Topic: My 1976 Cb750 Cafe Build

[Kustomizer]

Hey all, newb here from Minnesota.  I'm in the process of building my 2nd cb750 Cafe.  This is actually the first one I'm doing all of the building of myself.  The first one I traded a motorcycle for parts, labor and expertise with a friend who has a lot more Honda experience.  It was an old chopper that was built in the 70's and hadn't run for 20+ years. I learned a lot on that build (and still have a ton to learn). 



I've built a few hardtailed harleys, but my 53 year old body really can't handle the no rear suspension anymore so I decided to get into building cafes which I've liked for awhile.

Here is what I started with:



And here is where it's at today:



I'm planning on replacing the big gauges with some smaller ones.  I'll be pulling the motor to detail and paint.  I have to rebuild the carbs and detail them. 

Right now I was wondering what options I have for the clutch and throttle and the wiring that is in them.  These were run through the handlebars and won't be running through the new ones.  My thought was to modify them so the wires don't have to be run up into the bars, but out through the side of the housing.  Are there after market replacements or what have others done?  Also, I need shorter throttle and clutch cables and a shorter brake line. Anybody make them?

This site has been a real inspiration so far and I hope I don't have too many dumb questions.

[BPellerine]

motion pro for cables and z1 enterprises for brakeline.bill

[Kustomizer]

Thanks Bill!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The Motion Pro throttle isn't bad either.

[budman]

I'm in the process of building a CB750 café mod and I'm planning on using a Biltwell Whiskey throttle.  I currently run one on my v-twin rigid and like it a lot.  I'm looking for the same clean look on the Honda.  They come with adapters for different cable styles.  I'm going to run 1 inch handlebars so I can use the push-pull version.  I think the 7/8" version is just a single cable throttle.  I'll be making my own button housings for the electrics.  I made a button housing for my v-twin out of brass and used a mini momentary push button switch.  I'll be doing the same for the CB750.  I won't be running blinkers so I just need horn, start and kill switches.  For custom cables I'll be looking to Motion Pro.

[Kustomizer]

Ok, I need to know what the switch in the clutch handle is for?  Can I remove it and if I do is there something I need to do to the wiring?  Because the wiring is cut and messed up in my stock clutch lever and because I'm not running wires in the handlebars and would have to try and modify it anyway I'm going to replace it with an aftermarket switch and clutch lever, but I first need to know what to do about the clutch switch in that lever.

[750cafe]

Actually, the best place to acquire SS brake lines is through Raymond Chan at http://www.rennsportautoparts.com/
Call him. He will make them any color combination/any length that you need for no extra cost AND he has a delivery service
inside the U.S.A. that gets parts to you QUICK!!!   
I just ordered a custom made set in two different colors and special lengths for my latest project mixing Kawasaki and Suzuki parts
with a later model M/C from yet another bike and longer swing arm. He had all of the parts (including the different pitch new banjo bolts/washers)
to my door in less than a week!!!! He is easy to work with and does FANTASTIC work.   

Eric

[Kustomizer]

Thanks Eric, I'll give him a call.

[Kustomizer]

Haven't gotten much done because the heater in  my garage hasn't been working, but got it worked out and thought I'd start polishing up parts. 

Before:


After:


Still have a bunch more stuff to do, but I was happy with the outcome.

[750cafe]

Nice.   
That is a lot of work.


Eric

[Kustomizer]

Got a few more parts sanded and polished.



Still need a little more polishing, but I'm happy with the results.

[750cafe]

Can I send you some parts? 
What would you charge for such a fine job? PM if interested please.

Eric

[Kustomizer]

Can I send you some parts? 
What would you charge for such a fine job? PM if interested please.

Eric

Not sure, let me think about it.  I still have more to do and after I get those done I may not want to polish another piece, lol!

[Kustomizer]

Got the motor out and on the stand, ready to get cleaned, painted and detailed.



Is there a honda specific engine paint that is the correct factory color?  What colors and brands have others used to paint their motors?

The frame is ready to get torn down and cleaned and painted.



I'm planning on pulling the frontend off and cleaning, polishing, painting and detailing everything then I'll attach the rear swing-arm, brake and wheel.

[750cafe]

I use VHT Hi-Temp. Caliper Paint. Don't forget to cure the parts in the oven for a little over an hour at 200-210 degrees. After curing, it is oil, fuel and brake fluid proof virtually.
It is difficult to paint on a clean engine because it is difficult to tell where you painted and where you have not. A little too close to OEM color perhaps. 

Eric

[Kustomizer]

Thanks Eric!

[750cafe]

Here is one example with both the Cast Aluminum and the Gloss Black Caliper paints.




Eric

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

If you don't have a spare large oven, a few members have cured their engine paint using an improvised convection box, lined and sealed with foil and heated using a heat gun.

[jvandyke]

.....thought I'd start polishing up parts.  .....
Still have a bunch more stuff to do, but I was happy with the outcome.

What's your polishing method?

[Slinky]

what seat pan you using? looks good

[Kustomizer]

.....thought I'd start polishing up parts.  .....
Still have a bunch more stuff to do, but I was happy with the outcome.

What's your polishing method?

I wet sand with 320, 400, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 wet/dry sandpaper and then hit it with buffing compound on the buffer and then polishing compound.  I used a DA with 180 on the alternator cover to remove a few deep scratches and then started wet sanding. 

[Kustomizer]

what seat pan you using? looks good

It a Legendary Motorcycles Fiberglass "Thruxton" Cafe Racer Seat Pan I got at Dime City.  I like it because it has a longer seat area which gives me a little more room as I'm 6'2" and it's a little longer and like that because I like cafe's when there is a good portion on the rear tire covered, but not all and this Thruxton seat fits the bill pretty good.  The next one I build I'm going to fabricate the seat pan myself out of metal, but I'm doing a bunch of custom fab work on an old Chevy van I have this winter and want to make sure I have this done by early spring when the snow melts.

[Kustomizer]

Here is one example with both the Cast Aluminum and the Gloss Black Caliper paints.




Eric

Wow, I really like the Cast Aluminum paint!

[Kustomizer]

Because I don't like the bulky look of the big factory gauges and because I want to save some money and not buy smaller gauges I modified the bracket and tried to drop it some to not make the front of the bike look so top heavy with the factory gauges, not sure if it will work until I get the headlight back on, but if not I'll just have to get new gauges, but we'll have to wait and see.



It did lower the gauges, but also pushed them forward.  I'll just have to wait and see what it looks like when I get things back together.

[Kustomizer]

Well, got thr frame as stripped down as I can:



Time to get it ready for paint.  Bought new fork tubes, so I'll be taking the old ones apart and sanding and polishing the case and then putting them back together.  Then I have to attack the wheels.