Author Topic: Picked up an old, old 750 drag bike.... SOLD SOLD SOLD (Read 3097 times)

stickman · « **on:** November 06, 2012, 09:20:16 AM »

Now that I am entering my third childhood, I decided I wanted a modestly built sohc 750 to toy around with. Something along the lines of an 836 with hot cam and perhaps some head porting with stock carburetion. Well, my friend who lives a half mile from me pulled this thing
out of his basement he has had for years. When I saw fairly clean dome tops and the RC emblem on the jug, I brought it home.

<a href="http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg183/stickman2332/Drag%20bike/?action=view&current=dragbike005.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg183/stickman2332/Drag%20bike/th_dragbike005.jpg" border="0" alt="" >[/url]

<a href="http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg183/stickman2332/Drag%20bike/?action=view&current=dragbike009.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg183/stickman2332/Drag%20bike/th_dragbike009.jpg" border="0" alt="" >[/url]

<a href="http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg183/stickman2332/Drag%20bike/?action=view&current=dragbike008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg183/stickman2332/Drag%20bike/th_dragbike008.jpg" border="0" alt="" >[/url]

<a href="http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg183/stickman2332/Drag%20bike/?action=view&current=dragbike008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg183/stickman2332/Drag%20bike/th_dragbike008.jpg" border="0" alt="" >[/url]

<a href="http://s248.photobucket.com/albums/gg183/stickman2332/Drag%20bike/?action=view&current=dragbike006.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg183/stickman2332/Drag%20bike/th_dragbike006.jpg" border="0" alt="" >[/url]

Not pictured is a really cool custom drag racing rear fender and a set of RC aluminum struts.

With my limited experience and knowledge of drag racing, it appears to be a serious drag bike in the day with modded stock frame, modded and extended swing arm, fabricated rear drag
wheel, air shifter and of course a big block RC Engineering it. As you can see, the top end is gone, no explanation why, no valve cover, head or valve train. Exposed are these still pretty nice looking dome pistons roughly measured last nite in near darkness at 70mm. That could be off a little but what it does tell me is its a BIG bore. The PO has no knowledge of the bike other than he looked at the connecting rods and said they were "pink". I have heard of gold RC rods, but not pink, but will see when I open her up.

So, I am guessing this engine may can be salvaged but the end result would not be tame enough for my use in casual street riding.

Now, my questions,

1. What is this item worth as is........

2. Is there wisdom in parting it out or selling as is in its incomplete form.

Someone on Cycle Exchange site thinks the RC cylinder alone is worth $1399.

http://www.cyclexchange.net/Front%20Ends%20Page.htm

Not sure about that but it does make me scratch my head and wondering just what I have.

Anyone interested in commenting, speculating, advising, or making an offer I cannot refuse, please feel free. I am very interested in getting better educated and informed. Don't mind making someone a deal, just want to avoid being taken advantage of due to ignorance.

By the way, I am located in Lenoir, NC 10 miles off Interstate 40 about an hour east of Asheville, NC.
Thanks guys, Stickman

stickman · « **Reply #1 on:** November 06, 2012, 09:30:40 AM »

OOPS, Looks like my attempt at posting individual pics as a thum nail failed and you are getting the full page of click on photos to click on. Sorry about that. I did say I was in my 3rd childhood. Stickman

Cbass182 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 06, 2012, 11:39:39 AM »

I don't know about the value or anything. I would assume they aren't worth much unless you can get them off the bike and have them honed, and checked out for warping among other things. I'm sure there's a reason that drag bike was parked and stripped.

I personally would keep the bike and turn it into a wicked street/show bike.

Well, that is, only if the thing will steer more than a few degrees.

-Chris-

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2012, 11:45:18 AM »

You should have posted it in the race forum, you might get more responces.

Sam.

stickman · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2012, 02:29:08 PM »

Chris, Thank you. I have considered keeping it and putting it back together but I am guessing that much motor would not work out well as a casual street bike.

Sam, Good point, never considered the racing forum. I will asks the moderator to move it. Thanks for the feedback. Stickman.

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #5 on:** November 06, 2012, 04:05:01 PM »

I think they did do, Thanks uncle Bob

Sam.

TwoTired · « **Reply #6 on:** November 06, 2012, 04:17:17 PM »

Probably the nicest thing I can say is that the bike has a lot of potential.

The frame mods make the bike rather dangerous for street use. And as a drag racer it was probably pretty wobbly at high speed with the loss of the frame rails. Does make doing engine work in the frame easier though. Those frame supports added a lot of "stiffness" to the frame, which helped a lot with keeping the machine pointed in the direction where the operator wanted, rather than where the bumps and weight shifts directed it.

The cylinder block looks attractive. But, the rust on the cylinder walls almost certainly means they will need boring. so, you will need new pistons, or new sleeves pressed in to make the existing pistons work. Given the rust on the cylinder walls, I think I'd worry about rust below the pistons, too.
Domed pistons probably means high compression. Might think about using a 77-78 black F model head on it to get the compression back the pump gas acceptable levels. You should still be able to make a nice street motor out of it, but you will be adding a lot of parts.

My opinion, the frame is probably only good enough for drag racing (if you can find a brave rider) or show bike.
If the engine unit can be restored to serviceable, might be best to find another bike with a better frame to move this engine into after build up. Either way you are going to have several thousand dollars into the bike. If you are good with that, then press on. Otherwise, sell pieces until it is gone.

Cheers,

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #7 on:** November 06, 2012, 04:34:43 PM »

As per usual, well said Lloyd,

the best thing for this project would be to restore it to a drag bike and take up drag racing.

In a straight line, I don't think that the absence of the top tubes/rails would be that much of an issue, most of the big teams that ran these bikes carried out this mod without any issues in the handling department.

Sam.

stickman · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2012, 02:59:57 PM »

Two Tired and Sam:

Thanks guys for the input. I was hoping to come up with an engine that I could put back together, install in a stock 750 frame and have a streetable hot rod. I may be trying to put a square peg in a round hole as this appears to be a full bore drag bike engine that cannot be tamed enough for street use. I will split the cases and take a look at the rods and the general condition of the bottom end to see if I can repair this one or sell off the cylinder, the rods if not damaged and find me an 836. Thanks, Stickman

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #9 on:** November 07, 2012, 03:12:44 PM »

Hi Stickman, it can be done mate, i have a drag engine i will be using on the street, the pistons were to high compression to use on the street so those have been replaced but the things like the back cut box, head and barrels are definitely reusable on the street. I would check your barrels for cracking between the sleeves {has been noted on these barrels before}, if all is well, sleeves are cheap and a matching set of pistons for the sleeves would be money well spent, APE engineering do sleeve and piston kits for 836, 970 and 1000cc, i have the 1000cc and 970cc kits

.... CycleX also have slugs to could use to easily repair that frame restoring the frame rails and they would be removable for top end work in frame...

Frame splice kit...

http://www.cyclexchange.net/index%20pics/frame%20splice%20kit.JPG

stickman · « **Reply #10 on:** November 09, 2012, 07:51:57 AM »

Retro Rocket, Glad to hear it can be done. Great info on checking for cracks. Had not heard
that and will definitely follow up on it. Am now pulling the engine to start checking her out.
Will keep you posted. Thanks again, Stickman

cbr954 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 09, 2012, 04:32:50 PM »

If you decide to part the motor out let me know. I am slowly scavanging old RC parts to build a replica of an RC motor for my dad. He had one back in the mid 70's but had to sell the bike when I was born to pay of some bills. I want to give him some thing back. I would be very interested in the motor parts. Thanks.

BLUE71TURBO · « **Reply #12 on:** November 09, 2012, 06:05:48 PM »

Save the RC cylinder and the rear wheel and junk the rest.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #13 on:** November 10, 2012, 12:14:44 AM »

Quote from: BLUE71TURBO on November 09, 2012, 06:05:48 PM

Save the RC cylinder and the rear wheel and junk the rest.

Might be a back cut box in there as well Jon...

stickman · « **Reply #14 on:** November 10, 2012, 03:23:12 PM »

Hey guys, Here is where I am. Pulled the engine from the frame, pulled the jugs to get a look see at the rods.
1. The pistons appear to be in good shape
2. The connecting rods are not pink, they are in fact golden, so I am assuming RC golden rods.
3. Some cylinders have some minor surface rust that appears will clean up with honing.
But I am no expert.
4. No cracks between cylinders that I could find.

After talking with my mechanic, he has convinced me that I should sell this engine as it is a full blown drag engine and not try to adapt it for street use and go with an 811 or 836 kit in my stock engine. So I want to sell this engine as is to someone who can use it for what it was intended. There is not much if any value to the frame, but if anyone is interested, I will sell everything pictured or just the engine as pictured.

I will sell to anyone, anywhere but would prefer it be someone local that can examine components to their satisfaction.

I will consider some kind of trade for a healthy 811 or 836 engine with 10.25 or 10.5 compression ratio. Not interested and want to avoid the 12.5.

I will be snapping some added photos tomorrow and posting showing the sleeves and connecting rods. If anyone is interested making an offer or discussing, shoot me an email and I will provide my phone number and or address.

Thanks all. Stickman

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #15 on:** November 10, 2012, 03:27:43 PM »

If you;ve made up your mind and thats what you are going to do you would probably be better off parting that engine out, the block and rods, if in good condition, will get you some good coin.. Did you check out the gearbox for back cutting..? It is a great mod for these old bikes, better gear changes...

BLUE71TURBO · « **Reply #16 on:** November 10, 2012, 07:53:29 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on November 10, 2012, 12:14:44 AM

Quote from: BLUE71TURBO on November 09, 2012, 06:05:48 PM
Save the RC cylinder and the rear wheel and junk the rest.

Might be a back cut box in there as well Jon...

Yes yer right Retro.

R.C. Golden aluminum rods, R.C. Cylinder, Possible back cut trans.

As for pistons.....? Cylinder head.....? Cam.....? There's some money there, not alot though...... $:-\$

754 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 10, 2012, 08:05:43 PM »

I would probably trade a brand new set of. 836 pistons in the box for the barrels and pistons, and some cash for the rods.. Will pm you.

stickman · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2012, 05:43:38 AM »

Update, A deal has been struck with a forum member and the engine is sold.

Now I will focus on an 836 engine over the winter.

Thanks to all. Stickman

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Author Topic: Picked up an old, old 750 drag bike.... SOLD SOLD SOLD (Read 3097 times)