Topic: 1973 CB750 Custom Build on Hack A Week

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

My wife got mad at me for watching that intro with our 18-month-old. HAHA

Yeah, like an 18 month old would retain the single utterance of "bull$hit."  I would call BS. 

Well, maybe not 18 months but a funny story happened with my oldest when he was 2.

We used to send him to a daycare where they closed it down for the week of July 4th so that all employees could have the week off at the same time.  My wife & I had arranged to take off @ opposite ends of the week so that one of us could be home with him during this week.

I got a call from my office one day that they needed me to come in the next day and interview someone for an internal move from one group to another.  I told my boss (who was also a good friend) that I had to be home with my son and he said, "Oh don't worry, just bring him in.  It's an internal interview."

Well, the interview happened and I'm writing up a detailed memo to email back to my boss and had been typing for almost 30 minutes while Austin played & doodled on my white board in my office.  Just as I'm about to send it, but before I saved the document, he flipped the switch on my UPS and turned off power to the device, which was NOT a laptop.  All my stuff was lost and before I could think, I swore "Dammit!" very loudly.  He goes around the office saying, "Dammit, dammit, dammit" over & over for about 2 minutes.  I didn't correct him because I was hoping that he'd forget about it; whereas, if I said something, it was almost sure to imprint it on his brain.

He doesn't say it anymore and about 2 weeks later, I'm working on repairing a fence and the hammer slips off the nail and strikes me on the other hand.  I only grunted in pain and didn't swear (was hard, but I did it).  Austin, who's standing behind me, says "Dammit!".

I looked up in surprise but also a bit of perverse pride, I have to admit.  Not only did he remember it, he knew what context to use it!

Moral of the story:  be careful what you say;  little ears DO hear and remember.

Pretty funny, Ron.  I could see that sort of imitation happening at 2 yrs, but my point was that it was VERY unlikely at 18 months.

[evanphi]

My wife got mad at me for watching that intro with our 18-month-old. HAHA

Yeah, like an 18 month old would retain the single utterance of "bull$hit."  I would call BS. 

Great video, Dino!

I've been having to watch it around her... On of my first curse words was #$%* at around the same age. We used to get quad bikes riding across our front lawn and dad would mutter it under his breath. Haha.

[Dino]

HAHAHAHAHAHA

That is a great story!

I tend to not care about cuss words. As long as my kids use them only at home, I honestly don't care. Personal preference. Our older girl is WAY too nice to ever use them, and the little one isn't even 2 yet. She does say "sh!t" somewhat often, though...  So I'm not real worried about it.

Dean- I know you've got a LOT of vehicle repair and maintenance experience. By no means am I trying to say I know better than you or anything. I've been thinking about that since I posted. But, if you really do look up any information on standard Pennzoil...it's crap by comparison to nearly any other conventional oil, as evidenced by industry standard tests and Oil Analysis. My guess is that you're not going to use that when you run it anyway. I wasn't trying to make a big stink! :-)

My cat doesn't seem to take any interest in my garage. Too stinky in there for her I guess. lol

Meh, no worries. I'll probably run Castrol when the time comes to fire it up and hit the road for a test drive. That's my usual go to oil. Synthetic I like Mobil 1. I use that in my BMW K1200RS and in the 85 Sabre.

[edwardmorris]

Dean, looks like people are using your webseries to sell basket case 750s 

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mcy/4939884405.html

I have a basketcase basket case Honda for sale. It's been sitting 8 years.
Turned over when parked.
I took carbs off to clean, way back when...and never finished putting back.
Tank has a dent. Rims, chain, etc have rust or pitting.
Electronic ignition on bike.

Will have more info in the next couple days...just wanted to get the initial post going.

Clear title.

I'll clean it up and snap some pics in the next couple days and post them.

There is a guy on youtube...hackaweek...who is restoring this exact model. He has over twenty-one youtube video episodes of in depth restoration....very cool. Google it.

DUE TO SNOW PICS AND INFO HAVE BEEN DELAYED.
WILL POST PICS THIS WEEKEND SUNDAY 3/29.
Please, Don't text me for pics. Thanks.

[Dino]

Interesting... hope it works to help sell the bike! 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Interesting... hope it works to help sell the bike! 

Maybe you'll get a royalty! 

[mkoski]

Dino,

Just wanted to say I really enjoy your videos. You are doing heck of a job with that engine, way more precision and patience than I could ever afford. So many times in your videos you go back and rework a large portion for something so minor, its awesome to see that level of detail.

[Moosey]

hey Dino, just saw that you are on this forum. Ive been following your 750 build on youtube and have really learned quite abit. Im new at building bikes and am working on a 71 cb500. BTW, I share your wife's first name, Lol.

[Dino]

Finished up the rear wheel this week.

[70CB750]

I just watched your transmission shifter assembly video, excellent work, sir!

Thank you.

[edwardmorris]

I did mine last night too following the vid, just a couple things I noticed.

Item number three that goes one in the vid isn't an 8mm bolt, so you definitely don't want to push the torque on that.


At the very end of all the things that go on that same bolt, there is a flat washer right before the spring washer and the final nut.

Scratch that, its there in the vid my bad.

[wowbagger]

My only contribution to the rear wheel video is check the alignment mark on the rear brake cam. There is a small dot that should match to the rear brake lever. When assembling the brakes, it's possible to put the cam in 180 out so the alignment mark is off.

Also, I find it easier to install the brake shoes by stacking them on top of each other, installing the springs while there's no tension and then folding the shoes down into place on the cam and pegs. Your method works just as well, though.

I'm really enjoying the videos. Thanks for all the hard work you put into them.

[evanphi]

I was off work sick yesterday... watched all the CB750 videos! I kind of want a basket case myself. Just to build it up!

[flyboy245]

Dino,
     I would like to send you a wholehearted thank you for all the help you have been to me. Long before I was on the forum, I watched your videos to figure out what the hell I should be doing to get my bike up in working order. When I joined here, I had no clue you were a member as well!
     I suppose this would make a bit more sense if I explained my situation. I am 15 years old, a sophomore in high school, and I bought my first motorcycle, a 1976 CB750F, for $500. Keep in mind that I bought this bike under the full realization that I wouldn't be able to ride it for some time, but I had dreamed of having a cool old motorcycle ever since I was little. It's dirty, battered, has 32k on it (or at least on the gauge), and most of the chrome has returned to its base elements, but I love it almost more than life itself.
     I bought it on Valentines Day this year, after it had not run in a year or so, and had spent that time in a wierdo college kid's garage (can I call him a kid if he's older than me?). It had seen better days, and I made it my personal mission to get it back in perfect running order, despite the fact that the only other motorcycle I had ever worked on was an 80cc dirt bike. I wasn't too keen on making it a showbike, as I generally prefer function over form, but WORKING was a necessity.
     About this time was when you came in. I happened to stumble across one of your videos while surfing YouTube and was immediately entranced. I think I spent a solid 2 days watching and rewatching every video. From them, I learned more about my bike than I would ever want to know, and with your help, I now have a motorcycle that runs like a dream!
      Again, I would like to thank you very much for all your help in making my first motorcycle project a wonderful success in my mind.

Your friend,
John

[Dino]

John, you're welcome! Glad my videos helped. That's why I post them up.

I started out riding small dirt bikes and I found it makes you a better street rider. Be sure to take a motorcycle safety course then make your mission to ride and not get whacked by someone not paying attention. Every time I get out on a motorcycle I think "ALL the other vehicles out there are out to kill me. My job is to not let that happen and arrive at my destination safe and in one piece".

By the way, you express yourself far better that the average 15 year olds I get messages from. Good for you for realizing the value of good communication skills. That alone will get you far in life.

[flyboy245]

Dino,
     I plan on taking a safety course soon and getting my license in June or July. Then, I'm going to ride until my butt bleeds and keep going! All in a very cautious fashion, of course. I'm not sure if it is the same in other states, but here in Illinois, you have to be 18 to ride anything over 200cc or something silly like that. HOWEVER, if you take an "approved" safety course as well as a written test, the age can be bumped down to 16, which I will undoubtedly do. Because, you know, I've only got almost quadruple the cc's allowed, which may be an issue.
     I also appreciate your comment about my "communication skills". I always try to speak politely and... I suppose "fluently" isn't the best word, but you get what I'm trying to say. Speaking (or writing) well is a virtue that I think has lost meaning to many kids these days, but there are still some that appreciate it, me included. And you are definitely right, it is a useful, and desirable skill to have.

Thanks!
John

[Dino]

It's amazing what you can do with some lumber and a little innovation... and a wife that helps out in the shop.

[Justin]

It's amazing what you can do with some lumber and a little innovation... and a wife that helps out in the shop.

It caught right on that flange at the engine mount, HondaMan recommends you grind that thing off

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Yeah, Dino, it is highly advisable to grind the lip off that lower mount so it doesn't catch the engine on re-install.

[Dino]

Carburetors are together.

[koendd]

just wanted to say thank you for your effort in doing all this! 

just finished my 750F2 top end rebuild and watch a lot of your movies, really helpful!

[knottedknickers]

Cylinder head install.

I've enjoyed learning from your videos. Making learning fun is a real talent, and I'd say you've got it. ;-)

Just a question about 'cylinder head install': no sealant on the cylinder head gasket... (4:50-7:00)? Just curious, as you've been using Permatex Aviation (#3?) pretty much everywhere else. I'm at this step on my bike and have been looking for advice. brandEn's leak free top end thread uses "a VERY THIN layer of gasgacinch around some of the oil holes and cam chain tunnel". HondaMan adds sealant (Permatex #2; see here) "around the oil drain passages, even around the oil feed passages," and "around the whole cam chain tunnel. Honda did: I'm sure it was important!" I trust your judgement; that's why I'm asking.

[evanphi]

I did not use any sealant on my new gasket, personally. No leaks... Use a quality gasket and follow the tightening procedure in brandEn's thread: Torque in sequence, leave for 24 hours, loosen in sequence 1/2 turn, re-tighten.

[knottedknickers]

I did not use any sealant on my new gasket, personally. No leaks... Use a quality gasket and follow the tightening procedure in brandEn's thread: Torque in sequence, leave for 24 hours, loosen in sequence 1/2 turn, re-tighten.

Thanks. It's always good to hear, "No leaks..." (though does the ellipsis mean, '... yet'?) I have the CycleX Conventional gasket. It feels quality. ;-)

[koendd]

finished rebuilding my engine last week, no sealer used on the new original head gasket.

no leaks after 1200km (in one week, that's right )

but use HD studs!

only used a bit of hylomar on the base gasket