How To Evaluate A Vintage Honda Motorcycle Project
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 มิ.ย. 2024
- Laundry List Article:
support.common-motor.com/hc/e...
So you want to buy a vintage motorcycle? Well, we think that is great! We have all been at a point where we bought our first motorcycle. Learning to size up a vintage Honda motorcycle when you go to take a look can be quite the trial and error learning process. It is one that, hopefully, this video better prepares you for. The best place to start when thinking about any vintage motorcycle, whether its a Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha, or Harley Davidson, is managing your expectations. For the Honda motorcycles we support there are 3 expectations you want to set in your mind.
1. Know your budget
2. Keep in mind these are 50+ year motorcycles.
3. It will always need what we call, "The Laundry List".
Setting and sticking to these expectations will keep you level headed while looking at vintage Honda motorcycle project you really want. With these expectations set, we have narrowed down inspecting a vintage Honda motorcycle to 5 basic categories:
Title - This is perhaps the most important category when looking at a project. It will dictate whether you can actually ride the motorcycle or how much money and hoops you will have to go through to be able to.
Engine - Three things interest us when looking at the engine. First, we want to know if its stuck or not and how the engine feels if it does turn over. Second, we want to know the mileage and just how much wear we are expecting in the engine. Third, we want to look at the physical condition of the engine and if there is any major cracks or leaks to be worried about.
Completeness - When going to look at a motorcycle, its important to take note of what parts are there and more importantly what parts are NOT there. What parts have been changed from stock? All of these details will give you insight into what you may need to track down for the motorcycle, as well as its history with the previous owners.
Physical Condition - There are two sides to physical condition, parts that are easy to replace and parts that are hard to replace. Easy to replace items like headlights, shocks, turn signals are readily available and cheap to buy if they are damaged. Hard to replace items like gas tanks and seats that are torn up or damaged can often add significant costs to your project. Dented tanks and torn seats can also save a lot of money on a project if they do not bother you. Parts can be mechanically sound but physically damaged.
Surface finish - This final category involves alot of personal preference. Most often surface finish will not effect the mechanical reliability of a motorcycle but it can be one of the biggest time and money drains if that is going to be important to you. Things like chrome, paint, and aluminum condition can wrap up large amounts of time in cleaning, refinishing, and painting. It can also be a great way to save money. If you are thinking of doing a full custom paint job on your vintage Honda, buy a motorcycle with great physical condition but maybe awful paint to save from the start.
Hopefully, this video helps you set expectations for the project you are about to get into as well as a basic budget for the motorcycle project you are about to restore. If you purchase a CB175 / CL175 / SL175 / CB200 / CL200 / CB350 / CL350 / SL350 / CB360 / CL360 / CJ360 / CB450 / CL450 / CB500T / CB550 / CB500K / CB550F / CB750 be sure to check out our parts and resources to help get your vintage Honda motorcycle back on the road!
Parts: www.common-motor.com
Resources: support.common-motor.com/hc/e...
Contents of this video:
00:00 - Intro
00:31 - So you wanna buy a vintage motorcycle?
00:56 - Setting Expectations
01:53 - Title
03:02 - Engine
05:32 - Completeness
07:00 - Physical Condition
09:14 - Surface Finish
11:30 - Wrap-Up
11:50 - Outro - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
As a lifetime classic Honda guy, I salute your thorough explanation.
One thing to keep in mind is knowing your limitations...
Thanks for this discussion! Picked up my barn-find 73 cb500k with only 11k on it this past September. Looked it over thoroughly and made the purchase. Very little rust, paint looked beautiful. Everything was there and original, (including the tires!) except it had rusty Jardines on it. Just went through the big stuff first. Then I went through all of the finer details.
Most of the information I used to sync carbs, rebuild the forks, the tires, the timing, the valves... all came from you guys!
THANKS!
FYI on titles, motorcycles built before 1980 have different frame & engine #'s, here in Wisconsin, the engine # is on the title, you'll have to check your state which # they use, so don't get hung up when frame & engine do not match, I found this out restoring a '78 CB360T, my frame does not match engine
I have the same on my CB350 F from '73
What I understood with Honda it was normal to have a different engine number and frame number.
After a small search I could find the engine number that was from the factory in the bike I have, unfortunately it's not the one in it now
Always good to have a friend who knows these bikes that you can bring along, or do some research so you'll know basic info about that particular model before going to look at it.
I bought a fairly clean, running CB750 as my first vintage bike a few years ago. Now that I'm more familiar with carbs, electronics and other basic motorcycle stuff I feel like I could take on a non-running project, but I'm glad I didn't start with one. I've seen people pick up a total basket case as a first bike and teach themselves along the way. That would have been a bit overwhelming for me.
Thanks Brenden for this complete and informative summary about what to expect with a project bike. The Common Motor videos have been very helpful with my amateur attempts at getting my old CB550K back into road worthy condition.
Having restored several old Yamahas and Hondas and living in the rust belt where there is a lot of humidity these motorcycles all initially suffered from a lot of oxidation. You can spend years chasing down parts if your end goal is a perfect restoration but if your goal is to get your bike up and running do yourself a favor and buy an air compressor and a cabinet sand blaster big enough to blast a 19" rim. Once bead blasted you can send your parts out for powder outing or if your on a tight budget a good rattle can paint applied correctly can look very good too.
Great review. The only thing you needed to add is whatever you budget for your restoration, double it!
More like quadruplet it.
agreed
You guys are the best keep the videos coming,your definitely my go to for motorcycle help.
This is amazing, thank you! I’m about to go see about a CB175 and wanted to know what to look out for. I’m gonna studying this and more of your videos before I go! Thank you for these videos!
Thank you!
Great video again. You make many valid points. My Yamaha DT3 had the wrong seat. It took me 3years and much searching to locate the correct seat!
My CB360 was complete, supposed to be a runner, piston rings seized on one cylinder, only 4500 miles and cost a fortune to make pristine.
You will always spend a lot more money as you think it will cost.
The end result is worth it though!
I got a cl175 with a locked up motor and no title but after A lot of work its now running but I find this video very helpful for best judging my next mistake
My son found a 74 just like that bike it was covered in corrosion but we broke it down and after months of sand blasting and painting we ended up w a valuable cafe styled cb350, the firs ride was sweet, the handling and sounds all Unbeatable!
Thanks for the info, just got my dads 1977 cb400 super sport over Christmas. It’s not running now and needs a tank but has compression and parts are all there. Cards rebuilt and need to go back on. My dad bought it brand new off the showroom floor in’77. Part of the family I’ll never get rid of. A spry 79k on the dial, all put on by family.
Well done Brandon.........I am way into my 1970 cb350 as you could tell by the amount of parts I have purchased from you......All points made are right on and I experienced ALL of them in my overhaul.........
Hows your project going? I also have a '70 cb350 that I'm working on
Once bought a cheap running beater of a cb360, thinking I would do heavy cosmetic surgery. Didn't know about the timing chain issue. Turned out the chain had ground away at the case, filling the oil filter with aluminum, cutting off oil to the head, flattening the cam and eating the cam journals. Complete engine teardown and new head. What a learning experience.
I was looking for inspiration, as I' have my wife's 1977 Honda 360T and my 1982 CX500 Custom languishing in my shed. Many thanks. 😎
Tank's for this good video. I have to baught by bike by phone on lock down ! I had some surprises ...
Excellent video as are all of yours. So helpful.
Sure this has become a Hot Topic after the recent Mecum Auction in Vegas in the last week, with CL450 "Flying Dragon's" selling in excess of 50k. Though Hagerty does offer a gross evaluation of what's really worth bothering with looking at as a project bike, just how prepared are most buyer's to do what's required to return it to service is a big part of this picture. Great job outlining just a few of the considerations. Have a great week my friend.
nice clear informative data all you need to know great channel
Awesome video! Thanks! This is gave me a better mindset/perspective/point-of-view before I dive into getting my '81 Twinstar CM200 back up and running!
Oooo love the twinstars! Those are awesome motorcycles.
@@Common-motor
Chris
Very well done / good production & excellent points.
Great video: For me the first question is, "What's my goal?" 100% original or 100% operational? Big difference in cost, depending on what you start with. I just did a 100.0% resto of a MR175. It turned out near-perfect and the client was super happy. Now I have a Trail 70, and they have a big parts market, but several things are only available as aftermarket. So... set your end game goal. Not everything needs to be 100% original.
I have two of these for sale lol .gonna get the registration done on them
I recently picked up a 75 CB125A2 with only 844 miles for $25. It was all original with a factory battery and a plate from 1978 on it. I know this is all true because I helped get it out of the barn where it has been this the whole time. Ruff, but no damage. I got it cheap so I have all kinds of room to have a bigger budget. I will be paying about $400 for an Illinois title. But I am in it for the love it all. I also found a parts bike for $100 that has some good usable parts. I am used to auto restoration and also worked at a body shop and later a motorcycle shop. I do know what I am getting in, too. The reality of it is I will likely have close to the same money in it as much as just buying one complete. I am restoring the engine and frame now, but I plan on trying to preserve the rest. I could always restore the rest later, but I like the idea of showing some age. This video is a great starting point for those who are not as familiar with what a project could be of how out of hand it could get.
Great video!
I have recently found/stumbled upon my grandfather's old 71 CB450. The bike has been hiding away in a barn for several years, my father didn't even think it still existed anymore because it has been sold so long ago but when it was found I purchased it and am going to be working on it with a lot of help from all your videos (and a lot of parts from the website too haha)! It has a little over 15k miles, It's seized, very rusty, and hasn't been registered since 1982, but I don't care about any of that I just want to see it going again! It's nice to have a piece of him and his history now that he's gone. I'm also trying to convince my other grandfather who is still living to sell me his classic Honda that he bought new in 74, a CB360 that has 1100 miles and hasn't been running since the late 70s, but at least the engine isn't stuck! I want to get both these bikes back to their former glory so that they can be ridden once again!! Thanks for another great video!
How cool! We love hearing about preserving the family motorcycle, in fact one of our staff members was able to buy back and get running his grandfathers motorcycle last year. Good luck on the journey to getting it running, the CB450's are awesome motorcycles! Love the CB360's as well....love them all haha.
That's so awesome!! I'm hoping to be to that point soon too! Thanks so much! They're both fantastic bikes, I really like both! My current GPZ900R might be sold for the funds but I think it will be worth it haha
In 1968 the 450cc was Honda’s largest motorcycle. (1969 first year of CB750).
Thats awesome! I grew up riding Hondas.. my DAD rode a Honda CB 450 my older brother rode a CL 175 my little brother was ripping around on a Honda moped while I was riding a cl 100..
They weren't vintage at the time. I was not even a teenager,,,and now I'm in my mid 50s.. and I've rode and own many motorcycles since then.. I have a 1971 Honda cb175 back in my garage now...in great shape that I'm hoping to gift to my grandson soon...
@@davidjessee7701 That's an awesome history with Honda's!! My first bike as a kid was a Honda 50cc dirt bike! I bet your grandson will love that CB175!
Thanks for these tips. Unfortunately or fortunately for me I had already purchased the ‘72 CL175 basically a rolling chassis with motor for only $75. I am very excited to start working on it and I know it will take time. Which I am willing to put in. 😂
This would have been so nice before I got my 1970 cl175, but I still had fun rebuilding it.
Would love to see you guys restore that cl175!
Thanks for the great video. I always look at what you are going to do with the bike as well. What may be a parts bike may be a great cafe racer or modified bike. Bikes in great shape get restored and parts bikes get modified. My honda 360T is original and will never be modified. I have two 350s and they were parts only however one is welll on its way to a cafe racer style and the cost has been very low to build it. At least she was saved from the dump...lol
Have a 1973 Honda scrambler easy to work on TH-cam’s help a lot when removing a 1200 goldwing engine
Went to buy a 350f, 400f, or 175 to put up on TwistedRoad for rent and couldn't find any reasonable deals given winter already arrived. Ended up with finding an FXR which is a lot of fun but it still ain't light and can't rev it out to the level these 70s Honda can. Maybe next year.
I'm in the UK and have no interest in owning a modern or retro bike, but I do have two of what you would probably call vintage bikes (I prefer the term "classic", vintage to me is much older), a 1978 Triumph T140V and a 1980 Suzuki GS550L. The Triumph looks like new and completely original (I bought it 30 years ago when it had done only 1300 miles and been kept in showroom condition from new, I've done about 60k since). I bought the Suzuki 2 years ago as a cheap, practical, all year round bike, so I could stay on the road throughout the winter when the Triumph is put away. I didn't care whether it was all original, in fact I know that it has several aftermarket parts, and the engine has been replaced, I just wanted something simple, reliable and reasonably tidy.
It was complete, running, clean, and had just passed its MOT test (annual safety inspection) when it came up for sale, so I took a chance and I bought it. As I expected, it needed a bit of time and money spent on it to make sure all the important things were working properly, but I never intended to do a full restoration, so it didn't take long to make it a practical, everyday ride. It was also UK registered from new, so paperwork was simply a matter of transferring ownership (at no cost). Two years on, I use it almost every day and it still just needs routine maintenance.
In the UK, there is a considerable advantage to owning 40+ year old bikes - they are exempt from annual vehicle tax and MOT tests, saving me over £250 ($300) each year, and also from charges in Low Emission Zones in an increasing number of UK cities (£12.50/$15 per day in London).
Can't wait to restore my cl175k3
I've got a dent in my tank but it doesn't leak 🤩👍
Thanks Brandon for another great video. Having gone through this twice now, I can attest to all of your points being right on. Only one question though: what happened to your beard?
Halloween costume :)
One thing someone told me is that if you buy a bike like my gb400 with 60k on it that can mean that it was one of the better ones cos it’s still running.
Where do I get started on my 82 Honda rebuild cb450 for my son Brendan. Thx for your help. Tim
Hey Common Motor, I bought a non running cb175 and the kickstart goes right to the ground with a very small amount of resistance at a few points, which indicates no compression. but when I put it in gear and push it, it makes vacuum popping sounds and the engine has resistance to turning but it turns. Is it possible the kick start gear inside the block is stripped? Thanks 👍
"Without a title, it's just parts assembled in the shape of a motorcycle.." 😂
Depends where you live Georgia no need fro a title. and other states as well
Not in New Hampshire. All you need is a bill of sale for anything over 20 years old.
I bought a 71 CL450. All stock, and everything there (some things broken). Was not running at the time. It has been pretty much what I expected. It now runs and rides, although still a bit of a hiccup (I think something electrical) as you rev through 3500 RPM. I paid too much for the bike probably, but there was a line of 15 guys wanting the bike and I was number 1, so that's just the way it goes. I also decided early on that I would not track costs as I fixed it up... its a hobby and I enjoy it immensely. Common Motor has been very good for the parts I have needed.
Check the constant velocity carbs. -They are tricky and some people replace them.
@@jonmccormick8683 Hey Jon thanks. I have been through the carbs many times! Not sure where to go with them, which is why I lean towards electrical.... I also notice recently my turn signals are flickering which leads me to believe the electricity output is not sufficient... even though the battery is never off the tender and is new.
Does the bike rev fine past 3500? Just a hiccup at 3500?
If it stutters above 3500-4k check to make sure the needles in the carbs slide up with the slides. Had this problem on my cl350
That's what its all about man,if you fix bikes for a living and you find a basket case its gonna be a money pit but if your doing it for the pleasure of it, nothing is more fulfilling, you cannot put a price on happiness and enjoyment,i have spent a small fortune restoring things myself,probably added years to my life span, like you i enjoy it immensely.
I recently bought a storage unit full of what I thought was junk in the back of the unit was a 1974 Honda xl-100 orange metallic looks absolutely brand new and it shows 7.8 miles. But I could not find a title for it. My state said no title No way to street it. Tried in vain to try and run numbers on it but no go. And yes I got it running. Sounds great but haven't rode it. Trying not to put miles on it. So I guess as my brother said it's a wall hanger
Numerous states (Maine being one) are title less for vehicles 25+ years old. Just a bill of sale is needed.
My neighbor has Honda,1980 cb750k hasn’t run in years.what is a good starting point for negotiating?
Branden,i had a question and heck one for everyone else here, i have bought stuff from you man, great service, great people and great videos!!!
I am restoring a 550k that was left outside and sometimes it was inside and it was last tagged in 1984,of course you being a pro at this you know what it looked like without me giving you any pictures,lol,everything seized, rusted etc, i work in a shop so i have access to a lot of tools that the common folk doesn't have, we even have a hot tank, i am restoring this bike very slowly and trying to keep costs down but i want to do a really nice restoration.
When it comes to the majority of the hardware i want to get it zinc plated in yellow, my dilemma is this, for the first time in my life i decided i was going to this this correctly and every single hardware that came off that bike has gone into little baggies with a tag attached to it,every single one,i have proceeded to sandblast each one for a nice really clean finish and will save me a bit at the plater,my problem is when i take it to the plater they are not gonna put my stuff in my little bags, i will take the stuff in a plastic coffee can and they will do the job and give it back to me in the same can because thats what they like.
After all the work i did tagging everything i dont want to be trying to match this and that when they are done so i decided before taking it there to lay the hardware down next to its corresponding baggie and taking a picture of it,that will at least give me some reference point, believe me it sounds daunting but in reality there is not that much hardware on that bike compared to lets say a car,my question is, would you do it differently,do you have any pointers etc? i have learned in life that you might think you have it all figured out and some one comes along with a much better idea and your like "why didn't i think of that? "lol,anyhow thank you for your time.
Buying an already restored bike is probably better than buying a basket case or project bike someone has already made it impossible to restore without spending a lot of money. I bought a Triumph T140 for $2500 that looked ok but in reality I should have paid half that because A. it didn't run. B. the carbs needed to be changed. C the spokes on the wheels were toast. D. it needed all new electronics E. it needed all the fuel system cleaned out (tank, new fuel lines). F all new brakes. The stack of bills was so thick my wife insisted I buy a new bike from a dealer and I did.
I appreciate the overview. Here's one I see online:
"1973 Honda CL175 complete. New tires. Frame has been painted. Top end has been rebuilt. Needs new battery. Lights come on. Does not start. Cool bike. $2250 obo. Clean title. Comes with extra parts and original 1973 paperwork from The dealer."
Um, OK but you put (some) money into it and it looks decent in the pictures but ... why won't it start?? Asking $2K now. I'm tempted to look at it but it would have to be something as simple as ignition or carb clean.
I've bought a 1998 honda cm125c but the ower didn't have the manual, does someone know where I can find one online pls?
Please be aware, if you are not mechanically inclined, and don't plan to work on the bike yourself, a vintage bike is not a good choice. There are very few shops willing to work on old bikes, and if you are lucky enough to find one, expect to pay around $75 an hour or more for labor. If you want to learn how to work on the bike yourself, spend a little more and find nice one in running condition. Then you can take on little jobs as they come up, like adjusting points, changing the oil, and rebuilding the carb. Also, a single cylinder bike is much easier (and less expensive) to work on then a twin or inline four. Find an online forum dedicated to the bike you purchase. There you will find people who are happy to share their knowledge on repair and sources for parts. Finally, some parts are just very hard to find these days, even with ebay and Craigslist. Be prepared to wait, and possibly pay a lot, for good used parts which are not made anymore. Good luck!
I agree with Carport Chronicle.....I have a 79 Honda CB 750 that I have had for five years that I got from a “friend”. Old bikes are a hassle and you won’t be riding it much.....Parts are not available anymore....don’t listen to people who think everything is on EBAY....trust me......and the aftermarket carb parts a lot of times are junk or don’t fit.....As far as 4 cylinder bikes go you won’t find a TH-cam video on how to rebuild the four carb set up on those old bikes....I paid my mechanic 800 dollars for my rebuild......oh is that outrageous? Did I get ripped off?....Good luck finding someone who knows how to work on that old junk....oh and no matter how mechanically inclined you are you won’t be able to figure it out.....I’m lucky I have a guy who is willing to work on my bike cause most shops don’t wanna mess with the old bikes and I don’t blame them because a lot of people get pissed at the costs involved.....Do yourself a favor and get yourself a Yamaha MTO3 that will run on today’s gas and has ABS.....Lot of people that have an old bike for sale want money for it when a non running old bike is worth nothing IMO....Sure my Honda is fun and it’s the only one around......but it’s been a hassle....A lot of bike owners work on their own bikes not knowing their repair could result in a fatality.......like the battery cable on my bike that I found out had 7 splices in it.....the cable was less than 5 inches long....not to mention the other “repairs” someone had done to my bike prior to me taking ownership of it .....like not using gaskets on the stator side of the case.....Or putting aftermarket air filters and exhaust on a bike without proper jetting and wondering why the bike never ran properly 40 years ago..these old Japanese bikes are engineering marvels ....they ain’t simple farm machinery like an old Harley
@@danlove4270 Sorry you got taken to the cleaners on the carb rebuild (or did you?). I learned about carbs with a single cylinder, 125 Honda, when I was in high school, then tried twin carbs a few years back with my '74 CL450 Honda. Recently I did my first set of quad carbs for a '92 750 Nighthawk. The carb rebuild kit set was $80 and the vacuum gauge carb synchronizer set was around $60. I took a lot of photos before I started taking things apart. I then spent about two hours two hours per carb (disassembly, soak time in carb dip, and reassembly). There was also quite a bit of time getting the carbs off the bike and back on. Most shops these days charge $75 to $100 (or more) an hour for labor, so a job like this adds up quickly. A competent mechanic is going to take his time to do a job like this because there are a lot of little details to ensure everything goes back correctly, and no one wants to pull everything apart again if something isn't right. I taught myself how to do it on my own because I am mechanically inclined and have more time than money. Old bikes are not for everyone, but for those who are willing to learn, they can be very rewarding.
@@carportchronicles1943 - You are all right CC...The old bikes ain’t for everyone....and it’s true the twins and singles are easier.....and why does anyone need so much Power anyway....I guess because I’m older I don’t wanna race and I hate Interstate riding anyway....Thanks for not being an online jerk.
Words of wisdom, that goes just for about anything that's old, people take on projects and they have no idea what they are doing but more importantly they don't want to learn.
I am restoring a 77 550 and having the time of my life, if it doesn't work out no biggie,you can't put a price on enjoyment,trick is not to take things so seriously and try to do as much of the work as possible by your own hand, I have a couple of old cars and the only thing I would ever take it to a mechanic for is the auto trans, don't mess with that stuff but anything else I do myself or learn how to,mechanical stuff is not a mystery like the carbs on these bikes, they either work or they don't and you have to figure out what the deal is.
One of the old cars I own is famous for having idling issues, when I bought it I was forewarned " dude you are in over your head,you'll never get it to idle right" well I figured out what the problem is and the thing runs like a sewing machine,just takes some patience and determination.
On parts for these old bikes, the bike I am restoring I have been able to find everything I need, be patient and you will find on ebay a seller's that's needing quick cash,I recently bought a seat for my bike in excellent condition for 30 bucks,most go for 100 plus, just gotta be patient, it will turn up, anyhow just my 2 cents.
@@dntlss Hey thanks for commenting. I waited 12 months for a NOS pulse generator to appear on EBAY so you are right often times the parts do show up but I missed out on riding last year and I only have the one bike....I guess the waiting adds to the satisfaction but I just wanna ride now....gonna get a MT03 Yamaha if one shows up here in MN. Inventory is low at dealers
Common motors, I need HELP with my 1972 Honda CB450. I cannot find anyone to discover what’s wrong with my engine!! It has been to 3 different mechanics and none of them can find out what’s causing to backfire!!! HELP!!!
I have a Honda V65 Magna 1100, complete. Has new tires rebuilt carbs. Missing main gas line from tank to reserve tank. Looks good, what's it worth?
Oh forgot to mention it's a 1985
Its worth what you can get for it
I only noticed near the end that he has an AC current graph tattooed on his left arm.
When I hear "stay tuned" I go and get me another beer.
looks like a honda CL ...73 I had a 73 CL 350 new .
My first Street bike was a 69 . Neat little bikes
Have 1973 450 scrambler at something to rebuild 18 k
Lots of bike this old you can find replacements
Found a 1974 honda cl200 for 100$ with only 1k mi in good condition wo a fuel tank
How is this much worth?
Sorry…don’t wanna criticize but you didn’t tell us any market values corresponding with any makes or models. It was generic stuff - good, but generic. So then, a CL 350 K2 in fair condition is about 2000 bucks ….something like that .
Then there's my bike that looks like it never had a VIN tag or numbers stamped into it.
In NH you don't need a title for anything over 25 years old.
It is only worth what someone is willing to pay!