PNW Riders

mikeypb234 · 02-08-2010, 01:46 PM

So recently I've been watching some people do Cafe racer projects and seen some vintage bikes running around. I love the look of both of them, but I was wondering, if you get an all original, older bike with low miles, do you tear it up and create something of your own? Or do you keep it original and let it go up in value? I'm interested in getting a second bike soon and I came upon this one on CL http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/1590232098.html:

1972 Honda CB 500 Motorcycle

Great condition

Looks exactly like this:

I called the guy and he said it has a little over 4k miles on it. Runs but needs carbs cleaned. No rust. Clean title and it's only $1,200....

I have no experience with these kinds of bikes, but I think it'd be fun to have. Let me know what you think!

curveaddict · 02-08-2010, 01:56 PM

I my opinion; a classic bike with all original equipment should be respected for what it is and left stock. If it is a beater, or just missing many of its original components, then have fun customizing it. Avoid altering any original components, in any case.

mikeypb234 · 02-08-2010, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by curveaddict

I my opinion; a classic bike with all original equipment should be respected for what it is and left stock. If it is a beater, or just missing many of its original components, then have fun customizing it.

Good point. If it's left all original, do these types of bikes usually retain/ or go up in value?

Jakobi · 02-08-2010, 01:58 PM

For me it's less about mileage and more about the condition in which I acquired it. For instance my CX500. Wiring harness hacked to crap, cam shaft oil seal leaking, stator takes a crap, dented tank, beat to crap side covers, nacelle falling apart, rust on the frame, wrong wheels, paint faded, etc. I don't feel bad about striping it down and having some fun with it. Current plans are to covert it to Pro-link, CBR fork swap, spokies instead of com-stars and converting the ignition. This is in addition to a custom paint job. The bike only showed about 20k miles but this is probably off since the speedo was busted.

My VF500 on the other hand had very little cosmetically wrong with it (the motor did take a crap on me but I got spares with the bike

). It is my intention to keep it looking as original as possible. It has over 32k miles.

The CB in question? I would clean it up, fix the carbs and ride it all over the place. If you want a real project bike, start with one.

-Jake

KevinD · 02-08-2010, 01:59 PM

I'd leave that one stock.
If it were a 500 twin, I'd hack it in a second.
That's a pretty sweet bike at that price.
A word of caution: the stock electrical system most likely will not keep the battery charged with the lights on all the time (my '71 didn't), but there are ways around that.

KevinD

Jakobi · 02-08-2010, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by mikeypb234

Good point. If it's left all original, do these types of bikes usually retain/ or go up in value?

Generally speaking yes. Anyone wanting to modify a bike will buy one that is unmodified so they can make the changes they want. Because of that there isn't much market for modified bikes with the exception of some really popular cafe bikes.

-Jake

james1300 · 02-08-2010, 02:01 PM

Keep it Original! Café it and you will never get as much as a stocker.
I had a '76 CB-550F Super Sport.
Rode it from here to Miami Beach, FL. and back
These are smooth running bikes.

mikeypb234 · 02-08-2010, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Jakobi

The CB in question? I would clean it up, fix the carbs and ride it all over the place. If you want a real project bike, start with one.

-Jake

I'll keep that in mind. If I got this one I'd have to resist making a cafe racer...

mikeypb234 · 02-08-2010, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by james1300

Keep it Original! Café it and you will never get as much as a stocker.
I had a '76 CB-550F Super Sport.
Rode it from here to Miami Beach, FL. and back
These are smooth running bikes.

Cool ride! How is maintaining these types of bikes?

curveaddict · 02-08-2010, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by mikeypb234

Good point. If it's left all original, do these types of bikes usually retain/ or go up in value?

The short answer is yes. The more thoughtful answer is that the value of any given bike is based on current demand at the time, but customized bikes rarely command as high a price as an intact, original model.

skewterdewd · 02-08-2010, 02:05 PM

That looks like a fair price if she's clean.

If it's still a specimen, I say leave it, but don't expect to retire on your investment.

If it's marginal, get out the torch and the wrenches, but remember it will never be an rr no matter how much dough you pile up.

Either way, you'll have a blast on it, and they're kind of chick-magnetic as well...

mikeypb234 · 02-08-2010, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by curveaddict

The short answer is yes. The more thoughtful answer is that the value of any given bike is based on current demand at the time, but customized bikes rarely command as high a price as an intact, original model.

That's true. Well now I'm seriously thinking of getting this bike

sschering · 02-08-2010, 02:07 PM

I agree.. I bought my 77 XS-400 intending it to be a parts bike for another XS-400 I had but it was so complete I couldn't do it.. I've kept it as stock as possible other than normal maintenance.

Now my 79 GS1000L while it looked good to start with turned into a real pile when I got into the mechanical and electrical. I'm having fun changing whatever I want on that bike.

dragracer1951 · 02-08-2010, 02:08 PM

That's an old bike, not a classic bike.
Single cam H*nda's are holding their value pretty well, bu tyou're never going to make a lot of money on one.
I look for condition. It's cheaper in the long run (by far) to buy the one in the best condition an denjoy it as opposed to restoring one. If they have the majority of parts there, I'll rebuild it stock. Rust and faded paint aren't shit. Send it to powercoat, paint and plate.
Condition, condition, condition...

mikeypb234 · 02-08-2010, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by skewterdewd

they're kind of chick-magnetic as well...

Really? I thought only guys that wore wife-beaters while on the freeway riding a GIXXER got the ladies???

haha

mikeypb234 · 02-08-2010, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by dragracer1951

That's an old bike, not a classic bike.
Single cam H*nda's are holding their value pretty well, bu tyou're never going to make a lot of money on one.
I look for condition. It's cheaper in the long run (by far) to buy the one in the best condition an denjoy it as opposed to restoring one. If they have the majority of parts there, I'll rebuild it stock. Rust and faded paint aren't shit. Send it to powercoat, paint and plate.
Condition, condition, condition...

Oh to me I thought it was a classic but I haven't been around too long. ha. But I'm with you. I think that I'd be more satisfied to keep this in such good, original condition in the long run

magista · 02-08-2010, 02:20 PM

You should check out: www.sohc.net

Good info from folks who are waaay into these things.

mikeypb234 · 02-08-2010, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by magista

You should check out: www.sohc.net

Good info from folks who are waaay into these things.

Thank you!

mikeypb234 · 02-08-2010, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by magista

You should check out: www.sohc.net

Good info from folks who are waaay into these things.

Damian, I see that you have the same bike as the one I'm looking at? nvm pm on the way

RVFR · 02-08-2010, 02:48 PM

Don't forget the 2 stroke crowd, back in the good ole days they rocked.. and still do today if you can find one.

saltlick · 02-08-2010, 02:58 PM

i had a 1978 Honda CB750 and a 1974 honda cb550. 74 had clip on handlebars, 4 into 1 exhaust, and a bunch of other mods on it i got a bunch of pics of it and a video of it running so you can hear the exhaust. I had alot of fun playing with that bike, wish i had it now. Youll learn alot from cleaning it up and working on it. In the end i got frustrated with the carbs since there is 4 of them and i started having problems with it running right. I pulled them off and cleaned them up and did some other adjustments and put them back on and the original problem went away but another one came up, i finally sold it and wished i hadnt. Cool thing is, no matter where i went everyone would stop and look at that bike, it was kick start only so it added to the old school feel about it. The gas tank was the sunset color i think they called it (orange metal flake) man i loved that bike. Get one and cafe it out you wont be sorry.

mikeypb234 · 02-08-2010, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by saltlick

i had a 1978 Honda CB750 and a 1974 honda cb550. 74 had clip on handlebars, 4 into 1 exhaust, and a bunch of other mods on it i got a bunch of pics of it and a video of it running so you can hear the exhaust. I had alot of fun playing with that bike, wish i had it now. Youll learn alot from cleaning it up and working on it. In the end i got frustrated with the carbs since there is 4 of them and i started having problems with it running right. I pulled them off and cleaned them up and did some other adjustments and put them back on and the original problem went away but another one came up, i finally sold it and wished i hadnt. Cool thing is, no matter where i went everyone would stop and look at that bike, it was kick start only so it added to the old school feel about it. The gas tank was the sunset color i think they called it (orange metal flake) man i loved that bike. Get one and cafe it out you wont be sorry.

nice, thanks!!

Lone Rider · 02-08-2010, 03:48 PM

Uh Jim, wanna hook up your trailer? We gotta beat the OP to this one.

Kidding.
Just sold a similar bike. Clean, correct, survivor.
Never rode it much. Too nice to get dirty. Made money.
They are cool but I tend to use, abuse and modify all 2 wheel objects I purchase.
Soooo..., no more classics for Me.

varment · 02-08-2010, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by curveaddict

I my opinion; a classic bike with all original equipment should be respected for what it is and left stock. If it is a beater, or just missing many of its original components, then have fun customizing it. Avoid altering any original components, in any case.

Originally Posted by mikeypb234

Good point. If it's left all original, do these types of bikes usually retain/ or go up in value?

Probably retain, but if you get it now and it is all clean, fix the carbs you might be able to get another $500 come summer time...

Originally Posted by mikeypb234

Really? I thought only guys that wore wife-beaters while on the freeway riding a GIXXER got the ladies???

haha

NO!! Those wife beater riders get the GIRLS!!! A LADY see's them for what they are... asshats!

mikeypb234 · 02-08-2010, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by Lone Rider

Uh Jim, wanna hook up your trailer? We gotta beat the OP to this one.

Kidding.
Just sold a similar bike. Clean, correct, survivor.
Never rode it much. Too nice to get dirty. Made money.
They are cool but I tend to use, abuse and modify all 2 wheel objects I purchase.
Soooo..., no more classics for Me.

That's a good point too. I guess the best thing for me would be to ride it and see if I actually like it...

mikeypb234 · 02-08-2010, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by varment

NO!! Those wife beater riders get the GIRLS!!! A LADY see's them for what they are... asshats!

haha

dragracer1951 · 02-08-2010, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Lone Rider

Uh Jim, wanna hook up your trailer? We gotta beat the OP to this one.

Kidding.

Nah...
I'm diligently trying to divest myself of all them Japanese bikes...

I got STANDARDS ya know.

mikeypb234 · 02-08-2010, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by dragracer1951

Nah...
I'm diligently trying to divest myself of all them Japanese bikes...

I got STANDARDS ya know.

Man, you got quite a collection there...When I'm in belfair I'll have to stop by and see some of them...

eseeray26 · 02-08-2010, 04:15 PM

I just bought a 78 cb400 last spring got a great deal on it it was great for running around town on. put a couple hundred $into minor fixes and almost 4000 miles sold it yesterday made almost $500 if it looks good as is keep it as is. I say only cafe the ones that you pick up for 3-400 and are already beat to shit

skewterdewd · 02-08-2010, 04:36 PM

just a bit more fuel on the fire for inspiration..

http://www.twinlinemotorcycles.com/

XcaptainXbloodX · 02-08-2010, 04:48 PM

Im a bit confused at everyone saying to keep a 72 cb500 stock to retain its value.

its a 72 cb 500. theres a million of em around, and the only reason they command the 1200$ price tag is for the current cafe bike boom.
sure he could get a snotter for 300$ then source parts on ebay and make it whole for less than 1200 but how many hours is he gonna be in the garage with rusted on bolts and chewed up wiring harnesses? time is money...

i say buy the damn thing do what you want, save parts and try not to cut up the frame. a well done cafe bike can fetch very close to a well preserved stock bike.


02-08-2010, 01:46 PM	#1
mikeypb234 Pit Crew Joined: Aug 2009 From: Puyallup, WA I Ride: 2006 CBR 600rr	I'm interested in older motorcycles.... So recently I've been watching some people do Cafe racer projects and seen some vintage bikes running around. I love the look of both of them, but I was wondering, if you get an all original, older bike with low miles, do you tear it up and create something of your own? Or do you keep it original and let it go up in value? I'm interested in getting a second bike soon and I came upon this one on CL http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/1590232098.html: 1972 Honda CB 500 Motorcycle Great condition Looks exactly like this: I called the guy and he said it has a little over 4k miles on it. Runs but needs carbs cleaned. No rust. Clean title and it's only $1,200.... I have no experience with these kinds of bikes, but I think it'd be fun to have. Let me know what you think! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-08-2010, 01:56 PM	#2
curveaddict Streetfighter Joined: Sep 2008 From: Vancouver, WA I Ride: ... ,2006 Kawasaki Z1000, KLX250SF 'tard, ...	I my opinion; a classic bike with all original equipment should be respected for what it is and left stock. If it is a beater, or just missing many of its original components, then have fun customizing it. Avoid altering any original components, in any case. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter Last edited by curveaddict; 02-08-2010 at 01:58 PM..


02-08-2010, 01:58 PM	#4
Jakobi WMRRA Qualifier Joined: Jul 2008 From: Klamath Falls, OR I Ride: '78 CX500 (project); '84 VF500F; '98 VFR800 (main squeeze)	For me it's less about mileage and more about the condition in which I acquired it. For instance my CX500. Wiring harness hacked to crap, cam shaft oil seal leaking, stator takes a crap, dented tank, beat to crap side covers, nacelle falling apart, rust on the frame, wrong wheels, paint faded, etc. I don't feel bad about striping it down and having some fun with it. Current plans are to covert it to Pro-link, CBR fork swap, spokies instead of com-stars and converting the ignition. This is in addition to a custom paint job. The bike only showed about 20k miles but this is probably off since the speedo was busted. My VF500 on the other hand had very little cosmetically wrong with it (the motor did take a crap on me but I got spares with the bike ). It is my intention to keep it looking as original as possible. It has over 32k miles. The CB in question? I would clean it up, fix the carbs and ride it all over the place. If you want a real project bike, start with one. -Jake __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-08-2010, 01:59 PM	#5
KevinD MotoGP Contender Joined: Mar 2009 From: Spokane Valley I Ride: Suzuki Boulevard C90, Honda CM250C, My Wife's Scooter	I'd leave that one stock. If it were a 500 twin, I'd hack it in a second. That's a pretty sweet bike at that price. A word of caution: the stock electrical system most likely will not keep the battery charged with the lights on all the time (my '71 didn't), but there are ways around that. KevinD __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter Last edited by KevinD; 02-08-2010 at 02:02 PM..


02-08-2010, 02:01 PM	#7
james1300 Track School Dazed Joined: Oct 2005 From: CENTRAL I Ride: When I can	Keep it Original! Café it and you will never get as much as a stocker. I had a '76 CB-550F Super Sport. Rode it from here to Miami Beach, FL. and back These are smooth running bikes. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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02-08-2010, 02:05 PM	#11
skewterdewd Endorsed Joined: Oct 2007 From: Portland Oregon I Ride: slowly, but with ferocity.	That looks like a fair price if she's clean. If it's still a specimen, I say leave it, but don't expect to retire on your investment. If it's marginal, get out the torch and the wrenches, but remember it will never be an rr no matter how much dough you pile up. Either way, you'll have a blast on it, and they're kind of chick-magnetic as well... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-08-2010, 02:07 PM	#13
sschering Zone Head Joined: Sep 2008 From: Kennewick, WA Blog Entries: 17 I Ride: Whatever old bike isn't broken, 1977 XS-400D (broken), 1979 GS-1000L(in-progress), 1960 BSA C15 (missing pieces)	I agree.. I bought my 77 XS-400 intending it to be a parts bike for another XS-400 I had but it was so complete I couldn't do it.. I've kept it as stock as possible other than normal maintenance. Now my 79 GS1000L while it looked good to start with turned into a real pile when I got into the mechanical and electrical. I'm having fun changing whatever I want on that bike. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-08-2010, 02:08 PM	#14
dragracer1951 Retired Joined: Sep 2005 From: Bremerton I Ride: 03 Are See fiddy one, 05 DRZ400SM, 95 FZR1040, 69 Combat Commando Roadster, 73 Commando Interstate, 67 BSA B44, 71 BSA B50	That's an old bike, not a classic bike. Single cam Hnda's are holding their value pretty well, bu tyou're never going to make a lot of money on one. I look for condition. It's cheaper in the long run (by far) to buy the one in the best condition an denjoy it as opposed to restoring one. If they have the majority of parts there, I'll rebuild it stock. Rust and faded paint aren't shit. Send it to powercoat, paint and plate. Condition, condition, condition... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter*


02-08-2010, 02:20 PM	#17
magista Training Wheels Joined: Feb 2009 From: Portland, OR I Ride: like the wind.	You should check out: www.sohc.net Good info from folks who are waaay into these things. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-08-2010, 02:48 PM	#20
RVFR Pilot in Command Joined: Dec 2005 From: Olympia, WA Blog Entries: 11 I Ride: Honda............Ducati?	Don't forget the 2 stroke crowd, back in the good ole days they rocked.. and still do today if you can find one. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-08-2010, 02:58 PM	#21
saltlick Streetfighter Joined: Mar 2009 From: Beaverton, Oregon I Ride: 04 Honda CBRR600	i had a 1978 Honda CB750 and a 1974 honda cb550. 74 had clip on handlebars, 4 into 1 exhaust, and a bunch of other mods on it i got a bunch of pics of it and a video of it running so you can hear the exhaust. I had alot of fun playing with that bike, wish i had it now. Youll learn alot from cleaning it up and working on it. In the end i got frustrated with the carbs since there is 4 of them and i started having problems with it running right. I pulled them off and cleaned them up and did some other adjustments and put them back on and the original problem went away but another one came up, i finally sold it and wished i hadnt. Cool thing is, no matter where i went everyone would stop and look at that bike, it was kick start only so it added to the old school feel about it. The gas tank was the sunset color i think they called it (orange metal flake) man i loved that bike. Get one and cafe it out you wont be sorry. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-08-2010, 03:48 PM	#23
Lone Rider Streetfighter Joined: Feb 2009 From: Pennisula backroads I Ride: 2006 ZX-14, future rat bike	Uh Jim, wanna hook up your trailer? We gotta beat the OP to this one. Kidding. Just sold a similar bike. Clean, correct, survivor. Never rode it much. Too nice to get dirty. Made money. They are cool but I tend to use, abuse and modify all 2 wheel objects I purchase. Soooo..., no more classics for Me. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-08-2010, 04:15 PM	#29
eseeray26 WMRRA Qualifier Joined: May 2009 From: Drain OR Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: 1985 Honda V45 sabre	I just bought a 78 cb400 last spring got a great deal on it it was great for running around town on. put a couple hundred $into minor fixes and almost 4000 miles sold it yesterday made almost $500 if it looks good as is keep it as is. I say only cafe the ones that you pick up for 3-400 and are already beat to shit __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-08-2010, 04:36 PM	#30
skewterdewd Endorsed Joined: Oct 2007 From: Portland Oregon I Ride: slowly, but with ferocity.	just a bit more fuel on the fire for inspiration.. http://www.twinlinemotorcycles.com/ __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


02-08-2010, 04:48 PM	#31
XcaptainXbloodX Pit Crew Joined: Jan 2009 From: Portland,OR I Ride: S2R 800	Im a bit confused at everyone saying to keep a 72 cb500 stock to retain its value. its a 72 cb 500. theres a million of em around, and the only reason they command the 1200$ price tag is for the current cafe bike boom. sure he could get a snotter for 300$ then source parts on ebay and make it whole for less than 1200 but how many hours is he gonna be in the garage with rusted on bolts and chewed up wiring harnesses? time is money... i say buy the damn thing do what you want, save parts and try not to cut up the frame. a well done cafe bike can fetch very close to a well preserved stock bike. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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