Topic: 1975 CB750 Build! "Kona" - Sold and gone.

[Ravie]

I thought maybe I should start a new thread for this but thought I'd post it in my thread:

I am a big fan of the Comstars and I wish that I could get a set for this build. I had read about maybe having to use different forks and things...I just wanted a bit more info on that if someone might lend me some thoughts on it.. If it's a whole bunch of trouble then I understand maybe it won't be for me but...

To be honest, I'm actually terrified at the idea of lacing my spoked rims (which are going to need new spokes) and yet I don't want to pay someone else to do it either..

DEAAAAN.  Dean will probably never read this thread but man...I just spent the last two days doing nothing but watching his V45 Sabre build. I envy his resourcefulness (and his shop) That bike turned out so amazing.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

There are some issues in using Comstars on a K bike like yours.  First, the comstars were produced for F bikes, so the rear disc will either need to be converted to drum, or you will need to replace the existing K brake linkage and adapt it to disc.  Second, you will likely need to swap the entire front end or at least the forks and brakes if you go with a F2/F3 Comstar front.  The Comstars are fitted with different DUAL rotors with different spacing from the single left side disk of your K5 bike.  The brake calipers mount behind the fork and use different mounting hardware than the K models.  Going with this dual set up will improve your braking performance somewhat.

[Ravie]

So essentially if I could get a complete rear brake and wheel and a complete front end I could do it. Hmm. Seems like a lot of extra buying for a guy with limited means. Maybe someday. Thanks for the info.

[Operator]

Here is what we did with my 73 750K with the Comstars and braking system from a 77 750F

-Replaced the fork lowers to keep the front brake mounts.
-added a tab to hold the rear brake reservoir.
-luckily the frames are pretty much the same, so the piece that houses the rear brake master cylinder and the rear footpeg bolted right on. (the circled silver piece in the picture, sorry don't know the proper name)

I've ridden 750's with the original brake system but I really do prefer this setup...not only can I go really well...I can also stop in a much more reasonable time and space.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

So essentially if I could get a complete rear brake and wheel and a complete front end I could do it. Hmm. Seems like a lot of extra buying for a guy with limited means. Maybe someday. Thanks for the info.

Priorities!  If the aesthetic of Comstars is your goal, it will require some doing.  If you want to improve brake and handling performance (and don't mind spoked wheels), I would recommend doing a 75-77 GL1000 front end swap (forks, triples, complete brakes, rotors, axle, speedo drive etc.)  You will end up with 37mm forks (up from 35mm) providing a better handling front, MUCH better brakes over stock (larger pistons, lighter discs, turnkey dual disc system).

[Ravie]

Yeah, better braking is the issue, but also...I have no idea how to lace and true wheels and my rear rim especially really needs a new set of spokes. Also, my front fork tubes are done for. Cursory search online shows around 160 for a new set of fork tubes? I like the Comstars out of my love for simplicity. No truing, better brake setup.

We shall see. Life is absolutely upside down and crazy right now. I'm not buying anything anytime soon. Months.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Yeah, better braking is the issue, but also...I have no idea how to lace and true wheels and my rear rim especially really needs a new set of spokes. Also, my front fork tubes are done for. Cursory search online shows around 160 for a new set of fork tubes? I like the Comstars out of my love for simplicity. No truing, better brake setup.

We shall see. Life is absolutely upside down and crazy right now. I'm not buying anything anytime soon. Months.

Looks like a F2 or F3 front is in your future some day. Comstars and better brakes (not as good as the GL) but better than what you have.

[Ravie]

Looked closer at my fork tubes today. The part that hits the seal isn't rusty...just the tops where the headlight mounts went. So I wire wheeled them and sanded them and hit the tops with some spray bomb black. The bottom part will work just fine. And that's how a poor guy builds a bike. No less safe, just less "pretty" and I'm not going for pretty. I'm going for beasty. Haha




Sent from my personal electronic device using a program application

[Ravie]

Every time I go out to the garage it brings me back down to earth a little. Just an update on my headspace for those of you who care.

As much as I would love to do a Gl1000 front end and dual discs and all of that, I have to remember that at this point, I'm still without a job and behind on everything. (I'm trying really hard, trust me!). So with that in mind:

I'm going to use the stock wheels. I'm still going back and forth on using the 16" harley rim or the stock 18" rim. I have two complete wheels. I really like the look of the 16 versus the skinny little tire that would end up on the 18, but from what I've seen and read, the tires selection just isn't as good. Fortunately I'm nowhere near purchasing tires, so that decision is still down the road.

I need to visit my local metal guy but I'm looking at doing my own frame "kit" mod for installing/removing the engine. The OD of the frame is exactly 1" and I'm sure I can get some good tube steel locally and make sleeves. Should cost me less than 25 dollars and be plenty strong. Some of the other popular frame kits look awesome but are priced way too high for my wallet and over-engineered in my opinion. Nothing wrong with that, I just like to keep it simple when possible.

I would REALLY like to do the M-unit. I know that's a huge expense but man is it ever an awesome piece of electronics.

Ummmm, there's probably more but that's all I can think of right now. I posted a few posts ago that I did order the 836 kit from Cruisinimage on eBay and had them sent to Cal (he has my jugs right now and is going to have them done for me at a shop there since apparently none of the shops in Topeka are worth a crap)

That's the only parts I've been able to purchase for far. Everything else has been cleaning and painting. I de-laced the front rim today and steel wooled the spokes. I plan to paint the other rim and hub black. Not sure on the spokes yet. I'm thinking maybe brown to match the seat and tank.

I'm just enjoying reading others' threads.

Took apart a 1960 ShopSmith I bought earlier this year. The speed control was messed up...turned out the control sheave bearing was in pieces. The sheave itself is cracked in the bearing area which is pretty common too...so I'm gonna have to order a kit. (more money I don't have so there's a project going nowhere for a while)

Crazy times.

[Ravie]

Yeah I'll look some more. I like the 16" better. The 18" just always looks a bit anemic to me.

Here's a pic of what my brother in law came up with... I told him I liked it except the first radius...I told him to slope the first radius, but I like the back. I don't think he is working on it right now...he's been busy with other junk...




Sent from my personal electronic device using a program application

[Ravie]

Why that came up upside down is beyond me. Yay technology.

[Tews19]

Yeah I'll look some more. I like the 16" better. The 18" just always looks a bit anemic to me.

Here's a pic of what my brother in law came up with... I told him I liked it except the first radius...I told him to slope the first radius, but I like the back. I don't think he is working on it right now...he's been busy with other junk...




Sent from my personal electronic device using a program application

RAvie what is that? Hard to tell upside down.

[Ravie]

Maybe this will work...

[Ravie]

Got notice today from my new bestie (no, but seriously folks...a certain person on this forum has gone above and beyond for me.) that my jugs and pistons are on their way, as well as some other goodies he had that I needed. Yay!

Haven't really done much lately. I put a few more coats of high temp on the exhaust pipes and "baked" them with a propane torch. I made a template and marked my rotor to drill but honestly I'm not sure what kind of a bit I would even have to use and my 1961 shop smith is O.O.C. at the moment. Needs a new control sheave assembly :-(

I'm trying to decide exactly how to go about washing out the bottom end without taking it apart. I just want to clean it up with everything sitting in it and then lube it with oil/assembly lube all together. I know the builders will say that's evil but I think it's possible to do a good job. I guess we shall see. I'm not there yet. I'll worry about that once I have the parts to get it back together.

I wish I was making more progress but I just started working again and it's not a very well paying job, unless you're a teenager... :-(  The job market's just not good here.

Really enjoying reading all of your build threads, guys.

[Tews19]

Oh man you must post some pics once you get the goodies in!

[Ravie]

Oh you know I will. The parts involve Cermet, Dispersion coating and DFL on the skirts...  *shiver*

[Ravie]

Yeah, I've got the cases still cracked (I need to replace one bearing shell set on account of a scratch)  and would like to clean those innards out. Then I'll do some light lube in there. It's not bad as is but I'd like to get the old oil and stuff cleaned out.

The only other "major" things I need to do on the engine are: Get the head surfaced, Get a cam chain and new rollers, check the primary chain wear and possibly get new. That's the big stuff anyway.

As far as the frame/body parts go, I haven't finished the tank mounts, I haven't heard a squeak from my brother in law about the seat he started making me (I get the feeling I'm going to have to make my own.) and I need to get over to the local metal shop and see if I can get some sleeving tubes to do my own frame kit.

Still plenty of stuff that needs purchased. All in due time. So behind on bills it may take months just to catch up on them.

[Ravie]

Oh, and the tank and seat color will be (appropriately, but accidentally) a Honda car color called Kona Coffee Metallic. Here's a pic I found of it..

[Roach Carver]

looks like we  have a little SOHC bro-mance brewing.

[Ravie]

looks like we  have a little SOHC bro-mance brewing.

Most of my bros have moved on in life so I welcome it. Haha.

One of my friends and I are talking about starting a general restoration business together. Looking forward to that possibility. He and I are bros that rarely get to hang since I have kids and he and my wife dislike each other. (Long story. They're both hardheaded)

I left most of my bros in Minnesota when I left in 06. I rarely get help in the garage, rarely have buddies at the house. It is a sad thing.

Sent from my Venture using Tapatalk 2

[Ravie]

Santa came a bit early this year...




Sent from my personal electronic device using a program application

[Ravie]

I couldn't help it. I just had to stick it "together" to see how pretty it will be...

The case is going to need a cleaning and some silver paint. I'll pretty up the head a bit, too.




Primary chain tensioner is within spec, so ok there. Just need a new cam chain, and one of my sets of mains has a scratch so that as well. I'll get a new mid roller for my tensioner.

Picked up some metal tube I had cut for collars so I can modify the frame for install/removal. A crisp tenner was all for that.

Still plenty of things on my dcc wish list, that's for sure. Coils, points and condensors, throttle tube and cables, grips, a headlight, fork seals, steering and wheel bearings... Those are the biggies anyway. That and tires.

Glad to see it coming together a bit. I know my build pales in comparison to most of them, but being the first bike I've ever owned and all that I'm still pretty jazzed about it all.

And so extremely thankful for those of you who have helped me out!


Sent from my personal electronic device using a program application

[edwardmorris]

I've got you covered on the throttle tube, will ship with the tank on Monday.

What size rear wheel are you going with?

[Ravie]

Ah!  Great.

I'm going to use the 16" rear wheel I've got. I'm just not a fan of the 18, looks wise. I have both, so should I ever change my mind I can always do that...but I just like the look of a bit fatter/taller sidewall tire better.

[edwardmorris]

Ah!  Great.

I'm going to use the 16" rear wheel I've got. I'm just not a fan of the 18, looks wise. I have both, so should I ever change my mind I can always do that...but I just like the look of a bit fatter/taller sidewall tire better.

I have a set of near new tires with tubes, but the rear is 17". You can have them for shipping plus whatever. Same goes for the rims if you want them, they aren't new but solid.