Need advice on buying an older cb750

[foursAreFun]

Hi, I found a couple sellers and I'm looking at a 1969 cb750 and a 1971 cb750. Both were kept inside most of the time, neither is in showroom condition but decent. I rode both, and feel good and about the same, however the 1971 cb750 has a custom pipe, not too loud. The other bike, the 1969 cb750 is all stock. The seller wants $1700 for the 1969 bike and the 1971 owner wants only $1100, the '69 has around 18k miles and the 1971's a little over 20k miles, roughly the same. So I told the 1969 seller about the 1971 and asked how he justified his higher price and he showed me the VIN number on the goosneck and it was a 2000's number and he claimed it 'is a very early 1969 cb750 and its worth more.' Was that a sales pitch? I'm inclined to save $600, I mean both have stock paint. Everything on both bikes is stock and in really good shape given the age. Only the custom pipe on the 1971 is non-stock. Recommendations?

[Re-run]

What are the numbers on the 69? If it is an old one, then it may be a sandcast which, from a collector if it is original, would net double that...easy.
Well the pipes alone on the 69, if in even half-assed shape could fetch a grand. If they are the elusive unnumbered pipes, some have paid almost 2000 for those.

[foursAreFun]

Wow.  Well I dont have the number's tail end I just remember it began with 1002, and had 3 number at the end I dont remember, it was 1002nnn.

But the 1971 is about the same year bike and looks almost the same at least to me, would that make it also valuable like you're thinking?  Seems to me they are not very different and both very old, and not much different in the year made.  I mean they look almost identical except the paint and that pipe on the 1971 bike.  

[Re-run]

on short look, they are not much different. Look closer, the tail of the seat it angled up on the 69, called a ducktail seat. Only on the 69. The front fender is cut different. The side covers have slots in them.
The carbs user 4 pull cables, I dont think the 71 does.
This link gives you a good pic of what the bike should look like.
http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/classics/bike.asp?id=91

[LukeM]

I'm lucky to have that museum just around the corner from me.  They're having a raffle to give away a fully restored first year sandcast CB750.  It's absolutely gorgeous.

My guess is the seller either doesn't know what they have, or they do.  Do the research. But be careful: a LOT of people are rehabbing stuff to look like old original stuff.  They've been doing it to Fender Strats for years.  

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.
Luke M

[cballweg]

Are you wanting a daily rider or an investment?  If you are looking for an investment, call the '69 seller and get the full serial number, research on line or on this forum and buy it IF it is a sandcase...

If you are looking for a daily rider, save the money for accessories and repairs...

[Re-run]

sandcast or not, I would still get the 69. They are worth the most. Sandcast was the first few models, then the engines were diecast, even in 69. But they are still worth the most.