Topic: Hello...Restoring 78 CB750F3

[TMFM]

First post saying hello.

Recently got a 78CB750 F3 "barn find".  It was sitting in a garage for 30years with only about 5000 miles on it.  It needs a thorough going through to get it ready for the road.  All cables, brake lines and fuel lines.  The tank needs cleaned out and sealed.  Carbs need gone through as well as the brakes and all of the bearings.  It has the original tires on it so need new of those as well.  It had a Windjammer fairing on it so the headlight is trashed so I need a new one of those also.

The engine turns but I will at least have to go through the top end. 

The paint is faded and the seat is torn on the edges but other than that it looks fine.

Needless to say I have a little work to do.  I have lots of experience with cars but this will be my first bike "build".  I won't be able to start work on it until it warms up a little, I have a detached garage that is not insulated and not heated.  I also have a car to get back on the road first (according to the boss  )

I will be reading many posts on here and probably have lots of questions.

[seanbarney41]

Welcome.  Looks like that bike will clean up nice...I would suggest getting it running before you tear into the top end.  I have an f3 also.

Here's mine



thread that needs updatin'
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=133916.0

[70CB750]

Welcome!

If you pull the head, check on guides, F3s are known for wearing guides out somewhat early in their life.

[TMFM]

Welcome.  Looks like that bike will clean up nice...I would suggest getting it running before you tear into the top end.  I have an f3 also.

AH...I miss-stated that.  What I meant was just pull the valve cover and check for general goop and sludge.

The goal is to get it cleaned up and running before I do any mods. 

Thanks for the welcome guys.  I am really looking forward to being a part of this.

[seanbarney41]

Welcome.  Looks like that bike will clean up nice...I would suggest getting it running before you tear into the top end.  I have an f3 also.

AH...I miss-stated that.  What I meant was just pull the valve cover and check for general goop and sludge.

The goal is to get it cleaned up and running before I do any mods. 

Thanks for the welcome guys.  I am really looking forward to being a part of this.

That is actually a really safe and prudent thing to do...only thing is, valve cover doesn't come off without pulling the engine out of the frame...If you do opt to do this, and you will probably not fully understand all of this until you get a good perusal of the manual, I would go just far enough to remove the cam and rocker holders.  Then the cam tower seals (they look like and are often referred to as little rubber pucks) can be replaced as they are almost guaranteed to start leaking on a bike that has sat for years.  Also, remove and replace the four little o-rings under the cam tower, and remove, clean, and inspect the oil jets.  This will ensure that your valve train stays healthy.

[kap384@telus.net]

Glad to see another one being brought back to life!

[TMFM]

[/quote]That is actually a really safe and prudent thing to do...only thing is, valve cover doesn't come off without pulling the engine out of the frame...If you do opt to do this, and you will probably not fully understand all of this until you get a good perusal of the manual, I would go just far enough to remove the cam and rocker holders.  Then the cam tower seals (they look like and are often referred to as little rubber pucks) can be replaced as they are almost guaranteed to start leaking on a bike that has sat for years.  Also, remove and replace the four little o-rings under the cam tower, and remove, clean, and inspect the oil jets.  This will ensure that your valve train stays healthy.
[/quote]

I was under the impression that it was a pain to get the valve cover off without removing the engine not impossible.  Learning stuff already.

I may pull the engine so that I can clean it and give it as much of a thorough going over as possible.  It sat for 30 years so I am a bit nervous about not checking as much as I can.  The cars that I have quite a bit of experience with are air cooled VWs and I have pulled those engines on a Friday and re-installed on a Sunday.  I am hoping that this wouldn't be much more difficult than those were...I could be wrong though.

[seanbarney41]

 
[/quote]

I was under the impression that it was a pain to get the valve cover off without removing the engine not impossible.  Learning stuff already.

I may pull the engine so that I can clean it and give it as much of a thorough going over as possible.  It sat for 30 years so I am a bit nervous about not checking as much as I can.  The cars that I have quite a bit of experience with are air cooled VWs and I have pulled those engines on a Friday and re-installed on a Sunday.  I am hoping that this wouldn't be much more difficult than those were...I could be wrong though.   


[/quote]I think you actually can get the valve cover off in the frame by removing all mounts and connections and twisting it back but this is just as much trouble as just pulling it out...I can get that engine out in about 3 hours, but I have done it several times...it weighs just shy of 200 lbs.  Do some searching here for several helpful techniques.

[70CB750]

It would not hurt to pull the oil pan too, for the price of a neew gasket to verify there is nothing bad brewing and that the oil pump screen is clean.

But be aware that the dominos will sneak up on you.   You pull the oil pan and all is fine but for the piece of mind, you decide to replace o-rings at the oil pump and than you figure you could as well do this and that while you are at it and there goes year or two and no riding is done since the bike covers half of the garage floor and some shelving now.