Topic: AR/MO Wrench?

[InTheHills]

Well I found the bike.... and it needs some work to get on the road. Im about as mechanical as a banana so I need to find someone who knows these bikes. Im in North Central AR.

Do you know any shops or folks around these parts that you would trust to turn a wrench?

Thanks!

[my name is nobody]

If you get a manual for your particular bike, maintenance and repair is pretty straightforward. Learn how to
navigate this forum, ask questions, and have the ability to upload pictures, and you'll be on your way...
Most shops that sell new bikes don't know how to, or don't want to get involved with old bikes for a variety
of reasons (mostly economic). Some independent shops will, usually older guys.
You will find this forum to be an invaluable source of information for the sohc4 motorcycles though, and
you can go a long way towards getting your Honda back on the road. Hope this will help as I don't know of anyone in your area. Do introduce your self in the introductions section of the forum, that will get you some
exposure to other members in your area possibly. I know there are a few guys in northwest Arkansas that
are members here..Look around and welcome to the forum.

[calj737]

If you aren't interested in learning to work on your bike, then a 40+ year old bike is a BAD choice. It will need regular tinkering, and perhaps some significant work to get going. To pay someone else means big bucks, and huge delays. Neither equates to time to ride and enjoy your bike.

"Nobody" is right; there's heaps of folks who get their first bike, know little to nothing, than equipped with their computer, some basic hand tools, and plenty of initiative, turn their bikes into daily drivers. If you are such a person, then, grab a camera, take lots of clear pictures walking around the bike and post them up. Ask questions in a new thread title, "First bike, first of 1,000,000 questions". You will get an enormous amount of assistance, help, and good advice. Probably even some helping hands.

You can do this, its easier than you think. And every possible answer to any question you have exists on this forum somewhere. So don't be shy, and don't spend your money when that can buy you nearly every tool you'll ever need to do it yourself.

[pjlogue]

What Calj said is good advice.  You need deep pockets and a lot of patience if you are going to have your bike serviced by someone else.  Most shops don't have mechanics trained for bikes 40+ years old.  It's hit of miss if their staff have a "real" mechanic on staff.  By "real" mechanic I mean someone that has the knack for wrenching.  These are the mechanics that can tease a broken off bolt out without causing more damage and can diagnose an engine sound with accuracy.  I have known 1 mechanic in 30+ years that can do this.  They are few and far between.  Most dealer automotive shops have staff that follow a checklist for diagnostics.  No, or little thought/understanding needed.  I assume bike shops are much the same.  (maybe I am wrong on this because I don't use bike shops for repairs)

If you do use someone else for repairs you should at least know some basics for roadside repair.  It isn't hard to learn and can be quite fun and satisfying too.  A milk crate and a wrench in my garage on a rainy day is great therapy for me. 

-P. 

[InTheHills]

My intent is to do most of what is above but im honestly a bit ansy to get her running this summer. I really thought that the bike was in better shape than it is but I got the worst of that assumption. Timing was way off so I played with that and I think I made progress. Now 2 plugs arent firing but are oil soaked. Im thinking its gonna need rings. The front and rear brakes are both frozen. I also assume that the carbs are going to need going through and synched.

I want to get her at least running down the road and then ill address the issues as they come up.

I think I may have found a guy... now Ive jsut got to trick him into working with me. He has worked on bikes for 50 years but is retired and has a shop next to his house. Im going to take him the bike tomorrow then im gonna hit him with the REAL question.... Can I hang out and work on her with you? LOL

I do really want to learn but im trying to balance that with the desire to ride a bike ive been wanting for a long time.

Ill get a pic in the daylight tomorrow and post it. She looks pretty good and soon she will be running good too, one way or another.

[nicks2319]

A rushed "I just want to run it down the road" was my approach when my back brake blew apart, seized, and took me sideways ha. Recovered but got a hell of a scare. Make sure to take a hard look over everything, even if you happen to get it fired up and think a quick ride is in order. Good luck!

[evinrude7]

My intent is to do most of what is above but im honestly a bit ansy to get her running this summer. I really thought that the bike was in better shape than it is but I got the worst of that assumption. Timing was way off so I played with that and I think I made progress. Now 2 plugs arent firing but are oil soaked. Im thinking its gonna need rings. The front and rear brakes are both frozen. I also assume that the carbs are going to need going through and synched.

I want to get her at least running down the road and then ill address the issues as they come up.

I think I may have found a guy... now Ive jsut got to trick him into working with me. He has worked on bikes for 50 years but is retired and has a shop next to his house. Im going to take him the bike tomorrow then im gonna hit him with the REAL question.... Can I hang out and work on her with you? LOL

I do really want to learn but im trying to balance that with the desire to ride a bike ive been wanting for a long time.

Ill get a pic in the daylight tomorrow and post it. She looks pretty good and soon she will be running good too, one way or another.

ITH - i was sort of in the same boat as you a year and half ago.  i tried to find someone to work on it, with me looking over their shoulder on the items that i felt i'd be over my head on.  especially the tricky bits.  no one wanted to do that and to be honest i don't blame them.  so i asked questions here.  a few good questions and a bunch of dumb newbie type ones.  granted i have always maintained my automobiles over the years and rarely used a mechanic but this motorcycle seemed like it would need work i might not have the skills or patience to complete.  in all honesty these bikes are not difficult to work on.  at least you can reach everything.  i'll even go as far as saying i bet my bike was in worse shape than your's when i got it.  it was a pile of #$%* i got for $400 and i probably over paid.  it's a tough frustrating battle to get there but when you finally get it running right just think about how well you will know your bike and you did the work.  i'm no expert.  i probably never will be one but you have to find the fun in it.  so go buy some fukin tools and get to work.  it's not going to run perfectly the first day or in a month.  anyway that's my pep talk for the evening.  cheers.               

[InTheHills]

A rushed "I just want to run it down the road" was my approach when my back brake blew apart, seized, and took me sideways ha. Recovered but got a hell of a scare. Make sure to take a hard look over everything, even if you happen to get it fired up and think a quick ride is in order. Good luck!

Functional brakes are 2nd only to running motor!

[InTheHills]

ITH - i was sort of in the same boat as you a year and half ago.  i tried to find someone to work on it, with me looking over their shoulder on the items that i felt i'd be over my head on.  especially the tricky bits.  no one wanted to do that and to be honest i don't blame them.

Ill be surprised if he agrees but Im going to at least try. If he chases me off then Ill be back here asking 2,462 questions sooner rather than later.

[calj737]

Functional brakes are 2nd only to running motor!

See, there's your first mistake. BRAKES, TIRES, OIL, FUEL. If those 4 items aren't perfect, a running motor is only a deathtrap patiently waiting to kill you.

I would caution you to presume that a motor "needs" simply because of... We've all heard that oily plugs are attributed to rings, sure might be. But there's also about a dozen other reasons they could be.

Please start with the essentials: Year of bike, model of bike, mileage on the bike, Serial number on the motor.

Armed with this info, many answers are obvious. Many recommendations become clear too. And how about some pictures!!!

[flatlander]

if you're in a rush to get riding, get a bike that's in good running shape and use it while you work on your CB. you can buy a 10 year old bike for less than you might think.

you didn't say what attracted you to this ancient piece of machinery vs. something newer that regular shops can service... a vintage bike is not and never will be a turn-key vehicle and you should not take any shortcuts while getting it ready to ride. so patience is needed. your own safety and life and that of others can be at stake. it will take a learning curve but help is available right here and you might find out that it's actually fun to do all this yourself

[InTheHills]

Functional brakes are 2nd only to running motor!

See, there's your first mistake. BRAKES, TIRES, OIL, FUEL. If those 4 items aren't perfect, a running motor is only a deathtrap patiently waiting to kill you.

I would caution you to presume that a motor "needs" simply because of... We've all heard that oily plugs are attributed to rings, sure might be. But there's also about a dozen other reasons they could be.

Please start with the essentials: Year of bike, model of bike, mileage on the bike, Serial number on the motor.

Armed with this info, many answers are obvious. Many recommendations become clear too. And how about some pictures!!!

Im pretty sure we are saying the same thing. Id like to hear the motor run but Im not riding her until its safe. Tires, Fuel and Oil are good.

76' CB750F - 51k - 1st owner took detailed notes and put all these miles on between 76 and 92. If the book and speedo are accurate then she hasnt seen 500 miles since 92.

[InTheHills]

if you're in a rush to get riding, get a bike that's in good running shape and use it while you work on your CB. you can buy a 10 year old bike for less than you might think.

you didn't say what attracted you to this ancient piece of machinery vs. something newer that regular shops can service... a vintage bike is not and never will be a turn-key vehicle and you should not take any shortcuts while getting it ready to ride. so patience is needed. your own safety and life and that of others can be at stake. it will take a learning curve but help is available right here and you might find out that it's actually fun to do all this yourself

Ive got another bike I can ride and I wont risk my skin. The Ozarks are not a great place to take chances with brakes, there are far more roller coaster curves with nice drop offs or dense woods than there are people.

Im a 76' model and I wanted to pick up a bike that was a 76'. AMF was in the process of trying to kill off Harley so that was off the list. A case could be made for the KZ900 or maybe even the XS750 but I rode Hondas when I was a kid and the CB750F jsut looked amazing.

I have never really learned to work on stuff but I have more time on my hands now so id like to learn. So I started looking for a bike in good condition that I could ride as I learned to fix her up. I found the bike for sale from a seller with a great rating but too far away for a in person inspection. I made the deal, picked her up and then got to dig in and see what I had. Its not the bike I thought it was, hoped it was BUT its mostly original and pretty clean. Ill put in the dollars or time to get her running, driving, shifting and stopping then set out to put another 50k on her.

[flatlander]

sounds good, and the bike looks very clean indeed.
you're in a lucky position, having another ride and some time on your hands.

did you see the pages with the manual and partslist for your bike? you can download them here: http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb750f/
it's a supplement, for the general stuff you can use these here: http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb750k/
print out the pages and have them next to you when working on the bike. don't be tempted to buy other manuals (except the book by hondaman) as they're all inferior to the original honda one.

with a new-to-them bike, most people start with the 3k miles service as described in the manual. that makes sure the basics are right and gives you a decent starting point for further diagnostics, if needed.
i would start there, and ask questions on the forum if you get stuck somewhere.

[my name is nobody]

The Ozarks are not a great place to take chances with brakes, there are far more roller coaster curves with nice drop offs or dense woods than there are people.



Are you near hwy. 7?........

[InTheHills]

The Ozarks are not a great place to take chances with brakes, there are far more roller coaster curves with nice drop offs or dense woods than there are people.



Are you near hwy. 7?........

The North end of 7, Lead Hill, is jsut a few miles away. But honestly from that intersection 14 headed West is much more fun.