The Honda Owners Club

Hi all,

Looking for some help/advice. I have been looking for a CB750 to restore and would like some idea of how much i should be paying? Specifically for an F1. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Smudger.

I assume that you keep an eye on eBay - that's usually a fair guide (but I've been to see a few and there is some real rubbish around on eBay!)

You also need to consider what you mean by "restore" as cosmetics (paint and chrome) are hugely expensive unless you are a painter/chromer. Engines on the other hand are fairly easy to fix as long as you have the time and the inclination.

I have a red F1 advertised for £1350, which is a reasonable price as it's not bad.

The scale goes from about £500 for real rubbish to £2k-£2.5k for a really nice rider. Go out and look at some that are advertised. If you are in SE England, pop over and have a look at mine!

Steve

Hi Steve,

Thanks for youre reply. I am looking at one on Ebay at the moment, itss a yellow one and its advertised as a CB750 FOUR. I looked at it the other night and it looks ok ish, had it HPI checked and all the frame/engine numbers add up although the original colour is red. It's a non runner but all there, except for a l/h rr indicator. I am bidding on it and have set my limit to 350, although i am tempted to go more! I work in Reading so not far from you, might pop over and drool over yours one day if thats OK, although it's out of my price range at the moment i wouldn't mind a few photos if possible? email add srm.holt@btinternet.com

Thanks again,

Smudger. (Steve).

Hi Smudger,

How long is a piece of string?

I have seen bikes in good mechanical condition go for as little as 500-600 but looked really bad cosmetically these could be good restoration projects, on the other hand I saw a bike what looked to be in top showroom condition go for over 2000 and turned out to be a nightmare for the chap who bought it.

The cheepest I saw one go for was 200 quid but that was a right heap and would have needed so much work and parts putting into it that it would have cost a couple of grand to put into top condition.

SteveD CB500F is correct in what he has said it all depends on what you mean by restoring as the cosmetic side can cost a fortune unless you can use a spray gun ... or know someone who can do a good job cheap, most chrome parts can be replaced resonably cheaply by looking for good second hand parts.

I have just paid 750 for a CB750kz in good mechanical condition taxed and with a long MOT (the framework is sound too as is most of the chrome) but it will need a good deal of cleaning and polishing plus a respray to get it anything like top condition. As I can spray paint and have the equipment too so that side is no problem for me the rest is just elbow grease and time .... and a bit of cash to replace the odd bit here and there.

I would suggest you buy a runner ei: taxed and tested so be prepared to pay between 600-1000

I like the yellow ones. My room-mate had one at Uni in 1976.

Can't look at eBay until lunchtime (network police), so I'll have a look then.

My F1 is in London in a lock-up.

Thanks for your help guys,

I really wanted one intact (unmolested, i think is the term!), with regards to the restoration work i am a technician so am not afraid of doing anything really, i appreciate the expensive stuff is the paint and chrome etc, but i eventually want to end up with a good straight original useable bike, much as i can appreciate concours bikes its not really what i'm looking to do with one.

The one on ebay has shot up to 400 now, i think i'll go up to 500 max, as i have looked at it and it needs a complete brake overhaul, possible exhaust and it's not running at the moment, although it does turn over, it's the wrong colour, but it is original, i.e. the frame No and engine No tie up with the Reg No.

If anyone knows of one up for grabs please let me know?

Thanks once again,

Smudger.

Can't help you with the bike, but welcome to the forum.

smudger wrote:Hi Steve,

Thanks for youre reply. I am looking at one on Ebay at the moment, itss a yellow one and its advertised as a CB750 FOUR. I looked at it the other night and it looks ok ish, had it HPI checked and all the frame/engine numbers add up although the original colour is red. It's a non runner but all there, except for a l/h rr indicator. I am bidding on it and have set my limit to 350, although i am tempted to go more! I work in Reading so not far from you, might pop over and drool over yours one day if thats OK, although it's out of my price range at the moment i wouldn't mind a few photos if possible? email add srm.holt@btinternet.com

Thanks again,

Smudger. (Steve).

Can't find it.

Got an item number or a link?

Hi Steve, here's the item No.

I was thinking about a 500 limit, what do you think?

150267133779

Cheers,

Steve.

Well it's all there.
Original exhaust is a find - as long as it's not full of holes.

Have you been to look? Chrome on wheels? Rot on exhaust? Any frame "irregularities"?

I'll bet it goes for £750-ish

Hi Steve,

Frame looks OK although i didnt remove any panels/tank etc so could only see what i could see? Exhaust, well the story is he fitted a new one, about 15 yrs ago so how long it will last once the bike is warm is anyones guess! I have budgeted for a new one anyway, do you know, are the original exhausts still available?

Would i have been robbed if i pay 750 for it? To be honest i could stretch to that for the right bike, although i wouldn't tell SWMBO!

How likely is it, at 29,000 miles, to need a cam chain/tensioner in your opinion?

I just might stretch to it, it's an unmolested bikem been in the family for 20 odd yrs, 3 owners, it definately has potential?

Cheers,

Steve.

Those exhausts are unobtanium. If the one fitted is rotten, you'll have to budget for an aftermarket 4-1 (Marshall Deeptone are cool - I had one on an F2 - hooligan noise!)

You won't know about camchain until you start it up. Bear in mind that all SOHC Hondas rattle a certain amount, usually because the carbs need balancing. At 29k it should be OK - but who knows...

I've sold rougher K2s for over a grand before.

I agree with SteveD on all points... will probably go for around 7 to 8 hundred although saying that I saw one go a couple of weeks ago for 795 in better condition (also a yellow one.) the tank on this does look to be a replacement tank off a yellow bike and not a respay...but I could be wrong.

Hi Guys,

Well i got the one off ebay, the bloke decided to accept my offer and ended the auction. I paid 500, which by all accounts is pretty reasonable. Got it home today and went to work straight away. Lifted the seat to expose the battery, not there! (any suggestions on where to obtain a new one would be great), Stole the battery off my BMW and could only get it to crank by bridging the soleniod, starter switch doesnt work? anyway, wouldnt start so decided to investigate, soon realised that 'sloshing' noise from the bike on the way home wasnt a 1/2 a tank of petrol, but 1/2 a tank of water !!!

Removed tank and drained water out. The inside of the tank is rusty, i can see this causing an ongoing filter issue, any ideas?

Had a bit of a clean up and left it as the light faded.

Overall i'm very pleased with the bike thus far although i'm obviously itching to get it running!!!

I'll keep you all posted!

Smudger.

Looks like you will have your work cut out for you but what a great project! Looking forward to reading all about it and seeing the pics too!!