Author Topic: '78 CB750k conversion to cafe racer (yes, more issues) (Read 55620 times)

deafcaferacer · « **Reply #100 on:** April 27, 2013, 09:31:37 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on April 27, 2013, 06:25:22 AM

Quote from: deafcaferacer on April 27, 2013, 06:04:14 AM
Just got my bike back from the mechanic after some wiring issues, fired it up and took it for a ride and had a religious experience.

Ha! been there. Glad to hear it's running. Have you given it a full tuneup and carb rebuild?

Going to ride it for a while and then take the engine out break it down, replace gasket and bolts with alum hex heads, and that's when I'll have the carbs redone. New pipes, filters, etc. Gotta save because I got DTB syndrome (damn the budget) $:-\$

I really hate the chromed valve cover.. going to have that sandblasted off.

Stev-o · « **Reply #101 on:** April 27, 2013, 10:50:11 AM »

Don't sandblast it, I'll trade you for a stock one.

Why alum hex heads? Those will be very soft and easy to strip. Nearly everyone uses SS.

deafcaferacer · « **Reply #102 on:** April 28, 2013, 07:57:00 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on April 27, 2013, 10:50:11 AM

Don't sandblast it, I'll trade you for a stock one.

Why alum hex heads? Those will be very soft and easy to strip. Nearly everyone uses SS.

I meant to say SS.. but thanks for correcting me.

Bike is hard to start.. I am going through the checklist, starting with plugs.. see if they are fouling.

Stev-o · « **Reply #103 on:** April 28, 2013, 08:29:35 AM »

Clogged slow jets could cause hard starting. Consider changing them.

Here is my cold starting procedure for my K8:

Ignition and fuel on, neutral light on.
Pull choke full on.
Twist throttle twice and push start button for 5 sec max.
Repeat until it fires.

FrankenFrankenstuff · « **Reply #104 on:** April 28, 2013, 09:59:32 AM »

Quote from: deafcaferacer on April 27, 2013, 08:57:20 AM

Quote from: FrankenFrankenstuff on April 27, 2013, 06:39:29 AM
Quote from: deafcaferacer on March 30, 2013, 09:21:13 AM
Elan, there's a guy up in New Hampshire who's supposed to be good, but he hasn't answered my email yet. Will let you know who I go with.
I didn't see it. What is "AM" side covers?

You fello Mass dudes. I have seen work by a guy in Foxboro that is really nice. Mikes Uphostery ? I think it is. On rt140 .

Don't know of him. I sent you a PM about AM side covers.

deafcaferacer · « **Reply #105 on:** April 28, 2013, 04:22:41 PM »

Quote from: FrankenFrankenstuff on April 28, 2013, 09:59:32 AM

I didn't see it. What is "AM" side covers?

After Market. Was looking for side covers for my 750k, but the sale price on your website, at $9,999,999.99 is just a little too high for my budget.

Stev-o · « **Reply #106 on:** April 28, 2013, 04:26:39 PM »

Do you need both?

deafcaferacer · « **Reply #107 on:** April 28, 2013, 04:34:17 PM »

yes, and the frame is '78, sorry. BTW thanks for the cold start tip. Going to try it next time I start in the cold. Getting warmer up here, but the mornings are still chilly.

Stev-o · « **Reply #108 on:** April 28, 2013, 04:46:56 PM »

'77 and '78 are the same. Cold start procedure is cold motor, regardless of ambient air temp.

deafcaferacer · « **Reply #109 on:** April 30, 2013, 02:20:32 PM »

Well, one by one, the kinks are being worked out. Loose chain tightened, loose connection to brake light, tightening the rear brakes. Going to pick up the seat on Thursday and then the inspection is later that day, at 3pm. Hopefully the next day I'll be free to ride the roads!

Pic of the front end as the rear end is incomplete.

Stev-o · « **Reply #110 on:** April 30, 2013, 04:26:49 PM »

looks good

Elan · « **Reply #111 on:** April 30, 2013, 07:03:55 PM »

nice, cant wait to see that seat!

cheftuskey121 · « **Reply #112 on:** April 30, 2013, 07:37:28 PM »

very nice stuff man!!!

deafcaferacer · « **Reply #113 on:** May 01, 2013, 04:49:59 PM »

Thanks all.

Of course on the night before the inspection, the bike has to act up. There is an imbalance somewhere in the electrical system that is resulting in the battery slowly losing its charge. It's not sudden but occurs over the course of a few days. I'm reading into it and digging through the SOHC archives for similar problems that others have had. Either something is failing or the current draw is more than the battery can generate. I have checked all electrical connections and they seem to be secure, nothing loose.

Stev-o · « **Reply #114 on:** May 01, 2013, 05:39:21 PM »

How old is your battery and what brand is it? Cheap batteries can go bad in two years and no longer hold a charge.

deafcaferacer · « **Reply #115 on:** May 01, 2013, 05:41:45 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on May 01, 2013, 05:39:21 PM

How old is your battery and what brand is it? Cheap batteries can go bad in two years and no longer hold a charge.

battery is brand new.

deafcaferacer · « **Reply #116 on:** May 03, 2013, 07:51:50 PM »

I left the battery charger on overnight and that seemed to do the trick.

Finally got my seat and am quite happy with it. It really goes with the bare tank look. The stitching is really well done as you can see in the closeup.

cheftuskey121 · « **Reply #117 on:** May 03, 2013, 07:56:48 PM »

tottally dig that man! I want to start on another build

deafcaferacer · « **Reply #118 on:** May 04, 2013, 08:36:16 AM »

Quote from: cheftuskey121 on May 03, 2013, 07:56:48 PM

tottally dig that man! I want to start on another build

Yeah, no kidding. That MMS disease is dangerous. Contagious. I'm already thinking about another bike.

Elan · « **Reply #119 on:** May 04, 2013, 04:17:51 PM »

Nice!

knowsnothing · « **Reply #120 on:** May 04, 2013, 06:08:44 PM »

Seat looks great deaf! Where did finally end up getting it done?

deafcaferacer · « **Reply #121 on:** May 05, 2013, 09:51:00 AM »

Thanks all!

The seat was done by a guy up in NH by the name of Dave. If anyone wants his contact info, feel free to PM me. I would definitely go with this guy again. He was meticulous and thorough; puts his thoughts into the work- easy guy to talk to. He asked me questions along the way "do you want to do this?" "do you want to go this way, or add that?" Only downside is that it's a mom and pop operation that he does in his basement, which means if you want your seat done yesterday, that's not going to happen. Turnaround time for me was slightly over three weeks.

deafcaferacer · « **Reply #122 on:** May 16, 2013, 08:50:46 AM »

I have been trying to reach Hondaman to buy one of his books from him directly. Is he out there? Tried to PM him.

Elan · « **Reply #123 on:** May 16, 2013, 08:54:35 AM »

I think they are sold on lulu.com

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #124 on:** May 16, 2013, 09:45:37 AM »

Go here for a link: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=65293.0

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Author Topic: '78 CB750k conversion to cafe racer (yes, more issues) (Read 55620 times)