Topic: New Forum Member - Looking at a CB750 - need guidance

[MauiK3]

You will want to change the brake fluid and carefully check out the system, they can corrode if they sit too long. Easy to put right.

[willbird]

Everything you need and nothing more. 

except power

Adding HP just makes it go faster than it will turn or stop LOL.

[M 750K6]

Already does! 

[willbird]

You will want to change the brake fluid and carefully check out the system, they can corrode if they sit too long. Easy to put right.

IMHO take the front caliper part and clean out the "stuff" that typically grows in the O ring groove, the square O ring that seals the piston needs the extra room provided in the groove in order to retract the piston. Neglected that back in the day when I did a frame up restoration on my K2 and it caused the caliper to drag. Would be true of rear caliper on N F model too I bet. The "stuff" has to be mechanically dug out maybe...needed to in my case anyway.

Bill

[kyle750]

Many thanks for all the guidance and advice.  So much to do with an older bike and if I decide to start this journey it will be a slow process but I am a very patient person. Finding the right person who is very experienced with these bikes will be crucial.  I am never in a hurry for excellent work.

I've been talking  with a good friend from Germany named Tony.  He has been riding and fixing bikes his entire life but without his tools with him here he will be limited in his ability to help.  He lives in Germany and visits here every year in the winter months. I've shown him the photos and videos and he likes the bike and his brother owned one but he thinks the CB750 is just too old and outdated.     He likes Kawasaki more than Honda and rides a Kawasaki.  He says I should consider buying a Kawasaki Z900 instead of the Honda CB750.  According to Tony it has a retro vintage look but modern handling and performance.

[spotty]

Good luck

[kyle750]

A Thai friend has been communicating with the owner/seller and she has done an excellent job with requests for photos and information. She has also done an excellent +++ job negotiating the price with the seller.

I already withdrew the money for the CB750 from my Thai Bank and its sitting here in bundles of 1,000 baht notes

[kyle750]

Good luck

Thanks mate.  I will need it!

[spotty]

Join up with some of the Oz FB sites, we're nice and close if you find someone with any parts you need, though the bike looks remarkably complete

[kyle750]

What are the miles?

Here is a screen grab of the gauges from a video.  Looks like 63,305. Bike was imported from Japan 20 years ago so I am quessing kms and not miles.   

[jlh3rd]

um...doesn't that make it a JDM , Japanese domestic model ?
which makes it special and unique?

also, nothing wrong with a Kawasaki 900....beautiful bike.

[kyle750]

Photo of my Honda CRF250L purchased new in 2012.  This photo was taken about 5 years ago right after all the plastics were changed out and new updated CRF stickers added. The original plastic was faded, scuffed, cracked, broken, and beat up. Also installed at that time was a new chain and rear sprocket, new front brake disc pads, new seat, and new tires.

Of course, the speedo on the Honda is a modern digital readout with LCD display.   Easy to read with big numbers, bar graphs for fuel,  and lots of colored lights. Nothing wrong, fully functional, and gets the job done but the simple analog gauges of the Honda CB750 speak to me. 

Here is what I find truly bizarre. Checking the odometer and I have riden 63,904 kms on the Honda which is nearly the same as the Honda CB750 (if the odometer is fully functional and correct).   

[Stev-o]

   He likes Kawasaki more than Honda and rides a Kawasaki.

Everyone will have an opinion, I have both and love them equally!   Yes, a 70's bike is old and outdated compared to a modern bike, but that is not why we own them.  Personally, I prefer vintage bikes more than modern bikes, they have a "soul".  It is hard to explain but once it speaks to you, you will get it.

BTW - my Kawasaki is a '75 Z1 900...

[Tim2005]

Yes that's definitely a KM speedo, a miles one wouldn't need to go around to 220

[kyle750]

Honda CB750 was delivered today. Bike will be needing a lot of work before it is ready for the road.  Thank You Gentlemen for your advice and guidance.  A new journey begins and I am thrilled.

[scottly]

Congratulations!! Welcome to the Four Family!

[kyle750]

Congratulations!! Welcome to the Four Family!

Thank You So Much for the Very Warm Welcome.  Totally thrilled to be joining the Four Family!

[scottly]

What are the miles?

Here is a screen grab of the gauges from a video.  Looks like 63,305. Bike was imported from Japan 20 years ago so I am quessing kms and not miles.

Is that a red speed warning light in the triple between the gauges? AFAIK, only the JDM bikes had that.

[kyle750]

What are the miles?

Here is a screen grab of the gauges from a video.  Looks like 63,305. Bike was imported from Japan 20 years ago so I am quessing kms and not miles.

Is that a red speed warning light in the triple between the gauges? AFAIK, only the JDM bikes had that.

You guys have very sharp eyes.  Yes there is a red light in between the gauges.  Also the brake cylinder lid/cover is in Kanji Japanese. 

[scottly]

The top triple looks like an early K0-K2 "unicorn" style.

[kyle750]

gauges with red speed warning light

[newday777]

Honda CB750 was delivered today. Bike will be needing a lot of work before it is ready for the road.  Thank You Gentlemen for your advice and guidance.  A new journey begins and I am thrilled.

Congratulations on getting started back with a 750! Take your time on it, they are still a fun bike to ride and were well advanced in handling back then for the times. I took my K5(I'll include a picture of it) out yesterday in the cold 42°F, to warm it up enough to dump the oil and filter to get it ready for it's winter's nap 😴 . It's always a pleasure to ride when dressed properly for the ride, no matter what the temperature is. I started riding a 750 in 1975 when I bought a new K5 and have loved them since. I was 18 when I had the need for more speed and the 750 ticked off that ✔️ box. If you have mechanical aptitude you can learn how to care for her, I did with the help of the mechanics out in the shop at the dealer I was working at as parts manager back then. Hondaman's book will be a good help.
Yours looks like a very viable bike to bring back up in condition. For the rust on the chrome, get some plumbers brass brushes (use a magnet to test it is actually brass!), and some liquid chrome cleaner/polish to go easy on the chrome and you might find it cleans up nicely to get you by until later as funds come in to replace or rechrome any bad pieces.
How's the inside of the gas tank look? They need to be cleaned out of surface rust so the carbs don't clog up, and are easily cleaned if it hasn't been lined by someone..... I have successfully cleaned multiple tanks using the electrolysis cleaning method and also use a full tank of Evaporust(a bit expensive).
Have fun with your baby. Give her lots love and attention and she will treat you well. (She will get cranky if you neglect her!)
I have a long winter ahead, and with nine 750 project bikes I will be busy on a couple of them over the winter.

[kyle750]

Many thanks for all the kind words of encouragement.  I plan to take it slowly but I can't wait to get this bike on the road. Hearing the engine breathe and the pipes rumble is Pure Joy!   But in its current state the bike is simply not safe. Rear drum works fine but no front brake - no pressure whatsover.  First up we will be working on the front brake and hopefully get it operating.  Also I ordered original vintage New Old Stock mirrors from a vintage Honda parts dealer in Thailand so they should be arriving this week. I paid $79 for a set of 2  (marked HM and Made in Japan on the backside  - I hope they are Real?) Part number  88110-333-611 and Part number  88120-333-611.   I already learned my first lesson on my very first day of ownership - original parts for this bike are Expensive! 

[TideWater2]

Kyle,

If you don't mind sharing, what is the name of the company from Thailand that you found the mirrors at?

[kyle750]

Kyle,

If you don't mind sharing, what is the name of the company from Thailand that you found the mirrors at?

As I live in Thailand and shipping is only $3 via EMS seller offered me a good discount. 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265777328077

Please let me know if these are real as I really don't know if they are making fakes with fake stamping??