CL175. Just got it for free. Sell or fix up and sell?

[cyclon36]

Just got this bike pretty much for free. It's a 1972 CB175. I traded a kid a rusted out old datsun truck I had that was taking up storage space figuring I could sell the bike easier than I could sell the truck. I just bought a CB77 project a few weeks ago that I'd rather have that over this so keeping the bike is not on my short list of things to do with it.



As you can see, it's a fixer upper. Bike turns over fine. The PO did a carb rebuild on it, new battery, plugs, sealed the gas tank and a few minor things to get it running again. According to him, the original owner bought it for his son in 72, he rode it for a couple of years and just dumped it in a barn in 74 where it's been sitting since. The PO thought about fixing it up and started by spray bombing the tank and side cover (right side) in blue.

So, big question is, should I throw it up on craigslist and sell it as is, or is it worth fixing it up a bit with some better paint, cleaning, and replace a few broken parts ($200 or so I'm guessing to get it semi respectable).

I have no idea what it's worth now or what it would be worth with a fresh seat and matching paint. Ideas/suggestions/comments anybody?

[17again]

I have seen nice, not great, ones with original paint go for around $700. The best one would fetch a bit over $1000.

A good way to check values is to look at ebay's completed listings section--but the number of low dollar bikes on ebay has plummeted since they started charging a $100 selling fee.

[teazer]

As I see it you have 3 options

1- race it (not as expensive as you might imagine and lots of fun.
2- Sell it as-is for as much as you can get for it (probably $200)
3 - spend more money making it nice to sell for slightly more and lose more than just selling it.

I love those small Hondas and usually try to pick them up for less than 50 bucks as spares/parts bikes. But that's just me I guess. :-)

[cyclon36]

I'm tossing this idea around....

The bike is overall good mechanical shape. The only thing that really NEEDS to be replaced is the right handlebar switch as it's broken in half ($30-40 on ebay for a replacement) and the cables as they're rotted and rusted. I was going to get that, buy some tank emblems from Taiwan for $20 shipped, polish the tank, spend a few bucks on flat black paint to redo the side covers in a cafe style. Sand the chrome down for a brushed look and to get rid of the rust. Chop the exhaust (tail end is rusted out) and wrap it. Repair the seat and sell it as a cafe racer project. I figure $100-$150 total for parts. I do upholstery so the seat I can remake in house with $10 worth of vinyl.

I know bike prices really fluctuate depending on what part of the US you're in. The cheapest bikes are in the northwest (oregon mostly), while the more expensive ones are towards the southeastern part of the US. I know here in georgia, it's difficult to find a nice bike that runs for less than $800 (this one not counting as "nice" in it's current shape). I'm not sure I'll see $800 with it fixed up but maybe $500? Quick look on Craigslist showed several across the country ranging from $250 for a real beat up pile that didn't run to one that was in better shape than mine but still rough for $400 and nice ones with good paint going for about $1k or just slightly over. Here's a real nice one on ebay with 9hrs left: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/very-cle ... 119wt_1165

Bidding is only at $350. Very bleak for a bike that nice. Almost to the point of depressing. We'll see what it ends at in the morning.

[eyhonda]

If you like the little twins, this one is the best one I think. Compared to the classic, much loved CB160 Baby Hawk, it has 5 speeds, more cc and a tach drive. It's only a few little extra features, but it's worth it. A few parts are even compatible. If you have the willingness, build new wheels from the CB160 brakes (bigger 8"), drop in a CB200t tank (looks cooler), clip-ons and a humpy seat. Oh and keep the CL high pipes for better clearance in the twisties. I just had one of these before the cb77. See my site for some other ideas (www.eyhonda.com).

[Loudo]

Minor point of order...your bike is a CL, not a CB. Only really makes a difference if you're reviewing parts diagrams and parts numbers for the purpose of buying new parts.

I'm thinking the less expensive bikes MAY have been in the Pacific Northwest at one time, but I don't think that's the case anymore since we have such an active local racing program using the 160s and 175s. Properly priced bikes get snapped up lightning fast.

In my opinion, work performed on bikes in the condition of yours is for fun and not worth it if you intend to simply fix up and resell. Teazer's option 3 says it all. By the time you get done replacing all those cables and one by one replacing all the engine's oil seals the investment will climb higher than you might have predicted.

[cyclon36]

Minor point of order...your bike is a CL, not a CB. Only really makes a difference if you're reviewing parts diagrams and parts numbers for the purpose of buying new parts.

I'm thinking the less expensive bikes MAY have been in the Pacific Northwest at one time, but I don't think that's the case anymore since we have such an active local racing program using the 160s and 175s. Properly priced bikes get snapped up lightning fast.

In my opinion, work performed on bikes in the condition of yours is for fun and not worth it if you intend to simply fix up and resell. Teazer's option 3 says it all. By the time you get done replacing all those cables and one by one replacing all the engine's oil seals the investment will climb higher than you might have predicted.

Doh! I don't know why I wrote CB. I meant to say CL. I've been doing nothing but searching CB parts for my other bike that it just kind of takes over mentally.

I think you're right on the work. I sending the broken brake perch to a friend to get welded up for $5 so it can be test driven safely. I'm also going to spray bomb the panels one color so it's not so superman looking. I'll probably throw $15-20 at it and call it a day.