That's a pretty bike !

I've been following that bike for many years. They always bring big bucks. Those that bought them back in the day knew exactly what they were getting and why it was special - as a result they are looking for a good ROI.

So, how does that work? 2 exhaust ports?

I think it's the best looking Honda made ! They were pricey when new , I'm sure it was also a small/limited quantity imported , not every dealer had them. But the price is what kept buyers away. I almost bought one , loan approved , I changed my mind , What a dumba$$ ! Saw one with 62 miles on it , it was perfect , guy wanted $9000. I would have paid $6000 but he wouldn't do it. Way cooler than the FT500, the GB500 has Classy Timeless look , still kickin myself. Maybe someday I can redeem myself to the motorcycle GODS !

Honda singles have always been more 'honest' in that with 2 exhaust valves, they design 2 exhaust ports/pipes ! We make do with one!  A while back, a local guy always wiped the field roadracing with a honda XR dirtbike engine. That sucker was fast!!!

Ruttly wrote on 08/28/17 at 20:13:03:

Been There..Done That...Still Kicking Myself Too  

I remember being at the local Honda dealer when they came out in the late 80s. It was the same year Honda introduced the 600 Hurricane. And the bikes were basically the same price (around $4k). The marketing dweebs must have decided that there were lots of grey beards with money just dying for a Brit inspired big single. So, for the same price as a 4 cylinder, triple disc, twin cam 4 valve, mag wheel, etc supersport, you could have a single cam 500 single with primitive suspension and brakes.
Guess the outcome?
By the early 90s the salesman at the shop was offering me one new in the crate for $2300, which was approximately $2300 more than I had in those dark days.
There were some cool articles on hotting them up. The 650 motor or top end from another model could be transplanted, etc.
Fast forward to a few years ago when I was thinking about a big single project. People were asking (and getting) upwards of $8K for one in decent shape! And it would still be a 'kit' bike-suspension, brakes, motor, etc needed work. And it's a dry sump motor, so it would be harder to make minimalist.
Hence me gravitation to a Savage. My basic pile of parts was free. With that starting point, I could justify spending thousands on all the right stuff. Although the motors start out pretty gutless, it seems possible to get them in the mid-30 HP range (or even more). The belt drive is very appealing, as is the wet sump.
My 'Genre Reassignment Surgery' continues, as the bike morphs into a cafe racer.
It'll prob be lighter than the GB could be, and fast enough.
True, the GB is one of the prettiest bikes ever, but unless someone gave me one, I'd end up in the $12K+ range by the time I was done tweaking it (given the selling price for the basic bike). Which is a bit out of control.