Hey guys,
I've been MIA from the forum for a while, but I've been busy! Quick recap, I bought a '74 CB750 two years ago with 16,000 original miles that had been sitting in a heated garage for the last 10 years. It ran like crap at first, but that was just due to the lack of use. I fiddled with the carbs, and replaced the chain, sprockets, tires, oil, filter, plugs, etc. It ran like a champ for the last 2 years, only needing a new voltage regulator in the 16,000 miles I've put on it riding daily.
Then it the famous head gasket leak started.
It got to the point where my right pant leg would be moist and a little pool of oil would collect in the recess above the clutch and points cover. It was too annoying for me so it was time for a new head gasket.
Out came the engine, off came the head (simple as that
). I swore I would resist all urges to do anything else, but change the head gasket. Out of curiosity I flipped the head over and poured gas in each chamber to check all the valves were sealing correctly... The #3 exhaust valve leaked, badly. Yay valve job time!
Then I caught the dreaded project bug.
Since the head was off and the engine was out I might as well check the cylinders and pistons out too. Nothing really wrong there, just lots of carbon build up. I'd gone this far already so couldn't resist getting a fresh hone and some new rings for peace of mind. Meanwhile I was tearing down the head I noticed two of my exhaust valves had a tad more play in the guides than they should. So naturally, I went all in. The head and cylinders were sent off to the machine shop for media blasting, a 3 angle valve job, installed new APE valve guides, fresh cylinder hone and had both the cylinder head and block skimmed to make sure the mating surface would be nice and flat. After I got them back I primed and painted them the stock silver.
I was still sick with that damn project bug
and I could feel the bike staring at me from its corner in the garage every time I walked by
. New tires, bronze swing arm bushings, gas tank rubbers and side panel rubbers, throttle tube, grips, clutch cable, tachometer cable, new battery, halogen headlamp and a chrome 4 into 1 exhaust were thrown at it. Ahhh, much better. To finish things off I completely rebuilt the carbs and degreased and cleaned every single part I could get my hands on.
Now the engine is almost ready to go back in the frame and I want to know the best way to prime, start, and break in the engine before I fire it for the first time. I was thinking that pouring one of the quarts of oil down the cylinder head through the valve adjustment holes would help. Any other advice would be great. Thanks!
Here's how she looked before tear down.
In deep!
Head and Cylinder Work
Almost Done!
