Honda CB750 Sandcast
Buy and Sell => Motorcycle's For Sale => Topic started by: flyinelvis on February 19, 2013, 06:56:13 pm
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I bought my first motorcycle in 1979, a 1977 (if I remember correctly) CB550.
(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p560/flyinelvis/scan0007_zpsea31b7c8.jpg)
I was really (peripherally) into what was known then as the burgeoning café scene, even though many in and around my North Carolina home had no idea what that was. In retrospect, maybe I didn’t, either.
But still I had a desire to create something of my own, something no one else had, so I dug in with limited funds, and built this:
(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p560/flyinelvis/scan0009_zps7d4e4a49.jpg)
Times being what they were, it was 1984 before I knew it, I was married and had my first child on the way. My “café’d” creation was sold to a friend for $500 and a bowling ball. Love to have that bike, back…
I eventually drifted into mountain biking and road cycling, but never lost that feeling of freedom that only a motorcycle can give. By now I was in my middle 50’s and the clock was ticking. Inspired by my job in the race industry, I started scanning forums such as SOHC4, CX500 Forum, Pipeburn, BikeEFX, etc., until I came upon this:
(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p560/flyinelvis/honda_cx500-cafe_wrenchmonkees_zps57116c5b.jpg)
Looking it over, I said “hell, I can do that”, so 10 months after initial purchase, I had built this 1980 CX 500:
(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p560/flyinelvis/EF022669-DE81-4E79-8611-7785C4F168B0-4614-00000407712DE131_zps823017fd.jpg)
I realize I copied someone else’s idea. But the fact of the matter was, I had built something.
Now I’m on to my second build, another CX500 (1979) that I am going to make much less bobber, much more café.
(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p560/flyinelvis/435116C6-387D-4DFD-ABCE-4137EEE9EBA5-4614-00000407ECB5798A_zps11b25c28.jpg)
Which of which brings me to the topic of discussion.
I have always wanted a CB750. My brother’s father in law (follow that?) used to tell stories about his 750, getting pulled by the local sheriff for riding all three of his kids home from school on it when his car wouldn’t start. The last time I bumped into him, I asked if he still had it. He did, sitting since 1987 in the basement of his Muffler Shop in the foothills of NC. I visited him this past Saturday, paid what I though was a fair price for this filthy monstrosity, trailered it home and got out the simple green and hosed it down.
(http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/p560/flyinelvis/P1040777_zpsecf34776.jpg)
Where to start? Well, I knew there were valuable 1969 CB750’s out there, but I never dreamed this would be one of them. I looked up the serial number: CB750E-1003709. Sure enough, she’s a sandcast. Frame # CB750-1004014. The tank (no major dents, some pinhole corrosion in the paint and of course on the inside) is a “wrinkle” tank, with the carb dimples. Wow.
So herein lays my dilemma.
I can build what I think is a decent little custom, garage built ride. But definitely NOT from this collector’s item. I have some limited fabrication skills, but nothing that would allow me to restore this bike to what it should be. I need to find it a good home and at the same time I need to establish fair market value and hopefully get it into the hands of a restoration expert, investing any profits into my next build.
So that’s my story. I would really value any opinions from this board. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
-tom aka flyinelvis
flyinelvis@me.com
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Wrong front fender,
Wrong exhaust pipes.
Very bad head gasket oil leak.
Very bad oxidation/rust.
Need more pictures.
How many miles?
Does the engine turn over?
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Hi Tom
Great story and great find. Good to see you have the interest to preserve this bike as it would be a shame to see one so complete modified or broken up.
KP
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Thanks for all the interest this model has generated through email contact. My plan is to document the bike on Friday (2/22) and post the images to this forum. I don't what to mis-represent what this bike is or isn't to interested parties.
To answer a few general questions, the bike has ~16.5K on the clock and the engine spins free. The original tool kit is present, but no owners manual or key at this time. PO is still hoping to locate the key.
In reference to the negative comments posted by 1941wld, I never suggested this was a pristine example of a sandcast CB750. It is truly a barn (OK, muffler shop) find and best I could tell through the license plate, the last time it was ridden was 1987.
Thanks again for all the interest, I'll be back on Friday with photos...
-tom
flyinelvis@me.com
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And, oh yeah, I have the notarized title in my name. I haven't processed it through the state of NC as of yet...
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In reference to the negative comments posted by 1941wld, I never suggested this was a pristine example of a sandcast CB750.
That's Conrad's (wld41) way of telling a new person he's happy you found the bike, appreciates what a sandcast is and hopes you'll get a fair price from the sale.
Tis a genuine barn find. Must of been a thrill realizing what you found. Probably w/ a little fiddling, the engine would run.
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Tom nice snag on finding the sandcast. It is always good to find these kind of diamonds in the rough. Major plus's are engine turns over, correct fuel tank, covers etc; engine and frame are a good VIN match. The bike will need a lot TLC (DETAILING). Marty K.
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Appears to be a long choke lever........ ???
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Appears to be a long choke lever........ ???
Your eyes are way better than mine then. :o
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seems unlikely a long choke are on that high of a vin..... difficult to tell in the picture...... "appears"......
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I'm overwhelmed by the response to my post. I'll be getting in touch with each of you, now that the photos are available. I think it's best that before any discussions move forward, interested parties have the opportunity to get a better feel for my offering.
As promised, I have documented the bike and the images can be viewed, here:
http://s1155.beta.photobucket.com/user/flyinelvis/library/1969%20Sandcast%20Honda%20CB750%20Four? (http://s1155.beta.photobucket.com/user/flyinelvis/library/1969%20Sandcast%20Honda%20CB750%20Four?)
I will be leaving town on Saturday morning (2/23) for several days. I will have limited access to email, but will do my best to answer any questions as quickly as I can.
Again, many thanks for the interest.
-tom
flyinelvis@me.com
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short choke lever...
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So, I've looked at the pictures. It is in sad condition.
What do you guys think the bike is worth? I'm sure several of us are making Tom offers on this bike. It's like a silent auction here on the site. I know I've made him an offer and I guess if it is the highest he will get back to me. It looks like a complete restoration is required. It would make a good parts donor or you could spend a small fortune in a restoration. If you are going to spend the money to restore, seems like one would spent that money on a lower serial number bike, but I guess every sandcast is a keeper. What do you think?
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Just got an email from Tom.
THE BIKE HAS SOLD.
So, I guess my offer was not the "WINNING BID". Too bad he did not let me make a counter offer.
I'm a little relieved, because I'd be spending more of my life working on a bike rather than riding a bike. I'm get closer to the 60 mark and I want to be seeing the country from the seat of my bike. Not looking at it on the internet while I'm buying more parts to put the bike back together.
ALL WORK AND NO PLAY MAKES JACK A DULL BOY!
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So, I've looked at the pictures. It is in sad condition.
What do you guys think the bike is worth? I'm sure several of us are making Tom offers on this bike. It's like a silent auction here on the site. I know I've made him an offer and I guess if it is the highest he will get back to me. It looks like a complete restoration is required. It would make a good parts donor or you could spend a small fortune in a restoration. If you are going to spend the money to restore, seems like one would spent that money on a lower serial number bike, but I guess every sandcast is a keeper. What do you think?
It really depends on how much the bike went for. I estimate that bike would probably cost around $8000 or more to restore if you can find the correct parts. I too thought the same thing as you and thought that I'd rather hold out for a lower number bike. It's just a personal preference and I rather pay a premium for the bike I really want and I'm prepared to wait.
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Yes, the bike certainly needs a complete restoration with corrosion being the big ticket item Nevertheless it is a matching numbers bike and thus will command a price triple what would be obtained on say a mid series K0 in similar condition. If the bike was parted out it would likely realise $5k++ so I'm thinking $5k to $8k for a bike like Tom's would be a realistic sum. KP
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KP,
I'm looking to build a Rickman CB750 and that bike would have made a nice donor. Any one out there have a Rickman frame or bike they want to sell? Let me know.
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My experience, $8K, is less than half the amount complete a restoration.
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KP,
I'm looking to build a Rickman CB750 and that bike would have made a nice donor. Any one out there have a Rickman frame or bike they want to sell? Let me know.
Hi Conrad
I have a friend here in Oz who has a Rickman but it's complete and based on a later model. A good friend had a Rickman when we were into bikes in the early 70s. I didn't know much about them in those years but do know he could hold another mate's Z1 at bay and run past him at all speeds over 100. Personally they never yanked my chain then or now but I spose each to their poison :D
Let's face it, some like Harley, some like Ducati, hell! some even like Guzzi ;D What can I say about a Rickman after that lot :o
Cheers
KP
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1941wld asks for a Rickman and a low vin donorbike. What about CB1676 engine 1638? (last 2 ciffers half ditto frame vin!) and a Seeley frame born to take the Sandcast. Though we shoehorned a CBX750 engine into it 25 years ago. Do not really know the diffrence to the Rickman except my Seeley was delivered in black paint to my demand. Am a little shy to let anybody know what bike I´m on. Got a Fireblade in ´96. The Seeley was a match to it up to say 70-80 MPH. Then the stability of the Blade is superior. This on little twisty country roads. But it has not been running for some years now. Friend with an R90S BMW got a VFR Honda. BMW and Seeley were equal on power. A problem might be I do´t know about pictures, and even less how to put them into this forum. Only got one rearwheel. Got new brakeshoes some 10 years ago. O-ring chain was new with the CBX engine. The original sandcast lasted a chain some 1 or 2 K km. The Blade wears out a O-ring chain in some 30 K km. Mileage is not known. Speedo was only on for the autumn 1969 i.e. August-Oktober. Next year the Münch brake of my previous BMW was on for a trip to Italy ordering a 4 shoe Fontana brake. Frontwheel still stands with original 1969 tyre! Speedo shows 6655km. Though now frontwheel is an 18" comestar double disc. In a way I have to sell both at the same time. Some parts will be missing for both to be roadworthy. Have to face the fact I´m but an owner and user certainly not on leavel with what I see in this forum. The engine do turn, I us the the kickstart from time to time. Have a diecast engine for it too. Enlarged to some 8xx cc. A firce cam made it difficult to dial in, so the CBX was an easier choise.
Youers Erling.
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Nothing wrong with Rickmans guys, i have two of them a cb750 engined one and a z1000 engined one, they are becoming a good buy for invesment
a bit uncomfotable with the cafe racer riding position, but very to be seen on
pete