Author Topic: Help me identify engine - do i have an early sand cast? (Read 7351 times)

jsleeper · « **on:** July 16, 2012, 08:18:27 PM »

Hey all,

I joined a while back, only posted once - I bought a 1978 CB750F that I just got on the road. Anyway - the engine on the bike isn't black like I see on pictures so it led me to see if it is a different engine than came stock. The carbs are the ones that are correct to the year (I think), and also the exhaust headers look like the normal (though there is a mean sounding muffler). Here's the kicker - the engine number - CB750E-1001547 - looking at different sites, it seems I have a sand cast engine? Am I reading this wrong? If this is correct what exactly do I have? How can I identify the head, see where it came from?

This bike has just gotten interesting.

Attached is photo of bike from my inaugural long ride (over 50 miles) from yesterday (and our other bike in background). This was right after we had a long stretch of road I decided to finally open her up, went so smooth I kept going until the speedometer hit 105mph (I know I know I did it once and slowed right down to 30mph to let the others catch up, I was gone I'm normally a safe rider).

I'll take some photos of the engine later.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2012, 09:10:37 PM »

Howdy,
You'll need to provide a close-up picture of the engine serial number and some closer shots of the engine for us to help identify your engine.

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2012, 09:31:14 PM »

If you have 1547 then your engine is worth more than your bike. Now on the other hand you may have CB750F with engine #CB750E-1001547 then the engine is a great engine but not a collectable engine which was built in 1/75. Mine is original owner with engine number CB750E-~~100~~1954 built 1/75.

My bad (late edit) it is in fact CB750E-2501954 while the frame is CB750F-1001606

jsleeper · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2012, 03:58:33 AM »

Here's a phone pic of serial - I'll get more during day today. The engine on our '76 starts with a 2 - and mine is rough while the '76 is smooth.

Jerry are you sure that's your engine number and not the frame?

ekpent · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2012, 04:07:58 AM »

Count the number of screws holding on the clutch cover and report.

jsleeper · « **Reply #5 on:** July 17, 2012, 04:30:15 AM »

9. Counted 10 on the other bike. Posting photo of bottom showing where it's different on bottom right.

ekpent · « **Reply #6 on:** July 17, 2012, 05:01:25 AM »

Sandcast is a nine hole cover

TrueSpin · « **Reply #7 on:** July 17, 2012, 05:12:20 AM »

Looks like a pecan sandy to me.

jsleeper · « **Reply #8 on:** July 17, 2012, 05:26:47 AM »

Well this bike certainly got interesting... Whats a pecan sandy?

bjatwood · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2012, 05:38:25 AM »

A pecan sandy is another "phrase" for a Regular bike that has a Sandcast motor. Congrats on your motor. That baby is priceless

Now just find a 69 frame and marry the two and you'll have a bike that is worth big bucks!

ChuckG750f1 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 17, 2012, 05:45:29 AM »

If I were you, I'd look for another engine for your bike. Just sayin...

fire113 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 17, 2012, 06:10:53 AM »

---> http://louisville.craigslist.org/mcy/3133153344.html

Good luck

CycleRanger · « **Reply #12 on:** July 17, 2012, 06:40:20 AM »

Quote from: jsleeper on July 17, 2012, 03:58:33 AM

Here's a phone pic of serial -

Congrats! Looks like you win!

Yeah, look for a new engine and plan on setting that one aside, it's too valuable to risk something happening to it.

jsleeper · « **Reply #13 on:** July 17, 2012, 06:49:18 AM »

Thanks all - I also just rode to local Honda dealer, Honda of Norfolk (luckily a great bunch of guys and only two miles from my house) and the service manager looked it up and looked at engine - said it was the first sandcast engine he'd seen in forever. He said when he was a young lad he worked at a Honda dealer when the CB750 first came out, and prepped the new bikes coming in (he did an evil grin when talking about test riding them).

For now at least the bike is getting ridden as is, at least for the summer - being sure to take good care of it. It'll be at Bull City Rumble in Durham, NC on Labor Day weekend.

EDIT - unless someone has an interesting trade

dhall57 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 17, 2012, 06:54:50 AM »

A few days ago 550man found a 69 750 sandcast frame bike

but a non sandcast engine in that frame

Today sleeper found out he has a sandcast engine in his 78 750F bike

8)Who would of ever thunk it!!

This is better than sex, at least at my house anyway

MCRider · « **Reply #15 on:** July 17, 2012, 06:57:23 AM »

Quote from: jsleeper on July 17, 2012, 06:49:18 AM

Thanks all - I also just rode to local Honda dealer, Honda of Norfolk (luckily a great bunch of guys and only two miles from my house) and the service manager looked it up and looked at engine - said it was the first sandcast engine he'd seen in forever. He said when he was a young lad he worked at a Honda dealer when the CB750 first came out, and prepped the new bikes coming in (he did an evil grin when talking about test riding them).

For now at least the bike is getting ridden as is, at least for the summer - being sure to take good care of it. It'll be at Bull City Rumble in Durham, NC on Labor Day weekend.

If you're going to run that engine, be sure the battery tube vent is routed in such a way that it can't drip on the chain. Especially while it is on the sidestand.

It is thought by many, including Honda in a special service bulletin, that drops of acid from the battery contacting the chain will cause a chain failure that would likely end up trashing those sand cast cases. (Or any cases for that matter). Not to be paranoid about it, just see that the tube is low enough and to the right side of the bike. I ziptied mine to the centerstand pivot clamp.

Forewarned...

jsleeper · « **Reply #16 on:** July 17, 2012, 07:01:46 AM »

Quote from: MCRider on July 17, 2012, 06:57:23 AM

If you're going to run that engine, be sure the battery tube vent is routed in such a way that it can't drip on the chain. Especially while it is on the sidestand.

It is thought by many, including Honda in a special service bulletin, that drops of acid from the battery contacting the chain will cause a chain failure that would likely end up trashing those sand cast cases. (Or any cases for that matter). Not to be paranoid about it, just see that the tube is low enough and to the right side of the bike. I ziptied mine to the centerstand pivot clamp.

Forewarned...

I'll look at this tonight - thanks!

Greggo · « **Reply #17 on:** July 17, 2012, 07:07:24 AM »

If you do ever plan on pulling that motor, be sure to get video of it running...makes a good selling point for you if you go that route.

Congrats on the find!

dhall57 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 17, 2012, 07:27:30 AM »

Sleeper do you know any history on this bike? Did the PO give you any info about it. I guess he didn't know what he had bolted down to the frame under the tank.

I live in North Carolina, I might see you in Durham on Labor Day. I want to check out this special 78 750F you got

ChuckG750f1 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 17, 2012, 07:37:58 AM »

I am going to continue to look at every CB750 piece of crap sitting in a shed, title or not and I'll be thinking about this engine while doing it!

jsleeper · « **Reply #20 on:** July 17, 2012, 07:47:40 AM »

Quote from: dhall57 on July 17, 2012, 07:27:30 AM

Sleeper do you know any history on this bike? Did the PO give you any info about it. I guess he didn't know what he had bolted down to the frame under the tank.

I live in North Carolina, I might see you in Durham on Labor Day. I want to check out this special 78 750F you got

PO is a guy who buys and sells a lot of old bikes and parts on ebay - he should have checked more thoroughly... No history, and I even got some refund since the back brake was locked up (ended up rebuilding rear master cylinder) and it wouldn't start (rebuilt carbs).

Haha Chuck

vnz00 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 19, 2012, 01:16:04 AM »

Jsleeper, first thing I'd be checking is the size of the front sprocket and chain condition. The front sprocket size grew a tooth after the early bikes started throwing chains and holing crank cases- more often than not I've seen repairs / holes in these areas when they surface. I'd look at changing to the larger sprocket and using a modern chain if you plan to run it. Also change oil often- the top end is fed by two small drilled holes only- these clog meaning you might end up with a 69 DOHC

Also, does it have the one into four cable carbs or the two cable carb with linkage. The early ones were the four into one type. If the early type and you have the #28 caps on the carbs, these are worth good money.

Also, check the alternator cover. Of it is original, it should be a 'thin lip' version. Where a later alt cover has a thick casting at the 7 o'clock position, the early alternator cover will have a consistent lip thickness all the way through. Check the sandcast only website for details.

The engine alone is worth good money- especially if it is good, running condition and you can prove that. As an engine it is worth more as parts- you would have a bigger audience. Depends if you are willing to wait for the right frame, and are willing to outlay to have an original bike.

Good luck whatever your decision! The sandcast website will provide you with a lot of good answers.

jsleeper · « **Reply #22 on:** July 20, 2012, 09:57:55 AM »

Thanks for the info - the chain seems modern on it... The carbs have two cable with linkage.

My next step is to identify the head - see if it's the older one or one from a newer bike - not sure where to go from there. I joined the Sandcast Only forum - hoping I'll get good info there.

harisuluv · « **Reply #23 on:** July 20, 2012, 11:56:52 AM »

Wow, what a place to find a sandcast engine. I saw the title and my first thought was "Oh boy, we just did this, here we go again...." But looks like we have a winner! Congratulations man, that is a real find. I know you said you are riding it for the time being... but maybe you should reconsider! Remember you may be an able rider but there are other dopes out there on the road. If somehow it even gets laid down you are potentially looking at damaged covers, worse yet broken fins, etc.!

754 · « **Reply #24 on:** July 20, 2012, 08:45:01 PM »

Look for a headbolt on a rib between 2 &3 sparkplug holes, if its not there its a 26K or earlier head.. and sanscast should have that..

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Author Topic: Help me identify engine - do i have an early sand cast? (Read 7351 times)