Author Topic: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing  (Read 197211 times)

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Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #900 on: May 21, 2018, 10:16:02 am »
Hard to think that this build had so much controversy at its beginning over 4 years ago! Keep at it, Noddy. 
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Noddy78

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #901 on: May 28, 2018, 08:31:53 pm »
Thanks folks, yeah, I found the controversy somewhat hard to believe as well... Still, onward and upward!


Offline dave500

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #902 on: May 29, 2018, 01:28:47 am »
hey mum can I borrow your cheese board?nice work noddy.

Offline theDQG

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #903 on: May 29, 2018, 03:41:37 am »
That's a beautiful seat base. Not going to cover that up are you?
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Offline RAFster122s

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #904 on: May 29, 2018, 04:54:45 am »
That wood seat is really going to pop when you have it coated with about a dozen coats of shellac or lacquer...the grain will come alive.
David- back in the desert SW!

Offline nvr2old

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #905 on: May 29, 2018, 08:24:52 am »

[/quote]

Is it any surprise by now, that something that started out looking like a slab of bacon, would turn into this..?   You have the ability to look into the future, Noddy, and then create what your mind sees.  It's fun to watch it all unfold.
'76 CB550F-'72 XL250-'82 MB5-'82 CX500 Turbo-'77 naked Goldwing-'75 CB400F cafe'-'79 Suzuki GS1000S..hey, it's a Wes Cooley..

Offline jgger

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #906 on: May 29, 2018, 01:21:53 pm »
I was not a member when this project started, but I remember my 1st thoughts and thought it was a bit strange. This has grown on me now. I don't know if it is the attention to detail or 5he level of craftsmanship but it is coming together very very nicely!

Keep up the good work, you are an inspiration to all of us! And thanks for sharing.
"The SOHC4 uses a computer located about 2-3 ft above the seat.  Those sometimes need additional programming." -stolen from  Two Tired

The difference between an ass kisser and brown noser is merely depth perception.  Stolen from RAFster122s

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #907 on: May 29, 2018, 01:44:53 pm »
Seems like the "Steampunk" label really pissed off a lot of people.  I can certainly understand why as that really is the original intent of anything "punk".  But all this really is, is a very high quality custom/chopper build.  There are probably many that feel similar to me..."Amazing craftsmanship and quality but the unique style is nothing that I want to have anything to do with..."  Carry on Noddy.  Just realize that intentionally delving into sub-genres that are intended to shock and offend some folks usually results in those folks being shocked and offended.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Noddy78

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #908 on: May 29, 2018, 04:34:11 pm »
hey mum can I borrow your cheese board?nice work noddy.

She wouldn't let me, so I had to make my own... stops the carrots rolling off the back though.

That's a beautiful seat base. Not going to cover that up are you?

Well, yes.. probably. This seat was actually where the whole of the idea for the bike began, I liked the idea of having some really nice pieces that are only visible if you look hard enough, dunno, something about that tickled my fancy... you'll be able to see it from the sides, back and underneath though.

Just realize that intentionally delving into sub-genres that are intended to shock and offend some folks usually results in those folks being shocked and offended.

Hmm.. whilst not wanting to start arguing on the internet again... I do take your point in that use of the word 'punk' has anti-social connotations in and of itself, but I don't think that follows to 'steampunk'. I don't think there is/was anything about the steampunk aesthetic that was in any way centred or derived in pissing other people off. In this instance I believe the word punk was used in reference to the steam aspect, i.e. the 'punking' of the steam aesthetic. I could be wrong, given I just liked the general vibe and never subscribed to any kind of ethos involved...

It was certainly never any intention of mine to build a bike that would shock and offend. Though how a motorcycle can manage to do that is beyond me (well, apart from obnoxiously loud exhausts or covering them in swastikas perhaps)! Maybe folks are a little too easily shocked and offended... perhaps...?

That wood seat is really going to pop when you have it coated with about a dozen coats of shellac or lacquer...the grain will come alive.

Yeah, hopefully I can get it as nice as the gauge backs. I still love how they flame when the light catches them just right.

Is it any surprise by now, that something that started out looking like a slab of bacon, would turn into this..?

Mmm.. bacon...

Offline tshrey

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #909 on: May 31, 2018, 10:53:53 am »
If you put a bevel on the leading edges you could just have a leather wrapped seat pad made with the same shape but smaller than the base by 1".  Then you get comfort and you can see the work underneath.

I don't know if I could bring myself to cover that up at all, it is just too awesome.

Offline 754

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #910 on: May 31, 2018, 10:08:30 pm »
Is the cover to be one piece,  or a open groove down the middle ?
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline spotty

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« Last Edit: May 31, 2018, 10:56:13 pm by spotty »
i blame Terry

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #912 on: June 01, 2018, 11:24:58 am »
At least there won't be splinters!  :o
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline Noddy78

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #913 on: June 03, 2018, 03:49:13 pm »
Is the cover to be one piece,  or a open groove down the middle ?

I was considering some kind of two-piece upholstery. Still mulling on that...

vinyl - you may see something you like here...

Hmm.. I do indeed.. not sure how much pink will work on the bike though.;) Steering away from plastic as much as possible though, and would probably end up looking more like:



Offline jgger

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #914 on: June 03, 2018, 04:03:47 pm »
^^^^^Now THAT'S funny!
"The SOHC4 uses a computer located about 2-3 ft above the seat.  Those sometimes need additional programming." -stolen from  Two Tired

The difference between an ass kisser and brown noser is merely depth perception.  Stolen from RAFster122s

Offline Noddy78

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #915 on: June 11, 2018, 04:28:22 pm »
Seat's almost there, just needs some upholstering. Might sculpt some of the timber a bit more once I get the upholstery on there, but I'll wait and see how it looks. Oh, and I'll swap out the clear tail light for a red one I think, the clear looks a bit odd to me.









Offline Noddy78

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #916 on: June 29, 2018, 12:40:11 am »
So finally got the upholstery done, in a nice Kangaroo leather... Bloody nightmare it was though... The wife and I ended up spending a good 12 hours last weekend going hard at it, but it resulted in a happy ending... ;) We did it, and re did it, and re did it, about 5 times in the end I think, trying to get everything just right, trying get the right feel for how much foam, and what density, and getting the bastard leather to work the way I wanted, but we got there in the end. So now it's varnishing the timber time and hunting down some nice buttons to finish it off.



















Offline Stev-o

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #917 on: June 29, 2018, 06:35:45 am »

The wife and I ended up spending a good 12 hours last weekend going hard at it,
but it resulted in a happy ending... ;)
We did it, and re did it, and re did it, about 5 times in the end I think, trying to get everything just right, trying get the right feel...


Are we talking about the seat??!!

'roo leather, who knew?  Looks good!
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'71 Honda 750K project.....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #918 on: June 29, 2018, 09:00:17 am »

The wife and I ended up spending a good 12 hours last weekend going hard at it,
but it resulted in a happy ending... ;)
We did it, and re did it, and re did it, about 5 times in the end I think, trying to get everything just right, trying get the right feel...


Are we talking about the seat??!!

'roo leather, who knew?  Looks good!

Yeah, Noddy -- glad you got so much practice in with the wife!  ;D

Kangaroo leather is super durable and requires less thickness compared to cowhide.  Professional race leathers (in GP and Superbike) use kangaroo leather because it has better abrasion resistance with thinner leather, resulting in lighter more flexible leathers.  But -- they are pricier than cowhide.
1975 CB550K1 "Blue" Stockish Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=135005.0)
1975 CB550F1 frame/CB650 engine hybrid "The Hot Mess" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,150220.0.html)
2008 Triumph Thruxton (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,190956.0.html)
2014 MV Agusta Brutale Dragster 800
2015 Yamaha FZ-09 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186861.0.html)

"There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a bright-red, hunch-back, warp-speed 900cc cafe racer is one of them — but I want one anyway, and on some days I actually believe I need one.... Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba." Hunter S. Thompson, Song of the Sausage Creature, Cycle World, March 1995.  (http://www.latexnet.org/~csmith/sausage.html and https://magazine.cycleworld.com/article/1995/3/1/song-of-the-sausage-creature)

Sold/Emeritus
1973 CB750K2 "Bionic Mongrel" (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132734.0) - Sold
1977 CB750K7 "Nine Lives" Restomod (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=50490.0) - Sold
2005 RVT1000RR RC51-SP2 "El Diablo" - Sold
2016+ Triumph Thruxton 1200 R (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,170198.0.html) - Sold

Offline dave500

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #919 on: June 30, 2018, 01:00:29 am »

 I hope no kangaroos were harmed in making that seat! and you better have used recycled road kill roos as they are tenderised by b doubles to the point of being softer than kidskin,"whats that skip?someone just sat on ya face?"



Offline nvr2old

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #920 on: June 30, 2018, 09:48:34 am »
Your attention to detail and to stay with a period look continues.  That seat upholstery looks like something you'd see in an old doctor's office or even a 19th century brothel.  Perfect.
'76 CB550F-'72 XL250-'82 MB5-'82 CX500 Turbo-'77 naked Goldwing-'75 CB400F cafe'-'79 Suzuki GS1000S..hey, it's a Wes Cooley..

Offline 754

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #921 on: June 30, 2018, 12:48:58 pm »
I am thinking a 3/8 or 1/2 radius on lower edge of wood wil, give it a softer smoother look.
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline Noddy78

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #922 on: July 01, 2018, 07:11:38 pm »
Yeah, Noddy -- glad you got so much practice in with the wife!  ;D

That's what I keep telling her, practice, practice, practice!

Kangaroo leather is super durable and requires less thickness compared to cowhide.

Yep, it's apparently really good toughness vs thickness, I just think the hide I got was just a bit too thick for ease of pleating (not overly known for it's furniture applications... not sure how many roo hide couches are out there!?). But I reckon if I ever bin this thing, the seat will hold up better than just about anything else... that thing is solid!

I hope no kangaroos were harmed in making that seat!

I'll be honest, I think at least one of them might have had a bit of a bad day... or is at least feeling a tad cold...

That seat upholstery looks like something you'd see in an old doctor's office or even a 19th century brothel.

Same, same...

I am thinking a 3/8 or 1/2 radius on lower edge of wood wil, give it a softer smoother look.

Yeah, I toyed around with how much to radius the edge. A few things impact it though, I didn't want it rounded off where the pivot mount attaches as it would look a bit 'floaty', and I couldn't really round it off where the brake light is as there's not enough meat in the timber, so I ended up kind of sculpting the leg inserts a bit (can't really tell from the photos) and sort of grading up to the pivot mount and the rear section. Might be able to see it better once it's varnished, but it is pretty subtle.

Offline Gurp

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #923 on: July 02, 2018, 08:05:33 am »
It just keeps getting nicer and nicer
slow Progress 74 cb550.

Poor boy chop 73 CB500 chop

Future project 77 Cb750 Amen Savior

Offline KB02

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Re: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing
« Reply #924 on: July 04, 2018, 05:07:03 am »
Recently back on the boards after a long hiatus and new to this thread. I love the steam punk theme. I was thinking of doing a Steam punk cafe for my next bike, but then I had kids, yada, yada...

LOVE that seat! Looking great.

Oh, and I'll swap out the clear tail light for a red one I think, the clear looks a bit odd to me.

I would agree with the red lens, too.
1978 CB750K Project
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