As al long term CB fanatic (since I got my first one at a garage sale in 1992 for $160) I would add this advice- when getting your CB add in the cost of: carb overhaul @ 150$ PER CARB if done at a shop, 35$ at home (I go the shop route. I hate working on carbs and I have the money to do that) just get them rebuilt if they are at all questionable: better than farting around with them every wekend to get them balanced at best or burning a valve at worst. Add to that swingarm bushings ($50 if you do it yourself, $100 at the shop) fork seals ($20 at home, 80 at a shop) rear shocks (they are almost always shot, but an easy home job on a bike with a centre stand.) $150 at home. Tires.. well as much as you want to spend really but I would say $250 is the floor on that one for two tires mounted and balanced. Add to that tools and gear and I would add $1800 to the cost of any used 70s era bike, this is in addition to a full tune up and probably new coils, spark plug wires and ignition (I would go with a dyna S electronic ignition and coils... but that is because I am old and have adjusted enough points for one lifetime) . Now you may have some tools, a leather jacket already, or get a bike that doesnt need all that at once. Some things can be done in staged (not the tires, brakes or shocks just get them done first). But you can see why a lot of folks are steering you away from these bikes.
What you need is an old guy bike: old guys tend to take care of their shit. An old guy who does is own maintanance will learn to take it easy on his machine because th harder you ride it, the longer you wrench it. Generally old guys like that dont live in the city, they live in the suburbs and exurbs where a large shop is affordable- get ready to put some miles on getting your ride and you will get a better machine.
I will use my last 750 as an example. I live in Portland Oregon (also the land of chopped and dropped cb's) and for my 40th birthday I bought myself a bike:
It was $1800, and about 100 miles away. The guy drove it only in the summer and kept it garaged on blocks to save the tires. The tires were OE from the dealer 1982 and not cracked but hard as rocks. New Avons made that bike soar. the guy had all the stock parts labeled in a box: Always ask for parts, this guy brought out boxes including new plugs points and condensors and every stock part removed for the fairing labeled. <-- this is also a good sign because it shows that the on a man is orderly and works on his stuff in an orderly way. For instance all the wiring mods for the fairing were done to the fairing not the harness, making removal and reinstall a pleasent morning's puttering. I have spend a long hard day doing the same thing on a bike where the wiring was hacked to fit the faring) :
This is after about another 1500. The major work is invisble: pretty much everything above listed. The stuff you see was a couuple hundred at most. Over the next year I spent time and added some bar end mirrors and a 4-1 exhaust. Had the bike for 3 years before I sold it.
Anyway looking quickly in your area I found this:
Vintage 1973 Honda CB750
More than you want to spend but if he had it rejetted he probably had it rebuilt. Too bad he painted the bike and added the pods, I woulda kept the paint and stock airbox but other than that its unmolested.. mostly.. and looks well cared for. I would start looking in the suburan areas around you: Like San Bernidino, OC, etc... take some time to find the right bike. And if your bitten by the CB bug may God have mercy on your soul.
