Topic: Senior project for high school - 78 CB750K

[evanphi]

Stev-o,
Actually I did not know that so thank you.  I rode it to my office this morning and she performed wonderfully.

The only thing I'm still not sure about with her (besides the charging) is the clutch adjustment.  I've adjusted it about 4 or 5 times now, trying to get it just right.  Coming out of neutral down into first, it still makes a bit of a clunking noise as it goes into the gear.  It seems to shift smoothly into all other gears up and down the tree without clunking but that noise going into first just kind of makes me cringe.  Am I just worrying too much or should I keep adjusting until I get rid of that noise?

I find I get more of a clunk when the oil is cold and I've been revving to try and warm things up a touch before riding. All that revving throws the gear sync out a bit, as calj737 said.

[Restoration Fan]

typically "clunking" into first gear is an indication of the trans not being synchronized due to engine speed. Try double clutching when downshifting into 1st and see if that helps.

I'm talking about when I'm sitting still at a light and I put it into neutral.  When the light turns green, I shift into first to take off and makes a clunking sound.  It works fine downshifting into first as I'm approaching a red light.

[70CB750]

typically "clunking" into first gear is an indication of the trans not being synchronized due to engine speed. Try double clutching when downshifting into 1st and see if that helps.

I'm talking about when I'm sitting still at a light and I put it into neutral.  When the light turns green, I shift into first to take off and makes a clunking sound.  It works fine downshifting into first as I'm approaching a red light.

That's not an issue, that's a feature    Hondaman mentions it in his book somewhere, just the nature of these transmissions.

[knottedknickers]

<snip> Clutch in, in gear, eyes up! Always looking around at whats coming, Ron.

Sermon over 

I appreciate safety sermons! A good reminder for new and old riders. I would only add: and watch your mirrors. [Probably included in "Always looking around at what's coming," but might as well mention it specifically.]

[evanphi]

Who uses mirrors?? Cafe bikes don't have them! 

I only have one!

and ++++++1 to your advice on staying in first. Left foot goes down, right foot stays on brake to keep the light on to increase visibility, then I can rest my Right hand. Left hand gets a break when I get moving again.

[knottedknickers]

Who uses mirrors?? Cafe bikes don't have them! 

Sorry... "Use the eyes in the back of your head!" [Q: Do cafe bike riders wear helmets?]

[Restoration Fan]

Who uses mirrors?? Cafe bikes don't have them! 

It's funny you should mention that, cal.  I was checking my mirrors this morning as I rode in because I was in a fair amount of traffic but we were all moving along a pace of 35 - 50 miles per hour.  At one point, I realized that I have to slightly turn my head to the side to get a good clear picture of what's going on behind me in my left mirror but my right one is really good.  That triggered the thought and I looked down at the handle bars past my arms: 

I'll bet that the view from bar-end mirrors is somewhat obstructed by your arms and you'll have to do like I do with my left mirror...slightly move your head to get a clear view for each side.

[70CB750]

My bar end mirrors are clearly visible with just eye movement - it all depends how you set them.

[oldhatt45]

Ron,

What calj737 said is probably one of the most important things for safety, especially in town during rush hour!

And Cafe Riders wear Scully Helmets, so they don't need rear view mirrors.     
http://www.skully.com/#smartest-helmet

Charlie

[Stev-o]

typically "clunking" into first gear is an indication of the trans not being synchronized due to engine speed. Try double clutching when downshifting into 1st and see if that helps.

I'm talking about when I'm sitting still at a light and I put it into neutral.  When the light turns green, I shift into first to take off and makes a clunking sound.  It works fine downshifting into first as I'm approaching a red light.

That's not an issue, that's a feature    Hondaman mentions it in his book somewhere, just the nature of these transmissions.

+1...the "clunk" when you drop it into first from neutral is normal, no issue.

I dont really care for mirrors either, only good for checking no cops behind when getting set to "run through the gears!"

[Restoration Fan]

Voltage in battery had dropped from 13.1 down to 12.22 when I got home from the office, so I tried your method, Stev-o.  Ran the engine up to 4000 rpm's and confirmed the voltage on the battery didn't increase at all.

I suppose there could theoretically be an issue with the stator not actually generating a charge but I'm betting the issue is more likely the regulator and/or rectifier since they were the original ones from the bike.  So I'm going to order a Rick's regulator/rectifier combo and replace the ones I have on there now.

[Stev-o]

Stand by there, Ron! First we diagnose, then we spend

+1. Would bet it's not the stator.  I like this for diagnostic.....


http://www.oregonmotorcycleparts.com/FAQ.html

[70CB750]

I dont really care for mirrors either, only good for checking no cops behind when getting set to "run through the gears!"

Speaking of mirrors.  On K3F I went with Z1 mirrors, they are supposed to be better than CB but going from bar end mirrors, what a difference.

Bar end mirrors are small but the picture is razor sharp unlike the bug antennae mirrors that shake so much I see circles instead of headlights.    Is there a trick to these mirrors I am missing?  It is not in idle only in speed - means it is function of the air flow not handlebar vibration.

[madmtnmotors]

Stand by there, Ron! First we diagnose, then we spend. Use this to determine what's going on-

http://www.electrosport.com/media/pdf/fault-finding-diagram.pdf

+1

The regulators are adjustable too. Some require a little maintenance to restore functionality. Just like the ignition, merely cleaning and gapping the regulator's contact points might do the trick. 

[Restoration Fan]

Or verifying a good ground, a proper battery signal to the regulator, or...

You can not believe for a moment that we would allow you to spend frivolously on parts without first demonstrating to us that you had indeed verified the improper function, would you? After all the work you've put into Stella, the journey we have witnessed, that bike belongs to "us" not just you! 

LOL, well there are enough parts on her from others on this board who were so generous that it actually technically IS everyone's on this board and not just mine.

I do appreciate the advice and the trouble shooting guides.  I was hoping to get to it early this morning but work got in the way.  Kelli just arrived a few minutes ago from 17 days in Bali and is now sleeping so it will probably be this weekend before I get a chance to deal with it since I want her to get some rest.

[Restoration Fan]

Question for you guys...I notice that there's a Honda logo plate on the front of the bottom triple tree.  My '78 doesn't have that. I bought mine from a guy who had started converting it to a cafe but prior to that there was the big fairing and hard saddlebags. Some of those, as I've understood (and very possibly incorrectly) were a dealer option. If that's the case, was the plate removed for that or is it just missing or did some of the '78s just not have them?

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

Seth,
I don't know if you're still following this thread and if so, if you're still looking for one of these emblems.  But if you are, Bill Benton has an entire stove top full of them for sale in this thread.  I thought of you when he showed them to me on Saturday.

By the way, I rode Stella over to his house this time.  It's a much more fun 60 mile round trip on a bike than in a Jeep...even though I do love my Jeep.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,152382.msg0.html#new
Ron

[sethmcalister]

Of course I'm still following and I appreciate you thinking of me. I threw in a GL1000 so not really in need of it anymore, however, if I sell the stock front end I'll think of Bill.

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

[madmtnmotors]

I threw in a GL1000 so not really in need of it anymore

The GL1000 had a similar (if not the same) badge out on the forks as well...

[Restoration Fan]

Somewhere wayyyyy back in this thread, I posted some photos of Mark Laux's (mark52 on this forum) beautiful 1975 CB750 that he was restoring.  Well, Thursday and Friday afternoon, I rode Stella over to his brother's house and helped him do some work on the bike to confirm oil pressure and sort out a few wiring issues.  He wanted to take it to Bill Benton's house today for a potential first start...which was a very good thing since Bill helped to sort out a couple more electrical issues.  But once we got those done, we decided to try a first start.

First, here is a photo of it without the gorgeous Planet Blue Metallic side covers and tank on it. 


And here is the first start up video (since Mark never actually created a build thread for it...which is a shame because this bike would be a serious contender for Bike of the Month when he's finished with it).

[oldhatt45]

Way Cool!!!!
Another one saved from oblivion.       

Charlie

[Stev-o]

I dont see the video.

I cringed on his strap down job, nice way to ruin a nice seat.

[Restoration Fan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJmhAVXBlhY

Try it via the link above Stev-o.

[Stev-o]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJmhAVXBlhY

Try it via the link above Stev-o.

Nothin like the first start up!  Thanks

[mark52]

Ron, damn that was fun!!!!!! You are right I wish I was more tech inclined to document the progress over the years.  I can't thank you and Bill enough without you all's help I'm sure i wouldn't have ever gotten to this point. FYI, here it is Tues morning and I still have a s*&t eaten grin on my face.

Mark

[Restoration Fan]

Mark,
It's been my pleasure.  I enjoyed it too.

Now bring your helmet next time and be prepared to her out for a ride.  Even if it's a short one.

Ron