Topic: 1972 CB750 Steampunk(ish) Bobber Thing

[Noddy78]

Brakes time! Best make sure this thing will stop.. if it ever actually goes...

[Noddy78]

A few other bits and bobs...

[dave500]

ahh with a machine such as this I would expect to see the finest imported asbestos used for the brake material?

[Noddy78]

I was thinking maybe a bit of 2x4 bolted in the middle?

[dave500]

asbestos impregnated 2x4?like the smell in the old days when trains pulled up to the platform.

[nvr2old]

The spirit of Jules Verne inhabits your soul....love this bike.

[Noddy78]

Brake lines and indicator mounted (Not indicators... only one done so far)! Indicator mounts courtesy of me ol' Dad and his mate with a lathe. Pretty much only number plate mount, control cables, tank and electrics to go!

[calj737]

He did a lovely job turning that globe 

Clever idea on the front MC. Certainly fits the aesthetic too!

[RAFster122s]

The front MC is pretty crazy...cable operated mc controlling the MC hydraulics. That is going to be some funky feedback at the lever.

That indicator globe is quite gorgeous...spun formed or cut from copper on the lathe?

Spin formed parts are unique and I am told are not super difficult techniques to learn with just a little practice you can start turning out useable parts once you quickly get the hang of  working with the metal.  What kind of bulb are you using behind that huge magnifying lens?

David

[Syscrush]

Hard to think that this build had so much controversy at its beginning over 4 years ago! Keep at it, Noddy.

With every bit of progress, I feel more proud of being an early defender of this project.

That's gonna have to be my claim to fame, because I'll never be capable of actually doing work to this standard. Keep up the great work, Noddy.

[Noddy78]

He did a lovely job turning that globe 

That indicator globe is quite gorgeous...spun formed or cut from copper on the lathe?

I think there is some slight confusion here... the indicators themselves are old copper wine goblets (trawling back through 30 pages of #$%*-fighting to find the post): http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,136511.msg1672308.html#msg1672308  Dad's mate lathed up the mounts, not the indicators themselves.

The front MC is pretty crazy...cable operated mc controlling the MC hydraulics. That is going to be some funky feedback at the lever.

Yeah, not idea how it's all going to feel, but 80s Beemers and some Yamahas did it, so we'll just have to see.

With every bit of progress, I feel more proud of being an early defender of this project.

Heh, thanks. It was nice to have a few folks on my side...

[Bankerdanny]

The turn signal housing is amazing. I hope you plan on entering some shows when you are done because I see a lot of trophies and magazine features in this bike's future.

Do you think that the hard line running over the fender will push the caliper a bit to the left and cause the inner pad to drag?

Since the line normally runs parallel to the caliper arm and attaches to a rubber line that wouldn't be an issue, but with your setup the line will want to pull the arm out unless your bend is such that it naturally pulls the caliper to the right like the spring on the adjuster screw.

[nvr2old]

The attention to detail and the commitment to stay focused on the style of this bike along with the skills to pull it all off continues to amaze.  I, too, see this bike blowing the minds of show-goers with magazine features alike in it's future.  You have more then shown the early nay-sayers the exit doors.

[jgger]

I for one wasn't sold on this concept at the beginning, but I am truly blown away at the detail and vision it takes to do something like this. There are features that maybe don't blow my dress up (so to speak) but on the other hand I don't have the skills or vision to bring something like this together. So I will stand on the sidelines and cheer you on to the finish line because you are truly a very gifted artist who knows how to very tastefully color outside of the lines. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

My only beef is that a creation like this needs a less derogatory name, so I think we should have a contest to come up with a more fitting name for this beautiful bike. Then whoever picks the best name gets to HAVE  the bike...........what do you guys think, good idea?

[Noddy78]

I hope you plan on entering some shows when you are done because I see a lot of trophies and magazine features in this bike's future.

Thanks mate! Not sure exactly what I plan to do with the bike in future, apart from ride it. Vaguely toying with the idea of making another one to sell, but given how much work is in it I doubt it'd be profitable...

Do you think that the hard line running over the fender will push the caliper a bit to the left and cause the inner pad to drag?

Hadn't thought about it to be perfectly honest. I'll find out when I figure out how to fill it up (reverse bleed is the only thing I've come up with) and test it out...

You have more then shown the early nay-sayers the exit doors.

Heh, yeah, I haven't seen ol' Tezza about for a while...

I for one wasn't sold on this concept at the beginning, but I am truly blown away at the detail and vision it takes to do something like this...

Jolly decent of you to say sir, thank you.

My only beef is that a creation like this needs a less derogatory name...

Less decent of you to say... He already has a name (yes, he's a 'he') Douglas - named after my Gramps (likewise Isabel was named after my Nan). There are a few nods to him in the design of the bike (all the instrumentation bears his hame), but the bit I really like is in the seat. He was in the RAAF in WWII, so the buttons on the seat are original WWII RAF Kings Crown buttons (same as RAAF buttons but in brass not bakelite - the Aussies got the cheap ones!):



Does that mean I get to keep the bike?

[calj737]

He already has a name (yes, he's a 'he') Douglas - named after my Gramps (likewise Isabel was named after my Nan). There are a few nods to him in the design of the bike (all the instrumentation bears his hame), but the bit I really like is in the seat. He was in the RAAF in WWII, so the buttons on the seat are original WWII RAF Kings Crown buttons (same as RAAF buttons but in brass not bakelite - the Aussies got the cheap ones!):

Does that mean I get to keep the bike?

I'm sure your Gramps is very proud of your craftsmanship, Noddy. Possibly your Pop is too  It's a sublime touch to integrate so much meaning in a project that you've put your heart into. I hope you have that bike a long, long time to enjoy and remember him 

[jgger]

Well I was referring to the steampunkish bobber, but you put up a pretty good fight, I was unaware of the background story. So you may be able to keep it, it all depends if someone else comes up with a better name. Haha

Keep up the good work,  and I was just funnin' with you.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Those buttons are a nice touch!

[Noddy78]

and I was just funnin' with you.

Heh, All good mate, I know.

I'm sure your Gramps is very proud of your craftsmanship, Noddy. Possibly your Pop is too  It's a sublime touch to integrate so much meaning in a project that you've put your heart into. I hope you have that bike a long, long time to enjoy and remember him 

Thanks mate, he got to see Isabel, but unfortunately didn't make it to see this one. But I think he'd be pretty chuffed.

[Noddy78]

So I've been making slow progress for the last little while, just a few little bits here and there to get everything together. Getting all the control cables made up at the moment and getting Dad onto sorting out the electrics.

Also made a start on the fuel tank yesterday - a neighbour dropped off a few old tanks he'd butchered to use as battery covers for an electric bike he was making, and thought I could use them. Which threw a bit of a spanner in the works because I quite liked the shape of one of them. So I decided to try and re-butcher it into something I can use. The tank had the bottom cut out of it, and was too small anyway, so I've made a new base and am in the process of attempting to make it larger but keep the same general shape... we'll see how it goes!

[nvr2old]

I come to this site a lot..almost every day, and I always look forward to updates on this project.  Although I 'm greedy and always want more, I'm never disappointed with each and every part that goes on.  In my painter brain I see this bike in black with gold leaf highlights, or copper and cream two-tone.

[Noddy78]

Thanks mate! Funnily enough I have started playing with finishes etc. The plan was always black powdercoated frame and copper-plated tins, so I did a bit of a quick photoshop to see what I think.. and I don't know if I'm entirely sold... though I think the copper will work better once it's weathered and dulled off a bit. Hmm.. dunno...

Original Concept:


Current Mockup:

[calj737]

How about swapping the finish scheme: copper frame and cold bluing patina on the tins? Something akin to case colored tins. Copper tins becomes a bit busy and overwhelming of all the discreet pieces you've made with copper, brass and the like.

[Justin]

Are you posting build pics to Instagram or anything like that? This project is awesome mate


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[stou]

Very nice work! Awesome bike!