Author Topic: Project Thunderbird 72 CB750 (update) (Read 4905 times)

Charliedontsurf · « **on:** January 11, 2012, 09:32:19 PM »

Ive been a lurker for a while and i decided to finally post my project.

I picked up this dirty, spray bombed, and barely running UNtitled CB750K2 in georgia an hour past atlanta. I paied more than i should but it was my first bike purchase and i let excitement take advantage of me.

But im not gonna let that stop me.
Now for the eye candy

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Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2012, 09:45:54 PM »

Apparently the po decided to spray bomb it without actually taking off anything....lots of overspray...ugg

Ontop of that it has a hacked harness..
Really?! You couldnt at least shorten it?

Also has a broken exhaust bolt that i thought was just missing when i purchased it...so i have to pull the engine because its too close to the frame rail to remove.

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Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2012, 10:06:29 PM »

considering i have to pull the engine (bolt is broken flush) i decided to take it down to the bare frame.

And pulled the engine! I should of taken the forks off first...

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Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2012, 10:23:54 PM »

I have a million ideas where i want to go with this bike but above all i want to keep those sexy lines produced by the head light, tank, and side covers.

Why thunderbird you ask? Because i grew up with my dads white 1959 ford thunderbird, four setater ,convertable, with light blue and white leather seats.
God i love that car!
Here she is

And i want to design my bike with that car and era in mind but with a splash of modern.

the seat i really dont like... It looks nice but it has ciggrett burns all over the top.

i MAY go for the cafe single or a brattstyle flat. But that thick seat needs to go away

Also I bought a nice air compressor for some sandblasting at my parents house..

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FrankenFrankenstuff · « **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2012, 09:41:10 AM »

Great start, keep them pictures coming! T bird B B B B Bah Bird is the word.

Toxic · « **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2012, 10:20:11 AM »

Nice looking bike, congrats. Keep the seat pan and foam if it's in good shape along with the hinges. Guys are always looking for that stuff on here.

If you are not sure in what direction to take it, have a look at the inspiration thread or the other various build threads going on. Something will click.

dagersh · « **Reply #6 on:** January 12, 2012, 10:34:01 AM »

That is going to be a fun and interesting project!

I also grew up with my Dad's white T-Bird. Some of my earliest memories are of us driving around twon in this car. We still have it, and had it Frame-on restored in 2007 for its 50th Birthday.

A little porn for ya'!

Gersh

Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #7 on:** January 12, 2012, 12:20:09 PM »

Ive read just about every post and topic i can get my hands on... I absolutely love this forum! Btw that thundetbird is amazing! My dads may look nice but its a twenty footer. Slow and steady..piece by piece...

My recent awesome purchases... Hondamans book!!

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fishslayeryo · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2012, 12:28:26 PM »

Hondaman's book is awesome! Just used it lastnight for taking all the bearing out and pulling the rear wheel apart. Good luck on your build, look forward to it. Bird is the word!!

Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2012, 02:11:32 PM »

Its a godsend! So much better than the clymers manual.

I was bored so i took apart the tac and speedo. I used the paint can key method.

I used some ebay replacements.... Quality is ok. we will see how they do

I think i will repaint the bodies

Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #10 on:** January 13, 2012, 06:18:55 PM »

picked up a Caswell polishing kit

Also a new brake shoes , master rebuild kit

I was trying to clean my carbs and i managed to break one of my float bowl drain screws right off..flush..while using pb blaster :-

92sc300tt · « **Reply #11 on:** January 13, 2012, 07:34:53 PM »

Hey im down at fort rucker working on a 73 cb750 bobber project and a 78 cafe. maybe we can meet up one day when we get our bikes going

Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2012, 01:09:20 AM »

Definately! You dont happen to be doing an engine rebuild on your 73? i was begining to think i was the only one in alabama.

92sc300tt · « **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2012, 07:21:27 AM »

No im not rebuilding hte engine on the 73 hopefully I wont have to but i will pulling the 78 completely apart soon

lucky · « **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2012, 12:16:26 PM »

Great project.
I wondered why you did not take the front forks off and just lift the frame off of the engine.
Anyway I am sure you will not do it that way when you put the engine back in.
That float bowl screw tat broke off is not your fault but tap on those old screws first a few times with a small hammer to break the corrosion bond. Aluminum and brass have the worst corrosion potential.

When you have to remove that broken stud from the cylinder head take it to a machine shop if you do not know how to do it.
DO NOT buy an easy out from a hardware store(spiral type),they always break.
The easy out that has a four sided tapered shank is vary reliable.

You may have to leave that screw in that float bowl or get another float bowl because the threaded hole bottoms out.
You would need a bottoming tap to even redo the threads.
The bottom of the hole is tapered. It is a problem.
What I would do is use small drill bits and use larger and larger drill bits and then maybe you can dig out the pieces of the brass screw that are still left.

I hope this bike turns out just as nice as that T bird. LOL... Just giving you a hard time. I am sure it will. You are off to a good start.

fishslayeryo · « **Reply #15 on:** January 17, 2012, 12:37:11 PM »

Nice work so far! Let me know what you think about the drill Caswell polishing kit, I was eyeballing that the otherday:)

Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #16 on:** January 22, 2012, 09:12:25 AM »

Just found a complete K0 roller about 4 hours from me.. for 150! I told him ill take it! Now i hope i can have a runner while i work on my original parts/frame

I should not have any compatibility problems between my 72 right?

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Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #17 on:** January 31, 2012, 02:05:44 PM »

So i was down at the base hobby shop and noticed a motorcycle in one of the indoor rental cages. And an empty one next to it!
Hobby shop

For 35 a moth i get this cage

and all the tools to my hearts content

Sent from the back of a C-130 H2

dagersh · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2012, 09:11:59 AM »

Anybody else drooling? I don't think I would ever leave the Hobby Shop!

jneuf · « **Reply #19 on:** February 01, 2012, 11:02:44 AM »

I've never heard of such a hobby shop! I don't think I'd ever leave there either...$35/month?! That's insane!!

Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #20 on:** February 01, 2012, 12:36:42 PM »

Thanks for the comments guys!

Pretty much every (active duty) military base has a fantastic hobby shop. I replaced my front wheel bearing hubs there last week. It cost me 13 DOLLARS for 3 hours... using the tools, lift, and oil disposal. Not including parts i had to order them myself

Sent from my bedroom

Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #21 on:** February 17, 2012, 02:08:16 PM »

Mounted the engine Wednesday and started scrubbing

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Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #22 on:** February 17, 2012, 02:10:05 PM »

Added a shelf to the workshop to stay organized and started stripping the tank.

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Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #23 on:** February 17, 2012, 02:12:24 PM »

Yesterday i started taking the top end apart.

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Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #24 on:** February 17, 2012, 02:21:01 PM »

The head was too easy to get off.. the gasket is perfectly intact... im worried about these valves :- are they burned?
28000 miles shown on speedo
Engine not seized

Please reply soon im working on it now..

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Charliedontsurf · « **Reply #25 on:** February 17, 2012, 02:29:43 PM »

Check out the wear on the cylinder walls
And the gasket

Is this normal?

Cam chain tensioner looks good

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Author Topic: Project Thunderbird 72 CB750 (update) (Read 4905 times)