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

[kyle750]

I just saw photos of a new concept car that IMO is a high tech monstrosity. No rear window only a video screen for a driver to watch.   Here is a quote from the article

"Car manufacturers have spent the last 20 years inserting electronics between the driver and functional analogue features. Giant touch screens have replaced tactical and easy-to-use buttons."

Did I mention how much I love the simple analog gauges and simple mirrors of the Honda CB 

[jlh3rd]

my '08 silverado has manual door locks, windows, knobs, buttons, analog gauges, mechanical mirrors, no key fob, no screen, no carpet, mechanical seat adjust, .

[kyle750]

^ ^ ^ Yes Sir! ^ ^ ^

[MauiK3]

I recently drove a newer Escalade by Cadillac. The rear view mirror was a screen. Very disorienting when first used. I really don't see why we would want to make that a screen, it seems to be tech for tech's sake.

[M 750K6]

Useful if you have a tall passenger in the middle rear seat, or a full load in the rear. Not useful at any time if you need reading glasses, as I do!

[bryanj]

Here in UK all the HGV are going to camera type mirrors, problem is that if one gets damaged the truck has to be recovered as you are not allowed to drive with no mirrors, cracked is ok,
When we had a demo Daf(Paccar) the mirror was written off by a another truck parking, it cost £500 and the truck was off the road for 3 weeks after recovery before a new one was fitted and working

[Kelly E]

I'm still driving my 93' F250 4x4 diesel with the last year of mechanical injection. It will probably outlive me.

[jlh3rd]

super nice......
I still wrench on my stuff, and family's. I have a good bi-directional scanner. But I/we are going by the wayside. I've had two good independents close in the last 3 years. (mandatory inspections here).
What happens when one of the 27+ modules in my truck become unavailable....plus, well, not 25 anymore.

[bryanj]

The next generation of "back street mechanics" will be ones that can take a "brain" from one make/model of car and make it work on another

[kyle750]

Photo of the very unusual looking JDM side stand and photo of a standard CB750 side stand

Quick note: I will be using the center stand for the bike -  sturdier and safer.  The side stand is 50 year old metal and IMO just not worth the risk of it breaking and the bike falling over 

Late Edit:  Well this is really embarrassing.   I consider myself to be in decent shape (for my age= 62) but I can't get the bike up on the center stand. 

[carnivorous chicken]

Photo of the very unusual looking JDM side stand and photo of a standard CB750 side stand

Quick note: I will be using the center stand for the bike -  sturdier and safer.  The side stand is 50 year old metal and IMO just not worth the risk of it breaking and the bike falling over 

Late Edit:  Well this is really embarrassing.   I consider myself to be in decent shape (for my age= 62) but I can't get the bike up on the center stand.

Center stand is definitely a technique, and a little trickier with the 750 than the smaller bikes. But you've got to step on the arm that sticks out of the stand while pulling backward on the grab bar by the rear shock. It's more technique than strength.

That being said, unless you have reason to be wary, side stands don't just break despite being 50 years old (maybe someone has a different take...). One thing to check is the mount, the tab that attaches to the frame. On the CB400F they are notoriously weak and helped along to failure when people sit on the bike when it is on the side stand (probably a function of rider weight too). When they're weak you can feel it, and the bike leans more when you put the side stand down.

Also -- don't park in the dirt with the side stand down during rainy season!

[newday777]

The key to getting onto the centerstand is to have both feet of the stand on the floor at the same time(not on 1 foot only!). You should be able to let go of the handlebars if you have both feet of the stand on the ground (as a balance check) before putting full weight on the stand arm to left it.(grab back on the grip and rear handle and lift with your right hand )

[jlh3rd]

if it helps...for my 550 which is a lot lighter and not top heavy...but...like already said..technique.

left foot goes against the stand's left leg. left hand on handlebar, rt hand on rear grab bar. Side stand is down also.
Nudge the stand down, then balance the bike , Pressure from left leg, hold bike steady.....then in one motion left leg pushes, rt hand pulls, body kinda shifts backward and left hand ends up moving from the bars to left handhold......easier said than done, scary even for a 550 the first couple of times....never done a 750, so wadda' I know.....any middleweight bike to practice with?....get a helper?... too nice to drop....

[willbird]

The next generation of "back street mechanics" will be ones that can take a "brain" from one make/model of car and make it work on another

Way better and simpler is to use a third party ECU like Fueltech or Holley :-). Some models made by those companies will even auto correct mixture to a specified range. That allows you to correct the fuel maps to match what it auto corrected. The unit also serves as a dash...here is one example.

[willbird]

One time I rolled my 1972 CB750K off of the center stand in close quarters for some reason, and rolled the rear wheel right onto my foot. You are as we say up a creek then LOL. Best I recall my decision was that the bike was going to go down after I rolled it forward so I made sure it fell away from me rather than onto me.

[tctreppin]

I agree with what I’ve read this could be a giant hassle , now for the final nail in the coffin…. How much electrical savvy do you have?
    I’ve found more than few old 750s
One guy wirerred the bike in ALL RED WIRE
 I’ve seen the headlight bucket with wire connection cut off instead of just disconnected
Point is , anybody who’s had 3 of these will tell u the electricity can be  harrowing ..
I’m sorry..
  On the other hand
On you tube this site called HACKAWEEK
This guy takes a completely unassembled 750 and rebuilds it 35+ episodes
Also HONDAMAN wrote the most in depth book I’ve ever read about these w/ a lot of step by step
Books called My 750 Book
But there’s little out there about trouble shooting electricity …


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[scottly]

Late Edit:  Well this is really embarrassing.   I consider myself to be in decent shape (for my age= 62) but I can't get the bike up on the center stand.

This is a common problem with the 750, so don't be embarrassed! I roll the back tire up onto a piece of plywood before putting the stand down, which makes it much easier.

[Don R]

 It's also more about the step-down than it is the pull-up. The board under the tire also can make a huge difference, especially on a lowered bike.

[kyle750]

I roll the back tire up onto a piece of plywood before putting the stand down, which makes it much easier.

Many thanks for all the very helpful tips and techniques.  Based on all the replies I believe my biggest mistake was trying to push down with my left foot only while my right foot balanced the bike.  Drawing upon the expert advice I will try to balance the center stand and then push down with both legs  while pulling up with the arms.  I believe rolling the bike unto a piece of wood will also make a huge difference.  I will try again later.  Also I received the package with the NOS Honda mirrors from Bangkok today (very quick delivery) so I should be installing them and see how the new chrome looks. 

The money drain of buying Honda Bike parts has started . . .  drip, drip, drip

[M 750K6]

It shouldn't be too difficult. I'd guess your rear shocks have had it and the bike is sitting lower.

[newday777]

I roll the back tire up onto a piece of plywood before putting the stand down, which makes it much easier.

Many thanks for all the very helpful tips and techniques.  Based on all the replies I believe my biggest mistake was trying to push down with my left foot only while my right foot balanced the bike.  Drawing upon the expert advice I will try to balance the center stand and then push down with both legs  while pulling up with the arms.  I believe rolling the bike unto a piece of wood will also make a huge difference.  I will try again later.  Also I received the package with the NOS Honda mirrors from Bangkok today (very quick delivery) so I should be installing them and see how the new chrome looks. 

The money drain of buying Honda Bike parts has started . . .  drip, drip, drip

Your left arm is only to steady and guide the bike, right arm does a little lifting up/pulling back. Right foot on the centerstand, all your weight on right foot, left foot on the ground to steady you. Don't pull the bike towards you,  just backwards and upwards. Once you get the technique it's easy. Yes a piece of wood under the tire helps, even 1/2" plywood.

[rotortiller]

The easiest way to get the bike up on the center stand is to employ inertia. Roll the bike backwards while standing beside it and push the stand down while lifting a bit on the side handle, it will pop right up with little effort.  Or you can muscle it up.

[kyle750]

Honda NOS mirrors arrived and they are definitely genuine in factory sealed Honda packaging.  I like to start BIG projects with a 1st task that is extremely simple and easy. Ordering and installing mirrors is about as easy as it gets. Getting the 1st task successfully completed starts the process and is a great confidence booster. I can do this.  Small steps first.

I have been active in the Thailand CB forums and facebook groups and have put the word out that I am looking for an EXPERT mechanic who has extensive knowledge and experience with these bikes.   

 I will give the center stand another try tomorrow.  Thank You Gentlemen!

[BenelliSEI]

WARNING: when setting the bike up on the centre stand be VERY careful not to push your right knee into the LHS side cover! Easy to do and you will crack it. Believe me, I know…….

[kyle750]

I have put together a checklist of who I am looking for in a mechanic to restore the Honda CB750.  I would like to post the checklist tomorrow and your thoughts and feedback would be greatly appreciated.  I am very particular about work with high expectations but I am also very fair with compensation and mistakes. I don't expect perfection but I never tolerate substandard, sloppy, or lazy work.  I try my best to hire the right person with the right skills and experience to do the job right! I have enormous admiration for people with the mechanical skills to fix things as I do not have the ability.