Author Topic: At a crossroads  (Read 2679 times)

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Offline cb750f-2010656

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At a crossroads
« on: December 25, 2018, 01:36:21 PM »
Hello, everybody!  A lot of you know I have a CB750F1 that I want to fix up.  I love this bike.  I bought it crashed (hard) from a towing company in late '06 or early '07 without a title.  I have had at least a half dozen other bikes since then, but I never thought about selling the CB, even though it is coyote ugly and has bent forks, mismatched wheels and only the seat oan to sit on.  I am mentally ready to perform an overhaul of the engine.  But another thought entered my head.

I have an '81 GS750L with a title, good forks, a flawless gas tank, and matching wheels.  Downsides include incomplete carbs, bad swingarm bearings, $#!t front brakes and a bad charging system, also needing a motor overhaul.  I wonder if I should finish this project first, then sell it so I can invest in the CB.  I have a load of money already tied up in both.  I think since I'm trying to stay out of trouble, I'm leaning towards riding the titled GS for a while.  If I can sell it I could probably afford to get through the CB engine and maybe have some left to get a bonded title.

What do y'all think about it?  I'm here for some side-jabbin' and arm-twistin'.  Thanks for all input!
76 CB750F (Old Girl)
85 Rebel 250 (Little Girl)
96 Fleetwood Brougham (USS Great White)

Online Don R

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #1 on: December 25, 2018, 09:43:12 PM »
 Tough choice, they both sound like they need a lot of work. If you overhaul the motor on the GS can you sell it and not lose money?
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Offline cb750f-2010656

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #2 on: December 26, 2018, 07:22:35 AM »
Probably not, but I will get to ride it untill I do sell it, so that may make up for the loss, as well as not having yet another bike torn apart.  You never know, though.  Someone may really like it and make me a good offer.  I really only need two bikes.  The gas sipper Rebel 250 and my CB for going down the highway.  Maybe another later on to fix up and sell.
76 CB750F (Old Girl)
85 Rebel 250 (Little Girl)
96 Fleetwood Brougham (USS Great White)

Offline TwoTired

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #3 on: December 26, 2018, 09:11:51 AM »
Why do you feel the Honda needs an overhaul?
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
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Offline cb750f-2010656

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #4 on: December 26, 2018, 10:26:59 AM »
I'm sure the timing chain is shot, something is wrong with a couple of the spark plugs and threads, I get a ton of carbon in the oil filter housing, 2nd gear is trashed, the head gasket seeps oil, I think I have a burned exhaust valve on #3.  Aside from that I'd like it to be fresh so I can travel on it a little.
76 CB750F (Old Girl)
85 Rebel 250 (Little Girl)
96 Fleetwood Brougham (USS Great White)

Online Don R

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #5 on: December 26, 2018, 03:30:53 PM »
 The one I worked on that was full of carbon had a plugged exhaust. When I finally figured it out, pulled the baffle and revved it up I sooted the entire garage, I had to leave the doors open for a half hour. 
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.
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Offline cb750f-2010656

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #6 on: December 26, 2018, 04:44:38 PM »
I don't think it's my exhaust.  The muffler was new when I put it on there a couple of years ago.  I think it's from #3.  The piston is washed clean.  #3 exhaust pipe got way hotter than the rest, and did it fast.  That's why I suspect a burned exhaust valave. 
76 CB750F (Old Girl)
85 Rebel 250 (Little Girl)
96 Fleetwood Brougham (USS Great White)

Offline 02z06dave

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #7 on: December 27, 2018, 06:43:50 PM »
The cb sounds like a good part out candidate. It makes more sense to do that with it and make money then to spend more than its worth trying to bring it back. Then you can use the money you get from it to buy one thats in better shape and has a title.

Offline cb750f-2010656

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #8 on: December 27, 2018, 10:21:38 PM »
That's not in the equation.  I'm very sentimental towards the CB.  Ive had it 13 years.  If I fix one it will be the CB.  I've gotten titles on a couple of bikes in the past.  I could make more money larting rhe GS because there are more good parts on it.

The CB doesn't have to be perfect, just a lot better than it is now.
« Last Edit: December 27, 2018, 10:29:37 PM by cb750f-2010656 »
76 CB750F (Old Girl)
85 Rebel 250 (Little Girl)
96 Fleetwood Brougham (USS Great White)

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #9 on: December 28, 2018, 03:56:59 AM »
No offense, but not much of a market for l model gs
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Offline Scott S

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #10 on: December 28, 2018, 05:09:33 AM »
No offense, but not much of a market for l model gs

 This. And I have two GS projects in the garage. I think the GS's are good bikes, but even nice, complete,  running models dont bring much money.

 If I were in your predicament,  and your dead set on keeping the CB, I'd sell or part out the GS and put that time and money towards the CB.
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Offline cb750f-2010656

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #11 on: December 28, 2018, 08:18:27 AM »
That's the thing: nobody around here wants my GS.  I've been thinking about it a lot last night.  The GS had good oil pressure and no bottom end noise.  I'll pull the cylinder and pistons and check the diameter of the small end of the connecting rods.  If that checks out I'll just do the top end and go ahead with it.  If they don't, I know I'll need to spend a lot of money probably to do the bottom end.  At that point I'll probably part it.  Scott S, if you need something I might have I may go ahead and part it now.
76 CB750F (Old Girl)
85 Rebel 250 (Little Girl)
96 Fleetwood Brougham (USS Great White)

Offline 02z06dave

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #12 on: January 01, 2019, 06:03:46 AM »
That's not in the equation.  I'm very sentimental towards the CB.  Ive had it 13 years.  If I fix one it will be the CB.  I've gotten titles on a couple of bikes in the past.  I could make more money larting rhe GS because there are more good parts on it.

The CB doesn't have to be perfect, just a lot better than it is now.

The gs may have more good parts, but there is also very little demand for the parts and the value is low.

Offline cb750f-2010656

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #13 on: January 01, 2019, 08:42:19 PM »
That's what I've been hearing.  My uncle syas he wants the GS but I've been waiting for him to get it for a couple of months.  I'm impatient.  I am will just let things wait until I have some of my debt paid.  If he hasn't picked it up by then I'll get the GS running and ride it.  In the mean time I will try to preserve the CB until I can afford to do some serious work to it.  I'll be back then, guys.
76 CB750F (Old Girl)
85 Rebel 250 (Little Girl)
96 Fleetwood Brougham (USS Great White)

Offline MoMo

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #14 on: January 01, 2019, 10:00:36 PM »
unless you can get a title for the CB, it is a parts bike.   

Offline cb750f-2010656

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Re: At a crossroads
« Reply #15 on: January 02, 2019, 10:37:35 AM »
I have been through the bonded title process a couple of times.  It's about $400.  Id rather bring it back up than part it out.  Keep one more of them on the road.  It deserves it.  It's been reliable for me.
76 CB750F (Old Girl)
85 Rebel 250 (Little Girl)
96 Fleetwood Brougham (USS Great White)