Topic: CB750 Motor Builders

[spiritof67]

Are there still people out there who build SOHC Honda motors, for racing or otherwise?

[seanbarney41]

ummmmm, yeah....read this forum lately?

[dragracer]

Are there still people out there who build SOHC Honda motors, for racing or otherwise?

Try Mike Rieck.

[spiritof67]

Dragracer, thanks. Seanbarney, not quite sure what kind of assistance you're trying to offer...?

Meanwhile, I'll try to look up Mr. Rieck.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Don't bother trying to "look up" Mike.  He does not have a web-site.  He doesn't need one.  He is pretty much the Demigod of CB porting, and knows how to build power in these motors.  He's a hell of a nice guy.  The services are not cheap but are priced VERY fair - you are getting specialized workmanship by expert hands. 

JMR Porting
18 Magnolia Pointe
Ashland, MA 01721
T 508-231-1202
T2 508-479-9627
jmrieck2@gmail.com

You can also send your motor to:

Jay at APE Race Parts in Rosamond next to Willow Springs Raceway in California  (661) 256-7309  http://aperaceparts.com/contact.html

Ken at Cycle Exchange http://www.cyclexchange.net/

All of these guys can work on specific individual parts too.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

If you want someone more local to your area, you'll have to let us know where you are.

[madmtnmotors]

Dragracer, thanks. Seanbarney, not quite sure what kind of assistance you're trying to offer...?

Meanwhile, I'll try to look up Mr. Rieck.

The kind of assistance that correlates to "teaching a man to fish" is the way I read it.

When dealing with a bunch of bikers a sense of humor goes a long way... 


Don't know that there are too many builders of complete engines anymore. Most will provide performance parts and/or machine work but the completed engine is left with "some assembly required".

Too many variables (buyer started motor with no oil?) leaving too much liability on the engine builder.

[seanbarney41]

Dragracer, thanks. Seanbarney, not quite sure what kind of assistance you're trying to offer...?

Meanwhile, I'll try to look up Mr. Rieck.

sorry, misunderstood your question.  For some goofy reason, I didn't realize you were looking for pros/shops/businesses/etc.  Plenty of amateur guys here building engines, asking questions, and posting their results.

[spiritof67]

Thanks to all...I am unfortunately for health reasons not able to do the kinds of work I used to do (ah, lost youth..) so I have to find someone...wait...RELIABLE AND HONEST...to do the work for me. Thankfully even in these times I am usually lucky enough to find that person. But I thought I'd ask here, because, well, where else should you ask?

Seanbarney, no offense taken, really.

madmtnmotors, I have a sense of humor - I also have 7 different doctors who try that sense regularly, so please understand that time means different things to us all. Anyway,I'm a motorcyclist and not a biker. Wait: that was a joke, OK?

CB750 Cafe Racer Fan, thanks for the treasure trove. I'll address myself to Mr. Rieck and the others. Your assistance is appreciated.

My location is downstate New York, but I've shipped CB motors before and know the drill. I even have a custom made shipping box, whee!

Hang in there folks, and I'll see if I can get before/after photos of a CB750 cafe racer project together for the Forum. Just one good health day needed!

[DWS]

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[gschuld]

FWIW, Mark (AKA) Hondaman also does engine rebuilds.

Mike Rieck has a fantastic reputation regarding his porting/head work.  That appears to be the main focus of his work.  Full high performance engine builds done to a very high standard is VERY time consuming, exacting work, and Mike has the skills.  Frankly, I have no idea how someone as skilled at it as Mike is can let people like me con him into doing an engine.  I'm sure if he counted the hours he invested in my motor he'd rethink the definition of sanity . 

In short, such high quality work takes time, hard earned knowledge, persistence, and patience.  Also the few that have such talent are worth more per hour than they can rationally charge.  If your fortunate enough to have Mike do work on your head/motor, know that though it is not inexpensive, it is a great value in that you are most likely being charged well less than his skills are worth. 

In the world of cheap/low grade products that we surround ourselves with these days, craftsmen like Mike deserves both our patience and our appreciation.

Certainly there are others who do high end cb750 engines(CycleX, APE, etc), but I'll stick with my personal experience.

George

 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Jeeez!  How could I forget to include Mark "Hondaman" Paris!??  Oops!

Echoing George's post, I don't think Mike does complete engine builds.  His porting work is the gold standard!

I think you would do okay looking into builds with Hondaman, Cycle X or APE.  I think Cycle X and APE lean more toward performance upgrades, while Hondaman can build you a blueprinted hyper-reliable motor.

[madmtnmotors]

I am unfortunately for health reasons not able to do the kinds of work I used to do (ah, lost youth..)

Ahhh, yeah my knees keep me from doing things I used to do.

Like my stepfather used to say, "it's hell getting old, but it sure beats the alternative"

[gschuld]

I don't think Mike does complete engine builds.

Oh he does , you just have to ask REAL nice and hope the project interests him at some level.  ...Or get lucky like I did

George

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I don't think Mike does complete engine builds.

Oh he does , you just have to ask REAL nice and hope the project interests him at some level.  ...Or get lucky like I did

George

Damn, George.  That's a serious hook-up!  So, if Mike engraves your name on the underside fin of the head (when he ports it), what does he mark on the engine with a complete build?   

[gschuld]

My motor was an old hipo big bore motor built with lots of vintage RC Engineering parts.  RC ENG is already stamped into the head(and cylinder block, etc)

Mike was kind enough to make a few "improvements" to the old girl cylinder head included.

Hopefully Mike will add something on the outside that will mark his work.  Otherwise I have some real nice JMR decals.

George

[calj737]

Easy enough to get Mike to build you an engine. Takes 3 things: some decent prepayment, patience and manners, and buy one of his billet blocks as a foundation! He will of course farm some of the specialty work off that he doesn't have the machining for, but you can rest assured, you won't find a more capable, qualified or honest person. There are many great ones out there, just none better than Mike. And he's right up the road in Boston 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I wish he was just up the road from Long Beach!   

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Easy enough to get Mike to build you an engine. Takes 3 things: some decent prepayment, patience and manners, and buy one of his billet blocks as a foundation! He will of course farm some of the specialty work off that he doesn't have the machining for, but you can rest assured, you won't find a more capable, qualified or honest person. There are many great ones out there, just none better than Mike. And he's right up the road in Boston 

Amen, he's the man!!! Bill

[Jim F]

I have 3 if his heads on my bikes and they are perfect for there applications.
ask Mike about his own CB750
Great guy
Jim