Topic: 1978 CB750K skill builder (read: low budget)

[Davez134]

No sooner did I get into the new house with my new shop, I have a new project. I promised a coworker that I would help him with a bike for his son for a graduation present. The bike is a 1978 CB750K. It supposedly ran a few months ago, so hopefully the motor will just be cosmetics (we'll see, otherwise his budget is blown!) Most of the money is going into a F tank if I can find one and a different seat. I want to learn to paint, so I am going to try to learn a skill on this one. Frame, hubs, hoops will be powder, the rest will just be freshened up/made safe. Oh and besides paying me, he brought over another 78K and said I could have it! Pics tomorrow when I get back over there.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Dave Z's Customs is born! 

[754]

Should you part the 78, things you may want to upgrade earlier bikes.
Front end minus the trees, chrome all the way up, longer legs, can use fork brace.
Swingarm, if you dont mind 1 1/4 longer, and its a touch wider.
Rear wheel..17 inch.. Widest rear rim on the 750, still resembles front rim, its wider in the carrier.. But you can go back to the original width if you like.
Head.. Possibly better.. The studs are handy.
The carbs, if you want low price squirters, these fit the bill.
 Probably a few more bits.

[Davez134]

Frank, on the second bike I'll probably just clean it up, get it running good and sell it. I could use the cash for my eventual Kawasaki H2 project I've been dreaming about!

[Davez134]

Here is the the bike I'm doing for my friend




Probably selling tank/seat. exhaust is good, other workable parts like headlight, gauges will save me time/money.

Here is the free 78K


With carbs and a bunch of small parts in a box.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

You know me, Dave. I am a sucker for 750K bikes with F tanks.  What's the plan for seat/upholstery?

[Davez134]

You know me, Dave. I am a sucker for 750K bikes with F tanks.  What's the plan for seat/upholstery?

Open for ideas! I was going to shorten a F seat maybe? I don't have a solid plan for that though.

[Stev-o]

Subscribed.....his bike looks like a great candidate.  I'll keep my eye open for an F tank for ya...and an H2!!


EDIT...heres a tank to watch.  And FYI --- F tanks are not cheap.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-77-76-75-Honda-Super-Sport-CB750F-Four-CB750-750-Gas-Tank-/382081902770?fits=Model%3ACB750F&hash=item58f5db28b2:g:VR0AAOSwGJlZF-Pr&vxp=mtr

[Davez134]

Subscribed.....his bike looks like a great candidate.  I'll keep my eye open for an F tank for ya...and an H2!!


EDIT...heres a tank to watch.  And FYI --- F tanks are not cheap.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-77-76-75-Honda-Super-Sport-CB750F-Four-CB750-750-Gas-Tank-/382081902770?fits=Model%3ACB750F&hash=item58f5db28b2:g:VR0AAOSwGJlZF-Pr&vxp=mtr

Thanks Stev-o. I saw that one yesterday, doesn't look too rusty either. Keeping an eye on it!

[SKTP]

I shortened a K seat and had it recovered...I cut it about 0.25" too short. Probably nobody notices, but I do and might try again...maybe

[Davez134]

Does anyone here know what seat pan Doctor_D used in his build pictured in this post here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,66026.msg949901.html#msg949901

I really like the shape of it, almost resembles the F seat tail a bit. I read through the post and saw no mention of it. I've also been searching online for a while. Any help appreciated, thanks!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Does anyone here know what seat pan Doctor_D used in his build pictured in this post here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,66026.msg949901.html#msg949901

I really like the shape of it, almost resembles the F seat tail a bit. I read through the post and saw no mention of it. I've also been searching online for a while. Any help appreciated, thanks!

Dave,

Ian Halcott made that seat for Dave. He made one for my black 750 (Nine Lives bike), too.

[Davez134]

Does anyone here know what seat pan Doctor_D used in his build pictured in this post here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,66026.msg949901.html#msg949901

I really like the shape of it, almost resembles the F seat tail a bit. I read through the post and saw no mention of it. I've also been searching online for a while. Any help appreciated, thanks!

Dave,

Ian Halcott made that seat for Dave. He made one for my black 750 (Nine Lives bike), too.

Copy thanks! My friend may not have the budget for Ian's talents, going to have to ask.  I may end up using the cowl part of an F seat, fitting it to a K seat pan to retain hinge function, then having it upholstered. Got some thinking to do.

[Restoration Fan]

Cool new projects. 

Dave, if you haven't worked on a 77 or 78 before, they're slightly different in a few ways so I recommend using the manuals Honda created just for those model years.  I have them saved on a Google Drive folder that is shared out for others to use as well.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4nqeBb662mZZjZjTWdGRk9Qd0E

Looking forward to seeing what you do with painting on them.

Ron

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Does anyone here know what seat pan Doctor_D used in his build pictured in this post here:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,66026.msg949901.html#msg949901

I really like the shape of it, almost resembles the F seat tail a bit. I read through the post and saw no mention of it. I've also been searching online for a while. Any help appreciated, thanks!

Dave,

Ian Halcott made that seat for Dave. He made one for my black 750 (Nine Lives bike), too.

Copy thanks! My friend may not have the budget for Ian's talents, going to have to ask.  I may end up using the cowl part of an F seat, fitting it to a K seat pan to retain hinge function, then having it upholstered. Got some thinking to do.

Dave,

Ian is currently not making seats. IF your buddy REALLY wants one, and has the coin for it, contact me.

[Davez134]

Thanks for the link Ron.

Don, I'm going to meet with him tomorrow and go over some ideas/price points on a seat. I should have a for sure plan by then. I actually really like something like this too, I think it would go well with the lines of a F tank. I have the welding skills, but not the forming skills/tools yet to make something like it.

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/bedlam-werks-aluminum-boss-fastback-cb750-seat-pan.html

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks for the link Ron.

Don, I'm going to meet with him tomorrow and go over some ideas/price points on a seat. I should have a for sure plan by then. I actually really like something like this too, I think it would go well with the lines of a F tank. I have the welding skills, but not the forming skills/tools yet to make something like it.

http://www.dimecitycycles.com/bedlam-werks-aluminum-boss-fastback-cb750-seat-pan.html

No doubt about it.  The Doctor Dave seat goes well with an F tank.  I went the same way myself.

[Davez134]

Had a couple hours today, so I did some tear down.




Good news is the fork tubes are incredibly clean. And it already has tapered steering bearings


I got it running a couple days ago. Carbs need to be cleaned, but it ran ok. Compression was about 130 on all 4, leakdown test showed no problems. So now i know I can just do cosmetics on the motor.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Nice Joker Triple!

[Davez134]

Yes, it looks well made. I got a tank to use for mock up, but that's about it, it's rusted through on the bottom. So still looking for a F tank. I can't believe how hard it is to find one, I may start looking at other options.

[Restoration Fan]

Today I learned that I REALLY need Dave to come hang out at my house for a while.  I'm pretty sure not even my kitchen floor is as clean as his garage floor.

Pretty sure that's a sign of a sick mind, my friend.   

[Davez134]

Today I learned that I REALLY need Dave to come hang out at my house for a while.  I'm pretty sure not even my kitchen floor is as clean as his garage floor.

Pretty sure that's a sign of a sick mind, my friend.   

I'll take that as a compliment! (not the clean floor part )

[Davez134]

Ok, I'm open to ideas for a tank. I'm having an incredibly hard time finding a F tank, and I need to get this thing going. Has anyone used anything other than 750 tanks on these bikes that don't look too small?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Ok, I'm open to ideas for a tank. I'm having an incredibly hard time finding a F tank, and I need to get this thing going. Has anyone used anything other than 750 tanks on these bikes that don't look too small?

Patience, Dave.  They come up on Fleabay but there are periods of dry spells sprinkled with listings (less frequently than in prior years).  Try to get your other stuff done and do a periodic (2xweek) search.

[Davez134]

Ok, I'm open to ideas for a tank. I'm having an incredibly hard time finding a F tank, and I need to get this thing going. Has anyone used anything other than 750 tanks on these bikes that don't look too small?

Patience, Dave.  They come up on Fleabay but there are periods of dry spells sprinkled with listings (less frequently than in prior years).  Try to get your other stuff done and do a periodic (2xweek) search.

I'm trying to get the stuff like seatpan done, but wanted to have the tank to use for measurements/mockup. I guess I can offer the guy locally with the rusted out tank 20 bucks and use it for mockup/measurements.