Topic: What would you read... 74' CB750

[Entropy]

... if you were a total motorcycle beginner, and had endless time to dream/obsess over your first motorbike. I just bought it a month ago, a 1974' CB750 after about 2 years of obsessing and finally saving up the $2,500 it cost me. I love it more than anything I have ever owned, and I want to learn more about how to take good care of it.

Unfortunately, I just slipped a disc in my lower back at work, and have been unable to walk for the past 3 weeks. Needless to say this was a pretty hard pill to swallow, because all I want to do is ride/stare at it. I also foresee a much longer stay on my floor, so if anyone has any suggestions as to what to study or read (besides this awesome forum), and how to learn more about this fantastic machine, let me know! I have DL'd the shop manuals, but they just seem like hieroglyphics to me.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this post, I certainly have a great deal of respect for all the helpful individuals who post here.

-Eddie

[Stev-o]

First off, welcome. Sorry to hear about your back. 

Start off by reading the owners manual. That will get you familiar with the bike and it's features. Will also give you an introduction to the maint that will be needed.  (I'm assuming that since you paid $2500, it's in good running cond. 

And also read here, a lot of good info...

http://www.sohc4.net/index.php/cb750/

[kerryb]

Eddie,  I would like to recommend Hondaman's book "My CB 750"...  it is a wonderful read even if you don't need to fix anything yet.  The background stories and the workings of our carburetors are a valuable insight into these bikes.  (really good pictures too).

Good luck getting you back healed so you can ride it.

[ekpent]

Welcome. Sure the bike in the picture is a 74 ?  If the tank etc is stock it kinda looks like the 1975 Apricot Red. Post up the frame and engine #"s sometime just for kicks.

 Looked at your pic again and your tank petcock looks to be on the '75' side.

[Eydugstr]

Entropy - Welcome to the forum!  Sorry to hear about your back.

As far as rebuilds go, definitely would recommend Hondaman's book.  Here's a link - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=65293.0 It has a ton of info, great pictures, and reads more like a book than a manual.  It's a tad expensive but worth every penny.

Outside of maintenance manuals, there are several books out there about CB750's.  John Wyatt's "Original Honda CB750" and Mark Haycock's "Honda CB750 The Complete Story" are both really good.  I've yet to see a book that covers the later 77/78K models well, though.  HTH, get well soon!