SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB500/550

What about this price?

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McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
If it's stood without being lubed and turned over despite the low mileage it might need a rebore and almost certainly a head overhaul for regular use.
Even so it looks a solid starting point, at todays prices to restore it fully will cost enough to mean it is unlikely to be a good investment. I believe most of us expect to make a loss in end value even with our free labour.

A lifelong friend of mine sank quite a lot of money into a Facel Vega that he later replaced with an E type Coupe. He used the E Type regularly over the last 8 years, he is unable to find a buyer, I suspect he will loose more on the Jaguar than all my bikes added together.

It's relative I think, restoration is a hobby, some expect to make money, most of us dream of breaking even though that dream might be fiction.

Sesman:
Quite right, Ted. I replaced every bearing, seal, guide, chain, shell, ring, buffer, cable…..on my F2. Including paint, seat, chrome and the rest I’m left with a mechanically and cosmetically ‘perfect’ bike that will never be worth what I have spent.

But it was worth it for the learning, entertainment and enjoyment. Plus I know it’s ‘almost’ perfect. One day I might even ride it.😁

McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
That is so true Phil (Sesman), the sense of achievement when removing a seized bolt, finding a NOS part, getting the electrics to work, removing an oil seal, all these hurdles seem to tick  the boxes in my brains reward center

The feeling of pride when a stranger comments positively on your bike when at a petrol station etc. The knowledge that you are a custodian of a great piece of engineering history that will continue when we are gone to another place. Negative comments about some detail of originality probably made by an armchair pundit can't deny the efforts we make to keep these bikes running. Each of us owns our own bit of bike history, complete with associated memories of our youth.

deltarider:
Ahem, guys, the bike in the advertisement has just about finished its break-in period...

Sesman:
Ahem, yes. But it’s also old. While not guaranteed, there remains a risk that seals, orings and potentially the primary drive rubbers are shagged. It’s also difficult to ascertain its use, possible abuse and what damage has been done to a little used standing bike, assuming the mileage is genuine. Having said that it’s the basis for a viable proposition. Personally I’d be expecting to spend money, but I’m a cup half full type of person. Potentially a realist. I think it’s too dear. But again, I’m from Yorkshire.

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