Topic: New Project - 1972 Honda CB750

[God of Thunder]

Well - here we go!

Good day to everyone!

A few years back - I went and got my motorcycle license and ended up with a Honda Shadow 1100. I was scared to death of the thing, but enjoyed it while being terrified. Eventually I sold it and went bikeless for a long time. Last year, I ran across a Suzuki GT-550 for $100 and went and bought it and thats what started my enjoyment with vintage bikes. I didn't keep the 550 for very long, and didn't even get to work on it. But it was gone - and I maintained looking at all the photos.

On Saturday, a vintage bike popped up on Facebook that said "1972 Motorcycle - $500" and that was it. No description nothing. So I looked at it, trying to figure out what it was, eventually the seller confirmed it said "750" on the side of the engine, and I knew it had to be the CB750. So off I went to go look at it.

Honestly, It was nicer than I expected it to be. There was only one photo on the listing.



I immediately loaded the trailer and head out there, while on the way I was sent a few more photos









Finally, after getting it loaded, I was surprised when they handed me a title that was signed and ready for its new owner.....ME!

Once I got it home, the research portion began. Obviously the bike never started as this yellow color, so that had to be changed. The handlebars needed to be changed, and I had no idea of the status of the engine. Keep in mind, this is my first time ever trying to do something like this!


OKay, so on the way home, had to get a beauty shot



Next - we'll start evaluating!

[God of Thunder]

Okay - so evaluation. What did I want from the bike? This is my first attempt at this, so really, I am not hoping for too much. I'd like the bike to LOOK like it did in 1972, and I'd like to be able to use it. I guess that's it. It doesn't have to be mint, all polished up or anything, just a solid 6/10 and look nice. As far as the color, on the title next to the model name is a box with no title, but just a single letter - "G" - So I am thinking it probably stood for gold. But obviously it could be any of the original colors, but I'm leaning gold - due to a random "G"

So let's look. First, here's a learning lesson......

I found on Facebook a guy selling a gas tank and side panels from a 1971 for $100, so that seemed good and mine is really rusty inside, so I went and bought them.







In hindsight, I am not sure any of these will be better than what I have, but I'll hold on to them for now. While I was there though, the guy had the whole bike there, no seat, and he was robbing the engine from it for some custom build, so I asked if he'd sell me the handlebars since they were original and I bought them.

When I got home, I was thrilled to swap them out except.....one problem. My wire was ran inside of these tall handlebars, and I couldn't get it out. I traced the wires and said "oh, this guy must have wanted these to be a cleaner look and custom did it this way" - so I did what any fool would do, and cut the wires rather than remove them from the ends......

I mounted my new handlebar, and was going to splice in the wires. Then I did some more looking, on accident, and discovered that the 1972 had the wires ran INSIDE the handlebars. So the bars I bought don't have a hole, and the original starter switch I had just cut in half....oh dear.

SO - I ordered another set of bars online - this time with the correct holes, and ordered a new starter switch.

Here it is with the new bars semi-installed.


BEFORE:



AFTER:





And finally - I can't figure out why but maybe someone here would know - the previous owner had ran these random.....lights up to the handlebars and mounted them there. Is there ANY reason for this?!


 

[God of Thunder]

Next - the engine.

The engine is covered in black from the last however many years. I have to research this and see if there is any way to get it to shine up, or if the outside is just goign to look like that forever.



But apart from that, I had no idea if the engine was even locked up. So we went into examining that and determined the engine was NOT locked up. Hooray. Well - how bad could it be right? The bike had power, let's try to start it up - and it would turn over, but not start. No surprise really. So let's try some gas down the cylinders and see what happens and SUCCESS! At least, while the gas was in the cylinder. It was not getting gas of its own, but the engine did have some life, so that's a huge win.

Next, I need to take off the fuel tank, clean it - and reinstall it. I've read numerous methods of cleaning that inside, so I am excited to see how that goes. Finally, the job I want to do the least - and thats clean the carbs. I know while a clean carb, and new controls (whoops), that I will very likely have a running motorcycle.

So before I removed the carbs, I wanted to just get an idea of what was in the float bowl and get an idea of hte condition. I love the clips on there!





It didn't take long to see that cleaning them fully was going to be the option. So out came the carbs!



So that catches me fully up to today. I've got the carbs removed and plan to clean them this evening and tomorrow, hopefully reinstall them on Wednesday evening. I leave town Thursday-Sunday, and hope to Monday be able to install the new bars and controls - and see if it starts up and idles well! I look forward to updating you all more!

[Stev-o]

First off welcome!   Here's a few answers and info you may find helpful...

- the random lights look similar to what is used in the gauges

- running the wiring inside the handlebars is not required, but it was done originally.

- a rusty tank can be "de-rusted" with Evapo Rust   
https://www.amazon.com/Evapo-Rust-Original-contains-non-toxic-biodegradable/dp/B00M0TLQ66

- your carbs will most likely need to be rebuilt. But dont buy the cheap aftermarket carb kits that are sold on eBay, they are crap and it will be very difficult to tune your bike. Clean and use the original brass parts, confirm they are Keihin. Getting the carbs super clean and sync'd are key to getting a bike running good.

Good Luck!

[Alan F.]

I'm subscribed. Enjoy the journey, take lots of photos and videos. Take notes, make drawings. Get in your photos too. Enjoy yourself, but don't cut anything else.

[God of Thunder]

It's a marathon not a sprint....It's a marathon not a sprint....It's a marathon not a sprint....It's a marathon not a sprint....It's a marathon not a sprint....

With that said, I happened to locate a front fender for a 71 as well, I figured this would be the same and better than the cut one thats on there. So during lunch today, I swapped it out!

[Don R]

 I might have commented on this one on F/B.  The carbs often need cleaned more than once. The tiny holes in the brass are a challenge but the original brass is best. I like to use guitar strings and spray carb cleaner. The float valves are most likely gummed or at least have debris above them so flush that as good as you can. I spray carb cleaner through the fuel inlets.
 The rubber fuel lines are likely too hard to use find some proper 5.5mm fuel hose. !/4" is too big and may cause leaks.

[Don R]

 The black was often barbeque paint that we thought was a good idea back then. I never painted the rocker cover though, only fins.
  To remove the wires from the bars spray some lube in there, soap silicone lube or whatever is slick, push and pull. To pull the wires through the stock bars, tape a pull string or wire to the end fish nit through first and tape the ends back to make it as small as possible. Then proceed pushing and pulling while bending the bundle into the hole.
 Hopefully you will find the factory ends on the wires but if they have been cut off (mine were) Vintage connections sells the Honda bullet ends ( be sure to get the small Honda ends) and the proper crimp tool. Then, it's a color matching exercise in the headlight bucket.

[Alan F.]

Most Motorcycle shops, Marine engine shops and Lawnmower shops should have fuel line, call ahead & ask for 5.5mm or order it online.

[Alan F.]

Don what do you think of the Allen head screws on the cam cover and the black jugs?
Possible hot rod?

I'd like to see if the frame tubes under the tank are still factory.

And I'd like to hear what size jets are in there and what needle position.

Is it still running points?

[Don R]

 The Allen heads are OK as long as you don't overtighten them. It says to me it's been apart for sure.

[Alan F.]

That's stock, I'm curious what this bike has. If its only been sitting four years it was someone's Forever Bike.

[God of Thunder]

Thanks for the comments! I love trying to figure this out. The guy I bought the tank, side panels, and fender from said he has the rest of the 1971 in pretty good shape with NO engine for $125. Is it bad that I'm considering it for down the road......

[Alan F.]

If you have the cash and the extra room, I'd hurry.

[God of Thunder]

If you have the cash and the extra room, I'd hurry.

Right? Because I have the handle bars, fuel tank, and side covers! LOL It would literally just need an engine. But man its hard spending money on it when I have one that I.....need to spend money on.

[Kelly E]

If you have the cash and the extra room, I'd hurry.

That's how we ended up with 11 bikes.

[Alan F.]

I've got 6 currently, the takeaway should be don't lose momentum, don't get sidetracked with other projects, and yes don't buy parts that won't advance you toward your goal.

[God of Thunder]

I've got 6 currently, the takeaway should be don't lose momentum, don't get sidetracked with other projects, and yes don't buy parts that won't advance you toward your goal.

Ohhhhh so now I shouldn't buy it?!  (I'm about to leave to go get it)

[desertrefugee]

Get the danged thing.  If nothing else, it's a parts locker.

[God of Thunder]

Well - its completely off-topic for this thread, but here she is! The tank and side panels I posted above are original to this baby. It's a 1971. Really if I can find an engine, it'll be in good shape. Most of the controls are in the bag or hanging on to it. I have the oil well, and a whole bunch of other parts. It looks so empty without that big engine though - but at least its easy to move!! I ended up paying $120 for the remaining, plus $100 for the tank, handlebars and side panels the other day. So for $220, that's what I am into this 1971 for. Once the new bars come in for the 72, I'll relocate the original bars back to this 1971 and it shall live again someday. But not until we're done with the 72!

Also - does this mean I am a collector now?! 

[God of Thunder]

Back to the 72. I have new handle bars on the way, some new controls - figured it might be time to get the correct grips. I have no idea how to redo the throttle cables, but we'll figure it out. A lot of places were sold out of grips, but I found these on eBay - so bought them I did.

[Gurp]

Great find!
Looking like you have a great start on it as well.
Yes, I think we all are collectors a bit lol.

[Shtonecb500]

nice grab!

[desertrefugee]

Did you say you got the title for the 72?  If you did I missed it. Here in Arizona, that would be a non-starter unless it was strictly for parts.  Either way I agree with the comments that that was a nice acquisition. Always good to have a couple of projects in the pipeline.

[Alan F.]

I was wondering if it had a title too, if not:

If the frame is in good shape I'd register it in Vermont ASAP then title it in your name in your state ASAP.
This will add value for the future.

But first check the VIN#:

https://www.nicb.org/vincheck