I've been offered

[corromant]

Hi guys, looking for a bit of advice, I've been offered a CB500 four 1975 which I belive to be a genuine UK bike, has about 41000 on the clock, has had the frame & the singing arm stoved, looks as if the engine cases etc. have been painted & generally looks very clean & tidy. It also has a new set of genuine pipes which I'm told were the last available set in the UK at the time. There are a few little minor issues, more tidying up which I would need to sort, the only real issue is it has mag alloys fitted which look ok but I would want to return to spoked wheels which would potentially look to be quite an expensive job
The bike was rebuilt by a guy who passed away about 4/5 years ago, he never road it & it has been stood since then. Also don't know exactly what was done to it during the rebuild. The chap selling it for the widow is currently stripping & cleaning the carbs as the petrol that was in has gone off, so I will be able to hear it run & give it a try on a short private road before making a decision.

They are asking £2500 for it and have said they won't take less, does that sound a reasonable price? Looking at the price that is being asked for some basket cases on eBay I would think its probably fair.

Sorry for rambling on & thanks in advance.

Conrad

[JamesH]

Conrad - the pipes alone are probably worth £2000....probably a good buy even just for the pipes....

[matthewmosse]

Sounds a fair price based on description given. I am not in the leauge of people who spend that on a bike, no matter how nice but if I did have that kind of disposable then it does sound like something that would float my boat.

[corromant]

Thanks for the replies, perhaps a little background on me would not go amiss.
In the late 70s I had a CB175, CB750 F1 & a CB500 K3.

I recently returned to biking after a break of about 35 years buying a rather tatty Yamaha XJ900 Diversion for the simple reason that it was cheap & very local. On my first outing I nearly gave up, but after putting it off for a few days I ventured out again & got on much better, certainly not confident but a lot more comfortable, now have about 300 miles under my belt & am beginning to enjoy it again.
The CB500 is exactly the sort of bike that I would love to have, couldn't belive it when this one virtually fell in my lap.

[SteveD CB500K0]

Hi Conrad and welcome.

Put you location in your profile so that we know where you are.

If you've had 35 years out, maybe you should look into some advanced training. I did (well, actually my wife insisted).



Steve

[mickwinf]

would cost that to restore a poor example so not bad price, exhausts make it a good deal.

[petersy]

If you could post a couple of pictures of the bike, we would be better placed to advise on price.

As mentioned above, the silencers were the Achilles heel on these bikes, which is a pity because they were part of the Honda Four concept back in the day.

I fitted pair of mag wheels on a new Honda CB500 that I bought back in '74, (when they were quite a rarity on road bikes) and really liked them, so if you do buy the bike and aren't keen on the mags, I, and possibly others might be interested in them.

[corromant]

SteveD
Have added my location.
Others have suggested I get some training which I may consider, I am already well versed in observation & defensive driving techniques & I feel I just need to become more familiar with my current bikes handling characteristics first.

mickwinf
I had figured as much on the costs of restoring one in less than perfect condition & I want something I can ride sooner rather than later.

petersy
If I had any pictures I would post but unfortunately nothing at the moment, if I get it I will certainly offer the mags for sale once I have some spoked wheels. There is a front hub comes with it, but the rears seem a bit like rocking horse shit in this country the only ones I have found up to now are all abroad. Guess I will just have to stump up if that's what I want.

Conrad

[matthewmosse]

Don't reject rear hubs with cracked liners, they can be fixed. I have done them on a diy basis, but there are proffessionals who do it with the right insurance and liability cover. This may give more candidates for rear wheel rennovation.

[mickwinf]

Hey Conrad im in Scunthorpe and have just got my 500 on the road and have had a few of them so any help or advise just ask, also have some spares if you need any.
Mick

[SteveD CB500K0]

Don't you just love these banned word filters...

 

[corromant]

Bloody hell Mick we must be neighbours that's where I am too (just off Cottage Beck), perhaps you would be willing to come along & cast your eye when I go again.

Conrad

[mickwinf]

haha im on Burringham road so not far away. Would be happy to look it over, if you want to check my bike to compare that's no problem.

[corromant]

Have sent you a PM Mick