Topic: My first bike: '78 CB750k

[toytuff]

I had some nice molding but gave it to Stev-o. Couldn't sell it.

I still have it sitting on the shelf! May use it on the K7?

You get a K7?

tt

[Stev-o]

I've had it for 3 years, project bike that I need to get a bonded title for.

[fendersrule]

Checked the valves.

Looks like the previous owner was on top of it. Not a single adjustment was made.

I had to remove one tappet cover with vice grips (PO had stripped it). Then I overtightened another one and broke it off in the threads (but was able to remove it with some patience and pliers).

Off to the scrapyard tomorrow. Steve or John, you guys happen to have a couple extra tappet covers with the gaskets (I think if I were to remove the gaskets on the broken ones with a pick that I may do damage so it may be good to already have them installed).

Also lubricated the clutch cable. Noticed that there isn't a way externally to grease the clutch mechanism that the cable plugs in to like on the CB450.

Thought about pulling the bowls and cleaning the jets and such, but I figured...why do that when the bike ran great before? Probably just to appease my boredom of waiting for my friggen paint job to get done.

Can't do nothing really to the CB450, either. It's getting pulled in about 10 days, so why do anything to it? I put on 150 miles so far on it, and been having a blast. The CB450 is one bike I will never part with...it's the best classic Honda twin and a must own. I can easily tell that a nice rebuilt engine will produce a rocketship of a bike...wouldn't be surprised if the CB450 beats the CB750 in the 1/8 mile after both get rebuilt.

The CB128 is just stupid-new. You don't even have to use the choke on it. One kick, never two. Just, stupidly new. Probably could drop it in any bike show as-is.

[fendersrule]

The plan is to spend several months restoring the CB450, frame-off resto, powder-coating and all the works. It probably will go pretty quick, just like the CB750 did. I plan to have it done by next spring at the latest. I'm definitely thinking classic Honda orange metallic.

Once the CB450 is done, then the CB750 comes apart for complete restoration.

To be quite honest, I'm going to miss the CB450 more than I am excited to drive the CB750.

The CB450 is just pure sex. It makes you feel like a bad ass retro racer. You don't get that same feel on the CB750.

we'll see...

[dhall57]

These old Honda's have a way of getting into your soul and once they do your hooked Fender, but don't feel bad it happens to all of us here. Love the little CB125 looks like you rolled it right of the showroom floor. I agree the CB450's are awesome bikes and when you get a deal like you got on yours it's just icing on the cake

[toytuff]

The O rings can be ordered through Honda. I don't think I have any extra covers. The old O ring gaskets were shot.

Use a six point 17 mm wrench. Eight point will round them and just snug the covers.

tt

[Stev-o]

Pretty sure I have a couple extra covers for you, if not here, then in storage.

Boy, you got it bad for that little 450!  Does she like the 125?

[jas67]

The plan is to spend several months restoring the CB450, frame-off resto, powder-coating and all the works. It probably will go pretty quick, just like the CB750 did. I plan to have it done by next spring at the latest. I'm definitely thinking classic Honda orange metallic.

Excellent color choice!     I'm looking forward to the build pics as it progresses!

Once the CB450 is done, then the CB750 comes apart for complete restoration.

To be quite honest, I'm going to miss the CB450 more than I am excited to drive the CB750.

The CB450 is just pure sex. It makes you feel like a bad ass retro racer. You don't get that same feel on the CB750.

we'll see...

I like lighter bikes.    The CB450 is definite a more fun size and weight bike IMHO.   I have recently acquired both a CL450 and a CB550.    Both are about the same weight.   I can't weight to get these two going to see how they ride.

You'll be surprised how much fun you have on the CB125S.    It might be a little on the slow side.    If you can get you hands on a CB175 or CB160 (or the CL versions of them), you'll definitely be surprised how much fun they are.

[toytuff]

Were the CB 350 F valve caps the same size? I should have four of them.

tt

[Stev-o]

Were the CB 350 F valve caps the same size? I should have four of them.

tt

I know the 550's are.  Pop one in your K7.....

[fendersrule]

Had to go to the salvage yard anyways today to get my dad a part for his '79 CB750.

Managed to pick up two nice tappet covers for $1 each (and the o-rings). Not bad.

[toytuff]

Were the CB 350 F valve caps the same size? I should have four of them.

tt

I know the 550's are.  Pop one in your K7.....

Good Lord, I just spent 20 some hours on that thing!

Sick looking at it. 

tt

[fendersrule]

I took the CB450 for a four hour ride yesterday...wow!

The good news is as I was driving by the paint shop, I saw my painter parked outside of the shop. That's got to mean progress for the CB750!

Got bored and repainted the baffles. The previous owner drilled them (obviously), but they sound fantastic.

Before:


After:


Pictures suck, but they look way better!

[toytuff]

Those are weep holes for moisture.

tt

[fendersrule]

You'll be surprised how much fun you have on the CB125S.    It might be a little on the slow side.    If you can get you hands on a CB175 or CB160 (or the CL versions of them), you'll definitely be surprised how much fun they are.

Thanks Jas. It's the girlfriend's bike. I jump on it every now and then, but it's really just too small for me (6'4). I seriously look like a circus act on it. I will say that it's still very comfortable and I have no problems riding it. Yep, and it is...slow, but in a fun way! Revs nice and high, and she'll get up to speed if you have a little patience. You will also feel every bump in the ride, and you get increased vibration on the footpegs. Such a lovely bike for a lady starting to learn how to ride though...she's really thrilled.

[fendersrule]

Those are weep holes for moisture.

tt

Did not know that. Came stock like that eh? It definitely effects the sound (in a good way)...

[fendersrule]

I also fixed my turn signal beeper. Before, it would only come on once in awhile, and it would sound like a dying horse.

Now, it sounds like it should. Replaced the speaker with a spare I had sitting around.

Remember when I got this bike, the turn signals nor light indicators didn't work.

http://youtu.be/w0TSulL-woQ

It's waiting for a nice painted tank and side covers. I'm hoping the Valley Green Metallic and the gold/black stripe will make it look like a cool retro stocker. Never know how it's going to look until it gets finished. Should be this week fellas.

[fendersrule]

Dammit. I found some of these at the local salvage yard:



Side covers were crap (already scrapped them). Got the emblems off, and these should make a pretty penny on eBay!

Still no word on the paint progress. I did manage to tear down the CB450, so I've been involved with that for the time being.

I ordered a longer clutch cable from Motion Pro. I've seen Motion Pro cables that are made in China and Taiwan (Taiwan is just as good as our stuff). The custom cables are made in the USA.

[Stev-o]

The illusive 750 badges.  I'd restore and hold onto them unless you need the cash.

[jas67]

Thanks Jas. It's the girlfriend's bike. I jump on it every now and then, but it's really just too small for me (6'4). I seriously look like a circus act on it. I will say that it's still very comfortable and I have no problems riding it. Yep, and it is...slow, but in a fun way! Revs nice and high, and she'll get up to speed if you have a little patience. You will also feel every bump in the ride, and you get increased vibration on the footpegs. Such a lovely bike for a lady starting to learn how to ride though...she's really thrilled.

That's awesome that your girlfriend is riding now too.    Once she is comfortable with the 125, she'll want to ride your CB450.   

[fendersrule]

She loves the CB450; she can almost flat foot it. She wouldn't be able to even attempt the CB750 though.

Good news-: Yesterday I heard that the bodyshop has my stuff painted in base coat. They plan to wetsand, apply the decals, clear, wetsand, and then clear again. Looks like they are going the whole mile on it with the color sanding which wasn't what I was expecting. Maybe they think my work is so pristine that they felt that had too.

I haven't even talked pricing yet with them yet. 

I know it's going to be under the table anyhow, so it's not going to be bad.

[fendersrule]

Alright, you guys asked for this.

My girlfriend and I both cannot understand how the strap attaches to the tray. When you put it under the fins, it slips off very easily and doesn't hold.



So then we started thinking that maybe it presses up in the notch under the fins. Well, the harder I pulled the strap to get it in the notch, the more I bent the damn metal part of the strap.

Hopefully i have the right strap to begin with. I believe I confirmed that already. I've started scratching the tray a little, then I decided that it's just not worth it.

Am I doing something obviously wrong?

[flybox1]

i had the same problem, thats why my strap is in my parts bins 

[fendersrule]

Got my custom Motion Pro cable in today. They messed up on the order because it's too short.

Sent them an email, and they called me the same day and cleared it all up. I'll have another cable on the way soon that will be the right size.

Props to Motion Pro for handling this in a professional manner. I thought I was going to get gimped.

Would anyone like to buy a stock + 1.5" clutch cable? I believe it's made in the USA.

[fendersrule]

Hope you guys are ready to see some pictures tomorrow......

You can guess what it is....