Topic: Re: Bigsam302's 76 CB750F (915cc): Project Helen – Running Report!

[RAFster122s]

I guess you have given a logical reason to not clean up and throw things away.  Clean up and stick the stuff not being reused in a container.

It is not fun having roadblocks.
Hope you are able to find something to make progress on in the meantime.
David

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Sam,

Give yourself a pat on the back in getting the cam installed.  The engine's very close to finished.   

[Bigsam302]

Thanks Don! These little setbacks are frustrating.

Sam

Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

It's all part of the process.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I recognize that cam! Its a BF Brand ;-)  NICE size lobes. Reminds me of my first wife! BIG lobes. Installing the cam chain and sprocket is much easier the second time LOL 

[Bigsam302]

I spent a lot of time this weekend finishing my engine.  My new bolts for the cam towers arrived and I went right to work.  The sad part was that after I installed my new bolts, I was cleaning off my work table and found my bag that had the original bolts in it.  It doesn’t matter, I’d rather use new bolts than used ones.

After I got the cam towers and camshaft bolted in, it was time to assemble my rocker arms.  Below are my welded and lightened rocker arms from Cycle X.  They are gorgeous!



I also bought a set of titanium rocker arm nuts.  They are supposedly lighter than the OEM nuts, but honestly, I can’t tell the difference.



After installing my rockers, I checked all of my valve clearances and I am good to go.  This was my first time adjusting valves and it was actually pretty easy





Here is my new APE manual cam chain tensioner.  If you think that you are going to be able to use your OEM bolts with it, think again.  I wish that it had come with bolts.  It would have made this process a lot easer.   I’ve changed most of my bolts to socket head bolts and luckily I had a set of short 6mm bolts left over that allowed me to install it.

[Bigsam302]

Here is my cylinder head cover.  It is powder coated to match the rest of my bike.  It also has Cycle’s cam tower stabilizers installed in it (that’s the 8 bolt holes in the top of it).  I also have black Joker Machine tappet covers and a filter for the cylinder head breather.  So for the dark photos, it was getting late when I took them.



Here is everything installed on the cover and it is ready to go on the bike!



Getting my cylinder head cover on turned out to be a pain in the butt!  Not really.  First I had to take out the cam stabilizer bolts and it still failed to slide in between the frame and the engine.  Finally, I had to unbolt my ignition coils and it went on without any further issues.  Finally my engine is all buttoned up!

[Bigsam302]

Next, I painted my exhaust headers and spigots







I re-installed my frame kit and calling the engine done!





I installed my new tach cable and re-installed my headlight.



I took a moment to test fit my new mirrors.  I bought a set of CRG lane-splitter mirrors.





For the next week and a half my bike is going to be on hold.  What has been a common theme with this bike, it is delayed again because I don’t have the remainder of my parts.  I ordered my custom velocity stacks over three weeks ago.   Steel Dragons is currently backed up with orders, so I should have them some time next week.  Also, my painter is behind schedule.  He called me yesterday and said that he hasn’t gotten to it yet because some other orders went longer than expected.  So my 2 -3 week turnaround time has turned into a month-long (and still counting) process.

Things Left To Do
- Finish zip-tying all the loose cables
- Install velocity stacks
- Wrap my exhaust with the kit that I bought
- Install spigots and hang the exhaust
- Install spark plugs and cut and connect spark plug wires
- Extend my kickstand by 1-1/2 inches (right now the bike leans over really far when sitting on the kickstand)
- Install fuel tank and oil tank
- Run fuel lines
- Run new oil lines
- Get the bike registered (should be an easy process.  I got it registered in my name immediately after I bought the bike in Rhode Island)
- Fill her up with oil and conduct a pressure test
- Finally, keeping my fingers crossed, and starting her up!

Stay tuned for updates!

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Hurry up and wait ;-) Looks great. Anxiety sets in..... 

Pretty much with you at this point. Heading out to the garage to try to catch up a little. Really want to do a front end like you did too but that'll wait until EVERYTHING is operational and functional.

[Bigsam302]

Hurry up and wait ;-) Looks great. Anxiety sets in..... 

Pretty much with you at this point. Heading out to the garage to try to catch up a little. Really want to do a front end like you did too but that'll wait until EVERYTHING is operational and functional.

Thank you very much Jerry.

[Bigsam302]

And you already re-torqued the head bolts, right?

Cal, yes I re-torqued the head bolts.  It should be good to go!

Sam

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Sam,

This is looking spectacular!  Cannot wait to see the finished product.  If possible I'd love to see the unveiling in person!

Don

[Bigsam302]

Sam,

This is looking spectacular!  Cannot wait to see the finished product.  If possible I'd love to see the unveiling in person!

Don

Don,

That would be awesome!  If you are okay with coming all the way down to San Diego, that's cool with me.  When would you like to see it?  During the initial startup? Or when I get ready to test ride it?

Sam

[2strokeTrush]

I love projects like this with all top notch parts seeing them come together

[Bigsam302]

I love projects like this with all top notch parts seeing them come together

Thanks 2stroke!  I appreciate it.

Sam

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Sam,

This is looking spectacular!  Cannot wait to see the finished product.  If possible I'd love to see the unveiling in person!

Don

B
Don,

That would be awesome!  If you are okay with coming all the way down to San Diego, that's cool with me.  When would you like to see it?  During the initial startup? Or when I get ready to test ride it?

Sam

Test ride would probably be better. That'll allow you to have it running and most of the kinks out.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I can come down for the potential hiccups. I thought I was taking the pressure off Sam.    To let him have a chance to get it a little sorted before I drive 3 hours.  I'll leave it up to you Sam.

[riverfever]

Mercy. I haven't been on much now that school is back in. This is lovely. I might need a smoke.

[Bigsam302]

Sam,

This is looking spectacular!  Cannot wait to see the finished product.  If possible I'd love to see the unveiling in person!

Don

B
Don,

That would be awesome!  If you are okay with coming all the way down to San Diego, that's cool with me.  When would you like to see it?  During the initial startup? Or when I get ready to test ride it?

Sam

Test ride would probably be better. That'll allow you to have it running and most of the kinks out.

Don,

I'll definitely let you know when I'm about to take it out for a test drive.  I'll let you know a week in advance.

Sam

[Bigsam302]

Mercy. I haven't been on much now that school is back in. This is lovely. I might need a smoke.

Thanks River, I appreciate it!

[Bigsam302]

Not much of an update.  I just got a call from the paint shop and they should be finished with my tank and seat tomorrow.  That’s really good news.  If everything goes well, I should be able to try to crank it some time next week.

I do want to show you what came in the mail for me today.  I finally received my Velocity Stacks from Steel Dragons.  They are huge - and beautiful.  I can’t wait to install them.


I also took the time to paint my oil tank in the same radiator paint that I have on my oil cooler.  I think it looks better, even though must of it is going to be hid inside my gas tank and you will not see it anyway.

[Bigsam302]

Quick question, I’m getting ready to cut my spark plug wires.  I bought a new cutter/crimper to make the job easier.  It seems pretty straightforward.  Seeing how this is my first time doing this, is there anything that I should be concerned about?  Any tips?  I don’t want to screw my only pair up.

[Bigsam302]

Another quick update – I picked up my tank and seat from the paint shop today and it looks awesome! 



Got my oil tank installed.



I couldn’t help myself and I had to mock it up to see what it is going to look like.  It turned out better than I could have imagined.  Now I’m even more excited about finishing it.



I don’t know how much I’m going to get done this weekend.  I have a few plans with the family, but I hope to have all of my hoses ran and put some oil in it so I can check the pressure.

Stay tuned for updates!

[RandyBMC]

Looks stunning!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Sam,

She's a looker!! The paint turned out fantastic.  I'm looking forward to coming down to SD next weekend!