Author Topic: RE: Your quickest restoration on a CB750? (Read 4113 times)

chewbacca5000 · « **on:** August 12, 2012, 09:36:28 PM »

I just had the PO email me about the 1972 CB750 he sold me about a year ago. We'll long story short things happen and I haven't made much progress on the bike. I am turning 40 with the bike September 1st and would like to get it done ASAP. For myself and the PO he wants to see it on the road again.

So I am wondering what a realistic time frame would be? I'd also like to know what is the quickest turn around on a CB750 restoration.

I am looking at power coating or painting the frame, and considering an engine rebuild, forks rebuilt, swing arm bushing, and tapered neck bearings. I will add or subtract items as necessary. I will be running a Kerker with a Baffle and am considering using my 811 kit as well. Has cylinders and head machined.

Brantley · « **Reply #1 on:** August 12, 2012, 09:52:38 PM »

Pretty sure I've read a person can only survive 11 days without sleep. If you have all the tools and parts that might need to be replaced, and don't need to farm out any work you can totally get it done before y'all turn 40! I'm 8 months into on my "quick, simple, get it DONE" build.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2012, 08:49:49 AM »

Quote from: Brantley on August 12, 2012, 09:52:38 PM

Pretty sure I've read a person can only survive 11 days without sleep. If you have all the tools and parts that might need to be replaced, and don't need to farm out any work you can totally get it done before y'all turn 40! I'm 8 months into on my "quick, simple, get it DONE" build.

Got most of the parts. Just having trouble balancing budget with what I want the bike to be. Thanks for the the encouragement. Time for some Red Bull!

iron_worker · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2012, 08:54:27 AM »

My plan is to entirely go through my bike this winter... Which will likely end up being from October sometime to April sometime...so 5-6months.

I dunno if this is realistic but we'll see. I really don't want to miss out on our already short Canadian riding season. The bike is running well right now so I don't have to battle with a seized engine or anything. Mostly needs cosmetic work but I'm thinking I'd like to do an 836 big bore as well....

IW

flybox1 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2012, 09:16:19 AM »

if you want it fast, and right, its not going to be cheap.

FunJimmy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2012, 09:20:45 AM »

I'm not a big fan of fast builds.
Quick usually leads to poor build quality and a dissatisfied owner.
The key to building a quality bike is putting in the time.
Less talk and more hands on the project.
Just remember to keep you eye on the prize.

CycleRanger · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2012, 10:06:40 AM »

Meh, took me almost two years for my K5. Life and an unplanned engine swap accounted for a lot of the time.

lrutt · « **Reply #7 on:** August 13, 2012, 10:30:04 AM »

to do all you want, and it sounds like you may not hit it real hard for an extended period. I'd say a year. Don't do the motor and just cosmetics could cut that way down. I could do that in 4 to 6 months myself, have on several occasions with various bikes.

lucky · « **Reply #8 on:** August 13, 2012, 10:54:55 AM »

Quote from: iron_worker on August 13, 2012, 08:54:27 AM

My plan is to entirely go through my bike this winter... Which will likely end up being from October sometime to April sometime...so 5-6months.

I dunno if this is realistic but we'll see. I really don't want to miss out on our already short Canadian riding season. The bike is running well right now so I don't have to battle with a seized engine or anything. Mostly needs cosmetic work but I'm thinking I'd like to do an 836 big bore as well....

IW

One winter is plenty of time if you don't run low on dough.

I build one complete bike each year from scratch.

But this year I am low on money so I am going to build a street fighter with my CB750 by just changing the frame seat and gas tank.
It will take me most of the winter.

Same engine ,electrics, front end, and wheels.

lucky · « **Reply #9 on:** August 13, 2012, 10:56:15 AM »

Quote from: iron_worker on August 13, 2012, 08:54:27 AM

My plan is to entirely go through my bike this winter... Which will likely end up being from October sometime to April sometime...so 5-6months.

I dunno if this is realistic but we'll see. I really don't want to miss out on our already short Canadian riding season. The bike is running well right now so I don't have to battle with a seized engine or anything. Mostly needs cosmetic work but I'm thinking I'd like to do an 836 big bore as well....

IW

Ironworker...I hope you do a project thread on your rebuild. That would be interesting to me anyway. At least a before and after.

fmctm1sw · « **Reply #10 on:** August 13, 2012, 10:57:59 AM »

I'm at about two years and counting... $:-\$

the technological J · « **Reply #11 on:** August 13, 2012, 11:14:34 AM »

quick is a matter of opinion but invite a friend over make a night of stripping the frame you can go from there
but it really depends on howmany hours a week you can devote to it i think maybe 50 to 60 hrs total is reasonable for first time out

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 13, 2012, 11:55:55 AM »

Thanks guys! I can probablly give it 40 hours or so for the next few weeks 3 to 4 hours a night and 12 plus on Saturday and Sunday.

Can't decide on using the Gordon frame kit or not. How many hours should this take? I like the idea of doing top end work easily, but am not crazy about cutting a 72 frame. Decisions, decisions.

iron_worker · « **Reply #13 on:** August 13, 2012, 12:02:26 PM »

Lucky. If I decide to delve into the project headlong I will be sure to document it. Right now I'm getting my getting my shop ready.

IW

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #14 on:** August 13, 2012, 12:10:04 PM »

- Do it fast
- Do it right
- Do it cheap

You're allowed to pick only one from the list above.

Don R · « **Reply #15 on:** August 13, 2012, 01:06:04 PM »

Form a plan and stick to it. I'm easily distracted by big bore kits, porting heads and used cams. Adds considerably to the build time.

lucky · « **Reply #16 on:** August 13, 2012, 03:11:38 PM »

Quote from: lrutt on August 13, 2012, 10:30:04 AM

to do all you want, and it sounds like you may not hit it real hard for an extended period. I'd say a year. Don't do the motor and just cosmetics could cut that way down. I could do that in 4 to 6 months myself, have on several occasions with various bikes.

IF you own all of those bikes now you must be a Scorpio! Lol..lol

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 13, 2012, 05:04:04 PM »

Quote from: lucky on August 13, 2012, 03:11:38 PM

Quote from: lrutt on August 13, 2012, 10:30:04 AM
to do all you want, and it sounds like you may not hit it real hard for an extended period. I'd say a year. Don't do the motor and just cosmetics could cut that way down. I could do that in 4 to 6 months myself, have on several occasions with various bikes.

IF you own all of those bikes now you must be a Scorpio! Lol..lol

No Lucky I am a Virgo, but I found out my bike is a Scorpio with a build date of 11/71. Low VIN 2003571 and engine 2011315. Looks like there may have been a possible engine switch?

Anyway I think I am off to a good start I got the tank and side covers in silver metallic flake with a coat of clear. Here's a couple pics. I will post a build thread once I get some dinner.

Stev-o · « **Reply #18 on:** August 13, 2012, 05:23:18 PM »

My problem is finishing them (are they ever finished?!). I find new projects and start on them. My K5 is 95% complete and the K2 is at 70%. So then I buy a 550F, WTF!

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 13, 2012, 06:26:06 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on August 13, 2012, 05:23:18 PM

My problem is finishing them (are they ever finished?!). I find new projects and start on them. My K5 is 95% complete and the K2 is at 70%. So then I buy a 550F, WTF!

Yeah, tell me about thought my k3 masterpiece was "done", but 4th does not hold past 5,500 RPM. O well take it out over the winter I guess.

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 13, 2012, 08:28:15 PM »

Here is my build thread wish me luck!

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=111377.0

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 14, 2012, 08:02:09 PM »

Ok I made some good progress and got everything dissembled and labeled. When I did the oil change I smelt lots of gas in the oil. As I remember when I first ran it there was no smoke. Then after running a little it smoked pretty good (white smoke). I also found a bent float. So I am thinking gas in the oil could be causing the smoking.

There is not head oil leak either. Engine seems to pull strong and hard. Shift good too. Normally I think they all benefit from a .5 overbore and a valve job, but I am not sure about this one. What do you guys think? Is a rebuild in order or not?

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Author Topic: RE: Your quickest restoration on a CB750? (Read 4113 times)