What's an old bike worth?

[jtaylor719]

Posted this up on NEAR to possibly get a response from Jerry Wood:


I need some advice from this giant pool of two wheel knowledge:

I have an opportunity to buy a 1971 CB750K1 from the 2nd owner. My father
bought it new & sold it to this buddy of his around 1975/76.
It's been sitting a while, hasn't been ridden in 6-7 years. This guy is very
meticulous with his stuff (still has the '61 Vette he bought new). I saw him a
few years ago and asked for first refusal if he ever sold it. Well, I got that
call today.

It's going to need tires, caliper rebuild, gas cap, battery, and he says one of
the carbs is gummed up (might not be running on all 4).

Other than that, it's in decent shape - mint even. Under 10,000mi.

Since this is the ultimate UJM, what do you guys think it should go for?

BTW, it's metallic green and I still have my father's helmet he bought with the
bike. It obviously has sentimental value, but I don't want to sell the farm for
it.


Any (knowledgeable) advice is appreciated, thanks.

[Doc]

$2000

[Rossco]

$2000

If it's been modified,2 grand tops. I'd aim more like $1200-$1500.

If it's as good as they say it is, I'd go as high as 4

Those early 750's are really desirable. They put out alot of HP as opposed to the later models.

[klp]

If it has the stock exhaust and is all original and mint it is worth some cash. Bettencourts auction sold a 700 mile cherry '71 for 9k.

Without pics I would say 3-5 grand. The exhausts usually rust out, nice seats are hard to come by, side covers can be tough to find. Is the paint in real nice shape?

If he is a family friend he should take care of you. Figure 500 plus to get it road worthy as it has been sitting a long time.

[jtaylor719]

Not modified, totally stock. I think he put a set of tires on it at one point. Sprockets, chain, brakes - all stock.

Gas tank has a ding in it - threw a hubcap across his garage in the late 70s & it bounced off the wall and onto the tank. He's never forgiven himself.

I'll take a good look at it in the next couple days & post up pics if I can.

So far I have a range of $1200 to $5000. Hopefully the thread continues so we can narrow it down a bit....

[TheIglu]

It's no '69 sandcast, so it won't fetch a huge market. $1500 tops in the shape it's in. Unless of course you are a collector, then it's all what it is worth to you.

[Doc]

Not modified, totally stock. I think he put a set of tires on it at one point. Sprockets, chain, brakes - all stock.

Gas tank has a ding in it - threw a hubcap across his garage in the late 70s & it bounced off the wall and onto the tank. He's never forgiven himself.

I'll take a good look at it in the next couple days & post up pics if I can.

So far I have a range of $1200 to $5000. Hopefully the thread continues so we can narrow it down a bit....

KBB Retail is $2500

[Rossco]

KBB Retail is $2500

Is it me, or does this feel like "The Price is Right" ?

Seriously with the range of answers he's getting from us he might as well just spin the wheel and hope for the grand prize.

[markbvt]

Take a look at recent eBay auctions and see what they went for.

My guess would be that $2500ish is about right. Older UJMs are pretty desirable right now, and values have definitely been inflated.

--mark

[klp]

Here is a nice one in a less than desirable color, two days left. 2600.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-...item3cb4e54a13

Another nice one with a similar history to yours, seat is not original. 3000.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CB-75...item19c301c0e6

[jtaylor719]

Thanks for the links & all the advice.
My guess is he'll be asking between $2000-$3000 for it.

Jerry Wood and Bruce Meyers gave me some things to look for, and what to expect to find.

Might just have to start parking outside and turn 1/2 my garage into a bike shop.

Thanks again.

[Doc]

Tell him you will pay him what he bought it for.

[jtaylor719]

Funny - I was actually going to bring that up!

He says he also has a 70s Yamaha 175 dual sport - I'm thinking DT175. Seized motor & shopping cart full of parts.
This is going to be a fun trip through the barn.

[Sheppo]

Might just have to start parking outside and turn 1/2 my garage into a bike shop.

That's what I do.. 5 bikes in a one car garage..

[duganc1717]

Check over @ sohc.net........

[ZX11D]

I have been doing quite a bit of research on Honda 750`s this winter as I`m looking to buy one to turn into a nice Cafe` Racer. If you have one of the nice ones that can be brought back to to good or very good condition without too much expense I would say 2000.00 to 3000.00 would not be ureasonable. The right buyer and the price could be a bit more. Sounds like you might have one of the nice ones. I`d keep it if I were you.

[Spooler]

Funny - I was actually going to bring that up!

He says he also has a 70s Yamaha 175 dual sport - I'm thinking DT175. Seized motor & shopping cart full of parts.
This is going to be a fun trip through the barn.

That was my first bike! My brother and I shared it, good memories...

It was far from new, I'm not that old... But it was a great bike, never had a problem with it

[jtaylor719]

Here it is, all documentation is with it. He even has the original grips that he took off in 1975 when he bought it from my father. The bike is mint.
In the background is a 71(?) Yamaha AT1. The motor's seized from his barn flooding several years ago, needs a bottom end.

[csmutty]

Wow that thing is cherry!

[Rossco]

[klp]

Yeah that is a very sweet 750. I would think that is a $5000 bike all day long. It may go higher on Ebay. Originality is what keeps the value in these and that looks to be all there.

If you get your hands on it keep it - it can be your kids inheritance.

[tls25rs]

That bike is sweet would be so fun to ride that thing around all the time.

[markbvt]

Holy crap. If you can get that bike for $3000, seize it and don't look back. I guarantee you it would go for a lot more on eBay.

That one's even too nice to turn into a cafe racer.

--mark

[jtaylor719]

Thanks, it'll be mine for sure. You guys may see it around the paddock once in a while.

It's a keeper - not looking to flip it, just want to get it back in the family after 36 years.

[klp]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Just sayin'...