Topic: Rugger's 77 cb750K project

[rugger81]

I'm not sure why but I was never really interested in getting a motorcycle until I saw my first cb750 almost two years ago on another forum and I knew I had to have one.  Sounds lame to put it that way, I know, but 5 months later I took my msf safety course and two days after that I had my 750.  Maybe it's just because the bikes nowadays all look the same, but these bikes of the 70's really drew me in with their simple yet gorgeous styling.

Anyways, I bought the bike off of some older guy up in cleveland, OH.  19k miles, mostly stock with the exception of a few hideous add ons:


Thankfully, the guy had the old stock seat which he sold me for an extra $80, and after I removed the truly ugly king/queen seat, windshield, and sissy bar, my bike looked good.  I kind of liked the crash bar so it stayed on for awhile, and actually saved the bike the one time I downed it, but I eventually removed that too.

Sadly though, I still lived at home, so for a year my bike had to sit outside, garaged in the winter, and I couldn't do any work on the bike.  I did what I could, by adding pods and rebuilding the carbs.  Oh, and I added a good set of battlax BT45 tires

Finally, I saved up enough to move out and buy a house where the bike found it's new home:






I even have my own work bench, where my carbs currently reside:




With the first snow looming and a slight mishap involving a missing screw, if you read one of my earlier posts last week, I've decided it's time to put the bike away and start making preparations for an engine rebuild.  Not because it doesn't run well, but because I want to get to really get to know how my bike ticks and (hopefully) improve it at the same time.  Well that and it leaks oil like a sieve. 

I'm still working out exactly what I want to do, but I know it will definitely involve new:
-good oem gaskets/o-rings/seals throughout
-new adjustable cam sprocket, cam chain, cam chain tensioner
-quality studs

Then depending on the funds the sky is the limit.  Of what I will do, I want to make sure it's done right the first time.  I'll start with the head, hopefully with a little Mike Rieck magic, but I'm tossing around the idea of going with an 836cc kit and an ape lightened/balance crank.  Needless to say though, in the next week I'll be pricing out and ordering what I know I want then depending on the funds I'll decide the next move.

Anyways, sorry to ramble for a bit there but I hope you like the pics.  I'll try and keep you guys informed on what I do. 

[andy750]

Congrats on the bike and the house/garage - both very nice! Id def. give the head to Mike as it makes a huge difference!
Good luck and keep us posted

cheers
Andy

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Hmmmm keg in the background.  An invaluable tool when it comes to soliciting wrenchers to "stop by and have a look at..." 

[rugger81]

So I recently decided that I it was high time I got back to my winter project of rebuilding the engine.  After months of lurking the forums for months and reading everything I could on the subject, I think I was finally ready for the task. For the past couple days I'd been removing body parts in preparation of the job and finally had it ready to be removed today.    I didn't have anyone to help me, but I figured I'd give it a go anyways.



I started by jacking up the engine and removing all the engine mounts.  Once that was done, I sat and gave it a good look over.  I'll have to admit, the task seemed pretty daunting.  I spent a good half hour just looking at it, nudging it a few times then looking at it some more.  I wasn't getting anywhere until I finally decided to employ a flat piece of steel to pry at the back right corner and success, I had it moving a little bit.  I was starting to get somewhere.



Once I got it moving a little bit the task seemed much less daunting.  A few minutes later and I was almost ready it get it out.



I was able to transfer it from the frame to a small tool box, then from there to a piece of cardboard on the ground.  I then slid the engine on the cardboard over to my work bench.



At this point I knew I had a hernia waiting to happen on my hands so I paced around for a few minutes, wondering what to do.  Finally, I decided to hell with it, I'd give it a go.  I took a swig of my beer, and threw my back into it.



Success!!  I was finished.  Before I was done for the day, I set out to remove the carb insulators, and man was it alot harder than I figured.  Practically destroyed the things getting them off.  Good thing I took your guy's advice and ordered some new ones from honda already.



The frame looks so lonely by itself


In need of a good scrubbing


Now that thats all done, it's time for the real work to start.  I've already bought a few of my parts, namely honda's gasket set A and new carb insulator boots. I was going to order gasket set B, but unfortunately it has been discontinued for my 77K.  For now I'll probably let the engine sit for a few days while I get my budget in line and the rest of my parts ordered.  I'll keep you guys posted though as the project moves along.

-Joe

[mustangcar]

like the pics,thanks,,are those carb boots pricey? if you have the part# please post them,when i mess with the boots on mine maybe i should use a heat gun?good luck with your bike

[MRieck]

like the pics,thanks,,are those carb boots pricey? if you have the part# please post them,when i mess with the boots on mine maybe i should use a heat gun?good luck with your bike

The boots are short money.

[rugger81]

I order mine from the local motorcycle dealer, for 20.83 a piece I think.  Had to order them as 4 separate parts:
16211405000
16212405000
16213405000
16214405000

Honestly, I only ordered them because of what people said on the forum, but after I had to remove them I'm glad I did.  Those things were as hard as rock.  Couldn't even get them off without damaging them.

[moham]

I noticed the 4-2 exhaust pipes. Were those stock on 77's (my 78 still has original 4 pipes), or is it a modification? Just curious...

[rugger81]

I noticed the 4-2 exhaust pipes. Were those stock on 77's (my 78 still has original 4 pipes), or is it a modification? Just curious...

The pipes are definitely after market, but I don't know who they were made by.  I assume it's probably a mac exhaust.  I'm planning on replacing it this winter with one of benjies setups.

[Spikeybike]

my advice : if your going to be spending alot of time in that (huge) garage i would definitly get a better heater.

i recomend tordedo style, keroseen or desiel.   propane is hotter but much more expencive

propane = 20 bucks for 4 hours

desiel= 10 bucks for 10 hours 

[Johnie]

I hear you...nice "77!!!  I bought one new in 1977 and sold it in 1999 when I bought a Wing.  Did not think I needed 2 bikes.  I have the new owners word he will call me when he is ready to sell it back to me.  It had 15,000 miles on when I sold it.  Very nice bike and very reliable too.  When I had rebuilt and synced the carbs, I swear the bike ran better than when it was new.  Good luck on your build there.

[rugger81]

my advice : if your going to be spending alot of time in that (huge) garage i would definitly get a better heater.

i recommend torpedo style, kerosene or diesel.   propane is hotter but much more expensive

propane = 20 bucks for 4 hours

diesel= 10 bucks for 10 hours 

I would love to get a better heater, but honestly I don't really need it to begin with.  I only turn it on low sometimes and when it drops down to 10F or less outside.  I'm just a cold weather guy to begin with i guess.  Somewhere down the line though, I'll definitely be buying  a torpedo heater.

[mustangcar]

I order mine from the local motorcycle dealer, for 20.83 a piece I think.  Had to order them as 4 separate parts:
16211405000
16212405000
16213405000
16214405000

Honestly, I only ordered them because of what people said on the forum, but after I had to remove them I'm glad I did.  Those things were as hard as rock.  Couldn't even get them off without damaging them.

thanks for the #s going to order them,,keep us posted on your bike,,think i will be pulling the motor out on mine to have the frame sandblasted, primering it, and painting it black with a clear coat,not sure if powered coating is better

[rugger81]

Just a few purchases:

Today:  new sunstar sprockets and an rk 530 x-ring chain.

Tomorrow:  New dyna s,  3.0 ohm coils, new wires, and a set of iridiums. 

[rugger81]

Alright, so after a long period of inactivity due to lack of funds, I'm finally ready to tackle this project. I have the majority of my parts in hand, or ordered, but before I crack open my engine and get to work I want to seek a bit of advice from you guys.  To start, here is my parts list.

In hand now:
-top end honda oem gasket kit
-oem engine oil seal kit
-in oem intake rubbers
-dyna s ignition, 3.0 ohm coils, wires, and a new set of denso iridium spark plugs
-tsubaki heavy duty cam chain
-dynoman adjustable cam sprocket
-wiseco 836 kit
-dynoman heavy duty cylinder and main stud set
-530 rk xchain with sunstar 17 front and 48 rear conversion sprockets
-barnett clutch springs

Ordered and on the way:
-m3 cam chain tensioner
-kpmi valve springs
-kpmi ti retainers
-webcam 63a


Now I know to really get these engines going, it must be ported, but money is kind of tight right now so I would like to hold that off for now.  Next winter I would like to shoot for the works, with a stage 3 port, but for now I just want a reliable 836 with a hot cam.  My main question at this point though, are what else should I plan on replacing in the head?  Should I at least get the valve guides/seals replaced?  Do you think there are any parts in my build that I'm missing, things that I should probably replace?  I know I still need to pick up a few gaskets for the bottom end, but I don't know specifically which ones I'll need.

thanks,
Joe

[Spikeybike]

it is my opinion, in regards to the head, that you should replace everything since your gonna be in there anyway. it's an old mechanics saying " new parts make old parts older" meaning , new valve springs may cause old guides to fail.
  not to say that its necessary, but you already know pulling the motor is a pain, ... if it were me i would leave head assembly (guild installation,valve lapping and so on) to a pro,......... but thats just me

[rugger81]

So I've been really lagging on my project, it's been about 11 months or so since I first started it.  The biggest reason I've been procrastinating I guess is money, the scope creep on my project has been astronomical.  Though I guess it didn't help that Mike had my head for over 3 months. (I'm not complaining Mike, the head is truly beautiful and I'm sure it will be truly worth it)  I've pretty much decided though that I'll just spend the winter finishing it up.  So anyways, here's what I have in my possession, and am planning on putting in the bike:

●wiseco 836 kit
●the works Mike Rieck cylinder head(stage 3 port, serdi valve job, decked .010, etc)
 ►kpmi high performance valve springs
 ►kpmi titanium valve spring retainers
 ►kpmi exhaust valves
 ►kpmi oversize intake valves
●Webcam 63a
●Dynoman adjustable cam sprocket
●tsubaki heavy duty cam chain
●m3 auto cam chain tensioner
●honda oem f2 rod bolts (the nuts are discontinued so I'll have to reuse those)
●dynoman heavy duty top and bottom end stud sets
●dyna s ignition, dyna 3.0 ohm coils, dyna wires, and some denso iridium spark plugs
●Terry's fancy oil cooler
●530 rk xchain with sunstar 17 and 48 rear conversion sprockets
●barnett clutch springs
●honda oem gasket kit A (top end)
●oem engine oil seal kit
●honda oem intake rubbers


I still need to pickup a few things for the bottom end, mainly gaskets, though I'm going to inspect the bottom end and replace anything as necessary.  I also plan on getting new progessive fork springs, and some high quality rear shocks, but my bike handles pretty well as is, so that might not be until next spring.

As far as the progress, well I'm not really all that far unfortunately.  I have the engine out and stripped down to the point where I'm just about to split the cases.  As soon as I get motivated to get back into the project, and scrape up the $260 to get my jugs bored, I'll be able to get the engine finished in a few weeks.  I'm just a bit busy here nowadays and probably won't start that for a week or two.  I'll keep you guys posted as soon as I start though. 

oh #$%*, and I almost forgot about the beautiful stainless steel benjies 4 into 2 peashooter exhaust I have sitting down on my window sill right now.  I think thats really going to pull the entire bike together.  I opted for the deep roar sounding pipes. 

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Which window sill are the Benjie sitting on and what time of day are you least likely to hear breaking glass?