Value of my 11/70 CB750 K1 (PJT 460J)?

[Andrew-S]

My wife sadly passed away on 30th December and I have I’ve come to the decision to sell my US spec 11/70 CB750 K1 (PJT 460J) as I cannot summon up the enthusiasm or motivation to finish the last few jobs left to do as it’s just not that important to me anymore. 

I bought PJT 460J (Frame: 1067191 Engine: 1067553) from ‘UK Pete’ (Pete Sced) in December 2018 with 20,688.9 miles on the clock (current mileage is 20,689.0), it was previously imported and owned by ‘Honda-san’ (Chris Rushton) in 2009.  The bike is original and largely unrestored with all the correct parts as you would expect having been owned by Chris and Pete. There are a few dings and scrapes here and there reflecting 50 years of life, but it’s not been messed about with. 

Menno chemically stripped the tank, repaired and lined it, he then resprayed the paintset in its original Candy Ruby Red paint, the headlight ears and bucket are fitted and rest of the paintset is still boxed and has only ever been fitted for the photos. The exhausts are original HM300. No3 had a couple of dents so it was replaced with a very nice HM300 from the US.

The oil, filter, plugs and battery have been changed and the bike fires-up (on a remote reservoir) and runs cleanly through the gears on the centre stand without coughing and spluttering. The jobs left to do are to balance the carbs as the idle drops off (I suspect slow/pilot jets), reassemble and fit the original petrol tap, the OEM parts are supplied.

There are two sets of original keys (one set is NOS), the Wisconsin number plate and a copy of the last Title and the following:

- A NOS seat which is still in the Honda box (trial fitted only), the original seat is still fitted.
- An original Owners Handbook.
- An original Toolkit.
- A NOS Ruby Red LHS side panel.

I would be grateful for some advice on price, difficult I know without seeing it in the flesh but some general guidance would be much appreciated. I know I could just stick it on eBay or alternatively, I could just leave it covered up in the garage but the old girl deserves better than that.

Thanks,
Andrew

[Laverda Dave]

Hi Andrew.
So sorry to hear about your wife and the terrible recent times you have gone through. Nothing can replace your loss but you have one very important thing you will never lose, the very special memories you had together. 

I know your enthusiasm will have understandably taken a huge knock with what has happened but if I were you I would let a bit more time pass before you decide to sell the bike on. I have read all your posts concerning your sympathetic restoration of the bike and the pride you have taken in doing it. It would such a shame to give up on it now with probably only a good few days of work left to complete it. It would also be a loss to the forum if you sold the bike and we didn’t hear from you again as you would be without a sohc!

I am unable to put a value on the bike other than to say it should be worth a very decent amount given the time, effort and money you have put into it.
I would keep it for now if it were mine, the summer is on the horizon, lockdown is ending, the days are getting longer and given time to get over your terrible loss your enthusiasm will return.

All the best for whatever you decide to do.

Dave

[Andrew-S]

Hi Andrew.
So sorry to hear about your wife and the terrible recent times you have gone through. Nothing can replace your loss but you have one very important thing you will never lose, the very special memories you had together. 

I know your enthusiasm will have understandably taken a huge knock with what has happened but if I were you I would let a bit more time pass before you decide to sell the bike on. I have read all your posts concerning your sympathetic restoration of the bike and the pride you have taken in doing it. It would such a shame to give up on it now with probably only a good few days of work left to complete it. It would also be a loss to the forum if you sold the bike and we didn’t hear from you again as you would be without a sohc!

I am unable to put a value on the bike other than to say it should be worth a very decent amount given the time, effort and money you have put into it.
I would keep it for now if it were mine, the summer is on the horizon, lockdown is ending, the days are getting longer and given time to get over your terrible loss your enthusiasm will return.

All the best for whatever you decide to do.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Thank you for your post, it's been a difficult few years; I would like to finish and enjoy it, so I may very well take a little more time to think it all through.

Best regards,
Andrew

[Rob62]

Sorry to read your news Andrew, i can only imagine how you must be feeling. Taking your time sounds like the right thing to do. Best wishes to you.

[Rozabikes Tim]

Just read your post Andrew, difficult times. Dave has hit the nail on the head with his comments. All I would add is that if you can get focus  back onto things like your fab bike it will give you a reason and purpose to help you through this period.

Take care.

[Andrew-S]

Thanks folks,

I will take time to think things through, particularly as last Sunday (25th April) was our 40th (Ruby) wedding anniversary and I always told Bev the K1 was her anniversary present as it was Ruby Red!  And even tough she hoped I was joking, she went along with it and I believe she would have wanted me to finish it. 

By way of introduction and so that Bev is not faceless, this photo was taken on 25th June 2019, the last night of our 3 week/3,000 mile European touring holiday in our TR6 which Bev planned with meticulous detail.

[heli_madken]

You are a very lucky man to have had a wife so beautiful, cherish the memories you had of the times together. Dont do anything rash now and look to your family and friends for support, so sorry for your loss, best wishes, Ken

[philward]

Only just read your post Andrew as I am away in the motorhome and am really sorry to hear of your sad loss. Can't say more than has already been said - can't imagine your pain. Your memories of your beloved Bev will always be with you.

[Andrew-S]

Thank you Ken, Phil and everyone and particularly to one member who sensed something was wrong towards the tail end of last year and PM'd me several times checking up on me.

I have indeed been both very lucky and privileged to have had Bev in my life for 44 years, 40 of which were as my wife. Bev was 16 and studying for her O Levels at Thames Valley College in Twickenham when we met, and I was a long haired 19-year-old biker from Brentford whose life could have gone in the wrong direction - Bev took the photo on my avatar soon after we got together in 1976, she loved riding pillion on my gold K1.

As for the K1, I have done a lot of thinking over the weekend and have decided to finish it, ride it and see where it takes me.

Thanks again,
Andrew

 

[taysidedragon]

Good to hear that you're going to finish the bike Andrew. It must have been a tough time for you, working on the bike will be the best kind of therapy. I'm looking forward to seeing it when finished. 👍

[Spitfire]

I'm glad that you have stepped back and had a good think finishing the bike will be good for you and riding it even better, I have owned mine since I bought it new in 1976 and have been near to selling it on many occasions but I am glad that I kept it.
When my marriage broke up I worked on it a lot , stored the car and went back to biking, working on the bike and riding it got me through a lot of bad times.

[Bryanj]

Just to say that life will eventually get not better but livable and a loved project helps

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Hi Andrew,
I have only just read your post, I echo the sentiments already posted here wishing you well as you come to terms with your loss.
For many years my wife was a volunteer at the Derby McMillan Unit so we are well aware of how precious and fragile life is.
With the support of your friends and family, the passage of time, you will I feel sure eventually work on the bike again as a healing distraction.
All the best for the future I look forward to reading your posts on the progress be it this year or next.
Cheers Ted

[Andrew-S]

Hi Andrew,
I have only just read your post, I echo the sentiments already posted here wishing you well as you come to terms with your loss.
For many years my wife was a volunteer at the Derby McMillan Unit so we are well aware of how precious and fragile life is.
With the support of your friends and family, the passage of time, you will I feel sure eventually work on the bike again as a healing distraction.
All the best for the future I look forward to reading your posts on the progress be it this year or next.
Cheers Ted

Thank you Ted. The MacMillan Cancer Support staff and volunteers were excellent and so compassionate and caring, they are indeed, like our NHS nurses truly vocational. In fact, because of Covid restrictions Bev's funeral was limited to only 17, so we created a 'Just Giving' page and raised well over £2,000 for MacMillan through friends and family.

As for the K1, I recently started working on it again which was therapeutic and gave me an issue straight away, or should I say 'challenge' -  http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,25765.0.html
Cheers,
Andrew
 

[hondacb750fourk6]

Looking on eBay they start from £8k and if you look on eBay there is a power seller on eBay that has a shop in Greenford London Middlesex he has a brand new k1 for £20k,a KO for £22k ,yours looks nice so you should get a good price for it thanks