Topic: Would you call this bike a grey import?

[hondaseven]

I Imported aK1,1971 model,one owner,all original from the states,and I have had such remarks its a grey import not worth as much as the original import to Australia from Japan. I bought a brand new cb750 k1 here in oz in 1971,and the only differenc is the USbike has a compliance plate,nothing else,   hondaseven.

[mlinder]

The bikes are the same, so far as I know...

The one you bought in 71 went from Japan > Somewhere > Prolly somewhere else > Australia
The one you just bought went from  Japan > Somewhere > Prolly somewhere else > USA > Australia

[von_Wanderlust]

So the other person's argument is that the bike has a lower monetary value, purely since it wasn't imported via the Honda Australia distribution network? For some reason, that does seem to matter for some people, i.e. in their eyes being supplied via the local selling arm of the corporation magically provides the physical object with increased status and value. I wouldn't worry about it to be honest, I think it's highly irrational to be a corporation worshipper.

Mate, it's a good bike, go ride it.  And when you ride it you can take comfort in that fact that you are outside and enjoying life, while the other person is probably stuck at home with worries and pre-occupations of status.   

[BobbyR]

It is a bike not a Stock or Bond.

[754]

If that is true, then every sandcast 750 that made its way back to Japan is grey...

 Try finding one of them over there for under 15K...

[hondaseven]

Grey Sandcasts, what are you saying,this could see the prices of the holy sandcast drop by more than half,what do you think?

[Patrick]

Grey market vehicles can be a hassle, but I don't think it would be an issue for a SOHC 750. I used to have a grey market 1978 Mercedes sedan (two-door, gasoline four-banger) that a GI brought back to Texas from Germany. When the head gasket blew I could not get the local Mercedes dealership or any of the local import shops to even look at it, much less rebuild it. The parts and the specs supposedly were different from the Mercedes sold in the states, and, of course, it was not a diesel like they were used to. I ended up rebuilding the engine myself with a lot of advice and support from the service manager at the dealership that wouldn't work on it.

The parts and the specs on K1 750s, however, were the same wherever they were sold. I think the folks running down your new bike are just jealous they didn't find it first.

Patrick