Hi.. been a long time lurker.. figured Id finally join in..
I own a couple of Japanese classics.... Both were my Pops... and have been in the family since the late 70's
1975 CB750 Four (K5)
1969 CA77 305 "Dream"
Started on an SL70 as my first "dirt bike" as a kid in the early 70's, also revived a a CL70 and had a trail 50 back then as well. Too bad I didnt keep those.
. Many a dirt bike.. my favorite had to be the KX80.....
As an on road rider... I've always been a crotch rocket guy.. had my share of them.. Honda's and a few Suzuki's . Buy in the winter.. clean up for summer.. ride them a few years and burn them in the spring when demands are profitably high...
Each and every time I picked up another.. my Pop would say.. " you should get the 750 going" .. he sure knows best..
Short n sweet history...
Pop had a 350 at first in the mid 70's... and it burnt a valve.. so traded up to the 750...
He made it full dress.. faring , hard saddles, rack and trunk, king/queen, mild ape hangers, sissy and crash bars.... rear lowering blocks (rear shock extenders) the works.. I hung onto him for many miles on the 750
He mainly used it for home return transport from delivering rental semi trucks in the 70's and 80's around the SE USA. He would load it right behind the cab across the frame and head out.
He parked it in once those money maker days were gone....late 80's I remember it being a red at first (not original) ... then changed to Candy Apple Red and lastly a sort of 80's Turquoise..
He put in my Grandparents cellar (his parents) and it sat.... for well over 20 years ...
Jump.. to.. me getting older.. .and crotch rockets killing my wrists.... I FINALLY took ownership of the "750"
I stripped it down.. removed most of the extra fat bolt on's (and stored them) spray bomb'd it silver.. found some original handle bars and rode it for two seasons.. with the same tires he rode on... (yeah I know).. skiddish hard as hell tires.
I knew it needed tires.. it had a 16 x 2.5 inch Harley hoop'd Honda hub for the rear.. I parked it (sigh) until I found the original rear wheel..
Life ensues.. time never stops...
2020.. was the year.....
I found and opted for a 17 x 2.5 late 70's rear wheel.. ( the 18 would be too tall and narrow for my stance) ... its now re.. resurrected .. all new paint , new tubed rubber,.... small items replaced and corrected to make it more.... me...
I rode it today after about a five year hiatus.... fired right up like the day I shut it off. (proper winter prep)
Its pretty good looking now too.. (pics pending)
Went straight to surprise my Pop.. he came out smiling saying " I heard you coming" .. "I see you kept the lowering blocks.. what happened to the Harley wheel".............. I could never get anything past him..
Now as for the 305 "Dream"..
Pop was an independent trucker... owned his own Cab Over rig (technically rigs) .. he was always admiring a certain red Honda at a steel plant he hauled out of.. and asked repeatedly to buy it from the owner (worker)..
One day.. got the shot.. and made the purchase after the owner claimed it just "locked up"
Once we got it home.. found the starter clutch bolts had jammed... .. easy fix and boom boom boom (unique sound) back to life.
Its still got all the nice patina .. I hope to get to it next.. it's pretty bad ass... unique for sure.
Now.. me volkswagnut you may be wondering ... ... yeah.. that's me.. the guy in the video that flips the belt off and on in less than 5 seconds..
First car.. kinda stuck.. still love hate for those German Tin cans.. hahaha.. Have a few of those too..
Pro General Motors auto tech since 18.. life long wrencher .. love two cycles.. and specifically 2 cycle Detroit (GM) Diesels
Short pertinent to this forum and to me history lesson..
Happy to be a SOHC lifer..
