Topic: An Incredible 1972 CB750 Cafe Project

[Greg H]

I'm enjoying following this mate , and that tank is an awesome looking bit of kit .   

[Itwillbefun]

Thanks! I haven't actually bought the tank yet, but that's what I will be getting I think.

Front fork emulator and spring kit ordered!

Master cylinder rebuild kit ordered!

Stainless Allen bolt kit ordered!

Bike has its first coat of black on there, gonna smooth it out today and get a second coat on there at the least.

Rear shocks... Still in process of deciding which ones to get. I'm wanting a taller rear suspension, maybe an inch or two. Anybody have suggestions? Thanks a bunch guys.

[Tews19]

Hagons for rear. I think if you PM velocermike he can help with a contact number. They make to your weight and riding style for cheap

[Itwillbefun]

Hagons for rear. I think if you PM velocermike he can help with a contact number. They make to your weight and riding style for cheap

Thanks man, I'll go PM him and see what's up.

[Stev-o]

+1 Hagons

http://www.hagonshocksusa.com/HagApps4.htm

I'm thinking of the Hagons Custom for my 550 cafe

[Itwillbefun]

Got the second coat of black on today, as well as my top triple tree sanded and primed.

I took a good look at my front master cylinder and as I was taking it apart decided that the big chip in it is just too annoying for me to not replace the whole thing. Canceled my rebuild kit and am searching for a good replacement.

Found out some sad news on top of that, upon obsessively researching I noticed a mistake I made last night. 1972 emulator kit does not exist, only 73 and up. So I started thinking about a front end conversion to a 73-76 just so I can upgrade the front suspension... I'm thinking this might be excessive, and after asking myself if i'm legitimately ever going to race this I've decided against it.
Maybe just upgraded springs, if they are available.

Two orders canceled in one day. I may need to step back and take a real close look at everything before ordering anything else. I'm trying to get ahead of myself and need to remember this is going to take time. I'm not the most patient person, and with the funding already available it's going to be hard to keep myself from diving in and getting everything at once.

[Tews19]

Progressive springs for the front end.
A rebuild of the forks makes a world of difference. You may want to even opt to buy the fork seals and addnew fluid. You will notice a difference by something so cheap and not to time consuming....


Invest in All balls tapered bearings in the neck, new fork seals..... Spark plugs.... Take it slow. No rush to build forward until you have a set look you want to acheive. Honestly, if you look at how your bike was when you bought it.. I was digging it. Shape down the seat, remove the rear fender and you may be surprised how nice she looks. Your tank is nice too.

[Stev-o]

I have a master cylinder for you, PM sent....

[Dyrden]

"Yeah, I was worried about that being the DOHC, but I've seen a tank that has an included oil tank... I don't know, something to consider! Battery in the seat, oil can in the tank... Cleanish? Subscribe to find out! "

Of all the options, I've thought the oil in the gas tank option might be the best. Never seen it doone though, just talked about.

One forum member made a flat tank that stood in the frame rails. I thought a flat tank in the inner fender space might be good.

Mine is(sorry not trying to thread jack) oil in the gas tank, battery/electrics in the tail:

Untitled by bailey_james62@ymail.com, on Flickr

[Itwillbefun]

Thanks tews, I'll definitely be checking out the springs and other parts tomorrow.

I know, it wasn't a bad looking bike. I can't explain it, I just want to change it.

[Itwillbefun]

Stev-o! I received your PM but it's not letting me reply atm. Most of my forum work is through my iPhone app tapatalk (get it, it's sweet), so I'll jump on my computer tomorrow and see if it works that way.

"Yeah, I was worried about that being the DOHC, but I've seen a tank that has an included oil tank... I don't know, something to consider! Battery in the seat, oil can in the tank... Cleanish? Subscribe to find out! "

Of all the options, I've thought the oil in the gas tank option might be the best. Never seen it doone though, just talked about.

One forum member made a flat tank that stood in the frame rails. I thought a flat tank in the inner fender space might be good.

Mine is(sorry not trying to thread jack) oil in the gas tank, battery/electrics in the tail:

Untitled by bailey_james62@ymail.com, on Flickr

Please, hijack any build thread you want. After looking at your thread I'm not worthy. Seriously? That tail light, those shocks, those rims, rear sets, headlight/speedo, keyless mod. I subscribed and WILL be emulating a bit.  You're build is what I basically want, plus a bazillion extra amazing ideas. Color me inspired.

[Stev-o]

Willbefun - since you are a newby, there may be limits on the PM's. Try deleting old PM's.

[Itwillbefun]

Willbefun - since you are a newby, there may be limits on the PM's. Try deleting old PM's.

No, it just seems to be you. Weird.

Still haven't made it by a computer yet.

[Itwillbefun]

This is my first major project I've ever done. I must say I love it.

Just doing a lot of the little things right now, still in the painting stage for all the different parts since I'm doing it myself. Frame is looking good, bout to start clear coating it. I'm taking my sweet ass time, making sure to sand out any imperfections I cause because of my learning curve.

Cleaned up the wheels today, had to remove some rust from the spokes.

Broke down the rear wheel and gave the break hub a good 2 hour polishing while catching up on the last half season of Suits! It looks pretty good. The break pads needed replacing so I went ahead and ordered new ones.

Speaking of ordering, Progressive springs...On the way. All balls bearings and seals...On the way. Should be getting some carbs next week from Stev-o, I need to order some rebuild parts for that...

Decided to go ahead and spend the cash to get some custom Hagons, thanks tews for the suggestion. Plus the springs, bearings, seals...you get the idea. You guys provide great ideas, I'll put them into action.


COMMUNITY BUILD!

Also decided I'm going with an RFID setup sooo... parts ordered. My triangle shall be empty! I hope.

[Stev-o]

All sounds good. I'll have your carbs and master cyl boxed up and shipped by Friday.

Buy carb kits here....

http://www.vintagecb750.com/products/6/fuel-system

[fastbroshi]

Hey, so you're the one that finally bought that off of CL.   Not like I have room anyway.   Anyways I'm in Dallas too, whereabouts are you?

[Itwillbefun]

Yep, I'm the one. It had a working engine and a good frame with tires. I didn't want to tackle an engine rebuild on my first ever build.

I'm in Addison.

[Stev-o]

What did the seller say about the missing carbs?  Was it a project bike that he never finished??

[Itwillbefun]

What did the seller say about the missing carbs?  Was it a project bike that he never finished??

Yeah, he had made a bobber (is it bobber or chopper?) and picked this one up to make a cafe racer. I think all he had done was the 836 big bore kit, and then decided his funds were better spent elsewhere. He's selling the bobber now. I'm happy though, I was excited about the motor upgrade.

[Stev-o]

Bobber or chopper, similar.  So it has an 836?  We'll have to race! (my K4 also has an 836).

BTW, what is your timeline on this project?  I'm giving you six weeks!

So you will be ready for...


http://www.harvestclassic.org/activities/schedule/

[Itwillbefun]

That's definitely possible, I was going for halloween to have it back up and running. And then parking it for winter when it gets cold and doing some more upgrades.

We shall see, I'll put that in my calendar. It'll give me a goal!

[lucky]

When you have rusty steel like that frame you want to stop the rust . Not just sand the surface.
You need to get some metal prep which has phosphoric acid in it.
It is a mild acid that turns iron oxide(rust) into iron phosphate and that stops the rust. THEN paint it with primer.

If you just paint over rust it will keep rusting until it lifts off you nice paint.
You need to stop the rust.

You can get phosphoric acid at big box stores in the paint section. It is called paint prep. It is a dark green color like anti freeze. Many times the clerk will say they don't have it. Baloney. Just go over to the shelf with the paint prep materials.

You can treat your rust screws and bolts too. Just put them on the phosphoric acid and then the next day take them out. They will be grey color and then rinse them. When dry soak them with WD40.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

If you use the acid make sure to clean thoroughly before priming and painting to neutralize it.

[Itwillbefun]

Thanks guys, but I just sanded all the rust off per other instructions I've read.  It took forever, but it's already done and the bike is painted!

My progressive springs arrived, along with all balls steering bearing kit and fork seals. Just waiting on the 10w fork oil to get to work on the forks.

I opted to get my hands dirty, to save some money, and bought an 81 DOHC swingarm. I've seen a couple threads talking about doing that swap and I think
I'll give it a go. Carpy had a nice bolt on, but at 500 + shipping I'd rather get a $45 1981 swinger and more tools; time to start getting more committed.

Contacted Benji... I know I know, Benji this, Benji that. But I like the look of his stuff and I'm really excited. I'm arranging for the Coi seat to be matched up with the dimple gas/oil tank.

Pictures soon!

Justin

[Itwillbefun]

This whole weekend has been dedicated to tearing down the forks... and i've failed. I'm stuck on the hex bolt on the bottom of each, that just don't want to budge. I've nearly stripped one of them so I'll have to replace that for sure. Anyone have a spare? haha.

I'm in need of ideas, or else I'll end up taking it to a shop tomorrow to get some help.