Author Topic: $150 '74 CB750K4 Build-Updated 9/15/07 (Read 10987 times)

mkramer1121 · « **on:** December 23, 2006, 11:13:41 AM »

Alright, if any of you guys remember, back in the summertime I bought a $150 CB750 (with ProTeal's help) that needed some love and attention. Over the course of the fall and up until now it has been stripped down and parts have slowly accumulated to get me to the point of where I'm at today. While there's still a LONG way to go, I've made the first few babysteps by getting my parts back from the powdercoater today. BTW, if your in the Northern Illinois area, Precision Powdercoating does an amazing job, I'm extremely happy with their work. (sorry, no before pictures, didn't have a good digital cam at the time).

Frame

Gas Tank and more parts

samfig · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2006, 11:27:11 AM »

Hey, I'm in the NW Burbs of Chicago. How much did the powder coating cost you (if you don't mind me asking). Also, what are your plans for the bike?

mkramer1121 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2006, 11:45:26 AM »

The powdercoating ran about $500 (he's located in Crystal Lake), but this included blasting, stripping the chrome from the rims, and being meticulous with how he prepped the parts. Anything metal that wasn't a tank, fender, fork, or wheel hub was powdercaoted. With the prep work he did, I won't need to retap any of my holes to get rid of any powder the got in there, he inserted plugs to prevent the excess work. He also busted his butt the day before xmas eve to finish them up for me. I am just truly amazed at how it turned out, and would gladly pay that again.

As for plans for the bike, I really like the cafe style, but I don't have the $$$ right now to upgrade the engine, So, I'm rebuilding the top end of the stock engine (newer/lower miles cylinder, instead of 30K miles, these only have 9k), and repainting it. As for the rattle can Duplicolor paint curing, Bob @ Precision said he would bake the engine for me if I needed him to. I'm still on the fence as to polishing or just painting the engine covers. In the future, I will pick up a donor engine and actually make it a hot engine, but until then, the stocker will be just fine.

As for the rest of the bike, here's a list of parts I've gotten so far, and you can envision whats going into it:
1) GL1000 front end (37mm forks, stock dual discs, and I bought progressive springs for them cheap from Wing Worx)
2) New wheel and triple tree bearings, having my swingarm rebuilt by Hondaman
3) Custom fiberglass gas tank (shown in pic, no idea who makes it)
4) Redwing progressive 12.75" shocks
5) Tommasselli adjustable clubman bars

And a bunch of other stuff that I'll leave for when I'm finished with the bike, but you can get a general idea of how it will come together from the list given. This is my first actual build, so we'll see how it turns out when done, hopefully it will be less headaches and more fun.
mre fun the headaches.

bill440cars · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2006, 07:35:09 PM »

Hey Mike,

That's quite a striking good start you've got going there! When you get that jewel finished, you and Jim ought to make quite an impression with your bike and his. Keep up the good work buddy and I hope I get to be the one to nominate it for BOTM, when it's time.

Later on, Bill

medic09 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2006, 07:43:45 PM »

Very cool, Mike. Keep us inspired.

Mordechai

USN20 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 23, 2006, 08:06:47 PM »

I like that gas tank

mkramer1121 · « **Reply #6 on:** December 23, 2006, 08:16:09 PM »

Thanks for the replies and well wishes guys. The pictures really don't do this red justice. The powder color is "soda fountain red", and in person the frame just pops. As for the tank, that cost me a pretty penny off of ebay, but the seller was prompt with shipment and was a pleasure to deal with. Just wish I would have won the Gaman seat he had for sale as well. I just got my wheel bearings in the mail today, so those will go in this week, then I'll spoke the rims. Its slowly coming together, one giant step is out of the way, only two more to go (finish engine rebuild and reassembly...but those all have numerous small steps

). I'll keep this posted with pics, this should fly by now that I'm semi healed up and able to work on the bike again.

bill440cars · « **Reply #7 on:** December 23, 2006, 09:24:38 PM »

I've seen tanks like that before and they were made in Tulsa Oklahoma but can't recall the exact name of the company. It was like Fibrefab or maybe Fibremold. Anybody out there remember the company, it was in the late 60's that I'm talking about. I used to have a tank made by them but, it's long gone now. I might have a picture of it in an old magazine but they're kinda packed away for now.

Later on, Bill

KCs76Cafe · « **Reply #8 on:** December 24, 2006, 05:57:09 AM »

Cant wait to see it finished........looks like its gonna be sweet. Tank is killer.

Dave K · « **Reply #9 on:** December 24, 2006, 10:01:38 AM »

Bill, you are right about the tank. I have an old "Rand" catalog from about '69 that shows that tank in it.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 24, 2006, 12:22:20 PM »

I can't believe that is the bike I rode past by my house !
Project is looking killer - cant wait to see the end result....

Roach Carver · « **Reply #11 on:** December 24, 2006, 01:51:59 PM »

looks great. look forward to the finished product.

DME · « **Reply #12 on:** December 24, 2006, 03:07:55 PM »

Many interesting projects in process right now, and this is definately one of them!
Keep up the good work

Merry christmas!
Daniel

mkramer1121 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 29, 2006, 04:58:13 PM »

Ok, I need some advice. 2 Questions, really.

1) The lower end of the engine is of questionable parentage. It has 30K miles on it, but it seems to shift well (seems, bike never ran before the teardown). The bike sat for 15 years with plenty of oil in it so rust shouldn't be an issue. Should I split the cases and replace the primary chain, as well as give it an overall inspection? Or should I say heck with it and just put the newer cylinder head (9K miles) on and close it up?

2) Bearing grease. What's acceptable for the tapered bearings being installed on the triple tree? Also, I know that the "sealed" wheel bearings don't need to be packed, but would you anyway? Also, what grease is recommended for the swingarm? The grease I have is the Silikolene ProRG2 grease (red/pink in color) found in most Honda dealerships, can I use this for all my needs? Thanks!

Killer Canary · « **Reply #14 on:** December 29, 2006, 08:18:33 PM »

This post caught my eye because I too have a $150 K4 that suffered a fire under the seat, the only thing that didn't burn was the cigarette foil in the fuse box! It's my next project.

mkramer1121 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 29, 2006, 08:20:18 PM »

$1 a CC

Even as it sits, in parts and powdercoat alone I think I'm well over $1500 already.

mkramer1121 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 30, 2006, 07:52:34 PM »

Ever had a bad day of working on the bike? I did today. I had an agenda, finish the engine rebuild (replace cam cahin, put newer heads on the lower end), and I'm nowhere closer now then I was before. However, a few lessons were learned from today's experience.

First one, there's always a simple solution (ex. Was feeding a new cam chain using the old one when it slipped off and the old one came through. After panicking and starting to contemplate taking the case halves apart, I realized, hey, I can see it on the other side of the sproket, where's a coat hanger!).

2nd, Buy the right QUALITY tool for the job (ex. When breaking the old cam chain, the ebay special cam chain tool I bought broke 2 of its pins. Then, upon riveting the new chain, I think I riveted it too tight, as it is not plyable/as felxible as the rest of the chain at that point).

Finally, if one things goes wrong, call it a day because you'll break something else (ex. When panicking about the dropped cam chain, I started to disassembly the case halves, only going so far as removing the shifter assembly. Upon reassembly, I cross threaded the nut and had to hack it off. I now need a new number 2 in the picture below.)

I did make some progress, fiberglassing a thumb sized chip in a sidecover (circled in the 2nd pic below), but still had a heck of a day....Hopefully, tomorrow will be better...

bill440cars · « **Reply #17 on:** December 30, 2006, 08:36:39 PM »

Hang in there Mike, it's gonna get better. That sucker's gonna be awesome when you finish it!
Even at this stage, it's an attention getter. Take it easy and things'll go well. You take care and
keep your goal in mind. Catch you later on, Bill

HondaMan · « **Reply #18 on:** December 30, 2006, 10:34:32 PM »

This is gonna be the best job you ever loved/hated/loved! Hang in there, let us know if you can't find that shaft. I have one, but it's headed for my K2 case, sorry, or you could have it. My old one is worn. There's a bikeyard near here that could get one from a dozen CB750s they have, if they can dig one out of the 3-4 feet of snow we've had this last week.

Looking at those colors makes me hungry. I think it's...Wendy's Biggie...?

Beautiful scheme, though! I need to 'glass on some pieces to my left cover, too. How did you do yours?

mkramer1121 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 30, 2006, 10:57:03 PM »

Thanks Hondaman, I think I can track that shaft down though. If I can't find one, I'll let you know and you can include it when you send my swingarm back (BTW, I'll be sending that to you the week of the 7th, no rush). As for the color, the frame is done, the tank and sidecovers is still in the works (gloss black or metallic silver....I can't decide). Here's a "mock up":

As for the fiberglass, all I'm doing is building a base on the back to put regular Bondo on from the front. I bought the Bondo fiberglass kit, and followed the directions. Sand and clean, mix resin and hardener, soak piece of fiberglass in resin, lay it in place, add the next (if needed) and let it dry. I did this to the back of the cover, the chip is still noticeable from the front. Its not done yet, it may be a liittle bit brittle, so I'll build it up (wearing gloves, took me hours to get all the resin off). I also noticed another spot on there that needs attention. When I'm done 'glassing, I'll use regular Bondo on the front to fill in the chip. Sand, paint, and should be as good as new. I could take a close up picture of the back side if you would like.

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #20 on:** December 31, 2006, 01:11:02 AM »

Bike looks killer mike - keep up the good work.
And don't sweat the BS, believe me I know.
When it gets bad, close up shop and walk away.
It is much better than working while pissed, because then you really cant get your mind straight and you
start to break stuff/do things wrong/etc...

Quote from: mkramer1121 on December 30, 2006, 10:57:03 PM

As for the color, the frame is done, the tank and sidecovers is still in the works (gloss black or metallic silver....I can't decide).

Here's a pic of a fellow Ton-Up Chicago members's CB750 that has a red frame and silver bodywork/tank/etc..
Figure u might wanna see one complete before you make your paint decision...

If you want some better pics let me know and i will get them to ya...

mkramer1121 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2006, 03:05:04 PM »

Wow PT, that's a pretty good looking bike. Is that just a gloss silver or is it metal flake?

As for build update, today went much better then yesterday. I took it easy and finished rebuilding my carbs. Amazing how nice these turned out with how ugly they were originally.

mkramer1121 · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2007, 08:59:16 PM »

Been awhile since I updated and had a few setbecks.

Did some spoking of some wheels over the winter.

Started like this:

Ended like this:

Also, finally had the chance and some help to put the engine together (well, almost).

Here's a few before:

Yummy crusty pistons:

And here are some in process engine build pics:

Steamcleaned Lower cases:

Pistons being seated:

Pistons in and happy:

Valves on top!

Had some fun with the engine build. I had a good friend and faithful Honda guy help me with this build as it was my first time inside an SOHC/4. When putting in the pistons that matched the new (to me) low milage cylinders, a broken piston ring was found. Upon trying to replace the rings, found out the new ones that I had didn't fit the piston. Out came those pistons, and a different set with the new rings were put in. The cylinders had such low milage that there was still a cross hatch. Figure since they were basically new cylinders, what problems could I run into with the new rings? New rings compress soooo much easier then old ones too.

Since then, the cam has been put in place. I'll be finishing the engine build this weekend.

bill440cars · « **Reply #23 on:** March 19, 2007, 09:18:33 PM »

Hey Mike, Good to see the progress on your build. Can't wait to see it coming together. Haven't made much progress on mine yet. Between work, weather and other parts popping up, that I need for my CB77, I'm not moving along very well. Hope to pick up speed before long though. You keep up the good work there and I'll catch you later on, Bill

seaweb11 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 20, 2007, 01:17:25 AM »

(sorry, no before pictures, didn't have a good digital cam at the time)

Had to laugh at that, anyone who has done this knows just how shi*ty it looked.

Nice job so far. I've done a black frame and a silver one, now working on a chrome one. I am always very interested in the matching color scheme with colored frames.

Keep us informed and the photos are great

News:

Author Topic: $150 '74 CB750K4 Build-Updated 9/15/07 (Read 10987 times)

USN20