Topic: Building to Tour

[MJL]

Currently my main bike is my Buell, but I have been itching for a highway bike since my 4000 mile vacation on an HD last year. I started looking at Road Glides, then VFRs, then thought, "Why not use the bike I already have?" 

That bike is my '73 750




What I've already done is replace the chain and both sprockets, new exhaust, optical ignition, and new tires. I've also swapped over to GL1000 forks and installed tapered bearing while I was at it.

What I want to do is replaced the seat with something similar to stock, or maybe one of those cushy touring seats, buy some of Frankenstuff' sidecovers since my left is missing, replace the wheel bearings, add some saddlebags, and maybe paint it all.

Last night I bought some saddlebags. I paid $50 plus $25 shipping.



I had bid on some Goldwing cases, but then I found those cheaper ones and let the GL units go. They, and the matching top box, were separate auctions and sold for a combined $130, plus whatever shipping would have been.   I already have a top box that was on my cb650, so I plan to use that on this.

Pictures to come in the morning...

[MJL]

I got out to my garage to this mess. I had previously removed the screws, which were a bear as all of them were at least partially stripped, and a couple were bad enough I had to drill the heads so the impact could get a good enough grip.


This here cover...



I replaced the crappy screws with Allen head screws. (socket head cap screws)  My problem is, when I tighten the screws the shift lever won't return. I did not have a new gasket, so I used RTV, and I think that is the problem. When I loosen the screws it works fine.

I also topped off the battery water and put it on the charger. It's been a few years since I've ridden it, I hope it kicks over and starts without too much trouble.


Just wondering, should I paint the tank and loose the patina? The orange is beyond faded on the top, more like not there, just the metalflake.

[KB02]

Just wondering, should I paint the tank and loose the patina? The orange is beyond faded on the top, more like not there, just the metalflake.

It's really up to you. I say re-paint. But I like having shiny things. PLUS, while you're at it, you could paint the saddle bags to match.

[lone*X]

If you like black, just get the left side cover, then paint the tank, and side covers to match the bags.  Saves painting them, and Black always looks good.

[ekpent]

Did you get your engine sidecover issue fixed yet. Make sure that shifter spindle is seated correctly and as you already know a real gasket is needed,less than $10.00 at my dealer.

[BeSeeingYou]

Just wondering, should I paint the tank and loose the patina? The orange is beyond faded on the top, more like not there, just the metalflake.

It's really up to you. I say re-paint. But I like having shiny things. PLUS, while you're at it, you could paint the saddle bags to match.

Kind of like the patina.  Unless you are going to clean and shine up the rest of the bike I would leave it as is.

[Goofaroo]

I would leave the tank like it is for touring. Slap a tank bag on there you will be good to go.

[brooze72]

Following with interest..I saw those hardshell bags too awhile back, be sure & give us a reveiw on how they are to mount, construction quality & waterproofness (is it a word?) when you get around to it.  Agree with Goofaroo, get ye a tank bag & leave the patina.

[Old Scrambler]

If you do paint.........think about a tank-rack........some are available with magnet mounts.  No more scratches to the new paint job.  Also, look at getting some modern shocks.  I rode my K3 2-up on Hwy 296 from Cody to Cooke City (and back) and my wife complained about the rough ride..........its not like we had enjoyed on the same bike in '79.

[MJL]

My hard cases showed up yestereday. They are smaller than I anticipated, about half as big as the HD ones.

Beer bottle for reference



Like I said, I paid $50 plus shipping ($25). I'm glad I didn't buy the $100 dollar ones, I wish I had got the Goldwing ones.  I bet I could stuff two days worth of clothes in one, extra shoes and whatever on the other side.

The boxes come with some generic brackets that are almost useless. What I have in mind will involve some custom brackets, I'll have details as I build them. Right now it is mocked up. It could stay like that, but hanging on those two straps would leave it pretty floppy. 

Mounting will be a treat, considering the seat folds up from the side to access the battery. I thought that would be a good place to start, here is the right side mocked up.







That is mounted low enough that I can lift up the seat, and back far enough that I can remove the sidecover.  The bad is, the pillion pegs are blocked and I think it would look funny if I moved the cases back far enough to make them usable.  Also, right where they are would let me run stock turn signals, but they would be in the way of the lights in the lids. I may have to mount the boxes a little lower.

I'll get some pics of the boxes themselves in a day or two.

[MJL]

Just wondering, should I paint the tank and loose the patina? The orange is beyond faded on the top, more like not there, just the metalflake.

It's really up to you. I say re-paint. But I like having shiny things. PLUS, while you're at it, you could paint the saddle bags to match.

Kind of like the patina.  Unless you are going to clean and shine up the rest of the bike I would leave it as is.

that's what I was thinking. It tells a story of where this bike has been and done. Couple that with the fact that I ride and rarely clean, the bike sometimes sits out overnight, sees rain, etc, and then painting seems pointless. Not to mention, I hate to think of this bike as a ratbike per current definitions, but it is somewhat ratty and I like it that way.

[Really?]

Me likee bikes with bags n stuff.  Much better for trips imo.  Choot, I need to charge my Venture battery and get her going again. 

[andy750]

Check out Gordons CB750 with hard cases and Simpsons CB750 with hard cases. They both mount to the rear so passenger pegs are accessible. You will also need to brace the back of the bags to the frame or to the fender to stop them flopping around.

Watching with interest. Good luck!
Andy

[wedoo2]

I disagree with the notion of not painting the bike.  Bad paint leads to rust.  I think the word patina means dull.

[MJL]

Here is a thread with several bikes featuring hardcases.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45768.msg479023#msg479023

After looking at these I see that they all have the cases mounted as far rearward as possible. I don't plan on carrying a passenger, so leaving them to cover the pegs is *almost* ok with me, I sometimes like to rest my feet of the passenger pegs just to put my weight on a different part of my legs. If I had a better seat, I may not feel the need to do that. So, a new seat will be planned for.  Also, I will be contacting HondaMan about a swingarm rebuild. http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=58828.0

[Really?]

I saw a used trailer hitch on ebay today for cb750.

[MJL]

I saw a used trailer hitch on ebay today for cb750.

Last year I went on vacation via bike, one of the guys in my group was on an Ultra Classic and he pulled a trailer. It was a cheap HarborFreight unit, narrowed to the width of a cooler. He said the wide trailers kill his mileage, the narrow one is no wider than the bike and barely affects his mileage. Plus, the coolers are mostly weatherproof, and wheel easily in and out of motel rooms.  I have considered building a single wheel trailer similar to this

but lower, since it would be pulled by a street bike.


Here are some pics of the boxes themselves for the interested parties.
under the lid


inside the box



Notice the lack of weather proofing around the lid, and the small hole in the bottom presumably for the wiring to come out.

The lock. Once unlocked, the key can not be removed, nor is there anything holding the lid closed when unlocked. (No latch)




the outside outside



Inside outside. The tubes that circle the box are left open at the ends. I can't tell how far inside the chrome goes, but it wouldn't surprise me if they rust.



These are two of the brackets they give you to mount them with. I don't know what they expect you to do with them.




I changed my oil and filter tonight, and installed my freshly charged three year old battery. It was dead.  I cobbled in my Buell battery and the old girl started. I don't have plates on it and I need to air up the tires, so I didn't ride it anywhere.



After this, there may be another project to dink around with. (Can't turn down a free bike, can I?)