Topic: TSUNAMI-1978 CB750 K8 DONOR TO CAFE'

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December 21, 2012

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01-03-2013 to 01-09-2013

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01/15/2013

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Bought my first part.

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My front Lester came today. Not too bad of shape, but when Im done with polish and paint it will be better. Tire looks near new but its coming off for Firestone Deluxe Champions. Now I need to find a rear one?

[brandEn]

Holy crap your avatar is creeping me out! Is that you?

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Yep, pretty amazing what you can do with lighting and photo shop!  Took a peak at your projects.  Looks like you have your hands full. But it appears your moving along. I'm trying to get my post caught up.  This one is where Im about to get to pulling the engine on 01/19/2013

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Out she came slick as a whistle.  Just as easy as it was in 1974.  Heres the bonehead move.  The floor jack was short of the table top about a foot.  Did I think to go out back and get my auto engine hoist, nooooo 65 year old lifts it up the rest of the way.  Took me 4 days to recover! BUT ITS OUT! 01/19/2012

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Out she came slick as a whistle.  Just as easy as it was in 1974.  Heres the bonehead move.  The floor jack was short of the table top about a foot.  Did I think to go out back and get my auto engine hoist, nooooo 65 year old lifts it up the rest of the way.  Took me 4 days to recover! BUT ITS OUT! 01/19/2012

Damn! Old guys rule!

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oK its February, engine was broke down, Sent to CycleX, head for performance valve job and porting, jugs for 836cc bore, most covers for black chrome, I cleaned the cases, soda blasted them, cleaned again, painted, replaced all fasteners with stainless allans.

CX-2   Cam   
ENV-008    Valve Springs   
ENV-015    Valves   Super Flow
       ?   69-76 spring retainers and keepers    
ENV-011   Cam Sprocket   Adjustable
ENV-014   Degree Wheel   Tool
ENP-009   69-78 836cc   Big Bore Kit
ENG-oo1A   Gasket,Super   Top End Kit
   Bore and Hone   Deluxe Version
77-78   Carb Rebuild   W/Jetting Mods
CS-011   Chain & Sprocket   Conv. Kit #2 18T
FL-001   42mm Shrouded Filters   77-78 Set
EL-012   Power Arc Ignition   Cycle X Curves
EL-008   Voltage Reg-Rectifier   Solid State
FR-050   Shorty Shocks  11.4   Black On Black
   
FR-034   Neck Bearings   

EX-002   4-2-1 Exhaust   Tri-Y System
   Black Chrome   Exchange,Clutch, Breather, Chain, Trans, Valve, Cam, Cam Chain Adj.
MD-708   Crankcase Breather   Chrome
   Black Chrome   Add, Dyno Cover and Starter Cover
MD-027   Chrome Gauge Covers   

Hoping most items will be sent back this week

Old guys do rule, its the nature of the beast.

  New parts rolling in, note carb to head boots. Many may have noticed only two part numbers are available, I tried to find the others no go.  Did some measureing, bought two of each and reversed two for the other side.  Some may not know, when installing place boots in hot water for awhile, they will slip right on. Gordon Frame Repair Kit, Manx Tank, Carpys RazorBack Seat, CNC machined PA6G (polyamide) sprocket and roller, Hella Horns, New used 78 brake pivot shaft, finned covers, new used fender off something?

[Retro Rocket]

I don't get it, you are doing all that performance work, putting progressive front springs in the front,  then lowering the rear {with poor quality shocks}...   What are you expecting from the bike.? Why make it faster if you are going backwards on suspension..? These old bikes already lack ground clearance, going lower defeats the purpose of all the other bits you are using...  Just saying...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That's a nice performance upgrade.
RR was a little harsh but he does have a valid point on the shorty shocks. Are you a shorter rider or are the for cosmetics?

[Retro Rocket]

That's a nice performance upgrade.
RR was a little harsh but he does have a valid point on the shorty shocks. Are you a shorter rider or are the for cosmetics?

Not trying to be harsh, there could be some money saved on front springs and rear disc if there's no intention of riding it semi hard  {you know what i mean  } or in the twisties , the alternative is,  buy decent rear shocks at stock length and have a great all round bike..  If i were spending that much money i would want it to handle the best it can......  By the way, i am a big fan of Ken at CycleX but he has no decent shocks at all...

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He is absolutely right on the progressives.  My bad I cut and pasted the info from an earlier work order which has changed.  I am in negotiations for a 77 gl1000 front end but it will still be lo ward for cosmetics.  I'm not building a track racer, I'd go out and buy a new rice rocket if that was the case.  I'm building a cafe' racer, its for fun, its for me and my vision, if you don't like it when its done so be it, but I don't particularly care so dint get so excited remember IT'S FOR FUN!   I was building cafe racers when there really were cafe racers, I rode the sunday morning ride in Marin IN THE DAY.  So what were you building in 1974? Born yet?  LOL just teasing guys lighten up. Just a couple of shots in the day, the last is my bike being used by Tracy for National Cycle mags, we were friends. Ask me about it some time. Have a Great Day!

[Retro Rocket]

I'm 50 myself mate and owned over 20 of the 750's and at least 20 other road bikes from a cb450 {smallest} to GSXR1100. Its great you are building it for fun but looking at that list it looks pretty serious, if its just for looks them why all the expense on the engine..?  You don't need all that work if all you want is a fun bike for looks....  Thats what i was trying to work out, seems a bit of a waste to me. I am building my next 3 750's like yours except bigger and NO CAFE's   , 70's style superbikes, all 3 have big port heads, 900, 970 and 1000cc bores , ones fuel injected with nikasil bores ,  all 3 will handle well enough for track days...   If i'm spending money on speed equipment then for damn sure it will handle...   I'm not trying to talk you out of anything at all, just trying to rationalize....   By the way, forum member Mike Reick is the best guy you can find for head work on these bikes, i'm in Australia and send my heads to Mike for him to work his magic, he's also a mate of Kens at CycleX...

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thanks for the info, just trying something new.  Everything is always in flux, almost changes daily. Sounds like you ride the ride.  Ya, my cross country ramblings and hi speed runs from bolder creek to santa cruz down highway 9 at 2 in the morning with my megaphone on my pipes sparking pegs are long gone.  This bike is just a bit of wimsy, but as the tool man said Ahrrrrrr, you cant have too much horsepower!. Gotta sound right, right? A quick spurt down the freeway passed my favorite chip is always fun. Then we go tip a pint. Oh and if I was serious I would split those case's and have some great fun.  If Mike is a friend of Kens he's ok in my book, but my work is mostly done already.  Thanks Mate!

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ya If I hadnt been fighting a war 67-70 I might have had a K0 or something.  I dropped out of the biz and scene in the 80's and went on to bigger and better things for awhile.  So Im having great fun ramping up all the old memories. 

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I'm still trying to figure out the modernization and mounting on the 101 year old 1912 Cadillac Headlight.  You know that dam thing still works, the reflectors were silver coated for best reflection at the time, 35 candle power bulb. It was the first time a production automobile had an intergrated electrical system lights, starter, battery all made in America by delco.  It most likely will not come to fruition but hey it is fun trying.

[Retro Rocket]

I'm still trying to figure out the modernization and mounting on the 101 year old 1912 Cadillac Headlight.  You know that dam thing still works, the reflectors were silver coated for best reflection at the time, 35 candle power bulb. It was the first time a production automobile had an intergrated electrical system lights, starter, battery all made in America by delco.  It most likely will not come to fruition but hey it is fun trying.

You might have to make a bottom triple tree mount for the light, like on choppers , instead of the side mount the Honda's use... At least that way you only have to connect it at the bottom of the light and not both sides, it wouldn't be that hard....

[754]

Welcome aboard.. I too could care less if I ever corner hard again..but some fail to understand that.

 The light if it needs re-sivering..Steves Auto Restoration in Oregon does that..

Slammed hotrod 754,s rule...

[Tsunami]

Yes I've heard of Steves.  Not sure but would imagine its quite expensive.  As well 35 candle power is not my idea of riding at night.  I had little luck finding the bayonet bulb that would do the trick without altering the light.  I don't want to make any changes I cant put back if I need to resell it.  This thing is huge, so I am still wavering on even trying to use it. I will have to have the bike somewhat put back together before the last take down to fit it.  I see your a hot rod man as well.  My best idea is to use a reflector from I think it was a 37 ford, that is made to upgrade to HID.  It has a smaller dia. but close enough if I can figure how to affix it.  I'm thinking some adhesive to the lens itself.  That Would also leave a little room to put some led running lights and/or turnsignals around it.  Just another one of those ideas. Amazingly the original lights had a chrome trim ring and the brass body would be painted black.  I pretty  good at polishing having had a number of boats with lots of brass to keep up every year.  So I would polish the brass and re-chrome the ring.  If the size doesn't look silly it might be cool.

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Anyone ever try to fit a

KAWASAKI H1 500 Lester Mag Rear Wheel 18" KH500 (lester #25200)? to a CB750

[Retro Rocket]

Welcome aboard.. I too could care less if I ever corner hard again..but some fail to understand that.

Once again Frank, you've missed the point....

[Tsunami]

I'm still trying to figure out the modernization and mounting on the 101 year old 1912 Cadillac Headlight.  You know that dam thing still works, the reflectors were silver coated for best reflection at the time, 35 candle power bulb. It was the first time a production automobile had an intergrated electrical system lights, starter, battery all made in America by delco.  It most likely will not come to fruition but hey it is fun trying.

[Retro Rocket]

What is the diameter of the light ? Looks pretty big in those pics...