Topic: Thinking of Buying a 1978 CB750F... Chain Adjustment Question

[Imago]

I've heard that this year/model had some upper head issues with the valve train etc.  What should I look for when inspecting?

Also, if it does need a rebuild, are parts (rings, etc.) hard to find?

I looked for links on these subjects, but couldn't find too much. If someone could steer me in the right direction... most appreciated!

Here's a picture, he's asking $1000.00. Thoughts?

[Imago]

Oh, here's what the owner had to say just now...

"It needs a little work at this time. Ihave not had it on the road for 3 years. It ran very well when it was put away. Everything worked at that time. The battery is shot now, it needs an oil change, a choke cable, and possibly carbs cleaning. There are a lot of accessories to go with the bike if you are interested. I am asking $1000 obo for the entire package. Price is very negotiable."
 

[mono]

seems like a standard list of issues for a bike that's been parked a while.  take some gas and a battery with you and see what it wants to do!  if that's all it needs it should at least sputter pretty well.  if it's been sitting that long and was "running fine" before it was garaged, it should probably start.  sounds like the guy needed to get it tuned up and never did, thus the parking.  looks darn good though from the pic.  to me that's worth a grand.  looks better than any bike i've seen for a grand!

[mono]

missed "price is very negotiable" -- flash him 700 cash.

[Stev-o]

First, does it have a title? Second, how many miles.  This model did develop vale issues but not til 20K+ miles.  If it has less than say 15k miles and a title, buy it!
I bet 7 bills will take it.

[Imago]

First, does it have a title? Second, how many miles.  This model did develop vale issues but not til 20K+ miles.  If it has less than say 15k miles and a title, buy it!
I bet 7 bills will take it.

It has a clear title, and has 26,000 kms (about 16,000 miles) hmmmm... a worry?

Best to start 'er up and see what's what..?

[Stev-o]

Yes, take a real close look at it in person and try to fire it up.  Not a good time to sell bikes up there, maybe he'll take even less? 
When are you going?

[bjatwood]

I bought a CB900 custom "back in the day" that needed a choke cable also. Well the PO left it broke so long the valves carboned up and I had to give it a valve job! 300 Bucks later in (1992) money, I was riding it finally.

[Toxic]

Now totally discount EVERYTHING the owner says about the condition of the bike when it was put away.  Without getting it running, it's worth max. $500.  Whatever you pay for the bike, you are going to want to make sure you have money in reserve to fix what is wrong.
And ya a 78 F model with 16000 may not need a valve job but I would be prepared just in case.

[ekpent]

Bet there is a member or two here who would really like to get that rear luggage rack,they are kind of hard to find for the F models 

[Imago]

Bet there is a member or two hear who would really like to get that rear luggage rack,they are kind of hard to find for the F models 

I'll also find out what accessories he has... I see some tires in the background.

Also, anyone recognise that exhaust?

[ekpent]

Looks like a MAC pipe to me.

[Coyote13]

Good lookin' bike.  Toss the guy 700 like said earlier and see what happens. At that price with a bike in that condition you really can't lose...

[2wheels]

I bought the same bike a couple years ago.  I'm at 60 000 Km now.
It was about the same price too.
No problems,  a little bit of oil consumption.  Half liter in 3000 Km
The only thing i did was change the front and rear sprockets to the K model size.   It was reving way to high on the highway for my likes.
Nice bike, nice seat,  I wish I had a small ferring to keep some of the wind off
I also wish I had a luggage carrier,  just like the one on (your) bike,

[FuZZie]

First, does it have a title? Second, how many miles.  This model did develop vale issues but not til 20K+ miles.  If it has less than say 15k miles and a title, buy it!
I bet 7 bills will take it.

It has a clear title, and has 26,000 kms (about 16,000 miles) hmmmm... a worry?

Best to start 'er up and see what's what..?

I'd pay a G for that but I'd want to see clear title (in his name! ) and to hear it run. Hard to tell form one pic but it looks to be a good bike I like it.

[Imago]

Here's a few more pics and our most recent exchange... I had asked him about top end troubles. I think the oil leak from the alternator case is common when these bikes sit for a while... thoughts?

"When I put it away it ran good very good. It did not have any oil burning problems. I did not have any head/valve issues that I was aware of. It has developed an intermittent oil leak from the alternator case. You only see it when the bike is on its side stand. There is a fairing and lowers to go with it.  It also comes with all leather, helmets, rainsuit that I have. There is also a Haynes manual and some tools (carb sticks and 90 degree adjusting tool). I am however open to trade or negotiation."

[Stev-o]

Tell him 700 and he can sell the fairings! (don't put them on, it will ruin the look of the bike).

[Hondawggie]

Rule of thumb when buying a bike to be (1) a rider;  (2) a project to work on and make a rider out of it;  (3) a parts bike


(1) buying a rider:  if you can't make it run, keep looking unless the seller will take way below, WAY below, the market value for the bike in *running* condition


(2) buying a project to make a rider:  negotiate down as much as possible because you know you will be putting $$ into it

(3) buying a parts bike:  the cheaper you can get it the better because you're only needing SOME of the parts and it's not clear (unless it's a sandcast) how much you can get from parting the stuff you don't need

It sounds like you're buying a rider.   I 100% agree with the 'offer him $500'.

However, if you size the guy up and he says something like 'wife says the bike goes or I go' then -- well you know what to do.   People in that situation like me when I gave away a low-mileage Kaw 550 Zephyr, 4700 miles garage queen, gave it to a buddy from my Church because it was not loved and I needed it gone like now.  Only room in the garage for one bike.

[Imago]

Tell him 700 and he can sell the fairings! (don't put them on, it will ruin the look of the bike).

Depends what it is... if an old Windjammer, I agree they're pretty ugly. Something like that may have kept the gauges looking good though.

If it's something better looking, I may keep it.

[78whiteorbs]

Yes, take a real close look at it in person and try to fire it up.  Not a good time to sell bikes up there, maybe he'll take even less? 
When are you going?

yeah, I'd flash 5 bills  nobody really beating down doors to buy this time of year.

[bryanj]

If it hasn't had the exhaust guides done it WILL need them soon,

Rings are not easy to find

guides are out there valves not so common unless you buy the smaller stem ones (Dynoman)with special guides.

1/2 liter in 3,00Km is a sure sign that stem seals are going, usually down to guide wear, and will suddenly get worse when the seals break up

[Imago]

If it hasn't had the exhaust guides done it WILL need them soon,

Rings are not easy to find

guides are out there valves not so common unless you buy the smaller stem ones (Dynoman)with special guides.

1/2 liter in 3,00Km is a sure sign that stem seals are going, usually down to guide wear, and will suddenly get worse when the seals break up

This one does not use oil yet (that was another member contribution), but it seems that valves, rings and seals may be inevitable fairly soon. If rings are eventually required but unavailable, what is recommended?

[bjatwood]

Rings are hard to find?
I didn't know that.....

[Dave K]

Don't get down to hard on the Windjammer. They actually sell around here for about  $100-$150 depending on condition. Not saying they sell overnight, but there are people looking for them.

[Imago]

If it hasn't had the exhaust guides done it WILL need them soon,

Rings are not easy to find

guides are out there valves not so common unless you buy the smaller stem ones (Dynoman)with special guides.

1/2 liter in 3,00Km is a sure sign that stem seals are going, usually down to guide wear, and will suddenly get worse when the seals break up

Any ideas for a source for rings or an alternative idea if unobtainable?

This one does not use oil yet (that was another member contribution), but it seems that valves, rings and seals may be inevitable fairly soon. If rings are eventually required but unavailable, what is recommended?