Howdy gents! Been quite a while since I frequented this forum, but glad to be back with you guys. Posted this on DTT already, thought this would be a more appreciative crowd for my purposes...
The Story
This month marks the 5th anniversary of the delivery of my 1978 CB750K. I loved the bike the moment I saw it, and knew I had to have it. I bought it off of eBay, for a price both I and the seller could live with, and had it shipped from Kentucky to Texas essentially sight unseen, other than the photos in the listing. It was delivered using Uship, and arrived in the back of a long panel van, stuffed in between a couple of old scooters and some other miscellany. The moment I fired it up, I knew I was in love. The SOUND, my god! It needed new control cables all around, though not immediately, and it took a throttle cable snapping a few weeks later to bring me around to replacing all of the cables. As a matter of course, I pulled and cleaned the carb bank, which I rejetted for the pod filters that the PO had slapped on. I considered changing them out to a stock unit or other, but instead did my homework on carb theory, function, and tuning, and tuned it as close to perfect as I could. The pods would stay, for the time being. They DO look pretty cool. I noticed the chain was a little rusty, and the sprockets worn, so I picked up a nice little 530 chain and sprocket set, a new rear tire which was desperately needed, and an oil and filter change. I rode it just like that for the rest of the summer, and most of the winter, when eventually a coil died on me. Always one to upgrade rather than replace, I picked up a Dyna S and some Dyna coils, new plugs and wires, and went to town. Once I had it timed, I had never seen it idle and run SOOOO smooth. Another oil change later and I was riding another season.
Now mind you, this is all while I'm still in college, on a college kid's budget, bartending for extra cash and lacking much in extra time. So when I started to notice a little bit of the "normal" CB head gasket leak, I paid it little mind and rode my beloved 750 as she was meant to be ridden.....hard. Fast forward a couple of years, graduated college, got a real job, bought a house with a garage, a couple motos have come and gone, a few girlfriends as well, and the CB remains, with really only minor changes. She's been through a few tail lights, went from a 4-2 to a 4-1, Progressive rear shocks, stainless braided brake lines all around, and tossed out the pods in favor of a breadbox from Steel Dragon. I won't say she's in the best shape of her life, but she has taken my abuse in stride and has never let me down. Yet....that pesky head gasket. It has gotten slowly and progressively worse over a few seasons of riding, to the point that I feel guilty whenever I walk out to the garage. So, last night, I put my foot down and said ....NO MORE! Something must be done! But, as I mentioned earlier, I'm not one to just replace. My bucket list for this bike began the minute I bought it. And so begins my adventure....
The Plan
Since most of my supporting items are either new, or in good shape, I am going to be focusing on engine performance, as well as some cosmetic upgrades. Wish list items are up for debate as to brand, vendor, etc., but this is the general outlook for the future of my first moto. If any of you guys have suggestions based on experience, feel free to chime in.
•836 Kit, APE, Dynoman, etc. (just pulled the trigger on the eBay 836, so I can put a little extra cash into the head)
•Web 41a or 63a
•Headwork by Mike Rieck
•HD cam chain and studs
•New seat and a toolbag to match
•Paint spokes and hubs
•Blast/paint/polish engine and covers
•Possibly paint frame and other small bits
•Rebuild front end, including steering bearings
Disclaimer: I have never done a full rebuild before and I have never done a big bore before. I have a good working knowledge from years of research and reading, but I lack hands on experience and I'm certain I will have questions.
And here's she is, as she sits today. Not a great picture, but there will be more....
