I bought my first motorcycle in 1979, a 1977 (if I remember correctly) CB550.
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:
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:
Looking it over, I said “hell, I can do that”, so 10 months after initial purchase, I had built this 1980 CX 500:
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.
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.
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
