Help me to decide on what to do with my bike (POLL)

[dhani]

Hello ya'll.

I had a pretty bad weekend. I had just got my 75 Honda CB 360 back from the Cyclewerx. The bike was tuned and had new clubman bars. i was really looking forward to working on my little honda cafe project this summer...

Saturday night while at a friends place on Queen St, some asshole backed into my bike and it dropped hard on it's right side. I only have one-way insurance, and i wouldn't go through insurance anyway.

So I took it back to Cyclewerx today. The mechanic who worked on it was as sad as i was. So far the damage seems to be this:
-Right side exhuast damages, likely needs replacing.
-forks bent. might need replacing or if lucky, could be bent back
-new clubman bars
-new right light...maybe both
-new front rim; maybe bearrings too.

This is the damage they see so far. who knows what else might be lurking. Luckily, Tom and the other guys at Cylclewerx are good people...they are doing their best to find cheap parts for me. I'll find out in a couple of days what the damage is. I'm thinking between $600 to $1000 total.

So I want to put it out there to everyone in this forum; I am trying to figure out what to do at this point. I'm not sure if i should keep on sinking money into this bike. I bought it for $1850. I've put another $600 into it before it got damaged. I love the bike, and it was running great and had really low milage.

As i see it, i have three options:
1) fix bike. keep bike
2) fix bike then sell bike.
3) sell bike as is and buy new bike.

I am leaning towards selling the bike as is and buying a new bike. I've been thinking about getting a 750. I plan to do a lot of highway driving and longer trips. I never was able to take the CB 360 out on a long trip and don't know how it would perform on the highways. So I am thinking that it might not be a good idea to put money into this bike.

The other thing i need help with is deciding on which bike to buy if i decide to sell the 360. These are the options i have:
1) 1981 Honda CB 750 Custom. GREAT Condition. under 20000 Original KMs. Feels great. $2400
2) 1978 Honda CB 750 K Four. AMAZING Condition. Clean and beautiful. about 30000 KMs. The seller lives in my building will let me have it for $3500.
3) 1978 Honda CB 400. Clean and nice. $1600 Not favouring this option, but am considering it.

I would continue to work on these bikes to make them into Cafes. All of them need bars and mirrors. All the seats are pretty okay.
I also am wondering what i can sell my bike for as is. It still stars and rides. In fact i rode it home that night.

So i am wondering what eveyone else thinks. I'm pretty depressed becuase i did love my bike. But i need some objective advice.

Thanks so much.
Dhani.

 

[locOleoN]

Dude.. that fucken blows!..
That happend to me a few years back and now I can't psychologically leave the bike parked on the street & out of my sight for more than 30 mins...

I'd fix it up, then either keep it or sell it after its fixed up.
If you sell the bike bike now as is, you'll get nothing for it and you will have lost everythign you put into it

Contact Peter at: lessons@teacher.com, 416 544 8932
I believe that he has a complete cb360 parts bike that he wants to get rid of for cheap.
I believe that parts bike will have everything that you need and more.

Was it just on the ground when you got back? no witnesses or anything?
Where on Queen St was it?

You know.. most of those things you can do yourself, with the exception of bending the forks, but you could always get those parts from ebay or TO cycle...Forks, Rims, lights, you can put the clubmans on yourself as the lights, Exhaust, .. I believe Tummyson has a spare set that he was planning to sell, (now that he has the sexy 2-1's)...

It shouldn't cost you $600-$100 if U do it yourself...$300 at most...
For future reference, I'd put clip-ons so that they dont brake like clubmans if the bike falls over again...

ALso, when I park it on the street between 2 cars, I put it on the center stand... Its more stable than side stand IF someone accidently walks into it...

 

[dhani]

Dude.. that fucken blows!..
That happend to me a few years back and now I can't psychologically leave the bike parked on the street & out of my sight for more than 30 mins...

I'd fix it up, then either keep it or sell it after its fixed up.
If you sell the bike bike now as is, you'll get nothing for it and you will have lost everythign you put into it

Contact Peter at: lessons@teacher.com, 416 544 8932
I believe that he has a complete cb360 parts bike that he wants to get rid of for cheap.
I believe that parts bike will have everything that you need and more.

Was it just on the ground when you got back? no witnesses or anything?
Where on Queen St was it?

You know.. most of those things you can do yourself, with the exception of bending the forks, but you could always get those parts from ebay or TO cycle...Forks, Rims, lights, you can put the clubmans on yourself as the lights, Exhaust, .. I believe Tummyson has a spare set that he was planning to sell, (now that he has the sexy 2-1's)...

It shouldn't cost you $600-$100 if U do it yourself...$300 at most...
For future reference, I'd put clip-ons so that they dont brake like clubmans if the bike falls over again...

Thanks for the great advice, locOleoN.
as it happens, i already emailed peter today. I saw his add for the 360s a couple of weeks ago. I'm just waiting for his reply.

I've also posted this dillema on GTA Formum and Facebook, so i'm hoping i'll get some help with parts if needed.

I'd like to ask your opinion on keeping the 360 vs getting a 750. I love the nimblness of the 360. it's super fun and quick.
However, i'm thinking i might get a 750. I really want to be able to take it on the hightway and long trips.

what do you think?
thanks.
d.

 

[locOleoN]

the cb750, as Im finding it is a pig... Its fat, big and HEAVY...
The cb550 is much lighter, easier to work on and very nimble... Just as Grimz about the accleration, (sunday AM breakfast ride back to TO..LOL...)

Personally, I wouldnt go from a cb350/cb360 to a cb750... thats a huge jump... Even 2 inches slammed my cb750 is still, (with both feet flat on the ground), hard to manoveur. It a PIG

Im still trying get used to it and Ive been riding my cb550 for 2 seasons...

thats just my opinion.. Id go for a cb550...

 

[dhani]

the cb750, as Im finding it is a pig... Its fat, big and HEAVY...
The cb550 is much lighter, easier to work on and very nimble... Just as Grimz about the accleration, (sunday AM breakfast ride back to TO..LOL...)

Personally, I wouldnt go from a cb350/cb360 to a cb750... thats a huge jump... Even 2 inches slammed my cb750 is still, (with both feet flat on the ground), hard to manoveur. It a PIG

Im still trying get used to it and Ive been riding my cb550 for 2 seasons...

thats just my opinion.. Id go for a cb550...

yeah. i do like the 550. Don't see too many around. have you seen the 81 750 C? I rode it today. it's actually a lot more nible than the ones from the 70's. they also get a pretty good rating on bikez.com

 

[locOleoN]

yeah, they are good bikes, but a little too "new" for me!! ;D

 

[Tim]

Ok - what size forks are they? A replacement set of front forks should cost $100 or so and it takes 10 minutes to swap them out. A new wheel should be easy to find at a salvage yard etc. - maybe another $50 and another 10 minutes to install.

Clubman bars = $40 + $20 for new grips and 10 minutes to swap over the controls to the new bars.

Signal lights = $20 a pair or so and again, a few minutes to install.

This should cost about $200-$300 in parts tops, and you don't need a mechanic to install the stuff for you. We'll arrange a group install party where I can install the stuff and Noel can supervise

Don't give up hope - this isn't as bad as it sounds. This guy must have been travelling at a good clip to do so much damage to your front end. This wasn't just someone backing into your bike and knocking it over. That happened to me (I watched in horror as an idiot in a mini-van backed into my 1973 CB500 while I was in the donut shop). I made the guy walk with me to a bank machine and give me $50 for the one broken signal light. Cost me $10 to replace.

 

[locOleoN]

Ok - what size forks are they? A replacement set of front forks should cost $100 or so and it takes 10 minutes to swap them out. A new wheel should be easy to find at a salvage yard etc. - maybe another $50 and another 10 minutes to install.

Clubman bars = $40 + $20 for new grips and 10 minutes to swap over the controls to the new bars.

Signal lights = $20 a pair or so and again, a few minutes to install.

This should cost about $200-$300 in parts tops, and you don't need a mechanic to install the stuff for you. We'll arrange a group install party where I can install the stuff and Noel can supervise

Don't give up hope - this isn't as bad as it sounds.

Im up for that....

 

[pyro139]

only honda four after 78 i would touch is the 650 cause it last of the sohc's, the 81 750c is fual cams
get the 550, unless you decide fix the 360 of course.

 

[dhani]

wow...thanks locoleon and tintin!!!!
you guys have made me feel lots better about the situation. you have probably surmized already that i am new to bikes. i'm not mechanically inept, but don't have too much experience with these old hondas and the parts market, so your input is really helping.

i hope to hear back from the guys at cyclewerx soon and i will let you know what they say. they're pretty good guys so i hope the costs won't be out of wack from what you guys are telling me.

thanks for the offer of a group intall party...that's the best fucking idea i've ever heard!!! i'll let you know about that after i hear from cyclewerx.

as far as the 81 CB750, i agree...it is a little new for me as well. i'm a bit torn, because it rides well, and the reviews are great, but it doesn't have that same 70's honda look that i LOVE!!! the 78 750 that i was thinking about buying is perfect for a ton-up, but it's a beast!!! i really would miss that nimbleness.

well, i think i've decided to definetly fix the 360 and keep my options open as far as a new bike. I like the 550 idea. how much do you reckon i should pay for a 550 and which model would you say is the most ideal???

thanks again, guys.
d.

 

[pyro139]

wow...thanks locoleon and tintin!!!!
you guys have made me feel lots better about the situation. you have probably surmized already that i am new to bikes. i'm not mechanically inept, but don't have too much experience with these old hondas and the parts market, so your input is really helping.

i hope to hear back from the guys at cyclewerx soon and i will let you know what they say. they're pretty good guys so i hope the costs won't be out of wack from what you guys are telling me.

thanks for the offer of a group intall party...that's the best fucking idea i've ever heard!!! i'll let you know about that after i hear from cyclewerx.

as far as the 81 CB750, i agree...it is a little new for me as well. i'm a bit torn, because it rides well, and the reviews are great, but it doesn't have that same 70's honda look that i LOVE!!! the 78 750 that i was thinking about buying is perfect for a ton-up, but it's a beast!!! i really would miss that nimbleness.

well, i think i've decided to definetly fix the 360 and keep my options open as far as a new bike. I like the 550 idea. how much do you reckon i should pay for a 550 and which model would you say is the most ideal???

thanks again, guys.
d.

cafe wasnt the only old school euro racer's also had your bobbers(old school drag bike) and the 750f's and the 650's make good bobbers.

 

[locOleoN]

wow...thanks locoleon and tintin!!!!
you guys have made me feel lots better about the situation. you have probably surmized already that i am new to bikes. i'm not mechanically inept, but don't have too much experience with these old hondas and the parts market, so your input is really helping.

i hope to hear back from the guys at cyclewerx soon and i will let you know what they say. they're pretty good guys so i hope the costs won't be out of wack from what you guys are telling me.

thanks for the offer of a group intall party...that's the best fucking idea i've ever heard!!! i'll let you know about that after i hear from cyclewerx.

as far as the 81 CB750, i agree...it is a little new for me as well. i'm a bit torn, because it rides well, and the reviews are great, but it doesn't have that same 70's honda look that i LOVE!!! the 78 750 that i was thinking about buying is perfect for a ton-up, but it's a beast!!! i really would miss that nimbleness.

well, i think i've decided to definetly fix the 360 and keep my options open as far as a new bike. I like the 550 idea. how much do you reckon i should pay for a 550 and which model would you say is the most ideal???

thanks again, guys.
d.

LOL.. dont worry about the cb550 yet. Just get the cb360 fixed or get the parts. Call Peter and see if he still has the parts bike..
Let us know asap...

 

[cosmo]

the cb750, as Im finding it is a pig... Its fat, big and HEAVY...
The cb550 is much lighter, easier to work on and very nimble... Just as Grimz about the accleration, (sunday AM breakfast ride back to TO..LOL...)

I'd have to disagree with that one, the 750's feel very similar to 550's for me. The only major difference in the 750 is the power always being there. Maybe I'm just too used to driving fat pigs and not small bikes ???.

 

[dhani]

hmmmm....
750 vs. 550???

i found a 1978 550K Four on-line for $2000??? opinions???

locoleon, are you riding a 550 in your pic???

thanks.
d.

 

[locOleoN]

yeah.. my bike is currently a 75 cb550f...

Talk to Yasir: http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=893.0
I think he's still selling his cb550k.

 

[dhani]

yeah.. my bike is currently a 75 cb550f...

Talk to Yasir: http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=893.0
I think he's still selling his cb550k.

yeah...i actually called him a while ago when looking for bikes...he sold it shortly after he posted the ad on here, i believe.

thanks though. let me know if you see anything else. i'm pretty open to options at this point. i looked at some picks of the 550k four online and read some reviews...this might be the perfect bike for me. in fact, when i was first looking for bikes i was thinking of 750s and 550s, but found that 360 which i loved. the more i ride though, and the more trips i think about doing, i'm thinking that a 550 or 750 might be a the best solution.

thanks.
d.

 

[CanadaDan]

Not that I can help out being in WPG... but wrenching sessions are normal among vintage MC (and inparticular Airhead) riders... AKA Barley Therapy Sessions

Now that I've got my garage workshop nearly complete I'll likey be hosting a few sessions myself. It's the kind of thing where expertise is shared, swapped and expanded. Speciallty tools become communual for the afternoon (carb balancers, multi-meters etc) and the tunes coffee, donuts and malt beverages keep flowing until everyone and every bike is running smooth... then take off somewhere for dogs and shakes.

You guys should start a monthly meet based around this.

 

[grimz]

yes ,my ass got handed to me ,noels bike has a nice pick up on it,and from followin behind looks so flickable almost sport bikeish.
definatley hauls ass.
im so sorry to hear about your bike man,heart breaking.
ive seen yur bike a couple times as im always in and out of cycle werx.
lookd good with the clubs on,james even sold me on them by lookin at yur ride.still gotta pick mine up.oops.

 

[dhani]

yes ,my ass got handed to me ,noels bike has a nice pick up on it,and from followin behind looks so flickable almost sport bikeish.
definatley hauls ass.
im so sorry to hear about your bike man,heart breaking.
ive seen yur bike a couple times as im always in and out of cycle werx.
lookd good with the clubs on,james even sold me on them by lookin at yur ride.still gotta pick mine up.oops.

thanks, grimz.
the cyclewerx crue are great. i hope they can get me back on the road for a good price. i loved the bars that james put on my bike. i got to use them for a whole day, and then all this shit went down. it was fun day at least.

so it looks like there is a lot of love for the 550. i'll continue to look at what's around.

thanks again, grimz and all the rest.
d.

 

[tummyson]

I've got some pipes with CB350 mufflers or shorty mufflers and a spare set of front forks. Plus I got a few turn signals kicking around as well. Let me know what you need and I'll see if I can help you out. I'm in KItchener.

Mike