Honda CB value

[SamNich]

Looking at buying a bike to restore. In terms of the Honda CB series I have been looking at the standard CB650. Are these of any value when they are in good condition? Also if modifying a bike, would it be worth keeping original or making a nice cafe or scrambler out of it? Thanks everyone

[AllanB]

Ah - the what is it worth question.

Correct answer it is worth what you are willing to pay and what the selling is willing to pass it on for. Everything else is another persons opinion.

BUT

CB650 - I don't see them as being particularly collectible - nice rides but the 750 range and earlier 550, 400, 350 fours are the biz.


So if I am correct - the 650 will be a cheaper purchase and you can modify it to your hearts content without feeling guilty. Give it heaps.

I have fond memories of a mates older brothers black and gold stripe CB650/4, Nice ride.

[russd7]

Looking at buying a bike to restore. In terms of the Honda CB series I have been looking at the standard CB650. Are these of any value when they are in good condition? Also if modifying a bike, would it be worth keeping original or making a nice cafe or scrambler out of it? Thanks everyone

as allan said the 650 and i will add 900 don't seem as collectable, as for value if you are doing it to on sell then it will be worth what someone else is prepared to pay when you decide to sell.
as for the second part of your question, look on tardme and see all the modded bikes on there that people are asking silly money for, doesn't mean they get it, so really depends on what you are wanting to do

[HenryDorsetCase]

Don't go there girlfriend.

You buy for say $3k: more likely $6k. You spend minimum four grand, maximum the sky is the limit. You sell you get back a third of what it owes you. You regret it instantly. You see it on tardme a year later and try and buy it back.. but its sold already.

you will never, ever get your money back. Particularly if it is custom.

Do it because you like to get away from your wife and into the shed, tot up the cost. Buy a TV and a fridge and install it in said shed. Buy something already done. Best of both worlds

Save yourself a world of pain. Buy a DN-01 or something.

Oh yeah, if I was going down the rabbithole again, I would be looking at SOHC 750's. The undervalued ones are the last ones. The very last one (the F2) has Comstar wheels, triple discs and kind of later looking instruments. Or maybe an F1 - they have minimally more horsepowers and you will pick up a good one for ~$5k.

If you are serious: buy this. You would maybe get it for $12k. Ride it. Have a happy life. You will thank me later.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-1059676893.htm

[SamNich]

Being slightly newer then the other older Cb's, almost a generation ahead could you call it? Would they be more reliable and better bikes in general. For example the CB650 vs the Cb550 besides the slight differences cc related Hoping for a bike that will be adaquate for commuting. thanks. helped a lot

[HenryDorsetCase]

Looking at buying a bike to restore. In terms of the Honda CB series I have been looking at the standard CB650. Are these of any value when they are in good condition? Also if modifying a bike, would it be worth keeping original or making a nice cafe or scrambler out of it? Thanks everyone

Better value: DOHC 750 and 900's. People seem to think every piece of shit 750 K2, K4, K6 is worth ten grand. Yeah Nah.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Being slightly newer then the other older Cb's, almost a generation ahead could you call it? Would they be more reliable and better bikes in general. For example the CB650 vs the Cb550 besides the slight differences cc related Hoping for a bike that will be adaquate for commuting. thanks. helped a lot

Did the CB650 come with EI or points still? I've never worked on one. If you do wind up with a 650 you can get rid of the breaker points and put in a Boyer Brandsen ignition. That saves you one set of hassle.

Are you talking SOHC CB550? (dont forget they did a CB500 four too). or the later CBX550?

all of those bikes are reliable - people used to do what you are doing all day everyday. My first CB750F1 I rode everywhere - had no car. communting to work, racing to Martinborough at the weekends, two up touring in the North and South islands.

I loved that bike.

[AllanB]

Couple 750's on TM worth a look

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-1064398260.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/classic-vintage/auction-1061041760.htm


CB650 was very reliable. To be fair the entire range of IL4 Hondas of the 70-80's were as reliable as hammers provided they had fresh oil at regular intervals.

[T.W.R]

Better value: DOHC 750 and 900's. People seem to think every piece of shit 750 K2, K4, K6 is worth ten grand. Yeah Nah.
Just like this one :yes:

https://touch.trademe.co.nz/motors/listing/view/1063865280

[granstar]

Be lucky to find one that isn't rusted to pieces or original and not boshed about with. Cut my teeth on a CD 175, then a CB 175. Also owned a 550, and currently a 919. All good reliable bikes but they eventually die. Some parts are like rockinghorse poos to find. Motorcycle shop in Dunedin has nabbed a lot of the CB's in the country for parts and restoration, another Ash King had parts.

If you can find a restored one and maintain it, that would be the best practice, the money injected into restoring is massive, but if that is what you want to do... buy something worthy of restoring like an old T140 Triumph, parts are easy to get, simple to work on, and fetch rediculous hay when restored. :yes:

[pritch]

Don't go there girlfriend.

You buy for say $3k: more likely $6k. You spend minimum four grand, maximum the sky is the limit. You sell you get back a third of what it owes you. You regret it instantly. You see it on tardme a year later and try and buy it back.. but its sold already.

you will never, ever get your money back. Particularly if it is custom.

Do it because you like to get away from your wife and into the shed, tot up the cost. Buy a TV and a fridge and install it in said shed. Buy something already done. Best of both worlds

Save yourself a world of pain. Buy a DN-01 or something.

Oh yeah, if I was going down the rabbithole again, I would be looking at SOHC 750's. The undervalued ones are the last ones. The very last one (the F2) has Comstar wheels, triple discs and kind of later looking instruments. Or maybe an F1 - they have minimally more horsepowers and you will pick up a good one for ~$5k.



This is very good advice. The only thing I'd add is that I recently read an item in a Brit mag extolling the virtues of the CB500. They said the 500s can be had for less than the 750 and they're a nicer bike. I agree with that, but I'm biased 'cause I used to own a 500.

[ellipsis]

... buy something worthy of restoring like an old T140 Triumph,

...older CB's are not worthy of restoring?...someone should have told me earlier...

[HenryDorsetCase]

Be lucky to find one that isn't rusted to pieces or original and not boshed about with. Cut my teeth on a CD 175, then a CB 175. Also owned a 550, and currently a 919. All good reliable bikes but they eventually die. Some parts are like rockinghorse poos to find. Motorcycle shop in Dunedin has nabbed a lot of the CB's in the country for parts and restoration, another Ash King had parts.

If you can find a restored one and maintain it, that would be the best practice, the money injected into restoring is massive, but if that is what you want to do... buy something worthy of restoring like an old T140 Triumph, parts are easy to get, simple to work on, and fetch rediculous hay when restored. :yes:

You're wrong. My sense is that the old Jap stuff is where the money is and the old Brit stuff has plateaued or declined in value.

Also old Honda parts are RIDICULOUSLY easy to get: you just have to be prepared to pay. Have a look at the CB400F link I posted last night. You will see the name David Silver mentioned. David Silver's business is to buy up old Honda dealer stock. Now that that is harder to get, they are having stuff remanufactured. Want a NOS CB750 full exhaust? What model Sir? the earlly (CB750) CM300 one? Certainly. Oh, you need the later, quieter CM303? No problem Sir.

They did a run of I think 30 of those CB400's: they bought old shitters, set up a production line, started at the crankshaft and went from there. They represent very good value: like I say, that guy paid effectively round $13k for that bike (he swapped a restored some brit POS) for it but that was the agreed value. If you showed up waving $10k in folding money and were prepared to pay a bit more I reckon you'd own it. Only reason I havent is because I have all my money tied up in a project.

Anyway: the reason that old Brit stuff is plateaued? The enthusiasts are all old(er) dead(er) or on fixed incomes. Pricks like me who grew up on Jap stuff want what we had when young and trashed it, or couldnt afford then. We're in our peak earning years, our kids have left home, we've paid off our houses and we are looking down the barrell of death. So we want to recreate our yoof. Hence the spiralling prices of Jap bikes. The next stuff to go through the roof will be the late 80's early 90's stuff. Mint early GSXR's, CB900RR's, stuff like that.

IMO of course.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Hey OP, check out some links for parts:

www.davidsilver.co.uk

www.cmsnl.com

www.econohonda.co.nz

http://forums.sohc4.net/ forum is very good. Its a bit Mrkn, but great info there.

[HenryDorsetCase]

This is very good advice. The only thing I'd add is that I recently read an item in a Brit mag extolling the virtues of the CB500. They said the 500s can be had for less than the 750 and they're a nicer bike. I agree with that, but I'm biased 'cause I used to own a 500.

my pick would be a CB550F.
http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/honda-cb550.jpg

[Katman]

Hence the spiralling prices of Jap bikes.

I'm banking on it.

[Maha]

Shit can also spiral in a downward direction, banks close at 4:30.

[Banditbandit]

Looking at buying a bike to restore. In terms of the Honda CB series I have been looking at the standard CB650. Are these of any value when they are in good condition? Also if modifying a bike, would it be worth keeping original or making a nice cafe or scrambler out of it? Thanks everyone

If you want to do this to make money - good luck - it is rare to get back from a sale what you put into such bikes ...

If you want something to ride - then think about what you want and either get one of them, or find something that will give you a base to build what you want from.

[PistonBlown]

If your going into this to make money then forget it. Only way to do that is to end up with a shed full of them and make a business of turning them around.

However if you want to have something to play with in the garage, use, and improve on then the older Honda's are great for that. They are simple to work on and parts are relatively easy to get. What I've done in the past is buy cheap non-runners or half finished projects to strip down for parts but that's only worth it if you're beginning to go down the 'shed full' approach above. Once your familiar with one model you'll find the other Hondas are similar to work on. Owned a few Honda's in the past (CG125, CD175, CB175, CX500, CB550, GL650, VFR750) and they almost all pretty simple to work on and chop - except the VFR where even a spark plug change was difficult.

[cheshirecat]

Whilst we're on the subject, any CB160's in this part of the world. Was my first bike. Little gem of a bike too.

[AllanB]

You're wrong. My sense is that the old Jap stuff is where the money is

Anyway: the reason that old Brit stuff is plateaued? The enthusiasts are all old(er) dead(er) or on fixed incomes. Pricks like me who grew up on Jap stuff want what we had when young and trashed it, or couldnt afford then. We're in our peak earning years, our kids have left home, we've paid off our houses and we are looking down the barrell of death. So we want to recreate our yoof. Hence the spiralling prices of Jap bikes. The next stuff to go through the roof will be the late 80's early 90's stuff. Mint early GSXR's, CB900RR's, stuff like that.

IMO of course.

I'm in agreement. Not about Pacific Rim as a movie but certainly the above re Jap bikes. I always had the desire for a original Bonnie. Till I rode one for a bit. I'd pictured it as my Sunday morning toy. Problem is I don;t want to feel numb for the rest of the day after being shaken half to death.

The desire redirected to the bikes I grew up oggling in the showroom while I was on a CB200, KZ440 budget ....... still think I should have purchased that hard arse modified Z900 or mint Z1000j I had been tempted by back in the day.......

Mind you I owned a 82 750 twin Kawasaki I purchased new for something like 23 years. I finally departed with it after riding my good mates new Aprilia (pretty sure it was that bike - he's had so many). It was modern brakes and safe cornering ability that moved me into the modern stuff.

[SamNich]

I hear all you guys!!! I had a one cb650 in my view initially, Do you guys think a CB650 1979 in good condition, running would be worth $1700? Thanks

[AllanB]

I hear all you guys!!! I had a one cb650 in my view initially, Do you guys think a CB650 1979 in good condition, running would be worth $1700? Thanks

Good condition, running. Sounds like a good price to me for a project.

$ to allow for initially - tyres - unless replaced in the last 3 years consider them stuffed. Brakes - allow for a strip, clean, pads etc. Forks - allow to at least drain, flush and replace oil. Chances are the rear shocks if original are stuffed (they were not very good back in the day).

Try to check the fuel tank for inner rust. Probably won't see past the hump via the filler but have a really good look under the edges of the tanks - they were not well painted on the underside and you want to look for any blisters or spots indicating it is rusting out from the inside.

Pull the air cleaner and check condition, I'll allow for a carb clean too.

Pop the wheel off the ground - wiggle and spin checking for a loud bearing. Wiggle the swingarm while the rear is up - it sould not have play.

Electrics - do they look original and still nicely routed and tide up or hanging around the bike like spider webs ?

[pritch]

my pick would be a CB550F.


My choice would be the first model just 'cause.

This is a 550 though and has appeal, but we're safe - it's in Texas.

[ellipsis]

...even though the 550F is an amazingly cool and all the other words that go with Honda if that's your flavour of bike...'tis mine...I wouldn't want to go through the ordeals of brakes and shock and internal chains again, ever...I took the opportunity to 'test',my wifes CBX550F whenever I had the chance and even though my knees got a little bruised from the fairing occasionally , it was a most beautiful and crisp ride...but fixing the odd few things were a mission and a half...Honda really outdid their innovative approach I reckon...

[HenryDorsetCase]

...even though the 550F is an amazingly cool and all the other words that go with Honda if that's your flavour of bike...'tis mine...I wouldn't want to go through the ordeals of brakes and shock and internal chains again, ever...I took the opportunity to 'test',my wifes CBX550F whenever I had the chance and even though my knees got a little bruised from the fairing occasionally , it was a most beautiful and crisp ride...but fixing the odd few things were a mission and a half...Honda really outdid their innovative approach I reckon...

did that one have the shrouded, kind of covered cast iron front brake rotor? bit of a mish to change the pads I think.


I love old bikes but the biggest difference (apart from just general ease of use) is brakes. Modern bikes have really really good brakes, even compared to the best of the old stuff.

[AllanB]

The front 'drum' shroud hiding the disks was the CBX550 in maybe mid 80's. Blood nice looking bike with cross over headers if I remember. Weird brake cover was to hide the disks and Honda had upped the steel content so they stopped better but hid them so when they got surface rust after rain it did not look tardy. Well that is what the word was back in the day.

[SamNich]

After a few months I can finally say I have finished my first 'build'. Some people tried to steer me away from it, some people said go for it. I just thought I might post my progress just Incase anyone was in the same place as me, wanting to build a nice looking bike on a budget. The whole build cost about $2800. $1800 for bike and shipping and then about $1000 on custom stuff, new tires etc, and putting it back through the system. So here it is

[Taxythingy]

Sir,

That is a nice looking bike. Assuming you did the essentials and nothing needs fixing, you get extra credit.

WD :yes:

[ellipsis]

...that looks 'clean'...:niceone:

[Chocky]

Anyway: the reason that old Brit stuff is plateaued? The enthusiasts are all old(er) dead(er) or on fixed incomes. Pricks like me who grew up on Jap stuff want what we had when young and trashed it, or couldnt afford then. We're in our peak earning years, our kids have left home, we've paid off our houses and we are looking down the barrell of death. So we want to recreate our yoof. Hence the spiralling prices of Jap bikes. The next stuff to go through the roof will be the late 80's early 90's stuff. Mint early GSXR's, CB900RR's, stuff like that.

IMO of course.[/QUOTE]

lol...I'm 47 and am in the process of doing up a 82 CX500 (to std condition to sell to the cafe crowd) a 85 GSXR 750 (to mint cond to be put under a glass box in my lounge) and a '96 GSXR 750 to thrash till one of us dies :-)

[GrayWolf]

Anyway: the reason that old Brit stuff is plateaued? The enthusiasts are all old(er) dead(er) or on fixed incomes. Pricks like me who grew up on Jap stuff want what we had when young and trashed it, or couldnt afford then. We're in our peak earning years, our kids have left home, we've paid off our houses and we are looking down the barrell of death. So we want to recreate our yoof. Hence the spiralling prices of Jap bikes. The next stuff to go through the roof will be the late 80's early 90's stuff. Mint early GSXR's, CB900RR's, stuff like that.

IMO of course.

lol...I'm 47 and am in the process of doing up a 82 CX500 (to std condition to sell to the cafe crowd) a 85 GSXR 750 (to mint cond to be put under a glass box in my lounge) and a '96 GSXR 750 to thrash till one of us dies :-)[/QUOTE]

I think the other contributing factore there is the 'new' Bonneville. You can buy 'almost' the same bike, without the hassles of vibration and the 'prince of darkness' electrics.
Certain models are still increasing in value, like the Vincents, and 'rarer' bikes of the 'common' brands. Square 4, rocket 3 etc.