Author Topic: Newb here.  (Read 1539 times)

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Offline 76NolaCR

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Newb here.
« on: January 17, 2018, 07:44:24 AM »
Hi all-

I am completely new to motorcycles.  I have restored a few cars, built an airplane with my dad, and worked as an outboard motor mechanic in college. But never ridden or wrenched on any real bikes (rode dirt bikes a couple times as a kid).  So what do I do - that's right - go buy a non-running 40+ year old 500 lb bike that's been sitting for a couple years.  Cant be that much different right? 

So I found a 750F1 here in New Orleans and the bike seemed exactly what I was looking for.  (Mostly) complete, good compression, and an owner that could speak to its recent history. 

I spent the first few weeks with the bike addressing the basics and familiarizing myself with bike anatomy.  Rebuilt the carbs and starter and got it running. Smooth(ish) idle at 1000 with an eyeball sync on the carbs and static timing.  Youtube has been awesome.

Now I am deciding what to do with it.  I plan on taking it down to the frame and restoring it fully. Not sure If I am going stock or custom - I am still in the planning stage and trying to figure out what to do with it.

At this point I'm a little concerned about learning to ride a bike on a full restoration - but I figure I have some time to figure that out, I expect the restoration to take at least a year.  I'm in no hurry.  Looking forward to learning from the forum.  The last time I fully restored a vehicle was in the early 90's (pre internet) so I figure the learning curve should be shorter. 

Thanks!
1976 CB750F1
If you gotta be a monkey, be a gorilla...

Offline FuZZie

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2018, 12:35:16 PM »
Welcome, post up a pic of what you have to start with plz!

Don't worry about the learner breakage, if you build it you know exactly how to fix it.  :D

Offline MD

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2018, 03:26:01 PM »
Welcome from NE MN,

Some of the long timers on here recommend riding the bike for a while before doing a full tear down.  The idea is to learn what is working well and what you want to change.  It is also better to let a few scratches appear before ruining that new paint job.

-MD
1975 CB550F Super Sport;  Lake Superior Circle 1000, 45-90 Saddle 1000, All in Yooper 1000 and SS 2000 in 48 hrs:  1985 GL1200A, MN in State SS1K

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2018, 05:24:12 PM »
MD said that well...maybe get something modern, cheap, and light weight to learn to ride.  Cb750's are none of the above.  Nice thing about starter bikes is there is always a new crop of beginners so you can usually sell them quickly for as much as you bought 'em for after you repair all the crash damage.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline 76NolaCR

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2018, 05:25:19 PM »
Welcome from NE MN,

Some of the long timers on here recommend riding the bike for a while before doing a full tear down.  The idea is to learn what is working well and what you want to change.  It is also better to let a few scratches appear before ruining that new paint job.

-MD
I have struggled the past few weeks thinking the same thing. It would be easy to continue to tune it and learn about the machine over the next month or two and ride it when spring gets here in March.

However, the bike needs overhaul of some major systems before it could be ridden - the brakes are shot - I need a new rear caliper (bleeder valve broken off with an ez out piece stuck in the middle thanks to PO) front caliper is seized but I believe salvageable. Front forks are leaky, rear shocks are way too short (11”) No headlight, tires dry rotted - the list is long just to get it rideable. I hate to do things twice if I don’t have to.

Perhaps I should just buy another bike to ride while I build the 750? Real bike guys have more than 1 money pit in the garage anyway right?




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1976 CB750F1
If you gotta be a monkey, be a gorilla...

Offline MD

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2018, 07:49:48 PM »
Welcome from NE MN,

Some of the long timers on here recommend riding the bike for a while before doing a full tear down.  The idea is to learn what is working well and what you want to change.  It is also better to let a few scratches appear before ruining that new paint job.

-MD
I have struggled the past few weeks thinking the same thing. It would be easy to continue to tune it and learn about the machine over the next month or two and ride it when spring gets here in March.

However, the bike needs overhaul of some major systems before it could be ridden - the brakes are shot - I need a new rear caliper (bleeder valve broken off with an ez out piece stuck in the middle thanks to PO) front caliper is seized but I believe salvageable. Front forks are leaky, rear shocks are way too short (11”) No headlight, tires dry rotted - the list is long just to get it rideable. I hate to do things twice if I don’t have to.

Perhaps I should just buy another bike to ride while I build the 750? Real bike guys have more than 1 money pit in the garage anyway right?




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What year is the bike?  I am curious because your comment about the rear brake indicates a hydraulic rear brake.

-MD
1975 CB550F Super Sport;  Lake Superior Circle 1000, 45-90 Saddle 1000, All in Yooper 1000 and SS 2000 in 48 hrs:  1985 GL1200A, MN in State SS1K

Offline 76NolaCR

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2018, 05:18:53 PM »
It’s a 76, currently wearing a 77 tank. It’s an F model so it has the rear disc break


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1976 CB750F1
If you gotta be a monkey, be a gorilla...

Offline 76NolaCR

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2018, 05:42:28 PM »
While we’re on it - can anyone tell me if the rear caliper and bracket are the same among f1-f2 models? That’s the one piece I’ve really been scouring eBay for since I got the bike a few weeks ago


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1976 CB750F1
If you gotta be a monkey, be a gorilla...

Offline FuZZie

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2018, 05:48:02 PM »
Need some pictures 76NolaCR, I think you have more than you know.
It's not just sporting a 77 tank but the back disk isn't factory either. I wonder what else isn't?

https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550f-super-sport-550-four-1976-usa_model467/partslist/F++10.html

EDIT: May have spoken too soon?
https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb750f-750-super-sport-1976-usa_model490/partslist/F++10.html#results
« Last Edit: January 18, 2018, 05:54:38 PM by FuZZie »

Offline 76NolaCR

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #9 on: January 19, 2018, 04:58:18 AM »
Yeah - the manuals all spec the rear disc - from what I understand the rear disc brake was one of the super sport “upgrades”


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1976 CB750F1
If you gotta be a monkey, be a gorilla...

Offline 76NolaCR

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2018, 07:04:20 AM »



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1976 CB750F1
If you gotta be a monkey, be a gorilla...

Offline FuZZie

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2018, 10:32:27 AM »
Yeah - the manuals all spec the rear disc - from what I understand the rear disc brake was one of the super sport “upgrades”


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Sorry, I miss read and thought you had a 76/550f :(

Offline 76NolaCR

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #12 on: January 20, 2018, 06:08:24 AM »
No worries Fuz - good lookin out regardless. One more question, P.O. is offering me a brand new set of BT45 Battlax tires in stock size for $100 - they’re still wrapped in the shipping plastic. Is this a decent tire? I don’t want to buy them strictly on price - I want to make sure I get something that will perform well.


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1976 CB750F1
If you gotta be a monkey, be a gorilla...

Offline FuZZie

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2018, 06:20:34 AM »
Yea I'd do that on just the price. :)

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2018, 06:47:33 AM »
Yea I'd do that on just the price. :)


+1....as long as they are not over 6 years old?  The date of manufacture is on the sidewall. 

Very good tire. I have them on my K4
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline 76NolaCR

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Re: Newb here.
« Reply #15 on: February 03, 2018, 07:28:13 AM »
Id like to run the engine up to operating temp now that it’s running to get a (somewhat) accurate compression reading - but the bike is not rideable. How much idle time is too much? I have a couple fans I can put out front to aide in cooling as I know that’s the big issue with running the bike at idle for a long period of time.


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1976 CB750F1
If you gotta be a monkey, be a gorilla...