Post by: rustywheels on November 09, 2020, 07:02:38 PM
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1977-Honda-CB-400-Four-Classic-Vintage-Not-The-Cheapest-But-Probably-The-Best/133561441546?hash=item1f18e1dd0a:g:d5YAAOSwyPhfnCN- (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1977-Honda-CB-400-Four-Classic-Vintage-Not-The-Cheapest-But-Probably-The-Best/133561441546?hash=item1f18e1dd0a:g:d5YAAOSwyPhfnCN-)
I definitely agree it's not the cheapest. Perhaps I'll undercut that and put mine up for £10,988 ;D
Post by: allankelly1 on November 09, 2020, 07:06:50 PM
He could at least knock of a tenner due to the rear sprocket not being original
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Post by: Nurse Julie on November 09, 2020, 07:12:16 PM
Post by: Sparky on November 09, 2020, 07:30:53 PM
Post by: allankelly1 on November 09, 2020, 07:38:48 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201109/c43745fc1e5657cdb153048a25508d2d.jpg)
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Post by: JamesH on November 09, 2020, 08:56:05 PM
When you consider what that probably cost to restore, plus the original purchase cost, it's not a bad price IMHO.
Post by: Athame57 on November 09, 2020, 09:01:32 PM
Post by: bobv7 on November 09, 2020, 10:02:46 PM
Post by: K2-K6 on November 09, 2020, 10:11:35 PM
Post by: Laverda Dave on November 09, 2020, 10:36:56 PM
Post by: bobv7 on November 09, 2020, 11:01:11 PM
Post by: robvangulik on November 09, 2020, 11:53:55 PM
Post by: AshimotoK0 on November 09, 2020, 11:55:13 PM
I wish I still had the varnish blue 400/4 I restored a couple of years ago, it was just like the one advertised....
I have a Varnish Blue but still miss my yellow one CAG 242T stolen from where I worked at the time.. JH Fenner .. Particularly when you see a post like this on Facebook. >:(
Post by: Johnny4428 on November 10, 2020, 07:19:04 AM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on November 10, 2020, 08:02:41 AM
OK, it's an expensive motorcycle but then so are most current bikes for what they really are. If it's as good as advertised then it's a really nice restored example of a highly regarded machine. I bought mine new in 1976 and loved it, but it wasn't all that original by the time I sold it in 1980 with 35+k miles on it. Like all classic vehicles we buy them because we regret selling one, they remind us of our youth or simply because we can now afford those few nice toys. It's an expensive hobby and if you think the cost is too high then find another.:)
It's the same theme at work with Classic Cars, Pedal Cycles etc it's driven by many factors including "Nostalgia", as you say trying to "regain lost youth" plus in many cases finally buying what you could not afford when you were young or coveted what a friend had.
I so wish I still had my 250 cc Maico Letta Scooter in Yellow & Black I looked at a few online but none had the lovely screen that mine had with a badge bar full of fog lamps. It's a shame the only one photo I had of her was lost in our house fire.
Before settling on the Honda 400/4 I fancied an Ariel Leader having owned two in the 1960's (restored ones are not that expensive). One of my best mates restored one himself, he was very disappointed when he finally rode it - slow with poor brakes plus a pig to start from cold. Strange how we airbrush the negatives from our memories. He sold it at a loss having only done an oily rag restoration but spent big time on the engine.
Post by: kevski on November 10, 2020, 08:17:41 AM
Post by: Trigger on November 10, 2020, 08:40:48 AM
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on November 10, 2020, 09:02:56 AM
As nice as it can be for a 400/4 and i never liked them, Frank is just a greedy bugger. Best four for me will always be the 350/4, love these more than my Zed thou.Being just over 6ft with my height due to long legs rather than a long trunk I find the 400/4 a bit on the small side.
Post by: bobv7 on November 10, 2020, 09:03:29 AM
Post by: Rozabikes Tim on November 10, 2020, 09:13:33 AM
Not over the top. Just add up 100 hours labour @£65 plus parts ;)Oh you have lowered you rates then Graham!!!! :o
Post by: TrickyMicky on November 10, 2020, 11:16:03 AM
However, starting from Mid March this year, I wasn't physically able to do much riding, so I thought I would replace a few bits which were showing their age, or wanted tidying up. NOT a restoration, just so as to keep it rideable and presentable.
To Make life easier - Hydraulic Ramp £470
F & R Dunlop K82 tyres, tubes and rim tapes £210
F & R DID Rims and spokes £286
Nice local chap built both wheels and fitted tyres for me £100
New genuine (Yes genuine!) front mudguard and stays £260
Pattern Master Cylinder £44
Pattern Brake Hose Kit £35
Genuine Banjo Bolts and Washers £34
Pattern Front Caliper £130
Total spend £1569
Bear in mind that in normal times, these parts (except the lift) would have been purchased in bits and bobs, and the cost would have been diluted over time, but because I had not a lot to do I was able to log the costs, and don't forget, these costs are not for anything major, so, a complete bike that's been done top to bottom by someone in the trade???
Post by: taysidedragon on November 10, 2020, 01:21:01 PM
That bike will either stay unsold at an unrealistic price or he'll have to drop the price.
Commercially it makes no sense to put so much labour and resources into a vehicle if the costs take it way over the final value.
Or some mug with too much money and no idea actually buys it! 😄😄
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on November 10, 2020, 02:27:35 PM
Post by: MrDavo on November 10, 2020, 02:38:18 PM
However they are good restorations on the face of it (I notice the forks were chromed and ground by Philpott's, as recommended by several people on here) whether done in house or by the owners selling on commission I know not. They must also sell some bikes at those prices, or they wouldn't stay in business. As I know from studying the classic car world, there is a lot of loose wedge out there looking for a good home, however skint the rest of us may feel. The 36 grand (or so) CB750 sandcast has gone, though whether sold or pulled I don't know.
I just noticed he has a Mk2 Jaguar for sale at £54.5K. They are now relatively rare classics because they all rotted for fun when they were worth nothing. I turned a 3.4 Mk2 down for £35 when I was still at school, mainly because no one would insure me in it at that age (17). Like with all the Dodge Chargers written off filming jumps in the Dukes of Hazzard, the villains in The Sweeney nearly always had a Mk2 Jag, which usually ended up on its roof after a car chase.
Post by: bobv7 on November 10, 2020, 05:32:34 PM
As has been said, if the bike has been restored to as good as new and someone wants a 44 year old model (and who doesn't!) then one is available and good luck to them.8)
Post by: kevski on November 10, 2020, 06:54:52 PM
As nice as it can be for a 400/4 and i never liked them, Frank is just a greedy bugger. Best four for me will always be the 350/4, love these more than my Zed thou.Being just over 6ft with my height due to long legs rather than a long trunk I find the 400/4 a bit on the small side.
Well i am a dwarf at only 5'5" and these bikes suit my short legs well, just never liked the style of them, motors are lovely, they handle fine.
Post by: McCabe-Thiele (Ted) on November 10, 2020, 08:21:49 PM
And the E Types in the "Italian Job". Mind you they were all rust buckets anyway so it didn't matter.
As has been said, if the bike has been restored to as good as new and someone wants a 44 year old model (and who doesn't!) then one is available and good luck to them.8)
I might be wrong but I thought the E types that were tipped down the mountain were all supplied new by jaguar but had no engines or gdrive train in them so they would tumble down for the camera!
Post by: bobv7 on November 10, 2020, 10:11:05 PM
Post by: MrDavo on November 10, 2020, 10:51:54 PM
We’ve been on that road, although in a coach, the driver couldn’t wait to tell us about the Italian Job. At the end when they are chucking Minis out of the coach, if you look closely they have stopped being Mini Coopers, they only have one petrol cap, not two. And they thought I’d never notice 😉
I refuse to watch the remake, and never will unless I’m strapped down with matchsticks holding my eyes open.
To get back to the original post, I’d like a 21 year old model, but I don’t think the wife would be too happy about it. 40odd year old motorcycle though, not a problem.