it to slip away.

I feel your pain. 

tt

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

If the body stuff is good and the engine doesn't have the valve problem I think that's a great deal. Try putting one back into $2000 shape. I'll guarantee that it would take MUCH more to put one in $2000 shape. Good price, go for it if it feels right.

[BeSeeingYou]

That's a bit high in this area but bikes are cheap here.  Not bad for your area and if it doesn't smoke and looks as good as it seems I would offer your 1800 but still take it at 2000.  The valve guide issue can come up at any time but from what I have understood most often around 20k miles and above.  The parts are available to deal with it so it just has to be factored into the back of your mind.  I would like to have a nice F2/3 next to my F1.

[grcamna2]

Bgbrnbby,
                 When you go there you may be able to get it a tiny bit cheaper...take a look in the fuel tank w/ a small bright light & a mirror & look very carefully.I have worked on many of that model & they have had rust in the tank that got into the carbs continually.Those Original carbs run very lean from the factory & w/ rust in them can make it a big pain to keep it fine tuned;listen to how it idles & see if you can turn down the idle stop screw to make it idle DOWN to stock(1-1100 rpm)to see if the carbs may still have rust in them.I think if you can point out any rust to HIM w/ the light & the mirror you my be able to convince him that the tank needs to be re-lined(correctly) & the carbs taken out & rebuilt again.I think you can offer him $1750 & see what he says after you tell him what it will cost to have a DEALER rebuild the carbs & reline the tank...maybe less. I know you WANT that one! & so do I ! & depending on the seller(especially if he was the one who previously cleaned the carbs)he may recognize your point & give it to you for $1750: after all,it is November.
That is a very nice looking bike & I see it has been well cared for by this seller...but those pilot jets & accel. pump plumbing may be clogged w/ rust & if so, it will stall out when the idle stop screw(it's a black knob in the back of the carbs in the middle) is turned out to make it idle DOWN to 1000 rpm. You may be able to make that WORK for you during the sale ! I am saying this to try to convince myself & my OWN impulsive nature;when I set my heart on a bike,I usually purchase it for too high & do my best to "liberate" it from the PO...that has been my history. I make a lot of work for myself that way... I enjoy the work,but...I keep kicking myself later for paying too much.
I hope that you have a great time checking that Nice bike out & I hope the complete purchase deal is a very pleasant experience for you.
                                                                                                   Best Regards !

[Bgbrnbby]

If the body stuff is good and the engine doesn't have the valve problem I think that's a great deal. Try putting one back into $2000 shape. I'll guarantee that it would take MUCH more to put one in $2000 shape. Good price, go for it if it feels right.

Griff I was thinking the same thing.