Topic: New Bike Day!! 1976 CB750!!

[God of Thunder]

To start with - I'm still working on the 1970 CB750K1, but when this beauty came up today - there was no telling it 'no!'

This is a 1976 CB750 with a title. I'm told that the bike was parked in 1986 because he was scared it was too fast! He said every month or so, he'd come out into his shed and turn it over with the kickstarter to keep the engine oil moving around. The bike is covered with dirt - but dang after a bath she's going to look gorgeous!

Not only am I quite thrilled, it's got the original HM341's!! So far, I haven't found anything wrong with the exhaust (holes, rust, etc). The compression "feels" incredibly strong, stronger than any other CB750 I've had - I honestly feel with a short blast of starting fluid, she might just start up. I'm "told" there is no oil leaks or anything like that - but she just got home so we'll see to that tomorrow.

So far, it all looks original to me and I'm THRILLED!

I'll update this thread as we get deeper, but I'm about to move the 1970 back to the house, so it should be a real good time!

Also - the headlight is in the fairing that was included, I've got to figure out how to remove it from there and re-hook it up! Tomorrow will be a great day and we'll see what happens with some battery power!

[newday777]

😎
Congratulations

[gearsoup]

Congratulations!
Interesting that the PO relocated the rear blinkers. On my '76, they're attached to the grab bar. They also appear to be the older style of blinkers, don't they?

[newday777]

Congratulations!
Interesting that the PO relocated the rear blinkers. On my '76, they're attached to the grab bar. They also appear to be the older style of blinkers, don't they?

The bike probably had saddlebags added, which necessitated relocation of the signals

[rocket johnny]

good looking project !   looking forward to seeing some pics after she gets a good bath and some scrubbing !  the 76's are great bikes

[denward17]

Nice looking find, especially with title.

[God of Thunder]

Afternoon everyone! I need to do a basic wash on this thing to get off years of grime. Of all the things I've found, not one talks about just "washing" - its all threads on what to use if you're about to paint the engine. I'm just needing a basic wash, can I use like Dawn Dish Soap? Or should I just go to walmart and get an automotive/motorcycle specialty soap? I don't want to take any finish/shine/etc off the original engine or paint!

[denward17]

I would think Dawn dish washing detergent would be fine, might even be too mild for some greasy areas on the engine.

[newday777]

With all that dirt layer you need to soften it gently(easy running hose, no pressure, and do not rub it into the paint. There's a foaming car/bike spray on with a hose applicator (@ 6:55 in video)(sorry I don't remember the name).
Brickhouse Builds uses the hose applicator and foam, but I don't recommend using a pressure washer like he did
first.

[newday777]

A foam cannon to spray the foaming soap will loosen that embedded dirt.

Foam cannon

Modena Detailing Car Wash Foam Gun + Microfiber Wash Mitt - Car Foam Sprayer - Foam Cannon Garden Hose - Spray Foam Gun Cleaner - Car Wash Kit - Car Accessories - Snow Foam Blaster (Blue) https://a.co/d/h1eQIUF

Foaming soap

Chemical Guys CWS 110 16 Honeydew Snow Foam Car Wash Soap (Works with Foam Cannons, Foam Guns or Bucket Washes) Safe for Cars, Trucks, Motorcycles, RVs & More, 16 fl oz, Honeydew Scent https://a.co/d/7H1SrQl

[God of Thunder]

So I opted for a small amount of dawn as a basic wash. I figured if it was safe enough for ducks, it would be good on an engine. Unfortunately that train of thought was poor because it did appear to strip some paint from the engine heads. Here's a few before and after photos! I also took some videos so I'll link those at the bottom!

BEFORE:












and the AFTER!:

[God of Thunder]

And here's my videos!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

[Stev-o]

Congrats....cleaned up nice.

[MauiK3]

Looking forward to where this one goes.

[Don R]

 My Sandcast 750 came home looking a lot like that, I discovered the chrome was coated with WD40 and the paint had blue coral wax on it. All of the dirt came right off the chrome and fortunately the wax also wiped off after it was washed. 
 It was lucky for me, the dirt looked like corrosion and scared off the other bidders at the estate sale.

 Congrats on the find, it looks pretty complete except where the windjammer was and those parts are not hard to find. I have similar taillight brackets on my license plate frame but I run drag specialties red mini lights that work with the tail and brake lights and kept the original yellow turn signals. It would also be easy to adapt to the early turn signals with the shorter stalks if you aren't doing an original restoration.

[God of Thunder]

Small update. I went out and put battery power to it for the first time. The dash lights up, recognizes its in neutral. No headlight. No tailights. Brake light works. Start button does not trigger the starter. I didn't dive any deeper right now, but that's where it's at after a very quick check!

[Shtonecb500]

nice score, I would just make it whole and leave it alone as a patina rider. I had a 550 I found in a barn once and I chopped it up. I found old pictures of it and wish I had parked it in the garage as is and never touched it.

I would have had a solid, purple, running survivor 550, instead I was an idiot.


Nice score on your k1 as well, You couldn't score the tach and speedo for 400 if you tried, plus a title! My biggest thing about a K1 is finding one with title and its original motor, I always find them with a swapped power plant. My k1 was missing a bunch of stuff, cost a little bit of coin to make it whole again but it was worth it...still dragging it to the finish line.

[BenelliSEI]

I’d pull that air box and make sure there is nobody living there before you spin it! Nice project.

[Don R]

 That 76 start button can fail and take out the starter and the headlight.

[HondaMan]

What a nice find!
Did you get the fairing, too?
(Being a since-the-beginning fan of the Windjammer, I'm always curious.)

[God of Thunder]

What a nice find!
Did you get the fairing, too?
(Being a since-the-beginning fan of the Windjammer, I'm always curious.)

Oh yes.....there's a fairing! LOL

[God of Thunder]

Can anyone confirm I have the placement and orientation correct for the key? I wanted to relocate it back down to the side!

[newday777]

Can anyone confirm I have the placement and orientation correct for the key? I wanted to relocate it back down to the side!

Yes that is the original spot from the factory.

[BenelliSEI]

Is the washer there? One with tabs that lock in the switch and the bracket? When used, the switch only goes one way……..Usually gone, when the switch gets relocate  I like the “ON” position straight up.

[newday777]

Is the washer there? One with tabs that lock in the switch and the bracket? When used, the switch only goes one way……..Usually gone, when the switch gets relocate  I like the “ON” position straight up.

It looks like it is there and the switch is in the proper position.