Topic: Soliciting ideas and experence - Restoring and tuning a Daily Driver

[kirbyno1]

I'm looking for recommendations on a restoration project. I have do not have a bike for this yet so suggestions are welcome.

For this project, I wont say i'm on a shoestring budget, but I want to keep the costs down when possible unless there's a large motivating factor in accomplishing my goals. I would like to do a complete frame off restoration with a complete engine rebuild. For starters I owned an 2004 cb600f for years and loved it. I've decided I want something a little more classic and as an alternative to restoring a 73-79 Civic I've decided to do a classic CB.

I've been thinking that a 78-earlier CB750F would be the best to begin with because of the rear disk brake setup which I would prefer. Again, based on what I want from the bike please let me know if my choice is off or should be more specific. Now for the list of what I want out of this bike. Please feel free to make suggestions for parts and modifications that would help me accomplish....

Goals List -

Maximize its daily drive-ability (Handling, reliability, reduction of maintenance)

Fuel Economy

Mix between cafe styling/factory-resto

Retain a spot for a rider

Im open to suggestions, ideas, feedback. What I should expect and shouldn't and for how much!

Aaaaaaaaaand begin leveraging the forums experence........ GO!

[RFogelsong]

From the sounds of it you definitely want a Honda ("easy to wok on" "reliable" etc.).  I think you pretty much hit it on the head with the 750 too because you mention 2 up riding and those are definitely better equipped for it than my 550. Personally, I like my 550 for the simplicity of working on it (I can pull the head without pulling the engine if I want to, not so on a 750) as well as the wet sump system.  You mentioned having a newer 600, and I'm not sure if you've ever ridden one of these before, but if you haven't you may want to physically see how the bike of your preference "fits". That's another reason for me having a 550. Originally these old bikes felt like hogs to me coming from newer bikes but you get used to it.  The 750's are a little more expensive than some of the other cb's but it really all depends on condition in my experience.

I'm not the most knowledgeable person on these bikes by a long shot, but from what I've seen since I bought mine that's my $0.02

[kirbyno1]

Anyone else? I figured more would have chimed in by now....

[Don R]

If you are truly on a shoestring budget find one with a good running engine. Rebuilds on these can be expensive. The 75/76F 750 has the engine with the fewest maintainance issues. The 77/78 make more power but may need valve guides before 20K miles. I ride a 76F with an added front disc. It's a great bike.

[fmctm1sw]

Considering you want to do a full restoration, find something that has a lot of parts available is about the best thing I can recommend.  If you're dead set on a rear disk, you kind of limited to the 750Fs I guess.  Not sure what others, if any, had them...

[Tugboat]

If you can go without a rear disk, the 71-76 750K bikes probably have the most interchangable and available parts. I have a '76 750F - which I love - but there are quite a few parts that only came on the 75&76 F's so it can get a little more expensive and time-consuming to find those. Good luck!

[Vreihenmotor6]

I'm in your shoes and doing a resto on a 76 F right now, its fun, but its getting to be $100 or so a week in parts which is adding up quickly

I can't wait to ride it in the spring though

[Danno]

if it were me and I were going to restore my first bike I would start with the 750 it is a little more forgiving but if you are short like me and others and want a bike that can fit you go for the 550 but the carbs are less forgiving they really must be clean

the big thing is if you have never done this before go stock no modifications get it right first then tinker with it no matter what bike you choose