Author Topic: '78 CB750K Project #1 - Cafe-like Racer-ish Bike  (Read 37961 times)

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Offline chris mcshifty

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #50 on: March 07, 2013, 11:00:03 PM »
Thanks. Defiantly like the pic of the front tire . I'm going with the avons on my bike when I get to that stage in the game

Online kerryb

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #51 on: March 10, 2013, 08:30:49 AM »
...WOW... you do really nice work.  Thanks for sharing.  You've convinced me to put knee dents in my k8 tank because now I know how it will look with the new tailcone
intrigued by the wail...seduced by the scream.

Offline Stoli

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #52 on: March 10, 2013, 09:09:18 AM »

That is pretty cool. The obvious questions are, will you put ass dents in your tail section and will it be used as a reserve tank for long rides?  ;D
My Project Threads:
Project #1 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117106.0  First bike
Project #2 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127364.0  Something different
Project #3 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=123831.0  Long and Low

Offline snowman

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #53 on: March 10, 2013, 01:02:21 PM »
...WOW... you do really nice work.  Thanks for sharing.  You've convinced me to put knee dents in my k8 tank because now I know how it will look with the new tailcone


Have agree, that's a cool tail. Did you use an old K7 tank?

Offline Spike

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #54 on: March 10, 2013, 07:09:49 PM »
Outstanding!  I wish that I had thought of that.  :)
Any road...anytime
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Online kerryb

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #55 on: March 10, 2013, 09:09:54 PM »
Yes, there will be ass-dents, but they'll be covered by the foam cushion.  I got the idea from someone on here some time back, I used a spare k8 tank so the lines would match.  My skills aren't good enough yet to weld up a gas tank so its a glovebox.  I had to move the door panel back to get the whole thing short enough.  It sits on a shortened stock seat pan so it retains the stock hinges and key latch.
intrigued by the wail...seduced by the scream.

Offline Stoli

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #56 on: March 30, 2013, 12:29:52 PM »
I don't think I'm ready to hang a "Custom Motorcycle Seats" shingle on the side of my house just yet, but overall I am pretty happy with the way my first attempt came out. I think it will look okay after I add the rear fender. I found an interesting "reptile" vinyl that I used for the top. I don't think the pics do it justice, but it has an interesting texture to it. I put the embroidery machine that I bought for my wife 5 years ago to use, so that was a plus. 





« Last Edit: April 06, 2013, 12:09:20 PM by Stoli »
My Project Threads:
Project #1 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117106.0  First bike
Project #2 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127364.0  Something different
Project #3 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=123831.0  Long and Low

Offline Stoli

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #57 on: March 30, 2013, 02:04:47 PM »

Starting to get warm outside. Lots of snow melt today. So many things left to do. Feeling the pressure...


My Project Threads:
Project #1 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117106.0  First bike
Project #2 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127364.0  Something different
Project #3 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=123831.0  Long and Low

Online kerryb

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #58 on: March 31, 2013, 12:09:26 PM »
Another wow!...   you have some nice sewing skills too!  After admiring how well the lines flow on your new seat I see the very classy insignia on the back too.  Keep up the great work, I'm looking forward to the finished tank/seat/fender reveal.
intrigued by the wail...seduced by the scream.

Offline Stoli

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #59 on: April 06, 2013, 05:00:02 PM »
Time to buy paint for the tank, fenders and side covers. When I started this project, I had a vision of gloss black all around for a simple combination of black and silver on the entire bike. Now I'm floundering a bit. I still don't want any loud colors, but not sure if straight black will cut it. I think the gray primer that is currently on the tank is skewing my judgment.  :-\

I've also been doing a lot of reading since I primed the tank and suspect that I will be sanding off all the duplicolor primer (lacquer based) and laying some epoxy primer on before I put on the urethane base and clear coats. Most guys say that it is OK to put epoxy then urethane over the lacquer but it has a greater tendency to weaken over time due to the different expansion rates of the urethane and lacquer. Might as well do it right I suppose.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2013, 06:40:03 PM by Stoli »
My Project Threads:
Project #1 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117106.0  First bike
Project #2 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127364.0  Something different
Project #3 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=123831.0  Long and Low

Offline Stoli

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #60 on: April 08, 2013, 07:14:27 PM »
After admiring how well the lines flow on your new seat I see the very classy insignia on the back too.

Thanks. I did that with a Brother sewing machine that has some simple embroidering capability. I designed the graphic for the speedo and tach faces using a computer graphics program. Then, when I was making the seat, I thought it might be cool to put the same graphic across the back, so I figured out how to import it into the machine that sewed it into the vinyl using some silver thread. Maybe a little egotistical but I figure we spend so much time and effort on these projects, why not put a small brand on them?  A real man would have welded it on I suppose, but my welding skills are not so good yet.

Here is a closeup of the insignia sewn into the vinyl:



« Last Edit: April 08, 2013, 07:18:09 PM by Stoli »
My Project Threads:
Project #1 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117106.0  First bike
Project #2 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127364.0  Something different
Project #3 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=123831.0  Long and Low

Offline Stoli

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #61 on: May 17, 2013, 08:16:09 PM »
Quick update. Finally finished the fiberglass rear fender. Not sure what I think. It was such a pain to make, I am predisposed to like it. It's different anyways.

Here are some pics with the first coat of epoxy primer on the tank, fender and side covers. Got a bit of an orange peel finish on it so I have some sanding to do before I lay on the base coat.

At this point, all I have left is to fabricate some mounts for my DCC rearsets, bolt on the exhaust and then get this thing out of the basement and see if it runs. I plan on riding it for a few weeks before I spray on the finish paint.












« Last Edit: May 17, 2013, 08:18:24 PM by Stoli »
My Project Threads:
Project #1 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117106.0  First bike
Project #2 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127364.0  Something different
Project #3 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=123831.0  Long and Low

Offline Stoli

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #62 on: May 19, 2013, 05:31:40 PM »
So, I put the front fender on and did a little sanding and primer recoat and although there is still a slight amount of orange peel, it really changed the appearance of the bike. I was planning on gloss black but I kind of like the matte finish. The front fender sort of ties in the rear as well. I'm pretty happy with it at this point.

My Project Threads:
Project #1 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117106.0  First bike
Project #2 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127364.0  Something different
Project #3 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=123831.0  Long and Low

Offline SF

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #63 on: May 21, 2013, 01:49:33 PM »
matte looks cool dude, nice bike i like it.
92 wr250 sold
98 zx6r sold
04 zx10r
73 cb350 twin
75 cb550f
75 cb550f
72 r5c
rgid springer bobber project

Offline onetruepunk87

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #64 on: May 22, 2013, 02:18:29 PM »
Wow, that looks great! I'm working on a '77 myself.

Offline Stoli

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1 (Basement Extraction)
« Reply #65 on: May 28, 2013, 02:08:30 PM »

Basement Extraction:

Finished the rearsets and now it's time to get her out of the basement and into the sunlight. Built a "sled", strapped the bike down and pulled the contraption up the basement stairs on up a couple of 2x4 rails using a come-along.  Would have made a nice redneck video for YouTube:




My Project Threads:
Project #1 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117106.0  First bike
Project #2 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127364.0  Something different
Project #3 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=123831.0  Long and Low

Offline Stoli

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #66 on: May 28, 2013, 02:16:35 PM »

I was pleasantly surprised when she fired right up! Sounds great and I haven't even adjusted the timing or balanced the carbs yet. I did do a fairly thorough manual adjustment to the points and carb during the rebuild but didn't expect it to run so smoothly before I did it with the engine idling. Took her for a spin around the block and she shifts well and runs like a top. Still grinning.









My Project Threads:
Project #1 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117106.0  First bike
Project #2 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127364.0  Something different
Project #3 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=123831.0  Long and Low

Offline deafcaferacer

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #67 on: May 28, 2013, 02:27:41 PM »
she looks beautiful!
'73 CB750k engine, hubs, and a '76 tank, on 'a 78 frame. Go figure.

Offline flybox1

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #68 on: May 28, 2013, 02:34:01 PM »
 :o like a kid being born into the world. clever way to bring her up from the basement.   ;)
great looking scoot!  8)
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
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Offline Stoli

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #69 on: May 28, 2013, 02:53:41 PM »
:o like a kid being born into the world. clever way to bring her up from the basement.   ;)
great looking scoot!  8)

Perfect analogy.
My Project Threads:
Project #1 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117106.0  First bike
Project #2 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127364.0  Something different
Project #3 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=123831.0  Long and Low

Offline Stoli

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #70 on: May 28, 2013, 02:58:08 PM »

I have decided to go with the matte black finish instead of the gloss, so when I have a chance later in the summer, I'll go ahead an put the finish coats on. For the time being, she needs to be ridden hard and often.
My Project Threads:
Project #1 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117106.0  First bike
Project #2 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127364.0  Something different
Project #3 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=123831.0  Long and Low

Offline Stoli

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #71 on: May 28, 2013, 03:06:36 PM »

What's next -

After the 100 mile break in, I plan on putting the pods back on and going down the slippery slope of rejetting and needle shimming. I know that  there are many who would advise me not to, but I gotta at least try.

Also, I'm not too crazy about the muffler so will probably switch it out with one like this at Dime City:



My Project Threads:
Project #1 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117106.0  First bike
Project #2 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127364.0  Something different
Project #3 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=123831.0  Long and Low

Offline Blitzburgh207

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #72 on: May 28, 2013, 06:02:44 PM »
That looks great man, good work! ps you'll love that muffler  ;D
1978 CB750 K8

Offline Stoli

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #73 on: May 29, 2013, 08:05:22 AM »

Rearset mounts on on a budget. I'll eventually clean them up and get them powdercoated. Just a couple of 1" strips of 1/4" steel sandwiched around the passenger peg bracket.



My Project Threads:
Project #1 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=117106.0  First bike
Project #2 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=127364.0  Something different
Project #3 - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=123831.0  Long and Low

Offline iron_worker

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Re: '78 CB750K Cafe-like Racer-ish Project #1
« Reply #74 on: May 29, 2013, 03:12:00 PM »
I love your method for getting her up the stairs! Way to work smart and not hard.  8)

IW