Topic: TSUNAMI-1978 CB750 K8 DONOR TO CAFE'

[Tsunami]

Mo pic's

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That's a nice, deep garage, Greg!  I have to squeeze fit our two cars and one of my bikes into ours.  Jealous!

Oh yeah, and the polished up modded kickstand looks good, too! 

[Tsunami]

Thanks Don, our cars don't have the luxury of being inside and a couple of years ago I had to build a 10x16 shed to hold all the stuff that would be filling the garage.  Of course that's the only time it snowed since we moved here in 2008.  The pictures with the bike in them are old ones that I placed in here to show the larger side stand on the frame to show it does fit the bracket.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I told my better half that the house we eventually buy needs to have enough garage space for our cars and my bikes.  That might mean a lift or an expansion built onto it.  I'm sick of having to rotate bikes out of a storage space.

[Tsunami]

I understand that, hard to believe at one point in my life, the second time I came back to California, I lived out of a Chevy Van and the back room of a motorcycle shop that had been a toilet. Beyond the bike is the back door to the motorcycle shop. Second is the shop front as it looked in 2011, 709 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz California.  Lots of good times in the back of that joint.  In fact, although a lot of time and 2 marriages in between, I now live with the gal who shared those good times in there with me and used to drive over from the Bay area to go riding with me in the early 70's. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I understand that, hard to believe at one point in my life, the second time I came back to California, I lived out of a Chevy Van and the back room of a motorcycle shop that had been a toilet. Beyond the bike is the back door to the motorcycle shop. Second is the shop front as it looked in 2011, 709 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz California.  Lots of good times in the back of that joint.  In fact, although a lot of time and 2 marriages in between, I now live with the gal who shared those good times in there with me and used to drive over from the Bay area to go riding with me in the early 70's.

That's great that you still have the pictures, the memories and the woman!  Do you still have that bike on the truck?

[Tsunami]

No that was the my first cafe' racer.  The read one on page1.  It was nearly new, the story was there were two, his and his wife's.  They were moving and were tying down the bikes.  What he screwed up was not disconnecting the battery, second When he did so one of the straps came across the top of the cigarette lighter he had installed on the bike. Then he threw those big heavy moving blankets they used to have on top. and took off down the road with the moving van.  Apparently it got hotter and hotter, the blankets acting like an oven which melted anything that was not metal, and discolored a lot that was metal.  So I got it cheap on an insurance deal.  I scored the Tracy fiberglass body/tank/fender on a trade.  I decided to go the radical route of all white frame, wheels, fenders, pipes ect to cover the discoloration.  Blacked out the engine as well.  Not many bikes with the one color theme then.   I had the spokes chromed and the nipples brass plated.  Engine was bored out to 400 something, cant recall. That metal flake really popped in the California sun!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

No that was the my first cafe' racer.  The read one on page1.  It was nearly new, the story was there were two, his and his wife's.  They were moving and were tying down the bikes.  What he screwed up was not disconnecting the battery, second When he did so one of the straps came across the top of the cigarette lighter he had installed on the bike. Then he threw those big heavy moving blankets they used to have on top. and took off down the road with the moving van.  Apparently it got hotter and hotter, the blankets acting like an oven which melted anything that was not metal, and discolored a lot that was metal.  So I got it cheap on an insurance deal.  I scored the Tracy fiberglass body/tank/fender on a trade.  I decided to go the radical route of all white frame, wheels, fenders, pipes ect to cover the discoloration.  Blacked out the engine as well.  Not many bikes with the one color theme then.   I had the spokes chromed and the nipples brass plated.  Engine was bored out to 400 something, cant recall. That metal flake really popped in the California sun!

It must have been a serious pain to keep the white wheels and hubs clean. 

[Tsunami]

Surprisingly no, of course it wasn't something you would want to drive long distance on or in the winter.  Hard part was getting café parts, most came from japan wasn't a big market for it at the time for those bikes.  Was hard to keep the black engine from fading, no powder coat then.  Well finally getting some warmer weather.  I need to get my boat done I'm so close so I'm taking it out of mothballs tomorrow and get r done! Did you take any good rides this weekend? 

[Tsunami]

Oh, I been looking for alternative/repurposed oil tank.  Queried a guy selling this on e  bay and got the measurements.

Tank is 8 inches wide, 6-1/2" inches tall by four inches thick !! Magnum Cycle -- CHROME PLATED "XLCH" SPORTSTER OEM "OIL TANK" with DIPSTICK for 1970 - 1978

Might give it a measure before I start on the boat!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Surprisingly no, of course it wasn't something you would want to drive long distance on or in the winter.  Hard part was getting café parts, most came from japan wasn't a big market for it at the time for those bikes.  Was hard to keep the black engine from fading, no powder coat then.  Well finally getting some warmer weather.  I need to get my boat done I'm so close so I'm taking it out of mothballs tomorrow and get r done! Did you take any good rides this weekend?

I got the 750 out for a good haul on Saturday and Sunday. I rode over the port bridges, through Palos Verdes and past Venice. She pulls links a freight train. I must admit that it makes my 550 seem anemic in comparison.

[754]

That style oil tank also comes in a horizontal. Version.. Fits FL and FX models...if that helps.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Greg,

I know you had an oil tank mocked up.  A very similar version is now being produced by Cognitomoto.com
In addition, one of the forum members is using a Mooneyes oil tank (cylindrical shape).

Don

[Tsunami]

Yes I'm getting critical, woke up yesterday morning dreaming of my first start up and putt around the cul du sac.  Don I know just about exactly the route you took, I can see it in my minds eye as it all flashes by. Good for you Don, some day, some day.

"754" Old Timer, glad to see your still with us and thanks for the tip I will check it out, I did some measuring this morning and I don't think the 8x6.5x4 will work, close though.

Don, yes I have exchanged emails with Devin on that very subject.  He is whom I got my rear set brackets from and he does nice work. I was really hoping to use AN fittings for the look, They should work if I get them made to size.  He explained to use AN fittings would be costly as its all included in his pricing and that they are bulky if using 1/2" lines.  I think is price is right on for his product.  I haven't ruled it out yet.  But I tried my mock up in there again today and I really like it. I need to do more research on the parts pricing and what a welder might need to finish it up and that cost.  Yes the mooneyes tank is a work of art, Carpy is going to be doing a Pill tank but its not ready for production yet.  All in all I'm not keen on round tanks, there is an oval one that being flatter is more appealing to me. 
Hey you all, why do we need a throttle push cable when the pull cable seems to work just fine on its own??

Pics-

What the exhaust spacers with flange nuts look like.
Pretty much got the stock tank stripped.

[BPellerine]

that looks like a lot of work Greg !bill your oversize tracy tank must have been a one off?bill

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Greg,

What's the plan for paint?  It's getting there!   

Don

[Tsunami]

Bill if you mean my old bike, I had the first one, don't know if they sold anymore.  It worked great of course that was when I was much younger and could stand to cruse the freeway with out stopping on long trips.

[Tsunami]

Don, not sure at this point, if I have enough paint I may stay with the all metal look.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Don, not sure at this point, if I have enough paint I may stay with the all metal look.

I'm a fan of the all metal look. If so, does that mean you'll be fabbing a seat?

[Tsunami]

Still working on the stock tank getting it ready for paint.  I finally had a 1/3 sheet sander eat one of its bearings, motor ran well, but the plastic bearing came apart after 30 some odd years, gotta love sears. So that gave me an excuse to purchase anew Bosch orbital sander and I just love it to death.  Used it with 180 to take down the ruff spots from stripping, then did a number on it with 220, filled very few small dents, took them down with 220 cleaned and sprayed 1 coat of grey filler primer.  Did it down with 320 and re sprayed the primer again.  Now I will put it up until all parts are ready for paint then do some by hand wet sanding, 400, 600.

[Tsunami]

Sprayed the bottom black today as well,

There appears to be a smudge on my camera lens please pardon the shots.

[BPellerine]

so will you be able to swap out tanks when you want to without doing anything else Greg?was rhinking along those lines for my bike aka two bikes in one with a tank change.bill

[Tsunami]

Well Bill, still working it out but think it is doable.  Here's the situation, my Manx tank is longer than the stock tank by about 3 inches if that.  Both fit fine on the front end. The back is the trick.  Im leaning toward having my upholstery craftsman attached the seat with snaps to the fibreglass, when I have it done I will have the craftsman make an add on piece that matches. I haven't thought out just year how to mount it easily to the frame or seat, thinking just now what comes to mind is "Velcro" have a flap sewn underneath onto the add on piece which could easily be attached to the mating part underneath the front of the seat?  It wouldn't need to support much, maybe ones balls likely nothing at all. Gas line wise, the Manx tank has two petcocks so will need 3 double sealing quick disconnects, the stock tank only needs one then 1 matching opposite disconnect on the carb line.  Click, click, click, swap, click new tank done.  Oh as far as the mount in the back go's the stock bike uses the stock rubber, which I remove and add a one screw bracket to hold the back end of the Manx.
Didn't do anything today except store the stock tank away.  Worked from 9-3, then had to run the dogs then take the lady of the house shoe shopping and whole foods shopping, but she did buy dinner and a new pair to tennis to where with the ugly shorts she bought me for going out this summer,  Cant wait for that. LOL
 Hope your thawing out up there its been in the 70's and 80's during the day the last week or so.  Stay well!

gm

[Tsunami]

that bike above is the bike I would have liked to build if I had done one in black.  My photos are dated and do not reflect its condition today.

[BPellerine]

looks like it can be done and look good with the filler piece Greg.we have a little bit of snow hanging around but the temps are coming up.had a look at my bike today and it needs a big clean after the winter.bet you would like to have the big tracy tank now!bill