Author Topic: My first 750: '76 CB750F  (Read 20838 times)

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Offline Bankerdanny

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My first 750: '76 CB750F
« on: October 22, 2017, 10:43:00 AM »
I thought I should get a project thread going.

If you didn't see my thread in the SOHC4 board I picked up this 76 CB750F last weekend. Complete and appears to be in good shape, although the tank is suspect.
« Last Edit: October 22, 2017, 10:45:02 AM by Bankerdanny »
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2017, 10:46:40 AM »
It came with a still dry brand new battery. So last night and put in the acid and turned the key, nothing, no lights nada. Checked the fuses, most were the shorter style.  Plenty of corrosion, so I knocked off for the night.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2017, 10:48:21 AM »
Bought correct fuses today, cleaned up the connections, including at the harness and reinstalled. Of course now I can't find the key, so I can't test right this second. Decided I would post some pictures.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2017, 07:19:10 PM »
And here's the reason the PO sealed the tank, then completely filled this indented area with bondo
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2017, 07:20:08 PM »
I'll also be buying an ignition switch
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Online seanbarney41

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #5 on: October 22, 2017, 08:00:54 PM »
Damn, that sucks...2 very typical problem areas for F bikes though.  I have a half decent 77k tank you can have.  I also recommend using a key switch from an earlier or later bike.  Goldwing switches can be adapted along with several other early '80's Honda's.  Went the other direction on my current f and used early key switch.
DSCN1191 by Sean Barney, on Flickr
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #6 on: October 22, 2017, 10:59:49 PM »
Replace the plastic base. Cheap.

One thing to remember on this switch is it also contains the fork lock.
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2017, 04:50:12 AM »
It's the same switch as my 550 so I have experience taking them apart.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #8 on: October 23, 2017, 01:20:57 PM »
It's easy to hot wire too....just have to make some jumper wires to plug into the connector
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Don R

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2017, 07:59:05 PM »
 On one of my F's I peeled off the brittle plastic and coated the exposed key switch terminals with brush on electrical contact sealer. Liquid tape.
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #10 on: November 03, 2017, 08:00:59 AM »
Subscribed. 

That tank can be saved with Caswell.  Put duct tape on the holes before pouring the epoxy in.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2017, 11:40:59 AM »
Thanks Stev-o. I'm going to at least make the holes smaller by brazing, then re-coat. I am going to pick up some welding rod this week and see what I can accomplish next weekend.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #12 on: January 16, 2018, 10:44:56 AM »
Finally got around to brazing up the holes in the tank, including some new ones that turned up during the brazing process. I haven't had a chance to leak test, but it doesn't matter since I plan to strip out the liner that is in it and reline the tank.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #13 on: January 16, 2018, 10:47:24 AM »
I also discovered another gift from the PO, although I think this was one he probably got from the owner before him
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #14 on: January 16, 2018, 10:49:04 AM »
Last but not least, the Kerker muffler is basically dead too. Oh the joy of a "cheap" old motorcycle.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Stev-o

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #15 on: January 16, 2018, 11:00:02 AM »
The cheapest bikes can be the most expensive bikes!  [dont ask how I know]
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #16 on: January 16, 2018, 11:19:00 AM »
Good start Danny. The tank could end up being a lost cause. I just hope it doesn't turn out to be a sieve when you get it cleaned out. Keeping my fingers crossed. Speed Bleeder Co has been know to "fix" buggered calipers too. The good news is the exhaust is easily replaceable. Keep at it, it's just time and $$ LOL.
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #17 on: January 16, 2018, 11:19:55 AM »
Ran across a guy selling a mostly complete F3 without a title locally (via a Facebook group I joined today). I just PM'd him. The has a Kerker muffler like I have now.

I was thinking about tracking down a set of F2/3 wheels anyway. So if I could get this cheap enough I could swap the whole front end, plus the wheels and brakes and have a spare tank and seat setup.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Don R

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #18 on: January 16, 2018, 12:34:28 PM »
 There's an f3 lurking near me, it's all rusty, locked up, no title and the guy thinks it's worth $400. I'll throw a $200 offer next time I see him. 

 I'm a big fan of the F's. I still consider my triple disc 76 the best all around bike I've owned, although the sandcast I got with the help of the F money is pretty sweet. I'm hoarding a pair of F tanks and a 75 rear frame and swingarm from a wreck. Someday I plan to build a cb750 superbike lol.
« Last Edit: January 16, 2018, 12:39:33 PM by Don R »
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.
 You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #19 on: January 16, 2018, 12:52:17 PM »
I heard back from the guy by me, he wants $700, no carbs on the bike in the photo and needs a seat cover. I paid $850 for my fully assembled bike with a perfect seat and the title.
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #20 on: January 16, 2018, 01:11:10 PM »
Danny, keep in mind, that rear caliper costs around $150 on ebay, unless its in the same condition as yours...rear masters just as much, rear mc rebuild kits are $80-$100...but then nobody can sell a nice clean original f for more than about $3500...#$%* does not add up...
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Stev-o

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #21 on: January 16, 2018, 01:59:24 PM »
Danny, keep in mind, that rear caliper costs around $150 on ebay, unless its in the same condition as yours...rear masters just as much, rear mc rebuild kits are $80-$100...but then nobody can sell a nice clean original f for more than about $3500...#$%* does not add up...

...and a nice tank $175...
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline GritCity750

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #22 on: January 19, 2018, 06:05:40 PM »
I also discovered another gift from the PO, although I think this was one he probably got from the owner before him

Wow, I would have gone with a metric screw thread on that. Sheesh!

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #23 on: March 18, 2018, 10:11:55 AM »
Finally spent a quality afternoon working on the F. Added a couple more brazing repairs to the tank to holes that revealed themselves after I started removing the liner.

Figured out part of why I had no power to the ignition switch. One of the DPO's (probably the inexperienced one I bought the bike from) had moved the wire that takes power from the starter solenoid from the battery side to the starter side.

I also determined that my ignition switch needs replacing. When I took the switch apart I discovered that the contact for the main power in was recessed down into the plastic housing, so the contact that moves power from the input to the other terminals out doesn't touch the terminal. Time to order a new switch.

Sanded off all the filler that was clearly visible under the paint on the inside of the tail housing. It had clearly broken in the typical place, I thought that maybe someone had repaired it with fiberglass because I could see the pattern of cloth, but I am thinking now that someone just imbeded the cloth in the filler or else didn't properly harden the resin. Anyway I  removed all the old filler and properly glassed it up. It'll cure for the next week until I get down to my sister's again at which point I will fix up the rest of it and drill a new hole for the bolt that attaches it to the seat.

I also replaced the tail light assembly. I was just going to swap out the cracked tail light lens for an undamaged one I had in my box of spares, but when I took it off the inside had been damaged by water and I ended up swapping the lens and the base.
« Last Edit: March 18, 2018, 10:16:28 AM by Bankerdanny »
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline MauiK3

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Re: My first 750: '76 CB750F
« Reply #24 on: March 18, 2018, 11:16:19 AM »
These projects can't be about profit, either you want to do it or you don't
I don't think I could ever get my $$ out of the K3 even if my wife would let me try.
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki