Topic: Opinion on this bike?

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

I honestly thought I'd have my 550 until I was a shriveled old man, permanently hunched over from hundreds of thousands of miles of traveling. Some of you might have seen my trusted travel buddy was stolen last week. I've realized I have to start the work of replacing it.

Vibe and "feel" are as important to me as anything else. This bike is local and I like the owner and history. BUT, I know squat about 750's. Can I get some opinions on value?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-CB-1971-HONDA-CB750-K1-1-OWNER-ORIGINAL-UNRESTORED-NICE-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem256409f486QQitemZ160592163974QQptZUSQ5fmotorcycles

[Duke McDukiedook]

That bike will set you back a few grand, I like in his description he states he is willing to take it off the auction block for the right price. Looks like it is getting sold by a dealer and not the original owner.

Looks good otherwise.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

He bought it from an old man in the same town and hasn't ridden it around at all. He's a nice guy, but I think he flips them. Was originally purchased in my hometown in northern Arkansas too. I'd have an opportunity to meet the original owner and he said it comes with a picture of him the day he bought it, which I like. I'm a sentimental dude.

Should I try to buy it outright or bid on it? I'm guessing 3 - 4K? I know nothing about 750's other than their mechanical kinship to 550's, which I know very well.

[That 70s Bike]

Earlier cb750's are more sought after (=pricier) than later ones.
B.I.N. at $6900, the reserve is close to that so IMHO I don't think he'll entertain much less.

[bollingball]

Go over ther with 5K offer 4500 Buy the the damn thing before it is gone.

[Stev-o]

I don't think it's worth $4500, more like $3K.
I'd say the bike was not properly maintained, he didn't even bother to replace a $25 mirror!
Go check it out, see if it runs good and see if you even like it, then see how the auction plays out.
I'd bet his reserve is close to $6K, he's a flipper looking to make money.

[shizzomynizzo]

I'm not trying to hate on the sohc's, but for 3-5k price range, you can have MANY other bikes. Basically any bike you have dreamed about over the last few years.

You should get a newer bike to ride around for the time being, and get another project to work on like your previous. It will have more meaning to you than just buying a show piece (with a history or not). I know you have the skills to do it again.

Just my 2 cents

[Hannibal Smith]

I'm not trying to hate on the sohc's, but for 3-5k price range, you can have MANY other bikes. Basically any bike you have dreamed about over the last few years.

You should get a newer bike to ride around for the time being, and get another project to work on like your previous. It will have more meaning to you than just buying a show piece (with a history or not). I know you have the skills to do it again.

Just my 2 cents

You bring up a good point-
I like the SOHC because I can get a bike for peanuts on the initial purchase (what I spend to repair/customize is another story) and go from there, I cannot imagine throwing more than $1500.00 on a SOHC for starters.

[motocyconomad]

I paid 480 for one and 360 for the other both '78 CB750k  off of ebay they ran and just needed a little love to put back to mostly stock shape

[Duanob]

I read your travel blog BOX it sounded like an awesome time but that is a long trip on a 550. I think you will enjoy long trips on a 750 even more.

I hate to say it but SOHC4s are becoming popular and the price has been going up. That bike will retain a lot of it's value especially in the years to come. But $6900 is a lot for that bike especially where it is. But like someone said, if you want it go over with $5000 and offer $4500. Maybe you could talk the original owner and find out how much he sold it for. If it was pennies then the guy will make money at a lower offer than $6900. The current seller kind of pisses me off with that kind of greediness. Especially if he hasn't put any time effort or cash into the thing.

[Toxic]

It's a 71, nothing special about it.  It's in good shape but not 6K type of good shape.

Wait til it doesn't sell and then make him a more reasonable offer.

I can imagine you want to get back on a bike real bad esp. after what happened to your last one but take your time, you will find another.

[flybox1]

for comparisons...check out this gem!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/mcy/2398905669.html

[Duke McDukiedook]

Thin stripe is a little special, if I remember the K1's didn't quite get butchered for emissions until the K2's and K3's.
Plus you don't have to fuss with the four throttle cables.

[Duke McDukiedook]

I paid 480 for one and 360 for the other both '78 CB750k  off of ebay they ran and just needed a little love to put back to mostly stock shape

a 78 and a 71 are not even in the ballpark as far as collectability is involved. You are talking night and day.

[motocyconomad]

I thought it was about having a bike to ride not collect.

[Silverback]

I paid 480 for one and 360 for the other both '78 CB750k  off of ebay they ran and just needed a little love to put back to mostly stock shape

a 78 and a 71 are not even in the ballpark as far as collectability is involved. You are talking night and day.

Not yet! I bet those ugly supersports that everybody shrugs off now will be worth a pretty penny in the near future. Not as many sold, limited run, etc. Especially the 77 and 78F that have the original motors. I keep seeing a minty 78K on the local CL adds for $2100. I think it would be a good investment and a great bike to ride.

[Duke McDukiedook]

I thought it was about having a bike to ride not collect.

It is both.

[B.O.X.N.I.F.E.]

ahh this is going to be hard to explain. It's a possible trade for this '76 I just finished building to sell. I know it's hard to elicit sympathy when you have a nicely restored bike, but I've built and sold several of these and I don't get attatched to them. Like I said, vibe and feel are important to me and I get no vibes from this bike. I built it to sell and it feels like someone elses bike.

On the other hand, he's got a bike that sold new in my tiny home town in northern arkansas and is interested in a possible trade for my 550. I'd guess a nice 550 is worth the same as a pretty nice 750, seems like a pretty even trade.

What boggles the mind is this blue bike was also sitting outside with my ratty old 550. Why in Gods name they stole mine instead of this one is impossible to understand.

[kck3]

If he is going to trade you-I would jump on that deal.  I would say he is on the losing end but if he wants to trade straight up I would have already done it myself.

[shizzomynizzo]

If he is going to trade you-I would jump on that deal.  I would say he is on the losing end but if he wants to trade straight up I would have already done it myself.

+1

[Stev-o]

Trade him, it's all about the vibe.

PS. How much do you have in the blue 550?

[That 70s Bike]

How is current bid $4900 and previous bid $2200 with no auto proxy bid shown in between?

[motocyconomad]

I paid 480 for one and 360 for the other both '78 CB750k  off of ebay they ran and just needed a little love to put back to mostly stock shape

a 78 and a 71 are not even in the ballpark as far as collectability is involved. You are talking night and day.

if i respond it would just get deleted

[Stev-o]

How is current bid $4900 and previous bid $2200 with no auto proxy bid shown in between?

Scam!!

[CafeDawg]

Yup understand wanting to buy something with a soul, a history but for 5k.  If you could have gotten the bike from the PO then it would've meant something now it's just part of the sales pitch and inflated price tag.  I say no trade, no buy.  I tried to buy a CB750 from an old tymer, no really he's 70, and had a great 77CB750F with the 836 motor and fork emulators and drilled rotors and for a terrific price but life got in the way and it didn't work out.  Had to let it go and find another and I did. Found another good guy with a well kept bike, the rest will be up to me.  Sounds like you've got the skills, sit and wait it'll come to you.  Great advice wish I could follow it,I've got no f*in patience.  I hunted, HUNTED for a bike when I got the urge but I did have to let several go and eventually it came to me.  Post an ad on CL for what you want and you might be surprised.  There end'th the lesson.  Great blog....did something similar in my 4Runner last year.
Respect
C