Author Topic: New CR750 build (Read 3757 times)

Megabusa · « **on:** January 11, 2022, 10:03:22 am »

My decision last year to build a CR750 led to intensive reading of virtually all the post on the subject, or whatever could be relevant for the project. Having built a kit-car some years back, a Lotus Seven-alike car named Westfield Megabusa with a Hayabusa engine, I can really appreciate the value of a high-quality forum with all the expertise that comes from different peoples succesfull projects, and for that matter, also the mistakes.
So to all you people that have invested so much time to share your ideas, struggle and joy - thank you from me! It will save me a lot of trouble going further down the road!

One thing has puzzled me while going through the posts. Most seems been written 2010 -2012 and since then it is rather silent. Has the interest gone down for the CR750 (not possible!) or have people moved to other forums? Or?

With the ambition to keep this subject alive for long - all the best!

Bjarne

Old Scrambler · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2022, 11:49:11 am »

No interest lost by me

.............Are you building a clone, a replica, a street-bike, or an all-out CR with as many OEM parts as possible?

Replicating the CR frame should be the basis of a notable build............and will get some serious attention from the dozens of 'experts' on this board. What is your goal........racing, show, resale, personal trophy?

bwaller · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2022, 02:19:28 pm »

For me at least, when I see "CR" my interest perks instantly!

calj737 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2022, 02:48:52 pm »

I sure hope you found this thread http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,98177.0.html

Tracksnblades1 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2022, 05:19:31 pm »

Quote from: bwaller on January 14, 2022, 02:19:28 pm

For me at least, when I see "CR" my interest perks instantly!

+1
with the Missouri motto
“ Show Me”

napoleonb · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2022, 03:09:03 am »

The times you could find original NOS parts are a little behind us now unfortunately.
There are still many builders who try to replicate a CR, kit or daytona variant, but the majority of people I know (myself included) are a bit low key as it takes forever when trying to find the right orignal parts.

Megabusa · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2022, 06:49:28 pm »

I guess that as many other projects there are some adjustments to reality during the process. Mine started with the ambition to build a CR 750 as accurate as possible, however with some budget constrains, i.e. not € 4-5K for a rear brake hub.
I have ordered a frame, swing, oil tank and yoke from Daniel Mercier and a gas tank plus the 4 meggas from Andy Smith to start the build. I,m now in the process to chose forks where Daniels yokes are 35 mm and the forks he sell seems unnessecarily expensive. The seat will also come from Daniel as it will fit neatly (?) to his frame mods.

It´s going to be a 8 week time for delivery of these parts and this gives time to start the hunt for an engine (I have no donor bike to start from). And I have already understood that finding parts is a challenge of a certain magnitude - and thats where forums like this one is so valuable! So the time spent to hang here will be an investment!

Bjarne

Megabusa · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2022, 08:19:26 am »

Questions regarding what I´m going to build is somewhat difficult to answer - but here is an attempt!
I will celebrate my 80th birthday this year and this build is "my gift to myself" as I have had this in mind for almost 2 decades now. And if I wait for another decade it will likely be a bit late to swing the leg up on the seat for a ride

I raced a CR110 and a CR 93 back in mid 60´s and has always been a Honda man in my mind. So, it is going to be as true to the original as possible, will not be raced and is likely going to driven a handful of times per year on the roads nearby where I live, an island in the archipelago with police seldom coming over. The main concern will certainly be the neighbours that likely will bring their shot-guns when they hear the music from the megaphones!
The objective is at the end to have a bike as close as possible to Team Hansens CR750

Bjarne

MauiK3 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2022, 01:47:58 pm »

Looking forward to seeing this come together
Car’s are great looking bikes.

Megabusa · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2022, 07:15:53 am »

This is partly an answer to the post from MWR on Jan 29 re the disabilty from M3Racing to deliver stuff for a long time.
I ordered a frame from Daniel Mercier in France a couple of weeks ago, plus some other vital parts, and within a month a have recieved a couple of nice photos from his work with the frame, which is scheduled to be in my hands in just over a month. Exciting!
Daniel is really a very nice person who communicates with me, texting the progress with comments and questions, even in weekends, to serve me in a rapid manner.

I will post back when my parts arrive and try to evaluate the level of quality he has done!

Old Scrambler · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2022, 09:00:26 am »

Very nice beginning

Will the motor be similar to the 'factory' attempts that failed.............or built to the specs of the actual motor that Bugsy said was "better than ever"?

BenelliSEI · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2022, 09:34:05 am »

Nice! I’ll be watching.

Megabusa · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2022, 06:39:25 am »

No decisions yet regarding what to do with the engine, unless of course when it comes to carbs - CR31´s is mandatory! All input on this subject will be appreciated as long as we do not move over 95 bhp.

Who or what is Bugsy?

Bjarne

bwaller · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2022, 08:50:15 am »

"Bugsy" was Dick Mann's nickname. (winner of the 1970 Daytona 200)

Old Scrambler · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2022, 01:44:00 pm »

daytona 1970 Did you know?

Above thread has some 'food for thought' regarding the actual motor build and carb size for #2 bike.

johno · « **Reply #15 on:** February 06, 2022, 03:11:22 pm »

Hi Bjarne,
Your embarking on a project that most of the forum folks would love to embark on. You will also be exposed to lots of different opinions on what is the best way to do it

. It is and should be a journey of compromises that will best let you enjoy how you intend to use it.
So to get the ball rolling you won't have to worry about stopping at 95HP if your going to run 750cc displacement. If I was 80 years of age I would want an engine that's easy to start, doesn't piss fuel out the carbies and burn the bike to the ground, sounds horny with good throttle response and make the bike well presented with a good paint job. To achieve that will require an engine that is nothing like the originals and will keep you entertained for a few years. What people on the island will remember about the bike is the colour, the noise and the silly old bugger riding it.
I know you will get to enjoy the journey Bjarne, good luck
cheers Johno

HondaMan · « **Reply #16 on:** February 06, 2022, 07:37:18 pm »

Subscribe me!

Megabusa · « **Reply #17 on:** February 08, 2022, 11:44:59 am »

Quote from: johno on February 06, 2022, 03:11:22 pm

Hi Bjarne,
Your embarking on a project that most of the forum folks would love to embark on. You will also be exposed to lots of different opinions on what is the best way to do it . It is and should be a journey of compromises that will best let you enjoy how you intend to use it.
So to get the ball rolling you won't have to worry about stopping at 95HP if your going to run 750cc displacement. If I was 80 years of age I would want an engine that's easy to start, doesn't piss fuel out the carbies and burn the bike to the ground, sounds horny with good throttle response and make the bike well presented with a good paint job. To achieve that will require an engine that is nothing like the originals and will keep you entertained for a few years. What people on the island will remember about the bike is the colour, the noise and the silly old bugger riding it.
I know you will get to enjoy the journey Bjarne, good luck
cheers Johno

Johno - you are spot on! I have not really given the project the thoughts you mention - given all qualified input that comes with such a delicate project as a CR750. I´m still going to stick with the original set-up - to build as close as possible re Dick Mann - but where the hurdles for a time point of view will be imminent, I will likely cut corners. I still have to realise that I will celebrate my 80th birthday this year and as all small kids I have not the option to wait for the best flow of things to come in the right time!

Thank you all for your thoughts on this project!

Bjarne

Don R · « **Reply #18 on:** February 08, 2022, 04:52:50 pm »

Get it going first and add the correct parts as they come along.

Megabusa · « **Reply #19 on:** March 06, 2022, 01:59:11 am »

So - finally the frame has got 3 layers of epoxy primer and 3 layers of polyurethan paint! Which means that the Black Beauty is ready to start her travel from France to Sweden where we wait with more parts to be added.
I have still not solved how to cope with the rear brake drum as from what I understand there is no one that has taken over the project of making CR750 brake drums.
Anyone out there who can feed in ideas of proper replacement drums?

Bjarne

Old Scrambler · « **Reply #20 on:** March 06, 2022, 10:59:56 am »

Early Suzuki water buffalo units are similar................or.........a little machining and welding to meld 2 CL77/CB450 front-rear units could work and have cable-pulls.

MauiK3 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 06, 2022, 01:34:04 pm »

I never noticed that the CR750 had a dual leading shoe rear brake. Definitely not stock.

bwaller · « **Reply #22 on:** March 06, 2022, 05:55:06 pm »

Have a closer look MauiK3

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=188893.0;attach=453606;image

H2Eric · « **Reply #23 on:** March 08, 2022, 03:47:06 am »

Watching this with interest. I'll ask my contact with regard to a 2LS rear hub or parts thereof.
Eric

Stev-o · « **Reply #24 on:** March 08, 2022, 07:52:21 am »

Subscribed

Megabusa · « **Reply #25 on:** March 08, 2022, 04:31:30 pm »

Eric,
I really appreciate any input on this subject as this part is the only main obstacle to get the bike on wheels - given the object to stay as close as possible with the original Dick Mann CR. Well, not quite true as I am chasing the bracket for the front brake and both Daniel Mercier and Andy Smith has an out of stock situation. Any hint for that one?

Bjarne

H2Eric · « **Reply #26 on:** March 10, 2022, 03:20:40 am »

Bjarne
I've located a 2LS rear brake complete with alloy rim. There are a unfortunately couple of snags, (1) its going to be expensive and (2) there is someone who has already expressed an interest in purchasing it. However, I've been promised a price if the other party decides not to proceed.
The good news is that I've also located a right-hand brake caliper mount. Just waiting for a decision on the price.
Both items are here in the UK so shipping and import taxes will have to be considered.
The CR750 rolling chassis is still for sale. See post dated 7th January 2020 or search for 'CR750 Chassis for sale'. All you will need is an engine.

Regards
Eric

gschuld · « **Reply #27 on:** March 10, 2022, 03:42:42 am »

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180566.msg2093084.html#msg2093084

That would save you a LOT of grief…..

George

richmagee7 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 10, 2022, 03:56:27 pm »

Subscribed.

Megabusa · « **Reply #29 on:** March 10, 2022, 07:14:44 pm »

The rolling chassi should absolutely have been an alternative, given the fact that I would have known it´s existence and that it was for sale! Surely many gray hairs could have been spared (not really - I´m all white up there as the scull is 80 years old) and also meant that the time-line could have been so much shorter.
Now that I already is in the building process and spent much (wife says too much

) of the pension fund, I have to convince myself that the process of finding parts and build them together is in itself a journey that is a tick-in-the-box.

Eric - can you PM me so we can find solutions to get this Lady in Red on the ground!

Bjarne

Megabusa · « **Reply #30 on:** March 26, 2022, 06:06:37 am »

Some new pics from Daniel Mercier to show how the frame has got her new skin! She is for sure a real beauty and she is now ready to get dressed in attitude from the 70´s.....

Megabusa · « **Reply #31 on:** July 01, 2023, 05:02:26 am »

Well over a year since I updated the progress of my build but now it´s time to continue the info and try to feed in my attempts when chasing parts and the struggle to fullfil the idea of being as accurate as possible towards the bike of Dick Mann. The reason of not having been on this forum is that I have not been personally active in the build up until now. Daniel Mercier started my project when he modified the frame last year, with the objective to get it to Sweden last summer. For different reasons this was not practical since Daniel found bits and pieces and I asked him to mount them on the frame rather than shipping them individually.
To make a long story short (and I can assure you that I have been very eager to get it to my home as soon as possible) time has elapsed and finally I felt that it had to happen. So a freight was ordered May 8 and believe it or not . it arrived June 22nd! I was almost sure that the shipment was lost somewhere down in Europe!
Nevertheless, she is now here and the hunt for parts will now be more active, while I at the same time will continue with the parts I already have. i.e. meggas and tank, instrument panel and fairing.
Tires is still an issue and the clash between being true to the original and the need to have a better grip has so far ended up with Dunlop TT100. Anyone who has a better proposal?

RAFster122s · « **Reply #32 on:** July 01, 2023, 07:32:15 am »

Interesting that tubes were fitted zip ties to the rims. Nice looking CR... I hope your search for the components for completion comes together quickly. There is a fellow who hand builds the flowing exhaust pipes but not like the CR... Scott in SC has a set built for a CB550 he built a few years ago. Melody from the pipes was glorious. They one on Scott's bike had sweeping curves.

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Author Topic: New CR750 build (Read 3757 times)