Topic: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing

[Retro Rocket]

I am afraid Terry is right.  Putting form above function is just dumb in my book.

If putting form above function is dumb, then owning a 40 year old motorcycle is dumb.

Sorry Syscrush but that makes no sense what so ever...?  The old Honda's were built to function with the best knowledge and tech available at the time, they created history and were ground breaking , they wouldn't still be here , highly praised, recognized and sought after if they weren't....... Function at its best...

[calj737]

I think what meant was, if you praise function, then by today's standards a 40 year old bike is behind the times. Not that they aren't/weren't groundbreaking then, but technology today has passed them by.

They are, as you rightly put, still valued and cherished for what they were, and can be.

[DustyRags]

Andrew- Take Terry's suggestion to heart. I get the impression he's the sort of chap who's got all sorts of old goodies stashed away, you two might well be able to strike a deal here. Maybe something that looks similar but isn't quite so sought after on this forum (like a DOHC Nighthawk or something)* that runs but has not body panels, tank, lights, etc, and a handful of bits-n-bobs. You might both win here. And Terry might even be a co-conspirator in a steampunk build!

Anyhow- I say go for it! I hate steampunk (long story, but basically I think it's overdone and poisoned by the spray-paint-and-glue-gun crowd), but that there is a gorgeous piece you built. I know folks here love the SOHC bikes (and so do I), but there were loads of them. This is no worse than building a cafe racer or a chopper or whatever. In fact, it's basically a chopper- anyone else can easily yank the copper off it and repaint it and add a Dime City headlight, and the'd have a perfectly serviceable chopper that looks like any other bike from the 70's. Woo hoo. At least this thing will be unique, and that's something you see far too rarely!

I'm gonna follow this with interest.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I've got a garage full of CB750 parts and I'm more than happy to trade an engine (which I'll recondition for you at my expense) a good frame, wheels, and any other OEM parts you need for your build.

I'll be away from the internet for the next couple of days with work, but if you're open to my sincere offer, let me know. Hell, I'll even throw in a couple of cans of coppertone paint, so your new creation can look just like all those other "unique" Steampunk bikes out there.............

Playful sarcasm aside, that's a pretty cool offer -- reconditioned engine, frame, wheels and any other OEM parts!!  Terry's bound to have decent collection of parts.  I wish the rest of us could rummage through his garage for spares!

[Noddy78]

Sigh, so many replies made then removed. A "genuine" offer wrapped up in facetiousness and derision is not an offer I'm likely to accept now is it? Would you? I appreciate your concern, but it's not your bike, nor your place to tell anyone who should or shouldn't be "licensed" to do with their bike what they please. If you've got something constructive and positive to add, I'm all ears, otherwise don't let the door hit you on the arse on your way out.

Thanks to all the others for your warm welcomes, (particularly those that disagree with what I'm planning to do but at least can be civil about it) I'll definitely be posting like a mad man when it all starts properly just for the entrainment if nothing else!

[Noddy78]

For anyone that doesn't wish to observe, then don't.

A-bloody-men twice over.

Andrew, you'd best turn out a beauty after all the mayhem you've caused 

I'll do my best!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

For anyone that doesn't wish to observe, then don't.

A-bloody-men twice over.

Andrew, you'd best turn out a beauty after all the mayhem you've caused 

I'll do my best!

Hey,

Aren't you finished,yet?? 

[calj737]

I wish this Aussie bloke would stop inciting dissension and just build something. Even if it is a Steampunk, thing-a-ma-bob... 




Just having fun, Andrew-

[Noddy78]

Heh, don't worry, piss-taking I'm all for, it's when people are just being a d$#k I can get somewhat miffed. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Can you believe this?  This thread is well into page 2, and nothing's been done yet!!

[DustyRags]

NOTHING DONE YET! SLACKER!

Seriously, though, it doesn't matter what anyone builds in this place, there's always SOMEbody bellyaching on how it's nice but let's face it, those seats always sucked, and a nice bumstop seat and some lower bars, maybe some rearsets and a fork brace would got a long way, or how it's a really nice cafe and all, but it's such a shame cutting up a bike that's 40% original when you could just do a stock restoration on it, or yeah, you've done a great job on the chopper, but seriously, those things just don't handle for beans and you could do so much better with a front end swap and disc brake replacement, some air shocks and a custom swingarm, or or or...

Don't let it get to you. There's some fantastic info on here, a lot of really good knowledge, and a ton of opinions. Take what you can and leave the rest. Do something unique that you enjoy, and as long as you take the time to do it right (whatever it is you're doing), you'll have more approval than disapproval. And yeah- it's always the purists that start howling first. Grain of salt, amigo. Grain of salt.

[vance]

If you could get it to actually run on steam that would be quite fascinating.

[Noddy78]

I think that's when it goes from "Steampunk" to just "Steam"...

[Retro Rocket]

Heh, don't worry, piss-taking I'm all for, it's when people are just being a d$#k I can get somewhat miffed. 

Hey Noddy, Terry has a good point, there aren't many reasonably good 750/4 Honda's left in Australia and thats a fact, what he's offering is trying to save a fairly good bike so you can build exactly the same thing only using parts, Which is a far better way of doing it, thats what i'm doing with my 3 boxes of bikes {3 bikes all from odd parts} you've taken it the wrong way and got all butt hurt...Have you seen what average 750's go for here..? I wouldn't destroy that bike either. Remember, you chose to join this forum and we have all types here, no one is trying to piss you off, just doing what everyone does on a good forum and offer opinions.....

[Don R]

Hey it's your bike, just be sure to sell us the cast off parts and all is well.

[calj737]

Terry, if he doesn't take you up on it I will. I'll hunt up a 750 and swap you! I'm uncertain how much distance separates the 2 of you, but I know it's a big plane ride or boat ride from where I am...

Is the frame you have titled?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Sigh, so many replies made then removed. A "genuine" offer wrapped up in facetiousness and derision is not an offer I'm likely to accept now is it? Would you? I appreciate your concern, but it's not your bike, nor your place to tell anyone who should or shouldn't be "licensed" to do with their bike what they please. If you've got something constructive and positive to add, I'm all ears, otherwise don't let the door hit you on the arse on your way out.

Hey, all I'm trying to do is rescue a half decent CB750 that looks like it's worth saving, while providing you with what you need to build the bike of your dreams Andrew, I don't know why that's upset you so, but I know that you "Arty" folks are emotional types, so maybe that's why you're so miffed?

Anyway, while I've been away I've been thinking about what else you'll need for your build, apart from the standard antique brass plumbing fittings, leather straps and coppertone paint, etc, and I remembered you saying in your original post that you were going to teach yourself some new skills, which I presume will include welding various parts (like the hardtail kit in your picture) onto your creation?

I have in my garage, an "as new" AC/DC (nothing to do with music) TIG welder that I bought myself four years ago to weld aluminium. I think I paid around 1500 bucks for it, and I've only used it maybe four or five times. On top of my previous offer of building you a reconditioned 836cc engine and supplying you with a frame, wheels, forks etc, I'd be happy to throw in the welder as well?

What do you say Andrew, are you going to let your emotions get in the way of practicality, or will you man up and accept that you'd be an absolute wanker to knock back a deal like this? There you go mate, constructive and positive, just like you asked for, are you all ears now? Let me know. Cheers, Terry.

That sounds like a heck of a deal.

[DustyRags]

Take it, Nobby! Terry's an insufferably snarky bastard to be sure, but an invaluable resource to have in your corner. You can't lose here!

[Bankerdanny]

I've been one of the "don't cut up a clean bike" guys, and will remain one. That said, your starting point is just far enough away from original to overcome my natural tendency to advocate for restoring rather than wholesale mods.

I like the steampunk asthetic and your 350 is a very cool looking bike, so it will be fun to watch what you do. We love pictures, so post early anf often.

And Terry, Steampunk is not remotely Rat.

[754]

I wonder what the reaction would be if steampunk was an unknown term..
 And you posted a pic of the 350, and said I want to build something along those lines..
Just musing how it would go over before everyone got love/hate over the steampunk thing...

[TyMatthews]

Hey, all I'm trying to do is rescue a half decent CB750 that looks like it's worth saving, while providing you with what you need to build the bike of your dreams Andrew, I don't know why that's upset you so, but I know that you "Arty" folks are emotional types, so maybe that's why you're so miffed?

He's probably miffed because in every post you denigrate him while supposedly making a "sincere" offer.  Perhaps you are serious about your offer... but the way in which you make it is not very congenial.  If you're not serious, then you're a successful troll.

[Milkman666]

I just hope you haven't given up on this forum. I'm looking forward to see what happens here; horse-trade, steampunk or otherwise.

[754]

Terry just make him an outright offer, and he can buy another over here..
Crap, just realized. You are both (somewhat) over there..
 Noddy, take him up on the offer, 836 be fun..so would the Tig

[Retro Rocket]

Hey, all I'm trying to do is rescue a half decent CB750 that looks like it's worth saving, while providing you with what you need to build the bike of your dreams Andrew, I don't know why that's upset you so, but I know that you "Arty" folks are emotional types, so maybe that's why you're so miffed?

He's probably miffed because in every post you denigrate him while supposedly making a "sincere" offer.  Perhaps you are serious about your offer... but the way in which you make it is not very congenial.  If you're not serious, then you're a successful troll.

Great post mate, may i suggest a teaspoon of cement for that hurt butt...?

[Noddy78]

Wow, quite a stir we've caused here Terry... Ok, I've got a counter-offer for you. Make me an offer I can't refuse and I'll consider selling you the bike outright (in exactly it's current condition, as pictured). I'll even throw a can of coppertone paint in the deal for you. Oh, hang on, I don't have any cans of coppertone paint lying around here, I've never used the stuff... how about a new polyester cardigan and vinyl slippers? I'll chuck them in for you, no charge.

Offer 2: You've got an engine, a frame, forks, wheels, etc... why don't you start putting them together in to the bike you want to make? If there are any parts missing that you need for your "dreambike" I'll more than happily sell them to you if I don't need them for mine. Win/win!

So what do you reckon Terence, man-up and take a serious offer?