Topic: Diving head first into the Cafe racer "scene"(i have no idea what i am doing)

[GNGSXR]

Well I sort of have an idea of what I am doing.
I am not sure what everyone expects to know about new members but:

- I am a mechanical engineer so pretty much I (well the federal government) paid a lot of money for a piece of paper. My opinion will change after I have a solid 10+ years of experience in the real world.
- I do have a lot of Autocad experience so I will be taking a crack at drawing up some custom parts if someone else hasn't already done so.
- I have been a gear head since I could walk but never really got my hands dirty until I was older so I will do my best to research the boards before asking any "dumb" questions.
- I started as a squid with my GSXR750 then became an amateur road racer here in Colorado. See avatar.
- I enjoy sour patch kids.

My name is Ryan. I have been searching for the perfect early 70s CB750 for a while. I picked up this 1971 CB750 a few days ago and I am very pleased with it.

 


My plans are to ride the absolute living hell out of it while I still have a little bit of nice weather available. The bike odometer shows 51,xxx but she doesn't leak(driveway spots are from my truck), rides smooth, and feels like it hasn't lost any of it's original horsepower.

Winter build plans are as follows:
- Complete 2007 GSXR 750 front end from top triple clamp down to the dual disc brakes.
- Wheels will be '07 GSXR rims for now. I eventually would like to get 17" front/back aluminum over spoked rims but I haven't quite figured out how to make that work. I've seen a few build threads on accomplishing this but not sure if I will have the time/money to make it work this winter. I have all the spare gsxr parts as of right now that will be needed for this build.
- Rear disc brake and custom bracket for caliper mounted above the rear swingarm.
- Strip the bike down and powder coat the frame black.
- Polished engine with black head.
- New paint
- Rebuild motor to mostly stock specifications.
- Rebuild carbs if necessary.
- lots more depending on $$$ and impulse decisions.

I am also planning on riding the finished product from Colorado to California to Alaska and hopefully back. The choices I make on this build will revolve around accomplishing that goal. For example, a stock reliable engine build performed by me and keeping the stock airbox fitted to mostly stock carburetors. For around town I will have a deleted rear fender and single seat, but ill figure some sort back end for bags and a rear fender for long trips.

[70CB750]

Welcome and good luck with your project.

[Stev-o]

Welcome.  Sounds like a very ambiguous plan

[GNGSXR]

Welcome.  Sounds like a very ambiguous plan

very much so. I am pulling a lot of ides from a lot of other builds that i have been stalking. Might be too many at once but the final product will be a surprise even to me.

sooooo how do i change the oil on this bike?

[ogsmakdade]

sounds like an great build in the making.  Welcome to the site and good luck with your project.


p.s. my 71' has 41,xxx miles and still going.  sometimes I think the bikes that were ridden are better than the low mileage ones that sat idle.

[Roach Carver]

Welcome.  Sounds like a very ambiguous plan

very much so. I am pulling a lot of ides from a lot of other builds that i have been stalking. Might be too many at once but the final product will be a surprise even to me.

sooooo how do i change the oil on this bike?

You want a manual. If you are serious,? pull drain plug in the bottom of the pan, remove oil filter housing on the front of the engine, remove drain plug from tank. Dont forget a catch pan. put plugs back in and refill oil tank with your choice of lube. 3-3.5 qts I believe... I usually fill and check as I go.

[GNGSXR]

Welcome.  Sounds like a very ambiguous plan

very much so. I am pulling a lot of ides from a lot of other builds that i have been stalking. Might be too many at once but the final product will be a surprise even to me.

sooooo how do i change the oil on this bike?

You want a manual. If you are serious,? pull drain plug in the bottom of the pan, remove oil filter housing on the front of the engine, remove drain plug from tank. Dont forget a catch pan. put plugs back in and refill oil tank with your choice of lube. 3-3.5 qts I believe... I usually fill and check as I go.

Obtaining a manual was actually on my to do list today. If you can provide me a link to order, download a pdf, or anything that would be great.
I wasn't serious about the oil thing but i do appreciate the help.

[Stev-o]

.....and what is the best oil to use?

[70CB750]

Welcome.  Sounds like a very ambiguous plan

very much so. I am pulling a lot of ides from a lot of other builds that i have been stalking. Might be too many at once but the final product will be a surprise even to me.

sooooo how do i change the oil on this bike?

You want a manual. If you are serious,? pull drain plug in the bottom of the pan, remove oil filter housing on the front of the engine, remove drain plug from tank. Dont forget a catch pan. put plugs back in and refill oil tank with your choice of lube. 3-3.5 qts I believe... I usually fill and check as I go.

Obtaining a manual was actually on my to do list today. If you can provide me a link to order, download a pdf, or anything that would be great.
I wasn't serious about the oil thing but i do appreciate the help.

Manuals here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=17788.0

you can find schematics here:

http://www.cmsnl.com/

[Roach Carver]

.....and what is the best oil to use?

coconut. Women love it.

[Stev-o]

And here.......


http://www.ebay.com/itm/69-78-Honda-CB750-CB-750-K-F-Four-750K-REPAIR-MANUAL-/370891887315?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item565ae112d3&vxp=mtr

[70CB750]

.....and what is the best oil to use?

coconut. Women love it.

Nay!  Freshly squeezed baby seals make the best oil.

[GNGSXR]

My race bike uses  75% baby tears and 25% synth 0W

[seanbarney41]

you might want to double check what year your bike is...cuz if it's really a '71, it's got an awful lot of '76 parts on it.  Welcome, and good luck with your project.

[Dream750]

Welcome to the forums.

Seeing your grand national sure brings back fond memories, I had a ‘86 GN that was my daily driver for 6 years while stationed in San Diego.

[GNGSXR]

you might want to double check what year your bike is...cuz if it's really a '71, it's got an awful lot of '76 parts on it.  Welcome, and good luck with your project.

What parts? Decoding of the vin showed it as a '71.

[Retro Rocket]

You'll need to look at the engine number too, the tank and side covers are K6, later model rear guard and light as well....

[seanbarney41]

...retro's got it...plus indicators

[GNGSXR]

I am assuming the engine case has been replaced due to the VIN plate being blank.
Looks like the next thing on my to-do list is determining what year engine I have.



Engine VIN or lack thereof

[GNGSXR]

Welcome to the forums.

Seeing your grand national sure brings back fond memories, I had a ‘86 GN that was my daily driver for 6 years while stationed in San Diego.

looks very clean. why did you get rid of it?

[Dream750]

Looking back, it was a matter of personal economics. During the GN heyday, many insurance companies refused to insure or charged owners high rates due to its reputation and claims. I had a non-negotiable “performance surcharge” tacked on to my policy. Buick sent their people around to dragstrips covertly recording license plate & VIN numbers so that warranty claims could be later be denied, just like mine was. It all came to end for me when the original engine suffered a catastrophic failure at 97,000 miles requiring a complete replacement as it was not rebuildable. New turbo engines were too expensive from Buick and used engines were impossible to find. All things considered, I made the decision to let her go.  

   

[GNGSXR]

Looking back, it was a matter of personal economics. During the GN heyday, many insurance companies refused to insure or charged owners high rates due to its reputation and claims. I had a non-negotiable “performance surcharge” tacked on to my policy. Buick sent their people around to dragstrips covertly recording license plate & VIN numbers so that warranty claims could be later be denied, just like mine was. It all came to end for me when the original engine suffered a catastrophic failure at 97,000 miles requiring a complete replacement as it was not rebuildable. New turbo engines were too expensive from Buick and used engines were impossible to find. All things considered, I made the decision to let her go.  

 

That's a sad story. I had no idea about the insurance debacle on these cars back in the day.

[Dream750]

A friend of mine sent me this video a while back:

Buick Grand National Racing Video

[GNGSXR]

Is there an article or "how to" that i can't seem to find that would allow me to identify the year of my engine without a vin code?

I believe it is a '71 due to the exhaust spigots fins/posts but the shift case has a gear indicator on it which i was told means it is a 75 or later.

[K5 Keith]

Welcome from the Springs! My name is Keith and I'm on the west side of town between Manitou and OCC. I ride a '75 750k. Perhaps we can meet up and ride as time allows... If you're on Facebook look up Springs Cafe Racers. This is a group started by someone else but I soon assumed the role of administering the page. I just try to keep everyone informed about events and certainly welcome others to contribute. There are few SOHC4 Honda guys in the area so it's great that you'll be getting out there on yours!

Are you still racing? with MRA? I'm friends with Eric Peat who is a racer in that association. The PPIR races are usually the ones I like to go to but this Sunday is the 30th anniversary party in Arvada for the British Motorcycle Association of Colorado club (I don't own a British bike but was fully welcomed on my Honda, this is a very active club and really a good time). So, I may attempt to make it to both but will likely end up at the party. If your racing this weekend, Good luck!