Topic: An Incredible 1972 CB750 Cafe Project

[Itwillbefun]

    Hi guys, I'm Justin. Forgive the name, thought it was catchier . I'm a two time bike owner, first was a 2009 250 ninja. Second was a 2002 CBR F4i. Loved them both, the ninja was totaled by me laying her down on the highway due to inexperience and not enough respect for the situation. The f4i was stolen right outside of my apartment, broke my heart.
   It's a year later though, and I've had an itch on my brain (you know the type, I'm sure most of you have the same obsessive characteristics I do...considering the forum I'm in!). After getting some cash together I was looking through CL for a 3-4k crotch rocket, preferably a Honda, when I came across my first cafe racer.
   Mayne, I can honestly describe to you how it feels to fall in love at first site. I loved the look of the bike but It just wasn't quite what I wanted; so I did a search on "cafe racer" and sure enough a couple dozen popped up. There were so many type, but I kept gravitating towards the Honda CB models... And then I got the bright idea to make a project of it and learn how to build a motorcycle! Hell, I already had the money saved.
   After spending a couple weeks cruising CL and doing research, I decided I liked the look of the cb550 cafe racers. I know now what most of you already know, 550's are hard to come by. Here in Dallas at least. It was a close race between the 550 and 750 so I'm not upset! I picked up this beauty last week.

    The ad stated it had a fresh 836 kit on a newly rebuilt engine, when I went to pick it up he clarified that just the head was rebuilt. I'm not sure if I should break it down and rebuild the bottom or not.
    It also has:
    sun aluminum rims
    Magura clip ons
    Daytona electric tach (rough condition)
    Accel super coils
    Drilled front rotor

    It doesn't have:
    Carburetor
    Speedometer
    Wiring
    Chain
    Rear shocks
    Muffler
    TITLE (I didn't realize the importance of this until the last few days)

    So that's a little about me and the bike, now here's the plan...
    I like the cafe racer look, but with emphasis on the minimalistic look. I've found my ideal bike and the guy has a great build blog that I keep reading through; anatomyofacaferacer.blogspot.com

 I want the oil tank and battery relocated like his. Though I like his carburetors, I found someone with carbs for a bill that I might rebuild if needed.
    Other than that, I like how he raised the back end with a bigger rim and taller shocks, and I believe that's an extended swing arm. I like the look of a longer bike.
   What I feel I need to replace on the bike itself:
    Ignition
    Tachometer (I'm thinking of ditching this though)
    Exhaust (has dents)
    Headlight
    Front suspension

I have some things listed in the classified, if you're looking for parts take a gander.  http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=111942

The project!!
  I stripped the bike down the other day,

 and with surprising ease slipped the engine out by laying the frame and engine sideways and slipping the frame off. I took a tip I read here somewhere about removing the oil filter cover, worked great!
 Next I began the sanding process, it had rust everywhere.

 It's been sanded and now primed, today was paint day (gloss black), except the weather had to get an attitude. But thanks to the humidity I finally started this project page!

I invite you to share in my process as I bugger my way through this build. I welcome any thoughts, whether frivolous, criticizing, or enlightening. I'm new to everything, but am eager to learn and grow as this progresses.


   
   
   




   

[KB02]

Nice starting place for a project. You've got some great inspiration, too. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

[Stev-o]

Welcome from Lake Travis!  550's aren't that hard to come by, I have two (one cafe). 

I have a spare rack of carbs if you are looking. Interested in trading for the fairing?

You've come to the right place...

[Itwillbefun]

I did see a couple down in the Austin area, but with no truck I really needed something local and Dallas had none! Just no luck I guess.

I'd love to do a trade but I don't think it would be fair on your part. Check out the pictures, notice on the back one of the bolt areas had been ripped off.



I think the piece is actually still attached to the headlight bracket though, so maybe with some good bonding glue it could be made workable again.

[Stev-o]

Check to see if you have the piece, let's make a deal! Maybe you have other parts you don't need.

So what's next on your project?

[MCRider]

Your dream bike is a DOHC v your SOHC. The DOHC did not have an oil tank to begin with. (Nor do the 500/550 SOHC, just the CB750 SOHC) So you'll never be able to get yours to look as clean as the dream bike, though many have tried. Constructing a minimalist redesigned oil tank is far more difficult than the result can justify, IMO.

However, don't let me stop you. Maybe you'll come up with something really nice. And so...

Carry on!

[Stev-o]

You shouldn't have to rebuild your bottom end, they are pretty much bullet proof unless badly abused.

You'll have to get a bonded title, not a huge deal. Basically you get an insurance policy.
Bring your VIN number and bill of sale to your local DMV

[Itwillbefun]

I'm not home but upon looking at the pictures I've taken, I can see that the piece is indeed on the headlight bracket. When I get home I'll take a closer look and take it off.




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!

Thanks Stev-o(I met the famous one about a year ago. Crazy dude.), It eases my mind knowing I shouldn't have to worry about the engine.

I'll probably take my time getting it bonded then, I don't want to be paying insurance until I'm close to riding it. Thanks for the info!

[Itwillbefun]

As for the next move, I'm not quite sure. I sit there and look at the bike and everything I have taken off of it and it leaves me feeling overwhelmed. I've been pulling pieces aside and going through some manuals I downloaded off these forums (thanks!), and am just sort of studying them.

I need to get on ordering some parts I know I need, but I'm the type that researches everything so I'll have to sit myself down the next few days and get on it.

To do list:
Paint the frame
Get parts
Scratch head (and probably butt)

[Stev-o]

It can be overwhelming especially if you don't have a set plan.  Try to concentrate on one part of the build, such as prep and paint the frame.
Are you going to cut off the unnecessary tabs?

[andy750]

If Steve-o ends up not taking the fairing Ill take it with mounting brackets.

Thanks and good luck.
Andy

[Itwillbefun]

I'd like to cut the tabs off, I've looked into getting a Dremel to help with it. Although I feel I should wait till later before I start chopping stuff off, especially since I'm not 100% sure which ones I'll end up needing.

[Itwillbefun]

If Steve-o ends up not taking the fairing Ill take it with mounting brackets.

Thanks and good luck.
Andy

You're second on the list then, Andy! The fairing seems to be a hot commodity.

[bert96]

 It look like a bmw r90s fairing.



Bert

[MCRider]

"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.

[seanbarney41]

Welcome, you are wise to not cut anything until you know what you need.  I notice you keep referring to the look of a cafe racer...I just want to make sure you are not confused.  The look of a cafe is the result of an effort to improve a vintage bikes performance...if you can get the bike to perform better than stock, it will look good...

[Itwillbefun]

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.

Check it out, I found it on Benjie's Cafe Racers site. A bit pricy but I think it would definitely do the job.

[Itwillbefun]

Welcome, you are wise to not cut anything until you know what you need.  I notice you keep referring to the look of a cafe racer...I just want to make sure you are not confused.  The look of a cafe is the result of an effort to improve a vintage bikes performance...if you can get the bike to perform better than stock, it will look good...

I guess I was confused, I thought it was a particular look. But, "Cafe Racer" still applies since it has an improved motor and I think I'll be upgrading front suspension. Do those upgrades qualify it as a cafe build? Thanks!

[seanbarney41]

Welcome, you are wise to not cut anything until you know what you need.  I notice you keep referring to the look of a cafe racer...I just want to make sure you are not confused.  The look of a cafe is the result of an effort to improve a vintage bikes performance...if you can get the bike to perform better than stock, it will look good...

I guess I was confused, I thought it was a particular look. But, "Cafe Racer" still applies since it has an improved motor and I think I'll be upgrading front suspension. Do those upgrades qualify it as a cafe build? Thanks!

yup, sounds like you are on the right track

[Stev-o]

Everyone has there own interpretation of a "cafe racer". Some called the stock CB400F a cafe style bike, it had lower bars and pegs that were further back (I want one). 

Some guys put club man bars on a stock bike and call it cafe. 

PM sent about carb rack/fairing trade.

[Tews19]

I saw that bike listed. Seemed very interesting from the listing. Welcome to the site. Some people here have bought benjies set up. I don't  remember much positive bout it as its fiberglass. Lots of prep work needed to use the tank. I believe gas with ethanol will eat into the tank if not properly prepped.

You may look into using your F tank and having someone do cutouts.

What shape are those sun rims in and what size are they? May be interested if you are looking to sell.

[Itwillbefun]

Lots of prep work needed to use the tank. I believe gas with ethanol will eat into the tank if not properly prepped.

You may look into using your F tank and having someone do cutouts.

What shape are those sun rims in and what size are they? May be interested if you are looking to sell.

Thanks for the heads up, I'll definitely do more research now on the tank before making any big moves like that.

The sun rims are in excellent shape, so much so I'm probably going to keep them. If anything changes you're the first one I'll contact. They are 19" and 18".


Well today is another rainy day, so painting is out of the question again. I noticed during the strip down process a lot of the screws were rusted, some bent, and some just plain destroyed. I found a 560 piece stainless allen bolt kit I may grab.

[Stev-o]

Have you thought about powder coat?

[Itwillbefun]

Sure did, and I was almost gonna do that until I decided I needed to cut costs where I could so I could purchase good parts down the road. Plus, I actually enjoy painting something myself... Gives me a sense of accomplishment.



That's my back patio, that closet in the back is packed with parts!

[Tews19]

You are making fast progress. Keep it up!