possible parts source, I may check it out..

[MarkPBG]

I'm in vacation up in Ocala, FL, and I'm still looking on CL for a bike. I run across an ad from a guy that claims to have tons of parts for the CB750's. The shop is kind of on the way home (Daytona Beach) , so If I stopped by I would only lose about 20 minutes. But looking at the pics, it looks like a storage building the guy is running a "business" out of, and everything is just tossed in blue bins, sort through it yourself, then he'll give you a price. Looks like he's got some of the better stuff in drawers, but many parts look like you'd be shopping at an indoor junkyard. Anyone ever have luck getting good stuff at places like this? (was thinking of picking up an engine and trans and having them all worked up and ready for when I find a frame (he doesn't have any frames) but the engines he does post pictures of look to have some thick rust on the sleeves. I'm kind of leaning toward not checking it out until after I have a bike.  
http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/mcy/2665785496.html

[TOOLS1]

I only saw one total piece of junk in that whole mess.
TOOLS

[MarkPBG]

Well, of course, but I can't take your opinion into consideration, because you are a CB750-a-holic....LOL. If they were closer, you'd probably buy him out. ;) Just kidding you....you do know what you're looking at a whole hella lot better than I do when it comes to parts for these bikes, now point me out a second gen camaro parts supplier, and I'll be the one maxing out the checking account!


Hmmm...I think I might just check it out then, after I get a bike...after all, what if the best deal I come across...>GASP>....ISN'T a cb750?

[shinyribs]

TOOLS1 wrote

I only saw one total piece of junk in that whole mess.
TOOLS

I saw two...the v-twin(which im sure you are referring to) and a fairing

I would definitely hit that place up if i had a chance.Nothing else,looks like a place to find some good conversation.I noticed that Dunlop rear tire is identical to mine,but it "Harlot Davidson" stamped on it?Odd.Is their ego THAT big?

[TOOLS1]

If, you look at my list, you will see quite an eclectic collection. Now if, you want to talk Camaros I am a #rd gen man myself. Had two. Bought one brand new. A 92 Z-28 25th Anniversary edition. Black with red strips. My stepson has it now. He went with me to pick it up when it came in, and he had wanted it ever since.
TOOLS

[shinyribs]

WHAAAAT!?!?  I thought you were a blue blood?!?!?   You just went up a notch in my book.   Of course,thats not saying much...my opinions+$0.50 will get you a cheap cup of coffee

[MarkPBG]

i had an '85 Z , but liked the looks of the older ones better. IMHO, 1992 was the last year they made a camaro, up until the current one anyway! Everything in between was FUGLY!

[Peterwh]

Certainly looks like a fun place.  I'm in Naples at the weekend.  Sure wish it was a bit closer.  I don't really have time for a five hour drive.  Do you think a CB750 engine counts as a small carry on?

[sgtslag]

Some folks won't put anything on their HD bike's (or their person, when prep'ing to ride) unless it has the official name on it.  Sad, IMO, but to each their own.  Me, I am much more mercenary in choosing parts and accessories.

Are you against all fairings, Shiny, or one in particular, in his offerings?  Just curious.  Cheers!

[shinyribs]

Im just joking around about the fairings,really.I have a Windjammer in my loft that i thought looked horrible on my bike,but some guys love them.I am considering building a small wind shield for my bike,just not sure what i want yet.

[MarkPBG]

So on my last day up in Ocala I was driving around looking at all the bike shops to see if anyone had a used CB750. I stumbled across a motorcycle shop that's also a motorcycle salvage yard. I just had to stop in when I saw a Honda 400 cafe racer all done up for sale out front, and next to that was an old KZ, which was next to an old Royal Enfield, which was next to two old Triumphs and a BSA! (See why I HAD to stop?) I saw some KZ's and some GS's in the front shop too. He had a back "yard" with over 500 bikes that I could SEE, and said he had more on the next parcel back! I asked about CB's and he had "only" 12 complete bikes, and about a half to a full dozen frames, many with titles. He showed me a 78 K, a 78 something else which he said has a K tank on it, and a 76 super sport. I was really interested in the super sport. He said it ran when he got it two years ago, and they just changed the front brakes and he was getting ready to get that one running and ready to sell, and if I was interested, to let him know how I wanted it done. Well, the only problem was the guy is VERY proud of his stuff. He wanted $1800 as it sat. I told him I couldn't pay that much for a bike that "ran two years ago when I got it" and has a torn up seat, rust around the flip up tank filler cover (it was the kind that looks like a gas door on a car, just flat metal painted same color as the tank) and RUST EVERYWHERE. Rust on the spoked wheels, the bolts, the frame, the handlebars and exhaust. In the condition it was in, I could not see paying over $750. He says he regularly sells finished ones for $2500 to $3500, which may be, but this was not finished by any means. He wanted $1000 to $1200 JUST for a frame! At least I know a place I can get the occasional small part, but I doubt he'll be selling me a frame or a bike at those prices. It's just not in my budget right now. I wish my camera wasn't back at the hotel room, I would've made some parts scavengers drool at the sight of that sea of old bikes!

[MarkPBG]

And as luck would have it, I saw this beauty on CL when I got home….I'm FIRST in line to see it tomorrow! He's only an hour away too!
1974 Honda CB750 Four - $2000 (OBO)

[Ceruzziracing]

Mark, that guy in Daytona has had a ton of posts on Craigslist, he's about 20 min from me. Haven't hit him up yet, might have to make the trip. Where was the shop in Ocala? Unfortunately, it seems everyone in Central Florida thinks their rusty POS is actually a pile of gold lol. Just drove to Mississippi to get a 79 750SS, slim pickings around town.

[MarkPBG]

I can either post his info, or email it to you. Which is better? He says Dime City Cycles is one of his buyers. Judging by how many parts bikes the guy has…I can believe it.

[shinyribs]

For $2000 that is a far cry better than 1800 for a rust bucket.lol  Looks like a very clean bike.Hope you can get it

[MarkPBG]

Very slim pickings down here. I see bikes in other states for $700 or so in the same condition people here are wanting $2k. Then again, we're still paying $3.77/gal for gas here too. It was only $3.24 where I was in Ocala.
"Only"…like that's a good price…F!#$%N oil companies!

[MarkPBG]

Thanks Shiny….I hope I do too. I STRESSED that I have had four bikes sold out from under me before I could even look at them and UNLIKE the people who ended up buying them and trying to pay with checks, credit cards, etc…..I made SURE this guy knew I am a CASH buyer. If I like it, I will buy it, no 2-5 day long hassles and stringing them along. See it, like it, buy it, DONE!
( I also let him know I won't be bringing the cash…I will go get that AFTER I look at the bike and decide to buy it…don't want to walk into a set up, you know)

[shinyribs]

Cash talks! You would be surprised how many times i have totally lowballed somebody on their asking price.When they say "No deal",i put the cash in their hand and say"thats all i got,take it or leave it".They never want to hand cash back!The guys who say their price is "firm"...i consider that a challenge.They usually budge the most!

[MarkPBG]

Well, this guy is saying $2k or BEST offer. So many of these are selling so fast down here, I'd hate to lose out by really lowballing. Depends on the condition of the bike too, if its REALLY nice, and my multimeter shows the charging system and other electrics are good, and the tires, chain, etc. all looks really good, I'll get as close to his price as I can so he's not tempted to "wait for a better offer" as so many sellers down here like to do, then they end up selling CHEAPER to someone else because they lost my number! It's frustrating dealing with the flaky people in South Florida, and if you don't think we have a lot of them, just keep an eye on the FBI most wanted list, they seem to find 7 out of 10 that didn't flee the country right here in this State, or watch Cops, they have filmed 60% of ALL their episodes here in South Florida…We got the flakes all right. lol

[LukeM]

Here's what I've done on deals like this:

Get his asking price.
Check out the item. Do your best to assess its condition and if it needs fixing, mentally tally up the costs.
Subtract the repair costs from his asking price. Sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on how long it's been sitting and so forth.
You'll have a dollar amount in your head as to what you're willing to pay. Take the difference between his price and your price, and subtract that from your price.
Offer that.  The plan is to have him negotiate down to equal your price, if he doesn't take your first offer.

Another tack to try is "bundling".  Sometimes if you see other stuff that could go with the bike (tools, parts, accessories, helmet, jacket, luggage, etc), you could give him his asking price for the bike and get the other stuff for free.  The guys on Auction Hunters do this a lot, especially if the seller won't negotiate on what they REALLY want. Mix in some other stuff, and it dilutes the seller's pain. :-)

We did this technique when buying a new car, our latest house, and other items that had negotiable prices.

Remember, he may have to sell, but you don't have to buy.  Don't let the owner see that you've fallen in love with the bike.  Use your "Oh man, this bike is gonna need so much work, and so many new parts" face.

And, as the shiny ribs person states, Cash Is King. Just don't flash that much cash on the first meeting.

Luke M