Tin Lizzie started out as a 1978 CB750F. She was one of two bikes I got for a good deal. The other is a 1977 "F" as well. The 77 was supposed to have been 90% complete and the other was for parts. Tin Lizzie was the parts bike because she had been in a fire and was burnt pretty bad. The front tire and all rubber was melted. The gauges were busted and she was a bucket of rust. She was behind a shed and weed had grown all through her. It was a tuff time cutting her out. When I got her home I decided to use the 90% completed bike as my go buy and start on the parts bike. It had fewer parts to remove!!!!. My first problem, besides the rust and weeds and melted stuff was that she was an "F" model. I soon learned that parts were going to be hard to find. Ebay is good!!!!!
After tear down, I put everything into milk crates and got started on the motor. I first took the advice from everyone and got the "Clymer" manual and downloaded all the PDF manuals from this site. The motor was completley torn down. Cleaned and repainted the motor. Then rebuilt every bit of the motor, getting everything new that I could. If I couldn't find it it got cleaned checked for servicable specs and reused. But everything was cleaned, checked and rebuilt. Polished the valve cover and lots of peices. Got stainless steel allen bolt kits to replace all bolts and phillips screws. All new seals and gaskets. The works.
I had not yet decided on what style of bike to build. To old and broken for Chopper, bobber, cafe, street fighter, etc. Then I ran accross a picture on another site "Honda Choppers" of a bike called "Old Red", She was a "Bagger" style. I new that's what I wanted. So I contacted the builder and he gave me to infor on what I would have to do to get it done. The first problem was that he used a "K" model and I had the "F". That caused some problems along the road!!!!!
Had to get my rear fender and tanks ordered first so I could start work.
The rear fender is a two peace hinged HD aftermarket model for the FL, FLH and FX bikes.
The tanks are a two peace 5 gal. flat side model for the Fat Bob HD bikes.
I got started by having to cut off the top rear bridge for the seat/fender. Then I had to cut in half the rear stamped steel plate cross support in order to widen the rear for the fender. Here is a pic of where I had to cut:
http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx274/dlhoulton/Cuttingforrearfender.jpgI then weilded a plate on the bottom and top of the plate to give support and strengith. The finished product looks like this:
http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx274/dlhoulton/IMG_0070.jpgAt this point I also weilded the support for the front of the rear fender. The reason I widened it 1 inch was because the width of the fender and frame. At the base of the frame where the swing arm installs it dosen't move and has just enouch room for the fender. Up top at the top shock area there will be more than enough room for the fender and a 3/4 chrome spacer between fender and frame.
http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx274/dlhoulton/IMG_0079.jpgThe tank was mounted using peices of "HD flat side" tank mount kit and fabrication on my part. Basically I just used to rear plate that had the two bung holes for the two back tank bolts. Each side of the tank has three bolt on loctions. Back/rear, front bottom and front top.
http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx274/dlhoulton/IMG_0149.jpgJust had to make sure on the left tank I had room for the petcock not to hit the valve cover!!!!!!
Lots of test fitting before I welded the bottom supports firts the worked on the top front.
Then I got started on where to attatch the coils. On the stock honda they go under the tank. With the tank I got there was not enough room. So my solouton was to mount them on the back bone of the frame, between the tanks.
http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx274/dlhoulton/IMG_0050.jpgJust welded four bungs to back bone and called it a day.
Next came the seat. Here I just look at some brackets and supports for this type of seat and insted of buying them made them.
The next frame problem I had was when I test fitted the MAC exhaust. With the "F" bikes the kickstand sets a little to the rear on the left side and the exhaust are four into one. On the right side. With the MAC's the left side header hit the kickstand support and wouldn't allow the muffler to go on. So knowing the exhaust/muffler were for a "K" model I had to cut the kickstant support off and find a "K" support. There's a local guy near here that makes chopper frames for CB's. He's well known over on Honda Choppers, known as "RED" from Cycle One Manufacturing. He had one and I test fitted it and welded it on. Problem fixed.
http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx274/dlhoulton/IMG_0295.jpg The front fender is another aftermarket for HD. It's made for the springers. It's a 5 inch that will fit 35 and 39mm forks. It matches the rear fender with it's stamping and rivets. It's a perfict match. The mounting holes do not fit the front fork fender mounting holes, but there is plenty of chrome side support in the fender to drill new mounting holes. This has to be done anyway because the front fender has to be lowered approx. 1" to get the best look. I made some support plates to give it some extra support but does not need it. Just over building. Also after bolting up the front fender, installed two bolts and acorn nuts just to fill the stock fender holes and give it a finished look.
http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx274/dlhoulton/IMG_0072.jpg http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/xx274/dlhoulton/IMG_0073.jpgThe rest of the build was test and fit. But most was stock build. I did have some problems mounting the mufflers due to her being an "F" model but with some 3" muffler hangers and some work they mounted to the "F's" rear foot peg mounts. They are different than on a "K" due to the fact that they are bolt on to fram support for the rear master cylinder, four into one muffler and rear foot pegs.
Lots of stuff I had to fab up like the center tank panel, under seat battery cover, rear fender hinge supports, horn support and various stuff to finish her out.
At the last min. I found a new problem with the center stand. I'm still using the "F" model and I need one for the "K" so that the foot actuator arm on the left side will clear the muffler. The "F" works, but keeps the center stand too low. Not a good look.
That's just about it for this build. If there are any questions or if someone needs pictures let me know and I'll get them.
Thanks,
dlhoulton
