Topic: '78 CB750k conversion to cafe racer (yes, more issues)

[deafcaferacer]

Good find.. I'm going to order it and see how it works.

Would like some feedback on the finned covers.

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

You should go with a clear points cover. WWW.fb-stuff.com
Those finned ones look cheese. My 2¢ 

[deafcaferacer]

You should go with a clear points cover. WWW.fb-stuff.com
Those finned ones look cheese. My 2¢

No personal affiliation? 

I'll look into it- while I was on your website, I saw some pics of my favorite bike (you can see it in my avatar). Do not tell me you have that bike in your possession??

[deafcaferacer]

Excuse the bump up.. would love some thoughts and feedback on the finned covers.. do they really help at all in keeping the engine cool?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'm not entirely convinced they cool the oil but they sure look "cool"! 

[mrrch]

I'm sure they aid slightly in cooling but most of us have put them on purely because of looks (I got mine 5 years ago before they went up in price/complete kits were $80 or so)

[deafcaferacer]

Thanks..

Mrrch, you were lucky if you got  it for $80. The kit with rockers covers is going for $199 on ebay now 

[deafcaferacer]

I am trying to find rear shock turn signal brackets, like the one seen on this bike in the picture below (which is how I'd like to install the rear turn signals). Can someone please point me in the right direction?

[Free Booter]

You could try something like this:


With these:

[Free Booter]

I imagine any right angle bit would work though...

[Stev-o]

I'm sure they aid slightly in cooling but most of us have put them on purely because of looks

+1.   If you ride in MA, doubt you will have an issue with overheating.

[Retro Rocket]

I'm sure they aid slightly in cooling but most of us have put them on purely because of looks

+1.   If you ride in MA, doubt you will have an issue with overheating.

In saying that, heat sinks wouldn't have fins if they didn't work....

[deafcaferacer]

Thanks for the thoughts on the turn signals.. I have an idea as to what direction to go in (ha ha).

I will do the majority of my riding in MA, no doubt. But I do have plans to take this thing cross-country a few times. First trip will probably be via route 66. This will be for next year after I completely rebuild the engine this coming fall/winter.

[deafcaferacer]

Bunch of goodies came in today from Dime City.

[deafcaferacer]

Going to take the kick up hoop to be welded on tomorrow.

Was shopping around for prices to get the gas tank sandblasted to bare metal. One shop quoted me $150.00  Another place gave me $45-75.. I'm around the Braintree/Quincy area if anyone knows of a better price/place to get the tank done?

I've been trying to visualize the type of seat I'd like to go with the hoop, and did some drawing, attached. Would like to know what you guys think. I'm liking option #1 with the slight border around the diamond pattern on top. I'd like to duplicate the pattern/color on the bike I'm trying to copy (photo attached).

[Stev-o]

Have you seen this?


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=118584.0

[deafcaferacer]

Have you seen this?


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=118584.0

Thanks for the heads up. I think I'm going to try and avoid the beaded borders- I've read that they can be irritating and chafing, especially on long road trips.

[Stoli]

Was shopping around for prices to get the gas tank sandblasted to bare metal. One shop quoted me $150.00  Another place gave me $45-75.. I'm around the Braintree/Quincy area if anyone knows of a better price/place to get the tank done?

You might consider trying Aircraft Paint Remover (about $12 at your local auto-parts store). I used it on the stock paint on my '78 tank and it was a "paint on then hose off operation" followed by some light sanding.  It's a little more work around the decals though because they keep the stuff from getting under the paint in that area, but it is cool to see (and hear) that stuff work. Sounds like an egg frying on a hot skillet when it kicks in, then the paint just bubbles off. If you can find someone else to do it for $45, then probably worth it (less mess). The stripper is an outdoor operation though, so you will need to wait for a warm day. You might see 50s next week on the South Shore. Not sure if that will be warm enough though. I think the stuff works best above 70.

Braintree is my old stomping grounds. Grew up there. We used to drink beer and watch the drive-in movies from an old graveyard overlooking the theater. It's the Logan Express bus station now. Ahhhh, those were the days...

[deafcaferacer]

Was shopping around for prices to get the gas tank sandblasted to bare metal. One shop quoted me $150.00  Another place gave me $45-75.. I'm around the Braintree/Quincy area if anyone knows of a better price/place to get the tank done?

You might consider trying Aircraft Paint Remover (about $12 at your local auto-parts store). I used it on the stock paint on my '78 tank and it was a "paint on then hose off operation" followed by some light sanding.  It's a little more work around the decals though because they keep the stuff from getting under the paint in that area, but it is cool to see (and hear) that stuff work. Sounds like an egg frying on a hot skillet when it kicks in, then the paint just bubbles off. If you can find someone else to do it for $45, then probably worth it (less mess). The stripper is an outdoor operation though, so you will need to wait for a warm day. You might see 50s next week on the South Shore. Not sure if that will be warm enough though. I think the stuff works best above 70.

Braintree is my old stomping grounds. Grew up there. We used to drink beer and watch the drive-in movies from an old graveyard overlooking the theater. It's the Logan Express bus station now. Ahhhh, those were the days...

Probably cool to hear but I can't hear worth sh!t; born stone deaf.  Not only that, but my landlord would send me packing if I even as much as open a container of something decently hazardous on the premises.  Sandblasting is pretty much the only option I have.

[deafcaferacer]

Detached the gas tank and brought it to the sandblaster (General Sandblasting in East Bridgewater).

Removed the petcock with a big ass wrench and some choice cuss words, and capped with a galvanized pipe cap, a tip I picked up on this forum.

[Stev-o]

You're gonna blast that tank? Looks pretty glossy. And not a K8 tank.

[deafcaferacer]

You're gonna blast that tank? Looks pretty glossy. And not a K8 tank.

Probably looks pretty glossy from photos taken on my iphone, but if you look closely you can see marks and pits and a dent to the left of the cap. It's pitted along the sides and peeling from the gas cap area.

Yes, I know it's not a k8 tank, I like the simple look of the raised cap instead of the flap covers on the k8 tanks.

[deafcaferacer]

Ordered my Hagon shocks from Dave Quinn.. they're coming today if the storm doesn't screw things up.

I'm reading up on replacing my tires and have done some research and looks like I'll be replacing my front tire with the Perelli sports demon MT66 as that tire seems to be ranked pretty high on quality and handling.

I hate the big fat honking touring tire I have on for the rear- (see first pic) want to replace it with something similar to the rear tire on this bike (2nd pic)  which I know is a build somewhere on this forum. I'm trying to find out what type of wheel it is and what tire, I just can't find the thread. 

I won't sell or throw away the touring tire- will keep it for when I go cross-country, but for now, want a thinner tire back there.

[Elan]

looks like you have a harley 17" drop center rim? Going back to 18" would definately help. Is that your plan? Could that be a 19" in the back of that pic?

[deafcaferacer]

looks like you have a harley 17" drop center rim? Going back to 18" would definately help. Is that your plan? Could that be a 19" in the back of that pic?

Yeah I want to go back to stock 18"

Not sure what you mean by "in back of that pic"?