Honda CB value

[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

[ellipsis]

...that looks 'clean'...