Topic: Newbie from Chicago

[musiqcafe]

Hello everyone!

Logging in from Chicago, IL (although I spend a lot of time back in Maryland for those of you on the East Coast).

I recently purchased a non-running 1976 CB750 F1, with the goal of restoring it back into great shape. I'm a beginner hobbyist, but I'm getting some help from a friend who has some good knowledge of motorcycles. We spent the first week cleaning the carbs, cleaning the airbox, adjusting the values, installing new plugs, and adjusting the cam chain. Then we put in some new plugs and a battery and sure enough, the engine started! It rattled loudly at the low RPMs, but overall it ran okay.

It was a great feeling to hear it run, after probably sitting in someones shed for nearly 20 years.  One interesting thing about the bike, is that the engine serial number indicates the engine is actually from an earlier, 1975 CB750 F0.

I'll be looking for some advice and some parts as well. In fact, I'm currently in need of a tank since the current one was rusted through on the bottom and top!

Thanks for the add!



Bobby

[PheNam]

Welcome! I am a newbie living in Chicago as well. 76 CB550F. There are several others who live in the Chicagoland area who could take apart a bike and put it together with their eyes closed, they will be a great resource for you as you work on your bike.

Question, do you have your own garage space to work on your bike? I am looking to share rent on a garage in the city over the winter so I can work on my bike. If everything goes through, there will be tools, a jack, and whatever else necessary to do the majority of repairs. Let me know if this interests you.

[edwardmorris]

Welcome from NWI. Nice looking bike. I'd recommend downloading the factory manual and looking into Branden's T.A.O build for all things F.

[musiqcafe]

@edwardmorris

Thanks for the quick tips. The TAO build is fantastic, which I'll surely reference. Also, I took your advice, and have the manuals downloaded. I have two quick questions, which I'll post outside the new member intro forum as well, but thought I'd list it out here, in case someone has some quick links to share.

1. With my tank rusted through, I need to get a new tank ASAP, so I can do a road test before the Chicago winter sets in. Do you know if the K tanks from 69 to 78 fit the 76F model? Meaning is there enough clearance for the coils, wires, and do the front mounts line up with other model tanks? I'm planning to fabricate a new seat, and in the process, can put something together for the back mount as well, so less concerned on the backside.

2. The engine rattle at low RPMs appears to originate from the drive chain/transmission area when I take a close listen. I realize that could be many things, but if someone has some good intuition, is the rattle at low RPMs indicative of something in particular? Without a working tank I can't do a road test, and I don't want to tear apart things without a better hypothesis.

Thanks,
musiqcafe

[edwardmorris]

Sorry fairly new myself, and know nothing about the Fs. Branden and Tige/Tweakin are the two guys I know who've outdone their Fs and Ks so they might be able to help better. The SOHC/4 Bikes forum should get you even more answers pretty fast.

[goldarrow]

1.  F tank is a bit longer than K tank. Just that.
2. Rattling may be coming from clutch.  Be sure everything is adjusted properly when you do 3k miles service and Get use to the noise.