Topic: My first complete build 72 CB750 - completed for now...

[Davez134]

Wow! A Carpy bike??! 

I thought the same thing haha! (as in "them's fightin' words")

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Everyone has their own aesthetic.  IMO, I think that the bike in its final configuration was pretty distinct from his bikes (note: GL front end, numerous performance upgrades, electronics, custom rebuilt wheels, finishes, custom metal work, etc.). 

[algophobe]

Everyone has their own aesthetic.  IMO, I think that the bike in its final configuration was pretty distinct from his bikes (note: GL front end, numerous performance upgrades, electronics, custom rebuilt wheels, finishes, custom metal work, etc.).

finally perused thru the thread for your build. I'm tired for you just reading thru it. can't blame a novice for not noticing the "details in the devil". but hey, you kinda though of carpy first when you decided to go for it.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Everyone has their own aesthetic.  IMO, I think that the bike in its final configuration was pretty distinct from his bikes (note: GL front end, numerous performance upgrades, electronics, custom rebuilt wheels, finishes, custom metal work, etc.).

finally perused thru the thread for your build. I'm tired for you just reading thru it. can't blame a novice for not noticing the "details in the devil". but hey, you kinda though of carpy first when you decided to go for it.

Indeed, it its first evolution.  That bike literally had 9 lives.

[algophobe]

Everyone has their own aesthetic.  IMO, I think that the bike in its final configuration was pretty distinct from his bikes (note: GL front end, numerous performance upgrades, electronics, custom rebuilt wheels, finishes, custom metal work, etc.).

finally perused thru the thread for your build. I'm tired for you just reading thru it. can't blame a novice for not noticing the "details in the devil". but hey, you kinda though of carpy first when you decided to go for it.

Indeed, it its first evolution.  That bike literally had 9 lives.

you mind if i asked what kinda work you do? that's quite a bit of coin to pour into a project.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Everyone has their own aesthetic.  IMO, I think that the bike in its final configuration was pretty distinct from his bikes (note: GL front end, numerous performance upgrades, electronics, custom rebuilt wheels, finishes, custom metal work, etc.).

finally perused thru the thread for your build. I'm tired for you just reading thru it. can't blame a novice for not noticing the "details in the devil". but hey, you kinda though of carpy first when you decided to go for it.

Indeed, it its first evolution.  That bike literally had 9 lives.

you mind if i asked what kinda work you do? that's quite a bit of coin to pour into a project.

Contract killer. 

[Terry in Australia]

Hey I just re-read your Nine Lives bike build thread Don, what a pain that must have been! Whatever happened to those Lockheed brakes? I wouldn't mind trying some on a CB750, and I thought maybe larger disc rotors maight solve the problem with the calipers hitting the spokes? Cheers, Terry.

I traded them to my buddy (for him to use). I agree that if you could offset the rotors more than on the 750, you could probably use them.

Thanks Don, what I was thinking was using a bigger OD disc rotor, I had the same issue when I installed a PM caliper on the front of my Sporty, I couldn't lower it down enough on the disc without touching the spokes, so I found a rotor that was 20mm larger. The disc on a K2 runs very close to the fork leg, so not much chance of offsetting it away from the spokes. Cheers, Terry.

[algophobe]

Contract killer.

True that. 

in that case, I sincerely apologize for all the insensitive words... and beautiful bike.. and you're beautiful too.. blessing.. go in peace.

[Terry in Australia]

Contract killer.

True that. 

in that case, I sincerely apologize for all the insensitive words... and beautiful bike.. and you're beautiful too.. blessing.. go in peace.

Careful mate, while Don's a professional contract killer, he hates being patronised. Don't ask me how I know...........

[algophobe]

A little update. Started the painting after setting up a makeshift spray booth in the work shed. I'm using House of Kolor paint. After some Bondo work to fill up all the dents that was in the tank from previous owners. Primer and guide coat sprayed.

[algophobe]

After some sanding of the guide coat and second round of glaze filter.  the smaller imperfections are filled and smoothed out.  Back to the booth for new coats of primer.

[Terry in Australia]

Looks like a scene from "Dexter"!

[algophobe]

finally had some time to make major progress on the painting. the tank went thru 4 cycles of thing body filling, primer and sanding to get the contour right to hide all those prior dents. for paint, I used House of Color Shimarin 2 system, simply because I had some paint left over from last time (mental note use less expensive paint next time). I've got the base color and first set of clear coat on them. It was quite a race trying to get to base coat on within the same window of sealer placement to clear coat. I certainly forgot how unforgiving body painting is.

Next is the 3rd and 4th layer of color on the tank and tail. while I do sand down the light and front fender to put on a final flow coat.

[Terry in Australia]

Hmmnn, well I like the yellow and the white mate, but not keen on the battleship grey. Good job, and as long as you like it, that's the main thing.

[algophobe]

For some reason I've been on this kick for nonmetallic browns and greys. Its to enhance the yellow and white. Once the black comes in it'll pop even more.

[Godffery]

 I'd say it works pretty well together.
A daring move, well executed. 

[algophobe]

I'd say it works pretty well together.
A daring move, well executed. 

thanks godfrey. well as nice as that paint was. I always manage to find a way to screw it up. I had a local sign shop cut a vinyl stencil to form the number plate and "Honda" lettering as well as the Chinese character which will be the signature of the bike. I knew they tend to leave glue residue and can come off with some encouragement. but what really ruined things was that I painted white, then masked to paint the black. a single edge with two paint colored layers don't work to well. so I had to wipe it off and start over. fortunately the layer of catalyzed clear on top of the grey and yellow shielded the mistake and can work over it again.

here's the pic of the seat completed since it didn't require too much stencil work. there's a final flow clear coat so it makes it extra shiny. the flow coat was intended to avoid having to do fine sanding and buffing to get rid of minor orange peel, but there are some runs that i'll have to remove so now buff and sanding is a must to finalize the paint.

only the tank remains to be painted. i'm going to have to hand cut transfer/masking films to make the lettering. this is going to be interesting.

[Godffery]

No sweat Man, that's just a little thing we call "the learning Curve".   

[algophobe]

Haven't posted lately as I have been struggling with painting the last piece of the bike. The gas tank has more layers of artwork and lettering that I had quite a bit of trouble with. specifically painting the Honda letter, the number and surrounding black frame. had some issues with putting on decal stencils that left glue residuals that ended up requiring wiping them off with acetone and starting over. fortunately the clear coat sealed the yellow and grey layers. the last few months of painting had been plagued with bad weather from rain, temps <60, and >120 degrees in Southern California which slowed down my progress. But I've finally finished the paint job. PHEW!!!

I learn a few things the hard way. 1) minimize tape time with decals/stencil and line tapes (it helps reduce glue residues) 2) always buy new vinyl tapes for each project as expensive as they are (if they're old they also leave glue residues) 3) when there are contaminants on the clear coat (fisheyes), check the connectors for the spray guns, even with new moisture/dust filters contaminant hide in plain site.

[algophobe]

below are some hurdles I sorted, thru. fisheye contaminants, failed vinyl stencils led to trying to make my own stencil, the lettering was horrid.

[algophobe]

I decided to give the custom cut vinyl decal/stencil another try and breaking down the black elements and painting them separately to minimize tape time, and it worked like a charm! no glue residue

I decided to use the #7 instead of #72 was it would be simpler and less cluttered, 7 being a homage to my wife being the 7th of 8 children.... and the only daughter amongst 7 sons. with all the patience to handle 7 brothers and the many hobbies of her husband.

The black framing was quite another challenge as well, as it was taped by hand and the tight turns pushed the flexibility limits of the masking tape. in the end, i clear coated after all of the black elements were painted, and cleaned up the black and white lines by hand with a fine brush and lettering enamel, followed by a final clear flow coat.

Then sanding from 1500 to 3000 grit and buffing it with cutting compound.  and VOILA!
Its gonna get a little wax tonight and then on to reassembly this weekend.

[Godffery]

Well done Man!   Painting itself is a real challenge, then to add multi color, stripes AND lettering is an over-achievement for attacking a first time paint project.  Well Done Indeed!!!

[algophobe]

Well done Man!   Painting itself is a real challenge, then to add multi color, stripes AND lettering is an over-achievement for attacking a first time paint project.  Well Done Indeed!!!

Thanks Godffery, though i have to confess, not my first body paint that's why I was ambitious enough to use all the layers, definitely the most complex I've done so far. I used to rattle can paint all my riding buddies' race/track plastics back in the day, i'll post some pics up later when I get home. the two component paints are a bigger headache but gives such beautiful results when you put in the time.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Good job on the paint. It is reminiscent of the Edwards/Rossi Yamaha livery/helmets used at Laguna Seca

[algophobe]

subconsciously maybe inspired by Collin. but this was the main inspiration.