Topic: So I bought a 76 CB750F

[starion88esir]

What are the first things I should do? This is my first ridable bike that I will be learning to ride on and using regularly come summer. Supposedly it doesn't ride well and the brakes are too tight.  PO says the carbs need adjusting and he dealt with the same issue last summer when he started riding it he had them rebuilt.

[Loas 78 CB750K]

Looks like the same problem mine has. I found this and it looks like it'll work for mine and probably yours too.
http://www.cyclemaintenance.com/mechicscorner/cb750_brakes.htm

[750goes]

pictures are the most important thing - we all like to look....

bike assessment ritual
air in tires - good
oil in motor - better
brakes front and rear - working -50%there
engine starts and does not blow smoke or make strange noises.- 75% looking good
seat is comfortable - look after that ass - lots of riding coming your way
all plastic bits there - you are smiling
you like the price and it has no registration/title issues - 99% in the bag
the owner is willing to tell you exactly what he/she has done and why they are selling it - 100%bargain

the rest is just plain old maintenance - not riding well - check the fork oil and seals..
brakes too tight - sounds like a maintenance issue unless the pistons are stuffed
carbs need cleaning - after cleaning put an inline filter in  -

 

take a motor cycle safety course

[starion88esir]

Well, it started up fine last night (he started it up)  I went to start it up and it seems like the battery is too low to start it. I tried for quite a while and probably flooded it so it wouldn't kick start for me either.

A couple more questions from the newb: What position should the petcock be in? What position should the choke be in?  Do I need to (rather, should I need to) give it throttle to get it to start up?

Thanks guys, I look forward to asking MANY more questions.

[750goes]

my starting procedure (works for me)

check position of  off/run/off switch if installed
petcock position in pointing up position if tank is above reserve
petcock position pointing down if running low on fuel - time to fill up
petcock pointing horizontal to the ground - is the OFF position
choke on full - lever in nearly horizontal position
wait 10 seconds - or count to 20 real fast
turn on ignition
hit the start button (five second bursts) 10 seconds in between start attempts
if no starting after two/three attempts - back off the choke a 1/4 inch
then kick it two or three times

works for me...

when it starts let it run a few seconds and if it starts to stumble - back off the choke little by little until it idles....


thats it.

[TwoTired]

You should probably find an owners manual for the bike.
 Look closely at the petcock.  Markings like ON, OFF, and RES are a fairly clear indication.  If it is like my 550, lever handle down = ON, Lever forward = OFF, and Lever up is Reserve.

You will have to charge the battery to start the bike now.  When the voltage gets to low, there isn't enough power to fire the spark plugs.  The bikes alternator won't make enough power til 1500 RPM ish.

Choke is on to start the bike (When cold).
Throttle at about 1/8 - 1/4 position.
Make sure the OFF-RUN-OFF switch on the bars is in the RUN position.

Cheers,

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Thanks for saving another F ! We will eventually rule. 

I ride a 75 750F which is the same bike but different colors. Reserve (res) is definitely up provided you have a 75/76 tank. Off is horizontal. On is down. Your petcock is marked for these positions. Reserve will also work as On. Gas still flows but be forewarned if you do this you will eventually be pushing since you'll go through your reserve and not know it.  Now, if you have a full tank and Res is not working I'd suggest you pull the tank, remove the petcock and get all the rust and crud out that is blocking the Res inlet. Might not be a bad idea to pull the tank anyway and get it over with.  To choke it for cold starting simply pull the choke lever all the way up then lower it as it warms up.

One thing at a time. GET A MANUAL. Get it running then make sure the brakes are working properly. Make brakes your first priority after you get it running! Bad brakes will get you killed. A non running bike won't. We can work with you on all the seperate systems one at a time.

You really need to give everything a good once over since you really don't know anything about this bike. Besides you gotta learn how to work on it anyway. 

[starion88esir]

Thanks for the tips. 750 goes, your method worked great for starting but I chocked it full out not thinking andputting the choke the wrong way.

I have no off-run-off switch. The piece is broken off. 

I've been looking for a manual. I got a Clymer with the bike. Need I say what a piece of crap that is.  :shudders: I've been looking for a Honda manual or a repro Honda manual to no avail. Quite frustrating.

I will be doing the brakes before I ever take her anywhere. No worries there. I learned my lesson on my 64 Comet. Got it running, inaugural run, no brakes the whole way.  Not cool. Leaking wheel cylinder.

[Einyodeler]

You can download a Shop Manual, SOHC Service Manual as well as the Honda Common Service manual right here:

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=17788.0

[KB02]

Looks like the same problem mine has. I found this and it looks like it'll work for mine and probably yours too.
http://www.cyclemaintenance.com/mechicscorner/cb750_brakes.htm

Don't stop at just the caliper, rebuild the whole system and use fresh fluid. I say this from experience with bad brakes.

And, YAY!!! And other F on the boards    The pic in your avatar looks like the seat that I just sold off mine last summer.

[Lumbee]

...hey Starion, did u pick that bike up in Asheville?

[starion88esir]

The po was in Boone and brought it to me since I don't have a truck and trailer.

Are you familiar with the bike?

[Lumbee]

...awe man, that bike is a total lemon...I know the PO...or should I say I knew the PO before he got ran out of town for doing crappy motorcycle work!  Ha, just kidding    No, I have no knowledge of the bike, was it listed on craigeslist?  It looks like one I saw on craigslist in Asheville.  My wife is from there, so I check out the boards there from time to time.  Looked like you got a good deal!

[starion88esir]

Yeah it was on craigslist. He had it listed on most of the NC boards.

You scared me there for a minute!       The paint is spraypaint. I need to sand it all down and paint it. Horrible job, runs all over the place. I'll get some pictures of my own once the rain is over. I just got done covering her up.

[Loas 78 CB750K]

was it listed on craigeslist? 

Funny, I found mine on craigslist too. I think it's still listed. The was asking 850 but when I talked to him on the phone he dropped it to 700. only thing wrong is the front brake sticks. And that should be fixed this weekend.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/273467666.html

[starion88esir]

You got a better deal than me. Looks real nice.