« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: '78 CB750 Project - Where to take it  (Read 1138 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Gonzo750

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 23
'78 CB750 Project - Where to take it
« on: January 23, 2019, 02:14:57 PM »
Hey all,

Here is the current state of my project bike.



It's fairly run down. In it's state, it had no chance of running. So far, I've removed the wiring harness, battery box and its components, and the instruments cluster (mind you, one of the mounting tabs to it on the triple tree was broken).

My intentions for it after restoration and rebuilding are to keep it, learn and ride dearly. However, selling it down the line after that wouldn't be out of the question.

With that in mind, where should I take this? Should I do a full restoration true to the original, keeping resale value in mind? Or, should I have fun and make a custom build out of it? (My plans for the build are along the lines of the following pic)


Image from Pinterest

Thank you in advance for your thoughts!
Logged
1978 CB750k - Barn Find

Offline flybox1

  • My wife thinks I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,301
Re: '78 CB750 Project - Where to take it
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2019, 02:17:39 PM »
does it have a title, and how much time/$$$ do you have to throw at it?
anything is possible....
Logged
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline Gonzo750

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 23
Re: '78 CB750 Project - Where to take it
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2019, 02:23:37 PM »
Quote from: flybox1 on January 23, 2019, 02:17:39 PM
does it have a title, and how much time/$$$ do you have to throw at it?
anything is possible....

It does not have a title; but, there is a way to get one fairly easily. I'd like to keep my overall budget over the course of time, if reasonable about $2500. However, I don't want to skimp on anything. Plan is to definitely rebuild the engine, upgrade electrics, powder coat the frame and such.
Logged
1978 CB750k - Barn Find

Offline flybox1

  • My wife thinks I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,301
Re: '78 CB750 Project - Where to take it
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2019, 02:41:23 PM »
IIWM, i wouldnt lift a finger or spend cash until the title process was started, and the PO is/was out of the picture.

Vermont?
Logged
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline Gonzo750

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 23
Re: '78 CB750 Project - Where to take it
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2019, 02:47:15 PM »
Quote from: flybox1 on January 23, 2019, 02:41:23 PM
IIWM, i wouldnt lift a finger or spend cash until the title process was started, and the PO is/was out of the picture.

Vermont?

Fair point. I want to dive into the state of the engine before anything as well, still nothing spent at that point and go from there depending on its condition (I guess technically anything is rebuildable but...)

Yes, Vermont, then transfer to my state. What is PO?
Logged
1978 CB750k - Barn Find

Offline sixthwisconsin

  • With an 1855 Springfield, I'm a
  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 553
Re: '78 CB750 Project - Where to take it
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2019, 03:19:35 PM »
I finished a 550 last June that was in slightly better condition than yours. I spent $2600 all in including the price of the bike. I  don't know if you can do the powder coating and Brat build pictured for that. I just did a clean up and rebuild of components, rebuilt brakes with new SS lines & MC. Pamco ignition with new coils, wires & caps, solid state reg/rec, build a new modern fuse panel, tires, exhaust, seat cover. I painted myself to a non OEM color and did an engine top end inspection with new head gasket, lapped valves, honed cylinders with ring & cylinder measurement & inspection.

So I have a clean, rebuilt, non 100% stock but stock looking bike that is reliable and a blast to ride.

You can also do what you want in phases. Clean up & rebuild components to get it running. Add some paint even if it's from a rattle can. Ride it for awhile and plan where to take it next.

Above all, enjoy yourself working on it!
Logged

Offline Gonzo750

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 23
Re: '78 CB750 Project - Where to take it
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2019, 03:27:00 PM »
Quote from: sixthwisconsin on January 23, 2019, 03:19:35 PM
I finished a 550 last June that was in slightly better condition than yours. I spent $2600 all in including the price of the bike. I  don't know if you can do the powder coating and Brat build pictured for that. I just did a clean up and rebuild of components, rebuilt brakes with new SS lines & MC. Pamco ignition with new coils, wires & caps, solid state reg/rec, build a new modern fuse panel, tires, exhaust, seat cover. I painted myself to a non OEM color and did an engine top end inspection with new head gasket, lapped valves, honed cylinders with ring & cylinder measurement & inspection.

So I have a clean, rebuilt, non 100% stock but stock looking bike that is reliable and a blast to ride.

You can also do what you want in phases. Clean up & rebuild components to get it running. Add some paint even if it's from a rattle can. Ride it for awhile and plan where to take it next.

Above all, enjoy yourself working on it!

My plans includes pretty much everything you did, but also doing a fuller engine rebuild including all new gaskets, oil seals, oil bearings (especially since the previous owner said they weren't getting oil pressure), as well as a lithium battery. Upgrading the wiring would also be nice. And yes, everything will definitely have to be spaced out. Thanks for the input.
Logged
1978 CB750k - Barn Find

Offline flybox1

  • My wife thinks I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,301
Re: '78 CB750 Project - Where to take it
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2019, 06:48:06 AM »
PO = Previous Owner
Does it turn over?   Much easier to break it loose while its a roller.

Yes, labor is free  ;D
Good luck with your project\.  Get Hondaman's Book!
Logged
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline MauiK3

  • A K3 is saved
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,378
  • Old guy
Re: '78 CB750 Project - Where to take it
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2019, 08:40:07 AM »
On Hackaweek the 750 project was billed as a cafe type resto. As it evolved that morphed into a fairly stock looking bike with some aftermarket exhausts.
It's hard to beat the original bike in most ways. As you get into it you'll find more to fix than you expected, spend more money than you planned and it will be more work than you thought.
Think of it as a meditation and keep going at your own pace, the bike will take shape in whatever way you decide.

Of course I'm a fan of mostly stock.
Cheers
Logged
1973 CB 750 K3
10/72 build Z1 Kawasaki

Offline Bankerdanny

  • Eventually I will be old enough in reality to be
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,626
  • Endeavor to persevere
Re: '78 CB750 Project - Where to take it
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2019, 09:41:47 AM »
The '78 750K isn't particularly collectible, or really collectible at all, so I would not spend lots of money on a restoration.

Building even a mild custom whether its a café or brat or bobber can get expensive. Whether it's worth the money is a purely personal decision. You end up with a bike that is exactly what you want, which has value to you that is on top of what you could sell the bike for.
Logged
"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 kerryb

  • Not a very
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,155
  • 78 750k 74 cb550k, '83GL1100 FXSTC, 1979 Wilmac
Re: '78 CB750 Project - Where to take it
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2019, 02:58:20 PM »
I would suggest you get a title, then fix it up just enough to ride it around, then you'll have a much better image of what you want ultimately.  Once you are hooked on the bike, the money won't matter.  If you don't fall in love with it, sell it for a reasonable profit and look for the bike you really want.
 Just my two miserly cents.
Logged
intrigued by the wail...seduced by the scream.

Offline Gonzo750

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 23
Re: '78 CB750 Project - Where to take it
« Reply #11 on: January 26, 2019, 08:21:40 AM »
Thank you everyone for your insights! I think I'm definitely going to go for the build route in the long run,  but I may do a minor restoration to get it running first as some of you suggested.

I want to get it apart first, to get a full idea on it's condition, the engine specifically, before I delve into it. If I see it's worth the build, I'll make sure to get a title before starting.
Logged
1978 CB750k - Barn Find

Offline seanbarney41

  • not really that much younger than an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 10,895
Re: '78 CB750 Project - Where to take it
« Reply #12 on: January 26, 2019, 09:53:50 AM »
You are really better off NOT taking the engine apart until you have a good idea what and if anything is wrong.  Putting one of these back together is very expensive and the chances of making serious mistakes is high
Logged
If it works good, it looks good...
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »