I wrote this article for the CVMG News Letter a few months ago, thought you guys might enjoy it too.......
I purchased my 1975 Honda cb750F1 from Toronto CVMG Member Nick A. Having too much time on my Benelli 750 SEI Distraction, I wanted another Honda. Nick got the bike from a third CVMG member, “Bruce”. Nice to know it’s been owned by people that care for their machines. At some point, in the recent past, the bike was down to a bare frame. Paint on the chassis, running gear, and tank/bodywork was completed by John Connery Paint. The frame was prepped, primed and painted gloss black (as original) and the tank and seat cowl are a spectacular “Sunrise Flake Orange”. The correct factory stripes and decals were applied flawlessly and then beautifully clear coated. Kudos to Connery. As an aside, I discovered he had painted my Benelli too.
Nick had the engine out, freshened the top end and applied a fresh coat of silver paint. He polished the alloy covers and bolted up a beautiful, stainless Delkevic exhaust. Then Hindle fitted a stylish, stainless muffler, that really compliments the overall appearance. The original 4-1 Honda System is fairly massive, and virtually unobtainable (trades for stupid money), so I’ve decided to keep it the way it is. He also built an amazing, new set of side covers, using A 3D PRINTER! Connery applied the correct matt black finish. Altogether a great looking bike. The attached photo was what caught my eye on KIJIJI. Nick was anxious to move on to another project, so I picked up the bike in late Fall of 2018.
I rode the motorcycle for a quick 30-40 kilometres blast, and concluded it ran as well as it looks. The exhaust system is relatively quiet, but has a nice “rip” when pushed....... I noted a few changes I wanted to make, thinking it would take a few days. As usual, it morphed into a bit more.
First item was the brakes. They seemed a bit softer than my other Hondas. The 1975 cb750F0 was the first year of this model. Changes from the more touring cb750K included a rear disc brake. Faced with a totally seized rear master cylinder, Nick had used a smaller, “universal” aftermarket type. A little research and discovered the “F” used the same master as a GL1000 Gold Wing. Quick advert in the CVMG News, and I had one a few days later. Fresh pushrod, seals and boot, it bolted right in. At the front, the brake caliper was weeping. A new seal and pads put it right. The master cylinder got a good cleaning (no parts required) and a fresh coat of paint. Apex Brakes made me a nice set of new, black hoses. Brakes are improved 100%.
The bike was on a set of older, mismatched tires and the rear was looking especially sad. When I pulled it off, I discovered that the back rim looked good, but was completely rotten. It actually folded inwards as I pried off the old tire. Polished up the hub and laced in new spokes, to a new rim. It looked so good, I tore apart the front, cleaned everything and added a new set of spokes to that end too. Most of my replica parts come from <vintgecb750.com>. A great, Ontario based company. They keep a huge inventory and my orders arrive complete, and next day. Can’t say enough about them. While the front was in the air, I polished up the fork legs and replaced the seals. I had a front fender in my inventory that looked better than the original, so that went on too. I have bins of the correct Honda hardware (too many past projects) so I replaced 99% of the old fasteners with the correct, new ones. Nothing beats a shiny bolt.
Right at the start, I’d removed all the bodywork and put it safely away. I noticed a broken front ignition coil mount, when inspecting a new wiring harness that Nick installed. While the coils were on the bench (thanks JB Weld), I recalled a very cool, brand new “C5 Electronic Ignition Kit” that came with another purchase. It’s an optically triggered system and comes with a weird set of coils. I fooled around a bit, fabricated a mounting system (no modifications to the bike) and decided to tackle it next. Rather than modify the new harness, I built a completely separate loom for the C5. (never burn any bridges, and leave an escape route). Several days later, it was all installed and working beautifully. Stripping down the area above the engine lead to a few other projects. Float bowl breather hoses are no longer missing, fuel lines and filter are new, the airbox came out, cleaned and polished. Meguirs’ make a great product called “Back to Black”. Available at Canadian Tire, it is designed for automotive black bumpers and trim. A few coats really brings old plastic parts back to life. To get a degree wheel on the crank (for the ignition installation) I had to pull off the chain, gearbox and stator covers (more polish, new gaskets and seals). While the degree wheel was in place, may as well adjust valve clearances and cam chain tension. All this to replace a broken coil mount!
Also changed some turn signals and stalks for a shinier set I had stashed away, repaired ground wires and some other details. One thing leads to another...... The speedo and tach bases had lost much of their chrome and wouldn’t you know it? Honda still sells them. $126 + tax and the front end is a bit shinier. Now I’m thinking the instruments need cleaner faces and a coat of black paint!
Yesterday I screwed in the adaptor pipes to hook up my carb synchronizing tool. The next time it’s warm enough to open up the shop door, that will get done. Theoretically, that’s all that’s left to do. BUT, I could replace the seat cover before that tiny crack turn into a tear. The oil filter housing and centre stand both need a good scrub, maybe some paint? Probably needs and oil/filter change? Who says winter is long?
P.S. carbs sync’d and I did replace the seat cover. Sweet Ride!
