When I was a young teen, a couple older guys up the street bought new CB750's, probably early '70's models. Then I ran into a guy last week that was on one that looked brand new. Now I suddenly have to have one. So what should I expect to pay for a nice example? On CL they seem to be all over the place, but I suspect that if I went to look at them I'd see the differences that aren't noticeable in a picture. Seems like $1500-3000 is the range most of them are in. What say you?
The rule of thumb is - the earlier the bike, the more expensive it is with the "sandcast" models being the most sought after and expensive.
Gut feeling says that 1.5k-3k should buy you a decent later model one, but make sure that you can identify non-original parts when you check over the bike as that makes a massive difference in value. For example, the hotlinked bike has the wrong exhaust on it (looks like an F1 or F2 aftermarket exhaust) and putting the 4-into-4 back on is going to be expensive. Same goes for a lot of the chrome parts like fenders - OEM ones are hard to find, they rusted rather well and the repros are often not very good. The main problem with these is to ensure that you don't pay 3k for a 1.5k bike.
I'd also make sure it's got the original seat - the repro seats might look correct but from my own experience, you might as well sit on a 2x4.
In reply to BoxheadTim:
Thanks. What exactly does "sandcast" refer to?
I've got some 1982 CB750 carbs I want to get rid of. Just tossing that out there. The body style through the 80's was very similar to the 70's.
In reply to bravenrace:
It's the way they cast the crankcases and other engines parts - originally Honda didn't think they'd sell a lot of CB750s, so they used this process for casting. That quickly got substituted with an industrial process that is more usable for larger volumes of parts.
Sandcasting gives you a different surface compared to the later process and as those are pretty rare, they're a lot more valuable compared to the later ones.
In reply to BoxheadTim:
Okay. I know what sand casting is, and I had heard that term used in relation to these bikes, but didn't know exactly what they were talking about.
So the sand cast models are worth more, but which is better?
The earlier models are "better" in the sense that they are more powerful, the regular CB750 models (ie, the K0-K7) lost power due to emissions regulations. The CB750 F2 (IIRC) regained some of the power, but if you want the classic looking ones you might have to live with the slightly lower power.
Keep in mind that (IMHO) the engine is faster than the chassis and the brakes anyway, so I'd just try to find the best condition bike for the money.
N Sperlo wrote: I've got some 1982 CB750 carbs I want to get rid of. Just tossing that out there. The body style through the 80's was very similar to the 70's.
The 80s CB750 & CB900s are completely different bikes though, even if some models look similar to the older ones.
In reply to BoxheadTim:
Don't the later bikes, like '77 and later, have the dual overhead cam engine while the earlier bikes were single?
Correct.
I think the 750 went twin cam in 1979.
In reply to Woody:Sure did go to DOHC in 79. put 150,000 miles on one
For reference, I picked up an '81 CB750F for $650 a couple weeks ago. Not running, needs brake work, tires, and carbs looked at.
I'm not a purist, so I didn't have to have an early SOHC. I actually think the DOHC is cooler, personally, which works out great since they're cheaper.
My plan is to go from this:
to this:
Giggity.
I had one of those, too. 79-81 Super Sport, I forget what year. Twin Cam engines use shims for valve adjustments.
The kid who lives next door to me just sold a fully restored '71 that his father bought new. It was beautiful. He was asking $2500.
In reply to BoxheadTim:
Interestingly, the CB450 went in the opposite direction.
In reply to Woody:
Totally worth it.
Appleseed wrote: In reply to Woody: Totally worth it.
Yeah, that's the way I felt, too, even though I have an aversion to gold paint and rubber fork boots.
Very late sixties/early seventies, though.
If that was in nice original condition with some restoration and had the correct parts on it, $2500 was a steal in my book.
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