Buying a Parts Bike?

[Yata-Garasu_imp]

Found a scruffy '14 CB1100 E (standard 6 speed) with 30k miles. Missing muffler and looks like it's been "soft dropped" in the parking lot a couple of times, but no apparent rust and it fires right up and no check engine light.

No apparent leaks, chain and tires look good.

Will riding it around with no muffler cause problems going forward? The current owner has the muffler but he removed it after scratching it up... Claims he likes the sound without the muffler...

I don't need another CB1100, but I was wondering if it might be worth having as a parts bike...

Just thinking out loud!

[dave]

I think owning a parts bike for the CB1100 is a good idea if you plan to keep your first bike for a long time, but only if you get it a a very reasonable price. It took me eight weeks to get new sprockets for my 2014 deluxe from a Honda dealer. What do you think parts availability will be like in five, or ten years from now? I keep my bikes for a long time, and worry about replacement parts availability too. The CB1100 was sold in a very limited quantity, and not a lot of parts used on it are interchangeable with other models, meaning Honda doesn't have a real incentive to supply parts for your bike in the future.

[PowerDubs_imp]

Depends on how cheap it is and what parts are damaged.

Also- how much the benefit of 'maybe' needing the part- compared to tying up your money and space to store the bike.

[dave]

Another thought: You can always part-out items that you don't think you'll ever need, helping you to recoup some (or maybe all?) of the cost of the parts bike.

[GoldOxide_imp]

Depends on how cheap it is and what parts are damaged.

Also- how much the benefit of 'maybe' needing the part- compared to tying up your money and space to store the bike.

The Rocking Chair Years will be interesting when common riding folk of the future won't all be lookin' for internal combustion classics.

[The Gecko_imp]

I doubt it's cost-effective for cheaper parts / wear parts only. But if expensive parts which may get bent in a minor incident (wheels, fenders, saddle, and most prominently the tank), or those which may eventually subside to corrosion, or failure (ECU, instruments etc)....where all in good shape ? Such bike may be worth a few presidents. Honda parts are expensive. I would forgo the deal if the price was above 3000. After all the one part you will really need in 3 years or 7 may not be usable.

Depends on how cheap it is and what parts are damaged.

Also- how much the benefit of 'maybe' needing the part- compared to tying up your money and space to store the bike.

Good point PD, so garage space, cash and enthusiasm for the CB1100 play a role too

[GoldOxide_imp]

I doubt it's cost-effective for cheaper parts / wear parts only. But if expensive parts which may get bent in a minor incident (wheels, fenders, saddle, and most prominently the tank), or those which may eventually subside to corrosion, or failure (ECU, instruments etc)....where all in good shape ? Such bike may be worth a few presidents. Honda parts are expensive. I would forgo the deal if the price was above 3000. After all the one part you will really need in 3 years or 7 may not be usable.

Depends on how cheap it is and what parts are damaged.

Also- how much the benefit of 'maybe' needing the part- compared to tying up your money and space to store the bike.

Good point PD, so garage space, cash and enthusiasm for the CB1100 play a role too

Good point PD, so garage space, cash and enthusiasm for the CB1100 play a role too
Thankfully, hobbyists are quite innovative at using 3D printers, and 3D printers continue to have more capability and are cheaper to own. Printed parts will become more mainstream for recreating parts every year. Even metal 3D printers will come down in price.

[Yata-Garasu_imp]

Thanks for talking me down from the ledge! He's asking $4500 and it's not worth that. I offered him $3000 and would have accepted $3500 but he wouldn't move off of $4500. The vinyl on the saddle is toast as well, and the tank and side covers are scratched, as well as one of the mirrors. I'm glad he didn't counter with $3500 because I would have bought it and then regretted it. I don't own my own home, so I have to rent my bike storage space.

[rboe]

He is asking way too much. Good call.

[Tom_imp]

Keep Copart in mind. My 2013 with heavy front end damage went for less the $1k. I saw one in RI with bidding at $30 a day before the auction ended.