Topic: 1977 CB750k restore project

[dgilling]

well the bad luck is increasing as we get so close to the finish line.  I finally got my seat in from Vietnam (motorcycleseatsdirect.com) and he sent the wrong color.     I made a special request for black and it came in brown.  in his defense he was very responsive and is sending a new one right away but it still has to come from overseas.  I placed my first order on April 7th and got it yesterday.  The quality looks good but the time frame is rough. 

I'm hesitant to take the nice new leather and poke a bunch of holes in it but I guess the stock was done that way.  I think I might need to put some 3m spray glue down too but he said I shouldn't have too.  At least I have one to practice with unless someone wants a brown cover on the cheap?? 

I also got my ikon shocks in yesterday, and both of the lower shock bolt threads are stripped!! My stock bolt is in great shape (M10, 1.25) and won't thread at all.  Instructions say to use the stock bolt.  I tried other bolts with different thread patterns and none seem to work.  I didn't force anything but looks like if I want to use my stock bolts I'll have to re-tap them myself.  Really disappointed in IKON.  I thought they would have been higher quality than that, that's why I went with them. 

[dgilling]

I finally got out to my dad's house to do some welding on the rear fender.  I pretty much destroyed the top part trying to remove it from the fender so we just welded two tabs on there.  This made more sense for me too since my dad lives 6hrs away from the motorcycle.  This gives me room to not be exact and I can fix it when I get home. 



I got the original side plates off in pretty good shape and welded those on the chopped fender.



I chopped the front fender.  things came out pretty good. 



sanded and bondo for the fenders, now I can paint when I get home.



This is what the fender will look like mounted.  We also made little brackets to hold the turn signals.  Ignore the brown seat cover... I ordered black but it came brown and I'm waiting for the black to show up.







Front fender should look pretty good.  I wish I would have cut it even on both sides but oh well.



I got my Ikon shocks in and I have to say i'm a little disappointed.  Both mounting holes were stripped.  Dave from Ikon mailed me a correct tap and I got them mounted but I thought I was buying a super quality shock... didn't really expect to have to tap things to make them work.  shock also had some rust and chipped chrome.  Overall, I'm sure I'll be super happy with the shock but I was disappointed in that. 



the springs are really the only thing on the bike that is gloss black.  I wanted the chrome but didn't want to spend the extra coin. 




I got my new chain  in after cutting the last one too short.  I bought a 106 diamond chain.  the shorter chain is absolutely too short.  the 106 is absolutely too long.  so does that mean I can only run a 104 length?  seems like you should be able to run at least two sizes.



slack with 106 chain.  swing arm is bottomed out all the way back. 





This is with the 102 chain.  It was so hard to get on and had about 1/2 of slack. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'm surprised on the quality control issues on the IKONS.  I've had mine for about 5-6 years and they've held up well.  They should be better.

[dgilling]

I replaced my petcock last night.  the gasket was almost completely corroded away.  Overall I say the filter looked pretty good for being close to 40 years old.  There was some particles caught in the filter and it was really hard to get out because it had hardened and got stuck.  I cut the bottom with a razor and pried it out piece by piece.  New one sealed up fine with no issues. 

I started the bike for a good length of time as well.  seems to idle and run great.  No leaks showing at carbs either. 

Got the new chain installed.  I'm a little concerned that the chain doesn't track straight.  It seems to want to shift off the sprockets but I feel like the wheel is straight.  How do I make sure the chain is tracking straight and what is my tolerance for this?   

This weekend gotta get the fenders primered and painted.  then I can install them add brake fluid and basically call it done till I get my other seat cover in. 

 

[AintNoEasyWay]

Looks like things are really beginning to come together.

[dgilling]

Looks like things are really beginning to come together.

Home stretch now. Bleed the front brake last night.  All that's real left is fender paint and install.

[dgilling]

Getting super close.  Here's a sneak peak.  obviously still waiting on the black seat cover.  I got the fenders painted last night and will install them with the rear turn signals and the tail light.  After that it's pretty much done.  I'm still dealing with some chain alignment issues, and I need to do a once over on all the bolts to check the torque specs,  grease the zerts on the swing arm, and sync the carbs.  Hondaman said to wait though till after brake in to sync. 

[AintNoEasyWay]

Sweet. Definitely excited to see it with the fenders to give it that finished look. Congrats.

[dgilling]

The fenders really make the seat look better.  I was kind of bummed on the seat appearance but after I put the rear fender on it looked much more even.  I still think that if I was to do it over I would have chopped the frame and ran a smaller flatter seat. 

When I get the black seat cover in I'll take it out and get some really nice pictures. 

[dgilling]

I installed the painted fenders.  forgot pics of the front though.  The front looked off-centered.  I couldn't tell if it was the wheel or the fender but I'm assuming the fender.  I couldn't find the normal rubber grommet and collar hardware so I'm assuming that's what is pulling the fender to the non drive side.  I just installed it with normal bolts and larger washers.

Here's the rear fender.  I used the stock mounting holes for the tail light, they just happen to line up. 



the Hot Rod black is a really hard color to shoot the same color at different times.  Things came out a really good match to the tank. 



I can't wait to get the black seat in and wrap the cover tighter.  I'm not a super fan of the seat look casue the pan is so big and hangs over everything.  I wish it was closer to the same width as the frame.  Things are basically done at this point though.  I'll mess with the chain alignment some but will probably take it for her first spin today if it quits raining. 

[AintNoEasyWay]

Nice. Think you'll eventually change the seat after you spend some time riding?

[dgilling]

Nice. Think you'll eventually change the seat after you spend some time riding?

Probably not.  I might if I could bolt on a different seat pan to the original mounts.  But I'll probably just ride it like that for a long time.  Overall, the seat is comfortable, fits a passenger (which doesn't happen much), and will probably look slightly better with the black. 

More ride, less wrench.  The overall goal of the rebuild was "just better".  I think I achieved that and I'll just ride it now.  It isn't, and doesn't have to be perfect.

[dgilling]

well I tried to ride it last night.  didn't event get out of the garage.  Rear tire is flat.  I had a new tube put in when I got the tires mounted and I'm pretty sure they pinched the tube putting it on.  They must have never checked it and I didn't check it till now.    so sad.  it was ready to ride. 

[dgilling]

I got the tire fixed and have ridden the bike around the block now.  Man, does it feel different.  The suspension feels crazy stiff compared to the old bike.  I might need to play with the shocks some but maybe they're suppose to feel that way.  Brakes are insanely better.  And the bike feels like it has more punch in the low end, probably due to the higher compression.  Headlight is way brighter too.

I noticed a few bad things.  the right front blinker hits the tank when turned all the way (but left doesn't) i'm going to try and move it up or down to hopefully prevent this.  The Center stand brace was loose and moved.  this caused the center stand to clink around and make some noise.  I just moved it back by hand and need to tighten it up. 

I need to do some adjustments on the clutch and controls but overall things felt pretty good.  I'll probably ride over to hondamans house soon and get him to look things over. 

Still waiting on my replacement seat cover.  Final pictures will come after that. 

[dgilling]

Is anyone interested in any of my spare parts on the super cheap? Basically cover shipping and donate what you choose.

Some items I have are tail light, signals, headlight, ears, seat bar that holds rear signals, shocks, beat up gauges, pitted fork tubes, and other small randoms. Look through my build for details.

Flybox, calj, Eydugstr And Hondaman get first dibs for all their help. 

[Desert-SOHC]

I'll take the taillight, headlight, and all the signals and brackets for them.

[AintNoEasyWay]

Did you ever get the black seat in? Would be great to see the final look when you get some time.

[dgilling]

Did you ever get the black seat in? Would be great to see the final look when you get some time.

Still no sign of the seat 

I sure wish it would come in .  I was out on vacation all last week and expected it to be here by the time I got back. 

[dgilling]

There she be in all her glory.  So satisfied.  I still need to redo the seat cover because the original tabs didn't hold this one on very well but it's good enough for a picture.  I have 32 miles on her and everything seems to run good. 

The overall goal was "just better"  I think I achieved that. I really wish I had more detailed before photos.   Not a Café, not a Brat, just a motorcycle....my CB750.  Mostly stock with some cosmetic upgrades.  All the work was done by me, except the Top End rebuild by Hondaman and he did the custom swing arm bushings.  Everything feels like a modern bike now. 

Before:

After:

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

VERY MUCH improved wrap on the seat. No more loose fold over corners!  NICE!!!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/124262793@N02/19509406320/in/photostream/

[AintNoEasyWay]

Awesome upgrade, man. I love it. Congrats & have fun!!

[enwri]

Hi there, I just a had a read of your bike while we're waiting for AintNoEasy to get his running, and noticed you said something about the chain not lining up.
77s have the wide sprocket carrier that offsets it outwards 10mm.
I've put up a photo of the 77 and earlier carriers, and what I have on my 77.
It's either me or you that have the wrong one on, but they look different on mine.

Wider carrier, smaller spacer on outside, longer greasy spacer inside, sprocket closer to swingarm.

Also the  pressed metal chain catcher ring on the outside seems extra important now because there's not enough room for the chain (at least for the 630) in between the sprocket, the sprocket studs and the swingarm if the chain ever comes off, instant lockup. I've had a wheel lockup on a bike,(but not from this,) and am lucky to be alive. I'll leave mine on.

[70CB750]

Great looking bike, nice work!

There she be in all her glory.  So satisfied.  I still need to redo the seat cover because the original tabs didn't hold this one on very well but it's good enough for a picture.  I have 32 miles on her and everything seems to run good. 

The overall goal was "just better"  I think I achieved that. I really wish I had more detailed before photos.   Not a Café, not a Brat, just a motorcycle....my CB750.  Mostly stock with some cosmetic upgrades.  All the work was done by me, except the Top End rebuild by Hondaman and he did the custom swing arm bushings.  Everything feels like a modern bike now. 

Before:

After:

[Restoration Fan]

Really nice work on the bike.  I love the look.

[dgilling]

Hi there, I just a had a read of your bike while we're waiting for AintNoEasy to get his running, and noticed you said something about the chain not lining up.
77s have the wide sprocket carrier that offsets it outwards 10mm.
I've put up a photo of the 77 and earlier carriers, and what I have on my 77.
It's either me or you that have the wrong one on, but they look different on mine.

Wider carrier, smaller spacer on outside, longer greasy spacer inside, sprocket closer to swingarm.

Also the  pressed metal chain catcher ring on the outside seems extra important now because there's not enough room for the chain (at least for the 630) in between the sprocket, the sprocket studs and the swingarm if the chain ever comes off, instant lockup. I've had a wheel lockup on a bike,(but not from this,) and am lucky to be alive. I'll leave mine on.

I converted to a 520 chain so it might look different.