Author Topic: CB750 K4 Build - The Cafe Tracer (Read 118759 times)

budman · « **Reply #350 on:** May 22, 2016, 04:22:27 PM »

Quote from: mystic_1 on May 22, 2016, 03:42:51 PM

That looks superb! Nicely done.

mystic_1

Muchos gracias. I'm eager to get the pistons and the head installed and get this puppy mounted in the frame. Got some homework to do this week.

budman · « **Reply #351 on:** May 23, 2016, 04:50:36 PM »

I stole this never-been-installed Pamco electronic ignition kit off of EBay for $150. Just arrived.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #352 on:** May 23, 2016, 07:17:38 PM »

Sounds like a heck of a score.

budman · « **Reply #353 on:** June 11, 2016, 07:17:48 PM »

Been a few weeks since I've been able to work on the bike. I was down the entire Memorial Day weekend with Strep. Last weekend I bought a new truck.

Today I got the pistons, cylinders and head installed. I used gray 2-1/2" electrical pvc couplings cut down and some hose clamps for piston ring compressors as described in another thread here. I really struggled with it. I had a hard time finding the right tension on the compressors that would squeeze the rings enough and allow the compressors to slide easily down the pistons when installing the cylinders. In the end I got it done. Everything feels smooth and the engine turns easily.

Broseph · « **Reply #354 on:** June 14, 2016, 08:49:36 AM »

Love the polished head man and that wooden seat hump is awesome!

budman · « **Reply #355 on:** June 14, 2016, 09:32:26 AM »

Thanks. The head is actually painted.

budman · « **Reply #356 on:** June 18, 2016, 03:30:16 PM »

I got the cam installed and the tappets adjusted. I think I'm pretty close to sliding this sucker into the frame.

budman · « **Reply #357 on:** June 23, 2016, 11:46:10 AM »

Rather than using the original old rusty engine mounting rods and hardware I had my buddy, who owns a machine shop, thread some new stainless steel rods. These are the two lower rods. The larger M12 rear rod is shorter than the factory rod since I'm using the stock pegs. I've got all new stainless steel hardware too. Should look pretty clean.

After I get the engine in the frame I'll measure for some new stainless steel upper rods and have my buddy thread them too.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #358 on:** June 23, 2016, 11:58:45 AM »

Nice. He could probably sell those.

Stev-o · « **Reply #359 on:** June 23, 2016, 02:05:47 PM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on June 23, 2016, 11:58:45 AM

Nice. He could probably sell those.

Yes, I'm a buyer. Bud - have an extra set made up if you can. Thx

budman · « **Reply #360 on:** June 23, 2016, 02:42:16 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on June 23, 2016, 02:05:47 PM

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on June 23, 2016, 11:58:45 AM
Nice. He could probably sell those.

Yes, I'm a buyer. Bud - have an extra set made up if you can. Thx

I'm going to try to get the engine installed this weekend, then I can take measurements for the two top rods and have them made next week. If it all goes well I'll get a price from my buddy to do the threading and see if I can come up with a complete price that makes sense for us all.

luvmy71 · « **Reply #361 on:** June 23, 2016, 03:59:40 PM »

Just spent a couple hours reading through this thread. Love the bike and all the originality you are putting into it. You are quite the artisan with tools. Would love it if you could post a video tour of your shop. Give us all something to shoot for.

Keep up the great work and look forward to hearing it run.

budman · « **Reply #362 on:** June 23, 2016, 04:53:03 PM »

Quote from: luvmy71 on June 23, 2016, 03:59:40 PM

Just spent a couple hours reading through this thread. Love the bike and all the originality you are putting into it. You are quite the artisan with tools. Would love it if you could post a video tour of your shop. Give us all something to shoot for.

Keep up the great work and look forward to hearing it run.

Hey, thanks for taking the time to check out the thread. I'm just an old paint and body guy from way back when...don't make my living doing it any more, but I kept all my tools and have acquired some new ones.

We (or should I say "I"?) were lucky to find this place. The shop was already built. I told my wife our search for a house just ended. We've been here 13 years. I've built all kinds of things in the shop. If we ever move the new place will have to have a similar setup. I don't think I could be limited to just a garage. I guess I could if I had too, but I've gotten spoiled with the space.

I've never videoed any type of project I've worked on or shop tours. The Hack-a-week guy makes it look easy, but I think I'd be nervous as heck. When I get the bike done and the shop cleaned up I'll try to remember to do a photo tour of the shop.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #363 on:** June 23, 2016, 05:14:11 PM »

Quote from: budman on June 23, 2016, 02:42:16 PM

Quote from: Stev-o on June 23, 2016, 02:05:47 PM
Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on June 23, 2016, 11:58:45 AM
Nice. He could probably sell those.

Yes, I'm a buyer. Bud - have an extra set made up if you can. Thx

I'm going to try to get the engine installed this weekend, then I can take measurements for the two top rods and have them made next week. If it all goes well I'll get a price from my buddy to do the threading and see if I can come up with a complete price that makes sense for us all.

I think you might have more than a few interested buyers.

budman · « **Reply #364 on:** June 23, 2016, 05:24:30 PM »

Quote from: CB750 Cafe Racer Fan on June 23, 2016, 05:14:11 PM

I think you might have more than a few interested buyers.

I'll look into it. I think they're going to work well. Just did a test fit. I'm trying to post a photo, but it's not letting me.

budman · « **Reply #365 on:** June 24, 2016, 07:20:26 AM »

Test fit.

Tews19 · « **Reply #366 on:** June 24, 2016, 07:30:28 AM »

Also interested bud man in the stainless steel rods. The build is nearing it's end!

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #367 on:** June 24, 2016, 08:49:22 AM »

Count me in for a set.

budman · « **Reply #368 on:** June 24, 2016, 12:14:58 PM »

The chain oiler plug I bought off of EBay just arrived. Looks like the guy just modifies flange head bolts. The instructions say to fill the shaft with silicon before you screw the plug in place. Hope it works. It was pricey.

budman · « **Reply #369 on:** June 25, 2016, 04:43:07 PM »

I got the engine installed in the frame today with a little help from myself. I have a small welding table that I set the engine on. The adapter slid right of the engine stand and on to the table. Perfect height. After I removed the engine stand adapters I pushed the table right up against the lift and put some boards under the engine and into the frame. I adjusted the height of the lift and wiggled the engine into place. Wasn't too bad. I had to pull the two rear oil pan bolts, but no other clearance issues. I chipped a little paint in the process, but that's all touched up now. Can't even tell.

Started bolting on a few parts.

BLAC · « **Reply #370 on:** June 25, 2016, 05:46:47 PM »

Beautiful! I can't wait until mine is at that stage. Exciting!

budman · « **Reply #371 on:** June 25, 2016, 09:39:36 PM »

Quote from: blacSOHC on June 25, 2016, 05:46:47 PM

Beautiful! I can't wait until mine is at that stage. Exciting!

Thanks. Still have a long way to go.

budman · « **Reply #372 on:** June 26, 2016, 07:27:19 AM »

Everything went pretty smooth with the engine install yesterday. I did, however, discover a major problem.

Spot the boo-boo.

Ouch!

Davez134 · « **Reply #373 on:** June 26, 2016, 08:19:08 AM »

I'm trying to spot what's wrong, but drawing a blank...is it a petcock clearance issue?

budman · « **Reply #374 on:** June 26, 2016, 08:52:21 AM »

Quote from: Davez134 on June 26, 2016, 08:19:08 AM

I'm trying to spot what's wrong, but drawing a blank...is it a petcock clearance issue?

That's it. I didn't have an assembled engine at the time I was modifying the gas tank. I had to guess on the placement of the peacock. The only place that looks like it will clear is in front of the valve cover. Lots of work to make that happen.

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Author Topic: CB750 K4 Build - The Cafe Tracer (Read 118759 times)