Topic: '78 CB750K Cafe Build - Money Pit!

[callmejarob]

I actually have a pretty decent soda blaster and did that prior to vapor blasting but opted for the vapor because soda leaves such a boring dull finish.  Maybe ill try it.

[calj737]

Got any pictures? Perhaps a good quality aluminum cleaner (think auto wheel spray type) might help restore the finish?

[callmejarob]

Yea Im open to any suggestions!  Because one of the pieces this happened to was the jugs it will be hard for me to sand/polish between the fins to remove all of the aluminum oxide and other tarnish.

Here is a picture of the valve cover.  I can polish off the white aluminum oxide but the finish of the aluminum remains tarnished and dull.




Definitely NOTHING like it was before...:




If nothing else, I'm hoping vapor blasting will return it back to its former vapor blasted glory.  I emailed Dan who performed the blasting service for advice.

[calj737]

It looks like there was some type of cleanser or Rinse Agent left in the dishwasher when that was washed. I know you said you rinsed and ran it empty prior to use, but perhaps the wife has a "Rinse Aid" dispenser that was not empty and it let some cleaner into the bath?

Hate to say it, looks like they're going back if you want the prior results 

[callmejarob]

Oh well..

I spoke with Dan and he said he would vapor blast the parts again for me for free.  Now thats GREAT service, he truly has been great to work with and I can not recommend him enough!

Lower crankcase, valves, and cover are already packed up ready to be shipped to New Mexico again! 

[Restoration Fan]

Oh well..

I spoke with Dan and he said he would vapor blast the parts again for me for free.  Now thats GREAT service, he truly has been great to work with and I can not recommend him enough!

Lower crankcase, valves, and cover are already packed up ready to be shipped to New Mexico again!

jarob,
If you don't mind me asking, how much does it cost to ship the cases?  I'm just curious because it cost me $78 to ship my rear hub and rim (plus spokes) from Atlanta to Azusa, California to send it back to Buchanan's.  That was 22 pounds and I know for a fact the two case halves alone are more than that from having taken those things apart and put them back together 4 times. 

[callmejarob]

It costs a lot!  Between the cases, jugs, valves, cover, and carburetors it weighed just over 100lbs and took two large boxes.  About $66 each way for all of it. 

This time I am only sending one box with half the case and the valves, it should only be around $30 each way. 

I'm saving money on the vapor blasting though as Dan at Vapor Blasting Solutions charges only a fraction of what his competition charges.  It only cost me $200 to vapor blast the entire engine, ultrasonic clean and vapor blast the carbs, and rebuild the carbs with all new gaskets and jets I provided.  To me thats a steal!

[Restoration Fan]

No doubt.  It definitely creates a beautiful look to the cases.  Despite what you were told though, I'm pretty certain that if you leave the cases with just the vapor blasted finish (ie no clear coating, etc) then you're going to see those cases turn to a different finish over a period of time.

The work and effort you're putting into this bike is phenomenal though.  I'm looking forward to seeing the final product when it's done.  Should be a beaut!

[callmejarob]

Thanks!

And yea with the amount of work and time going into this it would be foolish not to take the extra step and have it clear coated.  I'm already looking into several places around the Dallas area.

I'm very excited to see this come together, if it even meets half of my expectations it will be pretty amazing.  I'm really making sure everything I am doing makes for a practical riding bike too as so many of the cafes are not even good for riding hard.

[callmejarob]

Dan sent me a picture of the "re blasted" valves and they look back to new, thank goodness!




I am moving to a temporary apartment today so I had to move my motorcycle mess out of the garage and into a storage unit while we look for a house to buy.  I decided to make the most of it and picked up a sweet workbench off craigslist for $20 and some shelving.  Its across the street from the apartment and they are ok with me working on my bike in there, so this should work out nicely!















Engine rebuild should commence within a week!  Also trying to get my frame de-tabbed so I can get that painted.  I need to start ordering some more parts now which gets expensive!  Thank goodness for my large tax return, this motogadget stuff adds up!

[Restoration Fan]

Yep.  It all adds up very quickly! 

Good luck on the engine rebuild.  Just remember to have a printed out copy of the 78 manual there with you and probably some good lighting for the interior of the unit.  Take your time, take it slow and, if you come across something where you have a question, don't hesitate to stop & ask a question in here.  It's easier to wait on an answer than to redo something two, or three, or four...or even five times! 

[callmejarob]

Got my engine back and its beautiful!  I've been on a bit of a break with this weather and parts in limbo but I should get my bolts back from zinc plating today or tomorrow and will resume the engine build this weekend! 

I had custom velocity stack made which should arrive this weekend and then be sent off for copper plating.  Also hoping to detab the frame this weekend now that I got my frame hoop in the mail.

I've also been toying with the idea of buying another bike.  I found a beautiful CB200t which would be fun to putt around on or a CB550 locally that runs but could use a freshening.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Got my engine back and its beautiful!  I've been on a bit of a break with this weather and parts in limbo but I should get my bolts back from zinc plating today or tomorrow and will resume the engine build this weekend! 

I had custom velocity stack made which should arrive this weekend and then be sent off for copper plating.  Also hoping to detab the frame this weekend now that I got my frame hoop in the mail.

I've also been toying with the idea of buying another bike.  I found a beautiful CB200t which would be fun to putt around on or a CB550 locally that runs but could use a freshening.

Get the 550. You may like its nimbleness so much you slack on this build.

[callmejarob]

Got my engine back and its beautiful!  I've been on a bit of a break with this weather and parts in limbo but I should get my bolts back from zinc plating today or tomorrow and will resume the engine build this weekend! 

I had custom velocity stack made which should arrive this weekend and then be sent off for copper plating.  Also hoping to detab the frame this weekend now that I got my frame hoop in the mail.

I've also been toying with the idea of buying another bike.  I found a beautiful CB200t which would be fun to putt around on or a CB550 locally that runs but could use a freshening.

Get the 550. You may like its nimbleness so much you slack on this build.

I know that might be a problem!  I had a cb360 before this.  I mist admit I miss having a smaller bike, Im a small guy to begin with.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Personally, I think the 550 has great handling and weight.  I've improved mine with a fork brace and Racetech fork internals, too.  The only thing I wish my 550 had was more power, so that's why I've stayed away from 350s etc. 

[callmejarob]

Finally got to work on the bike!  Spent Saturday rebuilding the oil pump with new parts and assembled the transmission with all new bearings.  This might be a stupid question but this is my first time dealing with a transmission; does the middle shift fork "bounce around" slightly when the gears are spinning?  Also it shifts smoothly 90% of the time but does get caught every now and again when shifting with your fingers and the shift drum end, is that ok? 







Carbs are rebuilt and clean!


New stacks from steel Dragon performance

[Restoration Fan]

Those carbs and velocity stacks look sexy!  Really nice job on the carbs.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I  do love the look of velocity stacks, and I've run them on my 750, but make sure to cover them when not in use, and to avoid riding in dusty or wet (rain) environments. 

[callmejarob]

I will add foam inserts to the stacks as well to help with restricting the flow somewhat. 

I received all of my bolts back from zinc plating today finally and it was worth the wait!  They look GREAT!!!

Now I can plastigage the crank bearing shells tonight and get it together!

[Wredas]

You've done an amazing job on this bike. The parts look great, I can't wait to see it done.

[callmejarob]

You've done an amazing job on this bike. The parts look great, I can't wait to see it done.

Thanks!

I'm trying to take my time and make this bike perfect in my eyes.  Compared to all the amazing bikes on this site I feel like I've got a long way to go so it is much appreciated to hear that!

[callmejarob]

Alright, so I have this random little dowel pin that I have no clue where it goes, and then only one of the large pins so I am missing one large one it looks like.  Other than that, I believe I am ready to put the cases together.

Can anyone help me figure out the dowel pin situation?! 

Here is one of the big ones I'm referring to:


Here is the empty spot on the other side where I need one it looks like:


And this is the smaller one that was with my crank case supplies and I have no idea where it goes:


Let get this figured out so I can move along, its getting very exciting!

Ordered my electronics tray and new kickstand today so that I can modify my frame all at once.  Once those come in I will de-tab and chop the frame, weld seat hoop, weld new kickstand, weld seat attachments, and attach new oil tank and electronics tray and get it all painted.

[danyo]

Small one are used in one of the side covers ( clutch, generator, shifter) and also in rocker towers and rocker cover. You dont need small ones between cases.

[callmejarob]

Small one are used in one of the side covers ( clutch, generator, shifter) and also in rocker towers and rocker cover. You dont need small ones between cases.

Awesome I should have known that thank you!  Now do I NEED that large dowel/is there one there

[Restoration Fan]

Small one are used in one of the side covers ( clutch, generator, shifter) and also in rocker towers and rocker cover. You dont need small ones between cases.

Awesome I should have known that thank you!  Now do I NEED that large dowel/is there one there

Yes, you need both of the large dowels for when you put the case together.  It's not that oil is flowing through it or anything, but they're alignment guides that make sure the 2 cases go together aligned.