Topic: A pair of CB 750F's: '75 & '76

[The Cheesehead]

I've been following this forum for a long time but only recently joined when I got an opportunity to buy a pair of '75 CB750F's. A newer aquanitance of mine was going through a divorce and she "just needed to get her ex's bikes out of her garage".  The first one had been ridden quite a bit logging about 21,000 miles (Red) & the other only has about 16,000 miles (Orange). 

From what I gathered, Red was the real workhorse and the day to day driver. Only recently (early 2000's) did her ex buy Orange. She was not certain of the condition of either, but she seemed to think of Orange as a "parts" bike.  I bought them both for a song (as long as I can get at least one of the running).  I just got both bikes back to my house and found out that they are 1975 CB 750F's not 1976 as I was lead to believe...no big deal to me though. 

Upon my VERY INITIAL REVIEW:
Red has no battery, no chain, no front breaks nor master cylinder, the fuel supply had been disconnected and the tach had been removed...but that one was the one at was most often used of the two.

Orange has a battery (shot & won't hold a charge), no chain, the front brake caliper is locked on the front disc (not too surprised) and has a bunch of tubes that have been cut and were pulled trrough the bike and are hanging out just above the primary side of the bike. 

I have both chains (presumably they were being worked on) with the links that were removed.

I've been ridding off & on nearly all my life and I've become rather handy working on my own bikes (cams; 16" internally wired apes; trans oil; primary oil ect, etc, ect).  BUT this is quite a bit farther out of my comfort zone than I'm accustomed to.  Keep in mind, I'm not afraid of learning, making mistakes and and turning a wrench.  What I'm nervous about is waiting my time and money in a project that won't be able to go anywhere.  For what I paid for the bikes, I'm not afraid to scrap the project and part out both bikes, however, I see this ONLY as a last resort. I'll make sure to post pictures as soon as I'm able to.

So, here's where I can use a hand...where do I start?

I'd like to start with finding out if the engines are any good and go from there, but I'm not sure how to go about that.

[Bankerdanny]

Welcome.

Pictures help with questions. I know as a new member there are limits to how many you can post directly. But if you have an account with one of the hosting services like Photobucket or Flicker you can post links by copying the address of the picture from the site then using the post picture button (the mini Mona Lisa).

[Don R]

Check them to see if they rotate. Try the kicker, oil the cylinders lightly leave the plugs out and check them. Get a battery, pick the best looking bike and put it in. Check lights, starter etc. if you don't like what you see try the other one. A parts bike is like gold especially one the same year.
 Did you get titles? You don't want to spend anything on them and then have an EX show up with papers.

[The Cheesehead]

Check them to see if they rotate. Try the kicker, oil the cylinders lightly leave the plugs out and check them. Get a battery, pick the best looking bike and put it in. Check lights, starter etc. if you don't like what you see try the other one. A parts bike is like gold especially one the same year.
 Did you get titles? You don't want to spend anything on them and then have an EX show up with papers.

They both rotate. I'll have to check the fluid once it gets done snowing and slightly warmer than the balmy 11 degrees we have here today.  I'm wondering if, perhaps, I have two operating bikes of the same year...how great would that be??  There is a battery in one of the bikes...can I just hook it up to a battery tender and see if it holds a charge? I don't yet have the titles, but I do have a commitment by the prior owner to get them. I plan to start tinkering as soon as I get them in hand. Both bikes had a full oil pan of used oil in them as though they both just had their oil drained and changed.

[Stev-o]

Yes, charge the battery and pop it in. 

Both bikes had a full pan of used oil in them? Wha??

[The Cheesehead]

I'll clarify...when I picked them up, they had a pan under them that was full of used oil.

[The Cheesehead]

Upon further review...I can't actually get Red to kick over.  The kicker won't even move.  I would have sworn that it did turn over when I got it... But nothing now. I'm beginning to believe that Red was meant to be the donor bike rather than the other way around. Strange though because when I bought it I was told the opposite. Stranger things have happened.

I'm going to assume that Red was planned to be the donor bike to Orange.  I'm assuming that red is seized up because the kicker won't turn the engine over.  Other observations on Red...no battery, the seat bolts holding the seat pan to the bike, no front break - specifically the master cylinder and 1/2 the front caliper, no tach, but it does have a full front fairing...God is that thing ugly!!

[The Cheesehead]

Update on the "Agent Orange" project...

I've been doing quite a bit of reaserch on a few things.  My 13 year old son is chomping at the bit to get this thing underway, but with my apparent lack of "real" mechanical know-how I'm a bit apprehensive at times of just diving in. I'd like to have a bit more understanding of the mechanism before I tare into it.

Updates:

1) Big Red is actually a 1976 Honda CB750F, but they are still an exact matching pair...had to do a bit of frame and engine VIN research.

2) The original owner has located the title for Red and is going to get the title for agent orange today.  So the day to begin ripping into it is imminent!

3) A couple of things I've decided on: first I bought the "my Honda CB750 book" from the Hondaman - thanks Mark...looking forward to getting this and digging in.  This looks to be an invaluable tool to many that have bought it. 

4) Seems simple but I've been going reaserch on the front brake and am now confident that I cam remove it.  But here's a question, how have others don this?  Meaning if you're going to pull off the break, should I take the time to do a full resteration or just give it a good old fashion cleaning?

If it gets many warmer than -3 degrees (-22 windchill) today, I'll try to get some pictures taken and posted.

- The Cheese

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Update on the "Agent Orange" project...

I've been doing quite a bit of reaserch on a few things.  My 13 year old son is chomping at the bit to get this thing underway, but with my apparent lack of "real" mechanical know-how I'm a bit apprehensive at times of just diving in. I'd like to have a bit more understanding of the mechanism before I tare into it.

Updates:

1) Big Red is actually a 1976 Honda CB750F, but they are still an exact matching pair...had to do a bit of frame and engine VIN research.

2) The original owner has located the title for Red and is going to get the title for agent orange today.  So the day to begin ripping into it is imminent!

3) A couple of things I've decided on: first I bought the "my Honda CB750 book" from the Hondaman - thanks Mark...looking forward to getting this and digging in.  This looks to be an invaluable tool to many that have bought it. 

4) Seems simple but I've been going reaserch on the front brake and am now confident that I cam remove it.  But here's a question, how have others don this?  Meaning if you're going to pull off the break, should I take the time to do a full resteration or just give it a good old fashion cleaning?

If it gets many warmer than -3 degrees (-22 windchill) today, I'll try to get some pictures taken and posted.

- The Cheese

As far as the brake caliper goes, a restoration isn't necessary unless you are restoring the bike as a whole, but I would recommend rebuilding it and installing braided stainless steel lines.

[The Cheesehead]

As far as the brake caliper goes, a restoration isn't necessary unless you are restoring the bike as a whole, but I would recommend rebuilding it and installing braided stainless steel lines.
[/quote]

Good point on the caliper...a rebuild may be best.  I've heard good things about those braided lines.  That'll be a must do.

[Stev-o]

Caliper rebuild is pretty simple as long as not rusted badly. If piston is good, just a new seal is need along with a good cleaning. 

[754]

Dont wory too much about stuck engine if it had turned over in recent years, it will probably free up easily..

[The Cheesehead]

Here are some pictures of Agent Orange the day it was picked up...

The Last picture sows the wired/tubes coming from the Carb...I think.

[The Cheesehead]

Here's 'Big Red' the day I picked it up...

[dhall57]

Great find Cheese and welcome to the forum. You'll find plenty of help here. With a little work and some TLC your going to have some nice everyday riders. I love the ape hanger style bars and the back rest on agent orange. Things owners did to their bikes back in the 70's. Looked at a 79 limited edition dohc CB 750 a few weeks ago and it had the same type of back rest. Must of been popular back in the day. Can't figure out why though

Does your friends ex know his bike were getting sold off. It's hard to believe he didn't want these Honda's. Like the saying goes: *Hell hath no fury like a women scorned* . Have a feeling Mr. ex  doesn't know a thing about this. Good luck with all this Cheese!!

Just saw at the start of this thread your saying don't have titles yet but have the ok to get bikes. Hope everything goes smooth.

[The Cheesehead]

Great find Cheese and welcome to the forum. You'll find plenty of help here. With a little work and some TLC your going to have some nice everyday riders. I love the ape hanger style bars and the back rest on agent orange. Things owners did to their bikes back in the 70's. Looked at a 79 limited edition dohc CB 750 a few weeks ago and it had the same type of back rest. Must of been popular back in the day. Can't figure out why though

Does your friends ex know his bike were getting sold off. It's hard to believe he didn't want these Honda's. Like the saying goes: *Hell hath no fury like a women scorned* . Have a feeling Mr. ex  doesn't know a thing about this. Good luck with all this Cheese!!

Just saw at the start of this thread your saying don't have titles yet but have the ok to get bikes. Hope everything goes smooth.

He does know. Both titles were in his name and she has gotten signatures for both from him.  I think it's more a case of out of sight, out of mind.  As I understand it, he moved out to the left coast, bought a Harley and never looked back.  She's actually getting me his contact information for any questions I might have.

I think Karma is on my side on this one...well, at least I hope so!!!

[754]

The overflow tubes are hanging out, they may have got pulled out of the bracket behind motor, when carbs were pulled.
 Better way is to undo them off the bowls, lay them down...then pull carbs.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Welcome to our world. Both bikes look 'mostly' stock and not abused. They look to be in decent shape. Nothing that can't be taken care of. Some parts can be difficult to locate though but not impossible. Looks like you have some serious scrubbing and polishing ahead though. Pick one only and start on that. The second one will be much easier. Neither one would I consider a parts bike, but perhaps a donor that should be made road worthy also at a later date. 

If I can be of assistance shoot me a PM as I'd likely see that before the topic. I do a pretty good job of the 75/76 F. I bought mine new and I'm still mproving it. Pretty much know them inside and out.

[ofreen]

Pick one only and start on that.

Excellent advice.  I'd clean both of them up, but tear into them one at a time (starting with the best one) so it doesn't get overwhelming.

[The Cheesehead]

Welcome to our world. Both bikes look 'mostly' stock and not abused. They look to be in decent shape. Nothing that can't be taken care of. Some parts can be difficult to locate though but not impossible. Looks like you have some serious scrubbing and polishing ahead though. Pick one only and start on that. The second one will be much easier. Neither one would I consider a parts bike, but perhaps a donor that should be made road worthy also at a later date. 

If I can be of assistance shoot me a PM as I'd likely see that before the topic. I do a pretty good job of the 75/76 F. I bought mine new and I'm still mproving it. Pretty much know them inside and out.

Thanks for the offer and interest is the project(s)!

I'll make a point of reaching out to you if I need a phone-a-friend with these projects. I figure that I'd clean both of them then start with the (perceived) easier of the two.  Time may tell as to which one that really will be, but I'd like to go nearly 100% stock with that one. Then cafe the other IF I an get the motor running first. 

[The Cheesehead]

The overflow tubes are hanging out, they may have got pulled out of the bracket behind motor, when carbs were pulled.
 Better way is to undo them off the bowls, lay them down...then pull carbs.

What do they typically connect to, if anything?

I still don't have 'My Honda CB 750 book' so I'm forced to ask these simple and rudimentary questions...sorry.

[Don R]

The overflow tubes go from the bottom of the carb bowls to the atmosphere in front of the swingarm. There are also vent tubes coming from between the carbs, on yours I think only two. They end up around the air box, quite often they are left off.

[Don R]

Don't forget to look at the manuals at the top of the sohc4 section. I print them a section at a time. someday I'll have the entire book.

[The Cheesehead]

Don't forget to look at the manuals at the top of the sohc4 section. I print them a section at a time. someday I'll have the entire book.

Funny you should say that...my buddy just bought me a late Christmas present...1969-1978 maintainance,troubleshooting and repair manual!!  That with the 'my CB750 book' my son and I should be all set for this project.

[The Cheesehead]

The overflow tubes go from the bottom of the carb bowls to the atmosphere in front of the swingarm. There are also vent tubes coming from between the carbs, on yours I think only two. They end up around the air box, quite often they are left off.

Thanks Don! It's going to be a bit chilly around here in the next few days (-40 to -45 degrees this weekend) so eventually I'll have more questions for all of you experts out there...I'm getting a bit restless now.