Topic: Mix Match 750 build - next stage cheap 836 kit

[Shtonecb500]

Very Nice work you're doing.That swing-arm was excellent to get on that bike you bought:what a bonus. 

Thank you, I spent alot of time hunting down a swing arm and rims - $500 for that roller was a STEAL.

[Kevin D]

I wanted to post real fast and pay some respect to my mentor, Phil White.

I bought my first bike almost 4 years ago now and have been wrenching on them myself consistently for the last 2 plus years. While I'm in my bay working on my stuff, Phil is on the other side building restorations like the one I want to share below, mini trail side hacks, customer bikes, random resto- mods, full break down and rebuild and 836 big bore done by himself, you name it, he is doing it. While he is doing all that, he is always teaching and correcting me, giving me advice that would often take someone 3-4 times to figure out. My learning curve has been reduced greatly. I just wanted to share the restoration he is currently doing for a customer.

I feel fortunate to have learned how to build a nice Honda from him and even more so, that I am able to do it while he is retired and has the time and patience. I would have given up on building if I wasn't allowed a creative workspace to do things properly and be fed like a plant.

ENJOY.

Is this the same Phil “The Doctor of Honda’s” ?

Yes it is, I managed to meet him when he retired and I've been working out of his shop since. Its been incredibly fun.

Wow, you are one lucky guy Shtone. I have been several times to his shop on Crescent Lake. I don’t remember ever buying anything there but it was always nice to look at the restored bikes in his showroom. What a lineup from CB750, SuperHawk, Scrambler, Dream, MiniTrail. I asked his counsel when I started my resto in 2002 and I have a book of matches around here somewhere advertising his shop.

[Shtonecb500]

I wanted to post real fast and pay some respect to my mentor, Phil White.

I bought my first bike almost 4 years ago now and have been wrenching on them myself consistently for the last 2 plus years. While I'm in my bay working on my stuff, Phil is on the other side building restorations like the one I want to share below, mini trail side hacks, customer bikes, random resto- mods, full break down and rebuild and 836 big bore done by himself, you name it, he is doing it. While he is doing all that, he is always teaching and correcting me, giving me advice that would often take someone 3-4 times to figure out. My learning curve has been reduced greatly. I just wanted to share the restoration he is currently doing for a customer.

I feel fortunate to have learned how to build a nice Honda from him and even more so, that I am able to do it while he is retired and has the time and patience. I would have given up on building if I wasn't allowed a creative workspace to do things properly and be fed like a plant.

ENJOY.

Is this the same Phil “The Doctor of Honda’s” ?

Yes it is, I managed to meet him when he retired and I've been working out of his shop since. Its been incredibly fun.

Wow, you are one lucky guy Shtone. I have been several times to his shop on Crescent Lake. I don’t remember ever buying anything there but it was always nice to look at the restored bikes in his showroom. What a lineup from CB750, SuperHawk, Scrambler, Dream, MiniTrail. I asked his counsel when I started my resto in 2002 and I have a book of matches around here somewhere advertising his shop.

you should come by in April, Ive got two builds goin and he will be wrenching.

[Kevin D]

I wanted to post real fast and pay some respect to my mentor, Phil White.

I bought my first bike almost 4 years ago now and have been wrenching on them myself consistently for the last 2 plus years. While I'm in my bay working on my stuff, Phil is on the other side building restorations like the one I want to share below, mini trail side hacks, customer bikes, random resto- mods, full break down and rebuild and 836 big bore done by himself, you name it, he is doing it. While he is doing all that, he is always teaching and correcting me, giving me advice that would often take someone 3-4 times to figure out. My learning curve has been reduced greatly. I just wanted to share the restoration he is currently doing for a customer.

I feel fortunate to have learned how to build a nice Honda from him and even more so, that I am able to do it while he is retired and has the time and patience. I would have given up on building if I wasn't allowed a creative workspace to do things properly and be fed like a plant.

ENJOY.

Is this the same Phil “The Doctor of Honda’s” ?

Yes it is, I managed to meet him when he retired and I've been working out of his shop since. Its been incredibly fun.

Wow, you are one lucky guy Shtone. I have been several times to his shop on Crescent Lake. I don’t remember ever buying anything there but it was always nice to look at the restored bikes in his showroom. What a lineup from CB750, SuperHawk, Scrambler, Dream, MiniTrail. I asked his counsel when I started my resto in 2002 and I have a book of matches around here somewhere advertising his shop.

you should come by in April, Ive got two builds goin and he will be wrenching.

Same building on Crescent Lake? Motor City guitar draws me that way as well.

[Shtonecb500]

yep same one.

[Shtonecb500]

I've decided on these GIVI cases based on quality and price, a set of black pelican cases would look fine but too utilitarian. The stock triumph cases I posted before are expensive coming in at $800 and so are competitors not including mounting hardware..well over 1k once you work that in. The GIVI is $540 and I prefer hard case that I can lock, can remove and carry.

The racks offered are $200, pictured below. I could make that myself and save two hundred bucks. I found this bmw project pictured below that I liked, it looks heavy...but simple. I have a tube bender and tube notcher that hasn't been used yet and will be perfect for this. The brushed finished on the cases blends well with the tank trim and with the motor.

I decided to reinstall the grab bar and then figure out a dedicated way of mounting the tail light, it still looks like it just "sitting there" on the fender. I hate that. Pretty sure risers are getting added for comfort and will be more in line with the portion of the fairing in front of the handle bars that flairs out...which bothers me that it isn't.


I should use tube right, not bar for my rack? That rack on the bmw project is prolly good but overkill for some leather bags or something.

Does someone have photoshop, can u float those cases in front of my bike for me...kinda flush top of the box to the seat...?

im just kidding but if that happens, awesome.

[grcamna2]

I've decided on these GIVI cases based on quality and price, a set of black pelican cases would look fine but too utilitarian. The stock triumph cases I posted before are expensive coming in at $800 and so are competitors not including mounting hardware..well over 1k once you work that in. The GIVI is $540 and I prefer hard case that I can lock, can remove and carry.

The racks offered are $200, pictures below. I could make that myself and save two hundred bucks. I found this bmw project pictured below that I liked, it looks heavy...but simple. I have a tube bender and tube notcher that hasn't been used yet and will be perfect for this. The brushed finished on the cases blends well with the tank trim and with the motor.

I decided to reinstall the grab bar and then figure out a dedicated way of mounting the tail light, it still looks like it just "sitting there" on the fender. I hate that. Pretty sure risers are getting added for comfort and will be more in line with the portion of the fairing in front of the handle bars that flairs out...which bothers me that it isn't.


I should use tube right, not bar for my rack? That rack on the bmw project is prolly good but overkill for some leather bags or something.

Does someone have photoshop, can u float those cases in front of my bike for me...kinda flush top of the box to the seat...?

im just kidding but if that happens, awesome.

Shtonecb500,The upper pic of that rack that was custom built looks great and I think those Givi hardcases will carry Lots of stuff ! I like when folks use their bikes for more than just rides for fun but actual commuting,etc. Daily Driver.

[Shtonecb500]

I've decided on these GIVI cases based on quality and price, a set of black pelican cases would look fine but too utilitarian. The stock triumph cases I posted before are expensive coming in at $800 and so are competitors not including mounting hardware..well over 1k once you work that in. The GIVI is $540 and I prefer hard case that I can lock, can remove and carry.

The racks offered are $200, pictures below. I could make that myself and save two hundred bucks. I found this bmw project pictured below that I liked, it looks heavy...but simple. I have a tube bender and tube notcher that hasn't been used yet and will be perfect for this. The brushed finished on the cases blends well with the tank trim and with the motor.

I decided to reinstall the grab bar and then figure out a dedicated way of mounting the tail light, it still looks like it just "sitting there" on the fender. I hate that. Pretty sure risers are getting added for comfort and will be more in line with the portion of the fairing in front of the handle bars that flairs out...which bothers me that it isn't.


I should use tube right, not bar for my rack? That rack on the bmw project is prolly good but overkill for some leather bags or something.

Does someone have photoshop, can u float those cases in front of my bike for me...kinda flush top of the box to the seat...?

im just kidding but if that happens, awesome.

Shtonecb500,The upper pic of that rack that was custom built looks great and I think those Givi hardcases will carry Lots of stuff ! I like when folks use their bikes for more than just rides for fun but actual commuting,etc. Daily Driver.

Yeah, I love the look and design of it and once powder coat it would look better..was almost thinking about a custom taillight up high...almost chopper-esque. I'm only interested in that idea to balance the top heavinesss when the fairing is on there, and give me another strap down point. If I can do it without adding too much weight using solid bar then I'M all for it. I toured on a r80 with panniers and it was excellent. My main concern is having a "shotty garage built" set up lol....when I locked those bmw cases on I knew they weren't going anywhere.

[StockRider]

So, don't laugh at the amateur attempt..., I saw the request and threw these together quickly with very little attention to perspective or lighting. I based the scale on the GIVI website pictures with the Dolomiti cases mounted on a Yamaha Tracer.

[grcamna2]

I've decided on these GIVI cases based on quality and price, a set of black pelican cases would look fine but too utilitarian. The stock triumph cases I posted before are expensive coming in at $800 and so are competitors not including mounting hardware..well over 1k once you work that in. The GIVI is $540 and I prefer hard case that I can lock, can remove and carry.

The racks offered are $200, pictures below. I could make that myself and save two hundred bucks. I found this bmw project pictured below that I liked, it looks heavy...but simple. I have a tube bender and tube notcher that hasn't been used yet and will be perfect for this. The brushed finished on the cases blends well with the tank trim and with the motor.

I decided to reinstall the grab bar and then figure out a dedicated way of mounting the tail light, it still looks like it just "sitting there" on the fender. I hate that. Pretty sure risers are getting added for comfort and will be more in line with the portion of the fairing in front of the handle bars that flairs out...which bothers me that it isn't.


I should use tube right, not bar for my rack? That rack on the bmw project is prolly good but overkill for some leather bags or something.

Does someone have photoshop, can u float those cases in front of my bike for me...kinda flush top of the box to the seat...?

im just kidding but if that happens, awesome.

Shtonecb500,The upper pic of that rack that was custom built looks great and I think those Givi hardcases will carry Lots of stuff ! I like when folks use their bikes for more than just rides for fun but actual commuting,etc. Daily Driver.

Yeah, I love the look and design of it and once powder coat it would look better..was almost thinking about a custom taillight up high...almost chopper-esque. I'm only interested in that idea to balance the top heavinesss when the fairing is on there, and give me another strap down point. If I can do it without adding too much weight using solid bar then I'M all for it. I toured on a r80 with panniers and it was excellent. My main concern is having a "shotty garage built" set up lol....when I locked those bmw cases on I knew they weren't going anywhere.

I have a rack custom made/designed(nothing to write home about as far as looks..)by me on my little Honda.The rack started as a CCA(Connecticut Cycle Accessories)3-piece rack and then I had a welder modify it to fit my bike.I then kept looking online for BMW/Krauser bags and found some from an R90/6.I have the standard size Krausers plus a small pair of 80's 'Starlet' Krausers.I was able to buy just the lowers of the original BMW rack(it's hollow tube which is very strong and lighter than solid steel)and then had another welder attach both those lower BMW rack 'pannier/hardcase mounts' to my upper CCA luggage rack.The process of adding the BMW lower mounts for the Krauser hardcases has strengthened the whole rack.The entire set-up is roughly 12lbs. and I have carried 50lbs. on the 12x12" top section behind the seat:it's a 4-point frame mounted rack.

I like when folks set their bikes up for Caf'e style Without chopping-off the rear-most parts of the frame.. the 'Bobber' is a style that really doesn't appeal to me mainly for the reason that, how can they carry anything ?!
They sell them and then the new owner has quite a tough time locating pieces to fix the frame.

[754]

Are those smoky picks from Montana or Idaho ?

[Shtonecb500]

Are those smoky picks from Montana or Idaho ?

lots of pictures of both, not sure about that one...somewhere in yellowstone or just outside of it. The smoke was so bad...the tetons were damn near invisible and I skipped rocky mountain ride altogether because it was appointment only and smokey....I was on road for a month its all kinda blurry.

[Shtonecb500]

So, don't laugh at the amateur attempt..., I saw the request and threw these together quickly with very little attention to perspective or lighting. I based the scale on the GIVI website pictures with the Dolomiti cases mounted on a Yamaha Tracer.

Maybe i should do black cases, what do you think about all of that silver sitting there...I was avoiding the pelican box cause it looked utilitarian   but the silver doesnt look sleek enough.

Thank you for doing that, its a a big help. I made the same mistake with the tank, I was originally gonna use the bare tank cleared over to match the motor but it looked terrible...the black theme has been dominating this bike...it really hasn't given me a choice at all.

[Shtonecb500]

Random pics - we went to KC through kansas, visited a friend and stayed a few days in Breckinridge, then wyoming, montana, south dakota, yellowstone, mt rush, crazy horse, devils tower. i should post the chopper guy that got caught with us in a storm in wyoming...he was heading back from sturgis to nevada. Dude was like 6'3" on that chopper, all the little bottles you see hanging on his bike and the lucas oil was spare gasoline lol. that first picture was just outside of yellowstone into montana...little town called Montasia or something. Great food there....what a great place.

I had never toured before and did it on my buddies r80 lol. That was such a pleasant riding experience, I never had back pain that didnt go away in 20 minutes and my hands were never tired....that was the best throttle in the world...I could operate it with my thumb and pointing finger, thats how light it is. I would like to achieve the same amount of comfort with my 750 and get nice pictures of it in front of mountains...lol. We did just shy of 6k miles and was on the road for almost a month.
choose 1080p

[StockRider]

So, don't laugh at the amateur attempt..., I saw the request and threw these together quickly with very little attention to perspective or lighting. I based the scale on the GIVI website pictures with the Dolomiti cases mounted on a Yamaha Tracer.

Maybe i should do black cases, what do you think about all of that silver sitting there...I was avoiding the pelican box cause it looked utilitarian   but the silver doesnt look sleek enough.

Thank you for doing that, its a a big help. I made the same mistake with the tank, I was originally gonna use the bare tank cleared over to match the motor but it looked terrible...the black theme has been dominating this bike...it really hasn't given me a choice at all.

The silver seems like it could become the focal point..., I'm not one to judge cosmetics though.

[Alan F.]

Maybe a shiny black bag that matches your tank, but has a chrome or polished trim strip between bag and lid that lines up with/ carrys on the line of tank and seat trim?

[Shtonecb500]

Alrighty, the TTR400 adjusters, fork ears, and new front tire 100-90-18 showed up. I didn’t buy new fork springs and I’m starting to fear putting everything back together and it still being too soft....so I might order those really fast. The fork ears are from China for 30 bucks, the ttr400 are very nicely made and light weight. I’ll have a set of LSL headlight brackets showing up in about a month so I’ll have a set of each...the expensive set, the US knock off that someone makes in Florida, and the 30 bucks set from China. I’ll compare them all when the time comes. I still haven’t ordered my side cases, they are just expensive and the prices fluctuate.

work needed:
remove entire front end, I'm considering using the 77-78 lower triple to utilize the brake line splitter, otherwise im going to get two full length SS brake lines and run them both to the top MC from each caliper.
-heavier fork fluid 15 or 20 weight
-install fork adjusters
-install smaller front tire
-install stock chopped front fender
-eliminate remaining drag in the front brakes 1-2mm of adjustment needed.
-install tapered roller bearings
-install top 77-78 triple for the handle bar risers or install new risers.
-install new fork ears
-install rear grab bar
-remount tail light after grab bar installed.

[andy750]

Ive been very happy with my TTR400 adjusters. Very good to have the adjustment capability.

[Shtonecb500]

Ive been very happy with my TTR400 adjusters. Very good to have the adjustment capability.

Im excited to get them on there and a front fender!

[grcamna2]

Alrighty, the TTR400 adjusters, fork ears, and new front tire 100-90-18 showed up. I didn’t buy new fork springs and I’m starting to fear putting everything back together and it still being too soft....so I might order those really fast. The fork ears are from China for 30 bucks, the ttr400 are very nicely made and light weight. I’ll have a set of LSL headlight brackets showing up in about a month so I’ll have a set of each...the expensive set, the US knock off that someone makes in Florida, and the 30 bucks set from China. I’ll compare them all when the time comes. I still haven’t ordered my side cases, they are just expensive and the prices fluctuate.

work needed:
remove entire front end, I'm considering using the 77-78 lower triple to utilize the brake line splitter, otherwise im going to get two full length SS brake lines and run them both to the top MC from each caliper.
-heavier fork fluid 15 or 20 weight
-install fork adjusters
-install smaller front tire
-install stock chopped front fender
-eliminate remaining drag in the front brakes 1-2mm of adjustment needed.
-install tapered roller bearings
-install top 77-78 triple for the handle bar risers or install new risers.
-install new fork ears
-install rear grab bar
-remount tail light after grab bar installed.

tone,
What brand/model tires(Bridgestone?) are those in the pic? They look like a good tread pattern that should give you a few miles on the street.

[Shtonecb500]

Alrighty, the TTR400 adjusters, fork ears, and new front tire 100-90-18 showed up. I didn’t buy new fork springs and I’m starting to fear putting everything back together and it still being too soft....so I might order those really fast. The fork ears are from China for 30 bucks, the ttr400 are very nicely made and light weight. I’ll have a set of LSL headlight brackets showing up in about a month so I’ll have a set of each...the expensive set, the US knock off that someone makes in Florida, and the 30 bucks set from China. I’ll compare them all when the time comes. I still haven’t ordered my side cases, they are just expensive and the prices fluctuate.

work needed:
remove entire front end, I'm considering using the 77-78 lower triple to utilize the brake line splitter, otherwise im going to get two full length SS brake lines and run them both to the top MC from each caliper.
-heavier fork fluid 15 or 20 weight
-install fork adjusters
-install smaller front tire
-install stock chopped front fender
-eliminate remaining drag in the front brakes 1-2mm of adjustment needed.
-install tapered roller bearings
-install top 77-78 triple for the handle bar risers or install new risers.
-install new fork ears
-install rear grab bar
-remount tail light after grab bar installed.

tone,
What brand/model tires(Bridgestone?) are those in the pic? They look like a good tread pattern that should give you a few miles on the street.

Battlax BT46-F

[RAFster122s]

Look at aluminum panniers made by Tusk.they are quite affordable and well made. You will have to buy a set of mounts for another bike to adapt them to fit your 550 but you will have a nice set of cases. Ebay sellers sell a pair of 27L (medium) or 37 L (large) cases for about $240. Expect to spend couple hundred for a set of mounts for the same. The cases are powder coated either silver or black. They come equipped with two locks for each lid.  Each lid has handles on each end and they sell accessory strap sets that tie into these if you want one that runs fore and aft on the case.
They are nicely made cases. Worth the money in my book.
The Givi and other brand are nice too but you are paying some for the name.

[grcamna2]

Look at aluminum panniers made by Tusk.they are quite affordable and well made. You will have to buy a set of mounts for another bike to adapt them to fit your 550 but you will have a nice set of cases. Ebay sellers sell a pair of 27L (medium) or 37 L (large) cases for about $240. Expect to spend couple hundred for a set of mounts for the same. The cases are powder coated either silver or black. They come equipped with two locks for each lid.  Each lid has handles on each end and they sell accessory strap sets that tie into these if you want one that runs fore and aft on the case.
They are nicely made cases. Worth the money in my book.
The Givi and other brand are nice too but you are paying some for the name.

David,will they require custom mounts to adapt them to his bike? Possibly a welder can put together 2 adapters to give him solid 4-point frame mounts.

[RAFster122s]

Nothing is off the shelf these days for our cbs and mounts unless it is mounting an old set and came off a cb of same model. Everything requires fabrication to fit these things to our bikes...

[grcamna2]

Nothing is off the shelf these days for our cbs and mounts unless it is mounting an old set and came off a cb of same model. Everything requires fabrication to fit these things to our bikes...

I agree.