Author Topic: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?  (Read 3419 times)

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Offline Korvin

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Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« on: April 09, 2012, 06:39:03 PM »
So, I think I maybe be in over my head on this, but you never know so I figured I would ask you guys since it seems you know a thing or two about these machines. :-)

I recently discovered a completely disassembled (or so it appears to me) 1976 CB750A in my father's shed while helping him move out of his old house. No clue how long he has had it, because never told me he got it. Registration on the front fork says 1984 though. Also not sure how long its been in pieces, but I would say awhile. It looks like the majority of the motorcycle's internals are there, but things like a seat, headlamp, exhaust pipe are missing. Some of the items look shiny and oily like a functioning piece of equipment. Others look like they got pulled up from the Titanic. I would love to bring this thing back to life to not only say I did and have another old machine running around, but to also use it as an alternative to my 9 MPG Jeep. However, I do not want to have to drop thousands into it because as I mentioned before I already have one vehicle making my wallet light. My goal at this time is not to make it perfect, I just want it to function.

So, please take a look at the pictures in the link below and let me know the verdict. Some are from my camera and some from my phone. Also, the pics are of the bad and REALLY bad sections, so if you need more just ask and I will get them.











Offline CycleRanger

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2012, 06:44:18 PM »
Sell the parts on ebay and put the money towards a more realistic project bike.....  ;)
I mean, aside from the thousands it would take to just get it running, do you even have a title for it?
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T

Offline Sam Green Racing

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2012, 02:21:04 AM »
Yup.
C95 sprint bike.
CB95 hybrid race bike
CB95 race bike
CB92
RS 175. sprint/land speed bike
JMR Racing CB750A street ET drag bike

Offline chickenman_26

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2012, 07:54:10 AM »
Don't need any more pics - those will do nicely. Sorry to have to say this, but that bike is completely destroyed and missing thousands of dollars in parts, many of which are rare or not available at all. The engine and transmission are total scrap. If you did manage to get it road ready, it would be worth about 1/10 of what it cost you to repair it. I doubt it's even worth the effort to list parts of it on eBay.

Stu
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Offline raymond10078

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2012, 10:55:24 AM »
I agree that the cost to make this a runner again would NOT be worth the effort - monetarily.  Any aluminum mating surface may not be recoverable - depending on the depth of the corrosion - your engine block for example.

I disagree that all you have is junk.  Some of the parts in the pics sell on e-bay, so there is some value.  Front forks - look ok.  Do you have a tank, side covers?  Not everything rusts and degrades, some parts may be just fine to sell.  But, I'd be surprised if you'd get more than a hundred dollars or so.  If I were you, I'd look on ebay to see WHAT HAS SOLD and for what amount, then decide what your time is worth.

We do have a member that is looking for a kick start lever . . . .

1978 CB750A (upgrading very, very slowly)

Past bikes - Honda: SL350, CX650C, CB900C, CB1000C, CM450A; Kawasaki: several 1972 750 H2's; Suzuki: TC90J.

Bikes I want: CX650ED, a mid-sized japanese V-twin with ABS.

Offline raymond10078

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2012, 05:00:19 PM »
It all depends if the rust has pitted the chrome . . . .

I just wasn't (and still am not) willing to condemn all of his parts based on these limited pics . . . .

1978 CB750A (upgrading very, very slowly)

Past bikes - Honda: SL350, CX650C, CB900C, CB1000C, CM450A; Kawasaki: several 1972 750 H2's; Suzuki: TC90J.

Bikes I want: CX650ED, a mid-sized japanese V-twin with ABS.

Offline madmtnmotors

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #6 on: April 10, 2012, 05:41:01 PM »
Sell the parts on ebay and put the money towards a more realistic project bike.....  ;)
Do you have a title for it?

Agreed. There are some parts for the 750A that are difficult to find. A title for the frame should get at least a hundred, and other "A" only parts (torque converter, brackets, etc.) may fetch a decent price. Maybe post under the "Automatics" heading: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?board=154.0 to try and find out what might be worth selling. Use the proceeds for a more complete specimen.
TAMTF...


Wilbur



Projects:
"Evolution": http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=100352.0
"P.O. Debacle": http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,126692.msg1441661.html#msg1441661
F2/F3 O-rings: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=113672.msg1300721#msg1300721
Cam Tower Studs: https://www.mcmaster.com/#93210a017/=t19sgp
Clean up that nasty harness: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=137351.msg1549191#msg1549191
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,148188.msg1688494.html#msg1688494
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,139544.msg1579364.html#msg1579364
                                          
Charging system diagnosis: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=1012.msg8345#msg8345
Get the manuals: http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb750k/
The Dragon: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.msg1571675#msg1571675
Headlight Switch: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=113986.msg1283236#msg1283236
Branden's leak free top end thread: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107040.0
Engine Lifting Made Easy: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,58210.msg1684742.html#msg1684742
                                      http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,100352.msg1675840.html#msg1675840
Static and Dynamic Timing: http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/carb_info/timing/timing1.html
Airbox Gasket Replacement: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,114485.msg1290000.html#msg1290000
"Café" : http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,84697.msg953814.html#msg953814
PD Carb Choke Linkage: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,100352.msg1669248.html#msg1669248
                                    http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,110931.msg1248354.html#msg1248354
                                    http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,48858.msg515204.html#msg515204
Follow up on your damn posts: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,144305.msg1791605.html#msg1791605
Taiwanese Cam Chain Tensioners:  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,155043.msg1774841.html#msg1774841
Gumtwo Seat Cover: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,164440.msg1897366.html#msg1897366
Primary Drive: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166063.msg1919278.html#msg1919278
Tank Latch: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,165975.msg1919495.html#msg1919495
Shorten your forks: http://vintage-and-classic-honda-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/How-to-shorten-forks-td4042465.html DO NOT CUT THE SPRINGS!
Clutch How To: http://vintage-and-classic-honda-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/How-to-change-and-adjust-a-clutch-SOHC-td4040391.html
Late model K7/K8/F2/F3 front sprocket cover removal: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,178428.msg2072279.html#msg2072279
630 to 530 conversion: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180710.msg2094423.html#msg2094423

Sent from my Tandy TRS-80!

Offline Korvin

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2012, 09:22:15 PM »
Thanks for the replies. I am going to see what can be salvaged and possibly sold off.  No title by the way, father cannot even remember if he even got one when he acquired the bike, haha. Also, if it really is that far gone I might have to look into what i can get at the local metal salvage place  ;)

I really know nothing about motorcycles, so this next question is probably ludicrous..

If the frame is sound can I build up something resembling a bike with it without breaking the bank...or is there no such thing as a cheap build starting at this level? Just trying to figure out if trying to remake a 750A is what is making this expensive or regardless of what i try to do I will be looking at thousands spent.

Offline madmtnmotors

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2012, 04:40:41 AM »
Thanks for the replies. I am going to see what can be salvaged and possibly sold off.  No title by the way, father cannot even remember if he even got one when he acquired the bike, haha. Also, if it really is that far gone I might have to look into what i can get at the local metal salvage place  ;)

The 750 A's are RARE! At least try to salvage some parts for members here if nothing else! Their rarity also makes them expensive to repair/restore.


If the frame is sound can I build up something resembling a bike with it without breaking the bank...or is there no such thing as a cheap build starting at this level? Just trying to figure out if trying to remake a 750A is what is making this expensive or regardless of what i try to do I will be looking at thousands spent.

If you were to put all that time and effort into building a motorcycle, how would you get a tag to ride it on the street without a title for the frame?


Some of the parts could be useable (not a lot) on a CB750K model. The CB750K models are much more common and easier to get parts for. I've bought two CB750K and one (mostly) CB750F project bikes in the last four months and did not spend more than $300 for any single one of them. Of course none have run for a while, one was stored outside with a froze engine (since freed by oiling cylinders and rocking in 5th gear), one was a bastar*ization of an attempt to morph a K model with an F model, and the "mostly" F model has a 76' K model engine (with no attempt made to properly align the sprockets)! Any one of these three will require at least a thousand bucks to make roadworthy:

Tires (the tires on neglected bikes are OLD and sometimes original!)
Brakes (which are always stuck and includes pads front and rear, caliper(s) rebuilt, master cylinder(s) rebuilt, new flexible lines)
Seat recovered (if the seat pan isn't rotted off)
Side covers for the oil tank and electrics (these are always missing or busted up)
Repainted
Gaskets (something is leaking)
Seals (something else is leaking)
Carbs rebuilt (10 to 20 year-old gasoline makes a good plug for small fuel circuits in a carburetor, and a CB750 has four of them)
Chain and sprockets
Tune up (points/condensers, spark plugs, oil change w/filter, air filter)

Right there is a thousand bucks providing nothing major is wrong with it.
TAMTF...


Wilbur



Projects:
"Evolution": http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=100352.0
"P.O. Debacle": http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,126692.msg1441661.html#msg1441661
F2/F3 O-rings: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=113672.msg1300721#msg1300721
Cam Tower Studs: https://www.mcmaster.com/#93210a017/=t19sgp
Clean up that nasty harness: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=137351.msg1549191#msg1549191
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,148188.msg1688494.html#msg1688494
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,139544.msg1579364.html#msg1579364
                                          
Charging system diagnosis: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=1012.msg8345#msg8345
Get the manuals: http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb750k/
The Dragon: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.msg1571675#msg1571675
Headlight Switch: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=113986.msg1283236#msg1283236
Branden's leak free top end thread: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=107040.0
Engine Lifting Made Easy: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,58210.msg1684742.html#msg1684742
                                      http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,100352.msg1675840.html#msg1675840
Static and Dynamic Timing: http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/carb_info/timing/timing1.html
Airbox Gasket Replacement: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,114485.msg1290000.html#msg1290000
"Café" : http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,84697.msg953814.html#msg953814
PD Carb Choke Linkage: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,100352.msg1669248.html#msg1669248
                                    http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,110931.msg1248354.html#msg1248354
                                    http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,48858.msg515204.html#msg515204
Follow up on your damn posts: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,144305.msg1791605.html#msg1791605
Taiwanese Cam Chain Tensioners:  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,155043.msg1774841.html#msg1774841
Gumtwo Seat Cover: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,164440.msg1897366.html#msg1897366
Primary Drive: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,166063.msg1919278.html#msg1919278
Tank Latch: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,165975.msg1919495.html#msg1919495
Shorten your forks: http://vintage-and-classic-honda-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/How-to-shorten-forks-td4042465.html DO NOT CUT THE SPRINGS!
Clutch How To: http://vintage-and-classic-honda-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/How-to-change-and-adjust-a-clutch-SOHC-td4040391.html
Late model K7/K8/F2/F3 front sprocket cover removal: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,178428.msg2072279.html#msg2072279
630 to 530 conversion: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180710.msg2094423.html#msg2094423

Sent from my Tandy TRS-80!

Offline chickenman_26

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2012, 08:37:34 AM »
I really know nothing about motorcycles, so this next question is probably ludicrous..
It's precisely because you know nothing about motorcycles that your question is not ludicrous. You were smart to ask.
Quote
If the frame is sound can I build up something resembling a bike with it without breaking the bank...
If your definition of breaking the bank is exceeding $3000, then the answer is no.
Quote
...or is there no such thing as a cheap build starting at this level?
That's correct.
Quote
Just trying to figure out if trying to remake a 750A is what is making this expensive or regardless of what i try to do I will be looking at thousands spent.
If anyone tried to resurrect any bike in that condition, they'd be looking at thousands spent. The less a person knows about bikes, and the less competent they are as a motorcycle mechanic, the more it would cost. Plus, the end result may be unreliable at best, or even dangerous. You could buy a good running bike in decent condition for a small fraction of what it would cost you to put that pile back on the road.

Stu
MCN DTF

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2012, 08:55:22 AM »
A lot of scrap metal and hopefully some saleable parts. A bike? No. Sorry.
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline messeduptriple

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2012, 09:10:17 AM »
I started my first 76 550 project and yes mine is a bit more on the cafe side but still is no less in appearance to a nice clean bike. My bike was in running condition, worked fine, I was thinkn my project had a balance around 2500$ max. Im a bit over 4 and have learned these projects on older bikes is a serious bang to the pocket if you don't have much laying around crew on cash. I think many of these professional rebuilders on here spent lots of time and money on there bikes. Just looking at your pictures you posted ...I wouldn't even touch that project. Seems like a lot $$$ to restore that. Plus no title? My rule always since day one of rideing and buying " newer or any bikes" I need a title!!!! No title then its just throwing money out pretty much. That's my thought on it... But I'm new to this older vintage stuff... Maybe you still will try and restore it from frame.. do what you gotta.
- cristian

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Offline Korvin

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2012, 02:05:24 PM »
Ok, here is pretty much my position. If people need some parts for this thing I would love to help them out. Let me know exactly what i need to do and I'll do my best. Should I just make a post that says I am parting out some horrible mess of a bike? I have no clue though and some of this stuff is heavy as hell so shipping would not be cheap. Though based off the comments on the heavy stuff i showed pics of i do not see that stuff selling lol.

I am going to go through it a bit today and see what is not covered in rust and corrosion and set that aside. The rest of the stuff that is nearly joined together by rust I can safely assume is dead correct?

Offline chickenman_26

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #13 on: April 16, 2012, 07:46:00 AM »
I am going to go through it a bit today and see what is not covered in rust and corrosion and set that aside. The rest of the stuff that is nearly joined together by rust I can safely assume is dead correct?
Correct - the Titanic artifacts are completely worthless except as scrap metal. Let's see some pics of the stuff you think may be worth looking at.

Stu
MCN DTF

Offline Korvin

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Re: Recently acquired a 1976 CB750A....its ROUGH. Can I save it?
« Reply #14 on: May 22, 2012, 05:27:32 PM »
ok, sorry the disappearance act, life happened and I had to take care of some things. Was able to get pics of everything I have though, so look on below and see what the situation is. Also, any suggestions on what I should do as far as seeing if anyone on this board wants to actually buy some of this would be appreciated. eBay seems like a big hassle over some parts that (unless you guys say different) won't sell anyways. Oh, and i feel like i need to apologize for the condition of the bike...lol...but i did literally pull it out of my father's shed.