Topic: 47 years on a '75 CB750F

[PeWe]

No oil smoke yet?
1. Acceleration - rings

2. From high revs, let go off the throttle, watch when give gentle throttle if smoking - valve guides/seals.

If not smoking, a good example of a CB750 that has got a good oil with correct viscosity and general care.
Not race revs before fully warmed up

[Stev-o]

Good to see your update, Greg!

[ofreen]

"new unpainted". Wow, I didn't know such existed. Is there a story behind this?

I've had it for many, many years.  The story I remember was that for a time, after Honda quit offering painted tanks, unpainted were available.  Maybe Mark knows something about the practice.  I'll dig it out one of these days and post a pic.  It is an F0/F1 tank, without the lip forward of the filler door the F2/F3 tanks have, and takes the F0 petcock.

After seeing your "on the road" pic earlier today, I started thinking it was about time for your anniversary.

I was counting on you to remind me.

No oil smoke yet?
1. Acceleration - rings

2. From high revs, let go off the throttle, watch when give gentle throttle if smoking - valve guides/seals.

If not smoking, a good example of a CB750 that has got a good oil with correct viscosity and general care.
Not race revs before fully warmed up

Thanks PeWe, I'll usually mention oil consumption in these updates but forgot.  Oil consumption is still low.  About a pint between 3000 mile oil changes, unless it is a long ride.  The last really long ride on it was in 2017 to the Delores River gathering.  It used a little less than a quart over the 2100 miles that time.  It was hot, and there were extended runs at 65-75mph, even at 80 for a while on the interstate.  And it still had to push the Windjammer back then.  What was interesting about that ride was that it used more oil on the ride down than it did on the ride back. 

Still no blue smoke, either on start up or on the overrun.  And I try to avoid cold revving anything.

Good to see your update, Greg!

Thanks Stev-o, I'll try not to skip any more as long as it keeps running or someone buys it.  By the way, sale price is at $168,010 now as I made a run to Lowes on it.

Where did 4 years go? 

I'll answer my own question.  Pretty much the same place the other 42 went.

[scottly]

I went through the highest mileage thread looking for the date before you posted, but didn't find it.

[PeWe]

If other riders can cruise behind you without complaining, no oil issues

I rebuilt my K2 due to complaints   (Highway cruising at 120-150kmh not nice for others)

Later fully restored head with new seals to replace the K1 head without ex seals.
And new bored cylinder with tighter clearances replacing old cylinder with wide clearances.

[HondaMan]

Excellent update! I've been missing your posts.

I admit to being a little jealous: we have had over 4 FEET of rain (normally 4 feet of snow, plus 4" of rain) since April (which is when I normally start riding mine) and as there are 5 engines and 2 other bikes also in the way between mine and the garage door (and not a single day with no rain when I could ride), mine is still in the garage! Rumor has it that the rain is supposed to let up for a while by Saturday, so I'd sure like to warm it back up. I changed the oil already...

I do remember the unpainted tanks! They weren't available very long, though. Honda was trying to stop making the CB750, but we just wouldn't let them...

[ofreen]

If other riders can cruise behind you without complaining, no oil issues

No inconvenienced mosquitoes either.

Excellent update! I've been missing your posts.

Thanks Mark, I admit to being lazy.  I remember over the years listening to retirees wondering how they got anything done before, since they were so busy after retiring.  I have to acknowledge the same thoughts, however I confess that some of it is through lousy time management.  I have a plan at the start of every day.  But the day usually diverges from the plan.  The lack of urgency for most things is refreshing.  But some of my projects are languishing, so I'd better light a fire under myself if I am going to get them done before I croak.  But I'll worry about it tomorrow.  I just realized the GS hasn't been started for at least 3 weeks, so I'll take it for a little ride.

[HondaMan]

If other riders can cruise behind you without complaining, no oil issues

No inconvenienced mosquitoes either.

Excellent update! I've been missing your posts.

Thanks Mark, I admit to being lazy.  I remember over the years listening to retirees wondering how they got anything done before, since they were so busy after retiring.  I have to acknowledge the same thoughts, however I confess that some of it is through lousy time management.  I have a plan at the start of every day.  But the day usually diverges from the plan.  The lack of urgency for most things is refreshing.  But some of my projects are languishing, so I'd better light a fire under myself if I am going to get them done before I croak.  But I'll worry about it tomorrow.  I just realized the GS hasn't been started for at least 3 weeks, so I'll take it for a little ride.

Dang, you took the words right outta my mouth! The first 6 months after I was suddenly 'retired' (thanks mostly to Covid response killing the company I worked for then) I built a 12" high flagstone patio, rebuilt 3 CB750 engines, started a new CB500/550 book, and then fell flat on my face when the Fall snows started, for about 15 days. That really hurt! So, I got a part-time job to make me manage my hours a little better.

Now I have 5 bikes to rebuild, 5 engines, a set of carbs, and a flagstone deck on the other side of the house to finish...it might not get done until next year.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Greg, tomorrow is good. 

[70CB750]

If other riders can cruise behind you without complaining, no oil issues

No inconvenienced mosquitoes either.

Excellent update! I've been missing your posts.

Thanks Mark, I admit to being lazy.  I remember over the years listening to retirees wondering how they got anything done before, since they were so busy after retiring.  I have to acknowledge the same thoughts, however I confess that some of it is through lousy time management.  I have a plan at the start of every day.  But the day usually diverges from the plan.  The lack of urgency for most things is refreshing.  But some of my projects are languishing, so I'd better light a fire under myself if I am going to get them done before I croak.  But I'll worry about it tomorrow.  I just realized the GS hasn't been started for at least 3 weeks, so I'll take it for a little ride.

  reminds me this quote:

God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind that I will never die.

Dang, you took the words right outta my mouth! The first 6 months after I was suddenly 'retired' (thanks mostly to Covid response killing the company I worked for then) I built a 12" high flagstone patio, rebuilt 3 CB750 engines, started a new CB500/550 book, and then fell flat on my face when the Fall snows started, for about 15 days. That really hurt! So, I got a part-time job to make me manage my hours a little better.

Now I have 5 bikes to rebuild, 5 engines, a set of carbs, and a flagstone deck on the other side of the house to finish...it might not get done until next year.

[jlh3rd]

"started a new CB500/550 book,"

and this book is..?

[HondaMan]

"started a new CB500/550 book,"

and this book is..?

When it gets there, it will be similar to My CB750 Book, but less detailed and (I hope) somewhat less expensive. I'm going to leave out the electrical theory sections, but will try and concentrate more on the carbs, since there are so many frustrations with those during rebuilds. The publishing costs almost doubled during Covid, so I need to be more frugal this time lest it cost even more than the first one.

[ofreen]

Today marks 47 years since I bought my '75 750F.  Time flies when you are having fun.  I still feel a sense of unreality when I think about it.  I remember the day I picked it up like it was last week.  I've mentioned it before, but if someone told me on the Fourth of July, 1977 that I'd still be riding this bike in 2024 (with no overhaul and 170,000 miles), I'd have thought that they were nuts.  But today I went on a longish ride in 90 degree heat, on both freeway and back roads, and the bike ran flawlessly.  I'll put a summary of the last 5000 miles over on the highest mileage thread when I get a chance.  In the meantime, here are some photos from todays ride along the Owyhee River up to the dam in eastern Oregon.  I hope they show up, IBB has been a bit glitchy.

[PetesPonies]

I still love hearing about this!!!! Congrats!

[PeWe]

Shocks and fork springs replaced?

[dave500]

wow thats just so well done,you keep on keeping on,that honda aint gonna let you stop anyway!

[RAFster122s]

Congrats Greg! It is a rare thing you have done. Take pride in that.
David

[BenelliSEI]

Well done Greg! Best story ever. Keep repeating it for years to come!

[Stev-o]

Happy 47th to the F!

And if it hasn't been said before, I will say it, Greg you have a great eye for photographs! 
You always seem to capture the bike along with key elements to make a great shot...

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Gotta love an original owned CB750F for that many years, but in your case, miles.

The way I figure it, the only issue you and I have is who to leave these F's to that Mr. Honda built with his own hands. Who might deserve these two 750's and will continue to preserve their legacy?

 

[Stev-o]

The way I figure it, the only issue you and I have is who to leave these F's to...

If you cant decide whom to will it to, you just might have to be buried with it!!

PS.  Jerry - how long have you had yours?  [not how many wifes!!]

[Medyo Bastos]

The way I figure it, the only issue you and I have is who to leave these F's to...

If you cant decide whom to will it to, you just might have to be buried with it!!

PS.  Jerry - how long have you had yours?  [not how many wifes!!]

how many wives


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Exactly! 3 too many

I bought mine new 4/75. Greg has me by MANY miles. MANY!!!

[ofreen]

I still love hearing about this!!!! Congrats!

Thanks Pete.

Shocks and fork springs replaced?

Fork springs and shocks are original.  I've replaced fork seals a number of times over the years.  There was visible wear inside the sliders when I have them apart, but it never appears to be increasing after a certain point. Needless to say, there is no damping in the shocks other than mechanical friction.  But the ride isn't horrible, though not great on washboard gravel roads.  I just stand up on the pegs when cowtrailing.  I think about getting some new shocks once in a while, but who makes them in the right length for an F?  I am not interested in paying more for shocks than I paid for the bike.

wow thats just so well done,you keep on keeping on,that honda aint gonna let you stop anyway!

Thanks Dave, I think it is aging better than I am. Maybe we are keeping each other going.

Congrats Greg! It is a rare thing you have done. Take pride in that.
David

Thanks David, there have been other 750s that have gone as far, but maybe not lately.  And for sure there are a few on here that have had their's longer.  But I am pleased with the thing.

Well done Greg! Best story ever. Keep repeating it for years to come!

Thanks, It looks like the bike isn't ready to stop, so I shouldn't consider it either.

Happy 47th to the F!

And if it hasn't been said before, I will say it, Greg you have a great eye for photographs! 
You always seem to capture the bike along with key elements to make a great shot...

Thanks Stev-o, the location makes it easy, no end of scenic views around here.    The old Canon Elph finally succumbed (got crushed when I laid on it in the tent) so I use a second gen I-phone SE these days.  It seems to flatten or wash out images (like listening to music on a transistor radio), so I just mess with cropping and exposure a little to make it look more like what I see.

Gotta love an original owned CB750F for that many years, but in your case, miles.
The way I figure it, the only issue you and I have is who to leave these F's to that Mr. Honda built with his own hands. Who might deserve these two 750's and will continue to preserve their legacy?

I bought mine when it was two years old with under 4000 miles so didn't have the pleasure of buying it new like you did.  As far as who to leave it to, I guess that would be my son.  I've joked before that I want it buried with me or maybe my ashes put in the gas tank, but of course that would be a travesty, a terrible waste.  So my main goal is to hand it over thoroughly worn out, but it is putting up a pretty good fight.

[HondaMan]

I've joked before that I want it buried with me or maybe my ashes put in the gas tank,...

My wife still tells everyone new that we meet that we should have had my K2 up on the altar with us when we got married.
It doesn't argue with me, still. Ever.