Rest easy, my friends. I have arrived.

[jwarriner]

I got my CB550 in July for $1200 running/titled, which was probably expensive but I haven't seen a CB500 / 550 or 750 around here under $2000 in a long time. I guess CBs are a little boring since everyone has them but the engines are pretty reliable. Having a bank of four fucking carbs sucks though. I have three bikes and 12 carbs :-\

 

[Squints]

There are a few around on craigslist for 1000 - 1500. Haven't gone to look at any though. I'm still trying to figure out what I want to get. I'm not dead set on a CB. But I did find an 83 that looks fairly decent for 1500. Think I'm gonna go give it a gander tomorrow if the dude is available. Only thing I have to get past is it not having wire wheels. I guess I can live with it if I can get a good enough deal on a bike. I kinda like the looks of this one too. Except for the highway bars...

 

[jwarriner]

If I was starting over I would get a CB360 or an RD350.

 

[Squints]

I'd like to get a smaller cc bike. But at 6'6", it might be a tight squeeze.

 

[surffly]

There are a few around on craigslist for 1000 - 1500. Haven't gone to look at any though. I'm still trying to figure out what I want to get. I'm not dead set on a CB. But I did find an 83 that looks fairly decent for 1500. Think I'm gonna go give it a gander tomorrow if the dude is available. Only thing I have to get past is it not having wire wheels. I guess I can live with it if I can get a good enough deal on a bike. I kinda like the looks of this one too. Except for the highway bars...

If looking at DOHC CBs (79-up to 80something) only go for an "F" the "C" and "K" are cruisers and not fit for anything else. the frame and other geometry is not something that you want to work with in therms of performance. But im sure someone has made a "cafe" out of a nighthawk....or at least dressed it up like a "cafe"

Dont play the "all I could find was X" car to justify shoehorning a cruiser into the role you want. Honda made millions of these bikes.
CL is not your only way to find a bike. Hell its not even a very good way to anymore. NOTHING gets done on the internet, go out and find a shop that deals with old bikes, join the local VinMoto group, find some VJMC guys or some ride night. Get out there and meet people, engage in the hobby, not just the web

 

[Squints]

Good info. I was under the assumption that underneath some cosmetic differences, they were all basically the same animal. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[surffly]

frames are very different
Forks have are different
Nothing wrong with a C or a K if you are just looking for a UJM to ride around, but if performance or what not is the goal then F is the only choice. But like it was said, the GS is an all around better, and cheaper bike then the CB

 

[Squints]

Yeah, I'm kinda focusing my efforts towards something other than the CB now. They're good lookin bike and all. But like you said, they're pricey. The GS looks like a good way to go. Now I just gotta find one. But if I run across something else that I like, I'm not gonna rule it out.