After watching some of the bikes going across the block last weekend at Mecum and Bonhams, I thought it would be fun to see how the auction results compared to what is available out on the streets, so to speak. For this comparison, I simply searched among active Craigslist listings. In order to not compare apples and oranges, I picked a fairly common bike that was available at Mecum as well as online, the 1973-74 Honda CB350F.
The CB350F is a 4-cylinder, 4 stroke motorcycle that was made from 1972 to 1974. During the same period, Honda also produced the CB350 twin. At the time, it was the smallest multi-cylinder motorcycle in full-scale production, at 347cc.
At Mecum last weekend, there were 2 CB350F’s sold:
An original, unrestored 1973 for $5,500 – beautiful condition, with original pipes
A Japanese market 1973 for $4,000 with aftermarket seat, exhaust and shocks.
As expected, the original commanded a higher premium. This is almost always the case. In very few instances do modifications increase the value of classic bikes. They make them run better, handle better, even possibly look better, but in the eyes of most collectors, originality is king.
So, what was available this week out in the real world? A quick search of Craigslist found a few:
1974 Honda CB350F in Marietta, GA for $3,200. Not bad condition, running, with aftermarket 2 into2 exhaust, windshield. Everything working.
A 1973 Honda CB350F in Fort Wayne for $2,595. This one is also a runner with some recent work to carbs, brakes, cables, and a 4 into 1 Kerker exhaust. Also very nice.
Another 1973 CB350F in Melbourne, FL for only $1,500. This one has a little more history. It was cosmetically restored a few years ago and will likely need a little TLC to bring up to running condition, and the paint has some flaws. Lots of info on the ad. It also has a modified aftermarket 4 into 1 exhaust.
Another 1973 CB350F in Destin, FL for $3,500. Again we have aftermarket mufflers, but the owner claims it is all in working order, with many new parts. Fresh tires, carbs rebuilt and synced, new battery, new brake pads, new air filter, and 10K miles.
Another very original 1973 CB350F in Spokane, WA for $5,700. This one is a second-owner, very original bike that is claimed to run as well as it looks. It also has the evidently hard-to-find original pipes.
A restored 1973 CB350F in Michigan for $5,500. Another completely restored model with that original exhaust. Very nice and clean.
I have to say, after running through this little exercise, that the auction prices pretty much validated the “real” market for these bikes. The Craigslist ads ran from $1500 to $5700, with the prices fairly well representing the condition of the bike. Same for the auction prices, which I do not believe included the auction house commission. There are always outliers at either end of the price spectrum, and that was the case here. But, basically you get what you pay for.
Sources:
Wikipedia
Pinterest
Craigslist