Topic: New from Wisconsin

[bek1966]

Hi All,

I recently rejoined SOHC/4 after having been off for a number of years.  I have a 1971 CB750 K1 (1050052) and a 1971 CB500 K0 (1051637).  Both bikes are not running.  Part of the reason for the break from SOHC/4 and tending to the bikes is that a lightening strike burned down my house in July of 2014, and then life just got in the way.  I bet that first reason is not one that is used very often on the forum!   The lightening strike and resulting fire occurred in the middle of the night and luckily we all (me, wife and 3 kids) got out of the house safely.  Also good was that even though the house and all that was in it was lost, the fire did not reach the attached garage - so the motorcycles and my 1959 MGA were okay.

My goal is to get both bikes running and get them on the road once again.  I have no experience working on motorcycles - so there's a challenge!  My sons, both in college, really like Honda SOHC/4's and are excited to see ours running again.  My daughter, in college next year (that'll be 3 at once for a year ), is also a fan.

I really enjoy following the Project Shop sub-forum, inspirational stuff!

Regards,
Brad K
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

[Johnie]

Hey welcome back from Oshkosh!

[MD]

Hello from NE MN,

If I do a Wisconsin In Sate Saddle Sore 1000.   You will be one of the corners hiding down there in the very SE section of the state. 

The obvious starting point for the bikes are carburators and batteries.  It is amazing how long these bikes can sit and be brought back to life.

-MD

[Stev-o]

Welcome from Texas.   I do recall another member had his house burn down but not by lightning!

[RAFster122s]

Welcome back and welcome from Tennessee. If you are at all patient or mechanically teachable you can work on these bikes successfully and get them going again. They are pretty simple and in case of a nuclear EMP, when still equipped with points they can still be running and operating normally. Cannot say that about 99% of the cars out there now.
Don't know why I thought of a nuclear EMP...just being weird tonight, I have a migraine so maybe the synapses aren't firing normally.
David

[bek1966]

Thanks for the welcome guys!

Johnie, I've been following your projects with great interest.  The boys and I are really into Patina Bike 2 and are big fans of your shop - it looks awesome.  The fact that you're nearly a neighbor did not go unnoticed!

MD, I hope to have a running bike if you do have a Saddle Sore coming through SE Wisconsin.  Even if I don't, I'd like to participate in one way or another, even if it is to wave as you guys ride by!

Thanks Stev-o!  Andy, my 19 year old son, goes to school at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX.  He's already saving for a bike and hopes to get a CB750 - good taste, if you ask me!

Thanks David.  I'll need all the help I can muster.  Between the bikes (assuming I get them running) and my MGA, I think I'm covered for the Big One 

Brad

[Johnie]

Thanks Brad...you are always welcome to visit the shop when you are in the area.

[Gurp]

Welcome back!

[WhyNot2]

yep, welcome back.

Lets see some pix of the stable, including that MGA?

[bek1966]

Thanks for the invitation Johnie, I'd really like to see your shop and bikes.

Here are some photos of the CB500.  It was a Craigslist find about 3 miles from my house.  It was not running when I found it - inside of the gas tank is quite rusty.  The last time the license plates were renewed was 1984.  It has less than 10k miles on the odometer.  The engine is free and it shifts through the gears fine.  I haven't put a fresh battery in it to check any of the electrical components.  I did not have a chance to do anything to it before the fire - so it's in the same condition as the day I purchased it, pictured below:











I lost the computer that had all of the pictures of the CB750.  Like the CB500, it's not running, but is in better condition appearance-wise.  It has a nice original seat and the chrome on the fenders and wheels is nice.  The gauges are nice too.  The exhaust, when I purchased it, was a 4 into 2 and had a good amount of surface rust on it.  I picked up a well used, but decent set of HM341 pipes from a former neighbor.  These pipes are not on the bike yet.  The CB750 also has less than 10k on the odometer.

Here's the 1959 MGA.  I has a warmed up 1800 5-main motor from an MGB along with the front suspension, disc brakes and differential.  The changes do not affect the appearance, but really improve the drive-ability - it's a lot of fun!



Thanks again for the warm welcomes!

Brad

[Stev-o]

Love the MGA!   My buddy had a MG when we were in high school, fond memories cruising for girls in that car!  I also have a classic car - an old Chevy.

[WhyNot2]

Man........love that car.

[bek1966]

Thanks guys.  Gotta like the speedo and tach too - kind of reminds me of the 750's big gauges staring back at me.

[Stev-o]

Beautiful interior! Love that steering wheel.  Is that a speaker mid dash?

[Tews19]

Well hello fellow Wisconsonite. I'm in Waukesha county if you ever need a hand

[bek1966]

Thanks Tews, I'm gonna need some help for sure!

Stev-o, you're right, that is a speaker grill.  The cars came from the factory with the grill, but no speaker or radio.  Dealer's would then install a speaker and radio for customers that wanted them.  The black rectangle shape on the instrument panel is a blanking plate for a radio.  Heaters were also optional.

Brad

[RAFster122s]

welcome from TN