Author Topic: 1978 CB750K (first bike!) (Read 4368 times)

CodyEly · « **on:** April 15, 2012, 06:57:26 PM »

got it saturday, started taking it apart today. (it seized last year btw)
before and after:

^^last two bolts are stuck hard. thankfully these are only needed for the risers (so i dont have to be nice to them).

^^found out i need a new front brake caliper. anyone have one for sale that would fit?
now i know K8's got the raw end of the deal as far as compatibility and whatnot in some areas, and that people usually recommend gl and cbr forks, but i dont have enough money for that right now so i just need a replacement for now until i do...

other than than, im excited for it all and cant wait to get it running and pretty again!

any and all comments are welcome.

madmtnmotors · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2012, 07:40:39 PM »

The 78's aren't bad. I've enjoyed mine since I bought it... way back in 1986!

CodyEly · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2012, 08:56:25 PM »

i figure, hey. i have one. id love it just as much even if it were in worse condition.

CodyEly · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2012, 09:40:33 PM »

so what im looking for is a replacement caliper, or else im just going to bite the bullet and get some cbr forks so that i never have to worry about compatibility again.

but first things first: transfer the title into my name! ha

CodyEly · « **Reply #4 on:** April 18, 2012, 08:06:08 AM »

end of day 3:

it might be slow going from now, but i still have to get the engine unseized and everything else removed.

after that, its pretty much outsourcing and ordering. gonna get some keihin CR specials!

Donny_B · « **Reply #5 on:** April 18, 2012, 10:12:54 AM »

Good luck man...I have a 78 also and I'm almost done. I learned tons of stuff here. db

CodyEly · « **Reply #6 on:** April 18, 2012, 10:03:35 PM »

of what i know i mostly learned here over two weeks before i picked this up.

UPDATE: im getting all new everything, because whats best must be waited for (and im picky enough to do so)

SO, i have stock parts available - forks, front wheel (im going to meditate on the back wheel a while more), carbs, airbox, etc.

PM if interested

lucky · « **Reply #7 on:** April 19, 2012, 09:33:10 PM »

Take the engine out the easy way.
Remove the rear wheel and swing arm.
remove the front wheel and front forks.
THEN lift the frame off of the engine.

Boulevard_beck · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2012, 09:49:01 PM »

I just picked up the same bike and started working on it...but....wow, yours needs a lot more work than mine. I'll be subscribing to this for sure - I'll learn a LOT seeing how you restore yours.

CodyEly · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2012, 10:39:27 PM »

lucky: i did that... inbetween man handling the engine (hey, im learning)

beck: thanks, but i did a completion date estimate the other day and it came out to 10 months. so dont hold your breath, but i wont quit!

UPDATE: got the whole thing completely apart finally, now i get to degrease, polish, and find the most prioritized way to spend my $500 a month budget (already spent about $150 this month on tools and supplies, the rest probably going to more of the same).

updated my plans too;
everything except the block, frame, and swingarm is getting replaced or upgraded to high performance stuff
the color scheme is raw metal (undecided on polished or brushed, though)

..and thats the nutshell. pics of disassembled moo-cycle tomorrow.

cmonSTART · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2012, 06:30:57 AM »

Ha! Nice twisted handlebars!

Have fun with it!

CodyEly · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2012, 09:57:05 AM »

decided to keep the works, front wheel, rear wheel, gauges, and carbs (unless something is broken) just to get it up and going faster.
i still have big plans, but having a working, ongoing project would be nicer than having a gutted ongoing project.

estimated up-and-running date it sometime late this year. ha

Hasenkopf · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2012, 10:02:46 AM »

Are you going to keep the luggage rack?

CodyEly · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2012, 09:41:46 AM »

nope. for now im only keeping the engine, carbs, wheels, forks, gauges, and tanks.

i also found out recently that my carb boots were worth keeping (i foolishly tore them up and threw them away)

so instead of searching for 40 yr old boots or making my own im just going to get some cr specials and deal with the extra month or so of wait time.

time lost=performance gained, right?

one other thing, if anyone is interested in the parts im not keeping then feel free to email me (codyrobertely(at)me(dot)com) and ill be happy to provide pictures.

CodyEly · « **Reply #14 on:** May 11, 2012, 09:18:27 AM »

got an HD utility tank repair kit from por15 and it hardly did anything to the rust, and i want it completely gone.
too bad i didnt read more about it

looking into radiator shops for a boil and a couple tank mods (aircraft gas cap, removing the lip around the edge)

CodyEly · « **Reply #15 on:** May 15, 2012, 12:16:54 PM »

abandoned the radiator shop idea and gas cap mod. went to a customs shop and the guy said it would be unreasonable to fabricate all that, clean it, and seal it, so im going to save up and get a CR tank and seat.

BUT, my oil tank is still in question..

and thats AFTER hitting it with a wire wheel.

ive been thinking about paint schemes recently and have realized i like the primer grey jobs commonly on rat rods, so i might go with a primer, black (factory paint currently on the frame), and shiny engine set up.

lastly, i took the wheels to a local place for new Dunlop GT501's, spokes, and maybe a bit of cleaning (if they feel nice).

Boulevard_beck · « **Reply #16 on:** May 15, 2012, 12:52:48 PM »

I remember seeing a gas tank with an integrated oil tank, but I can't remember where I saw it - one of those cafe racer stores online, I suspect. Two birds with one stone....one very expensive stone, if I remember correctly.

Boulevard_beck · « **Reply #17 on:** May 15, 2012, 01:01:50 PM »

Ahh, yes. Here it is...cool, but pretty expensive: http://benjiescaferacer.com/convkit-750-sohc.php

CodyEly · « **Reply #18 on:** May 16, 2012, 07:58:44 AM »

i thought of that, but i wouldnt mind separate tanks so ill just get one from cyclex or something.

and question (if anyone knows), why do CR750 seats fork out in the middle? CR tanks are longer so i dont think it would be because of the top tube, but maybe im wrong.

thats what im planning on getting by the way - the CR combo from airtech.

Godffery · « **Reply #19 on:** May 16, 2012, 10:13:56 AM »

That was for the oil cap.
They had a completely different Oil tank reservoir, with the cap mounted in the top.

CodyEly · « **Reply #20 on:** May 16, 2012, 11:59:25 AM »

that sounds like a really slick idea, i might try to find a replica or something and set my k8 up that way.

on another note, i have the stock carbs that i wont be needing anymore. anybody want them?

Godffery · « **Reply #21 on:** May 16, 2012, 08:59:33 PM »

Hwy man,
Just in case you want to upgrade your brakes.
http://www.vinmoto.org/gallery/v/VinMoto-Garage/album03/Godfferys-Garage-123/album185/

CodyEly · « **Reply #22 on:** May 17, 2012, 11:52:58 AM »

sweet link! i take it they dont thin and drill 750 rotors then, eh? i am definitely interested in the caliper upgrades, though.

Godffery · « **Reply #23 on:** May 17, 2012, 12:54:15 PM »

Yes, I do 750 as well.
I just haven't had a finished set in my hands long enough to get some nice pix for posting on the sight.

CodyEly · « **Reply #24 on:** May 17, 2012, 10:12:10 PM »

you will definitely be receiving a work order from me sometime, but like i said; i have a $500 a month budget, and im trying to tackle things in order of cost, so it may be a while.

two questions:

1. what is the difference between RC and CR 750? (and works, if that isnt one of them)

2. im going with a CR gas, oil tank, and seat. should i get a fiberglass or alloy gas tank?

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Author Topic: 1978 CB750K (first bike!) (Read 4368 times)