Topic: 1977 CB750k Rebuild or Cafe Racer.... (Lots of Pics)

[ethos42]

Minor update.

Cleaned and organized the garage in preperation of the complete dissasembly of the bike a couple of days ago.

Today, we started pulling it apart:



OMG IT'S NAKED!!


Carb boots were really bad, a couple of them had hardened to the point of cracking when being pulled off.


Those drag bars are not there to stay, just put them on to move the bike around


Work bench full of parts/tools.


The Parts Cabinet. I'm going to have to clean out a few more to hold the rest of the bike.

Next up, I'm going to clean off the workbench and get the bike up there. Then I'll remove the wheels, forks and pull the engine out of the frame.

I'm leaning more and more towards the Cafe style. Mostly because it allows me to be creative and I've never done any custom work before.

As for the engine, I'm considering the 836 kit with Pods on the carbs and a 4-in-to-1 exhaust... I'll have to dig around the site to find out what carb jets I need to go with that setup. I'm sure someone has done it before 

Hope everyone had a good thanksgiving!

[KB02]

As for the engine, I'm considering the 836 kit with Pods on the carbs and a 4-in-to-1 exhaust... I'll have to dig around the site to find out what carb jets I need to go with that setup. I'm sure someone has done it before 

Check out this thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=28089.0
It gives a good starting point. It's all fine tuning from there.

[ethos42]

Wow, that's a great thread!

It does not mention the 836 kit, does that need to be considered when re-jetting?

[russouno]

if its of any help... I have 120 main jets and the bike is stock bore with just pods
I didn't change the idle jets

[ekim98]

I to have 120 mains and stock idle jets in my 78 750k. I'm running the Emgo pods and a Mac 4 into 1 exhaust. Seems to run pretty good for me.

[GoatBaSS]

Nice shop pics. Mine was that organized... once, a long, long time ago.

[.RJ]

Bump

In the meantime... Anyone know where I can get one of these?

[seaweb11]

sorry, I see no photo?  what is it?

[ethos42]

sorry, I see no photo?  what is it?

I updated the photo in the original post to my flickr account, it should be visible now. It's a fuel gauge for the tank.

[seaweb11]

Here's mine. Still in original box c/w shelf dust.

I  still can't see your photo but this is what you seem to be hunting for.
 Sorry, Not for sale, figure it will buy me a new bike in 20 years if I don't use it before hand.
I paid dearly for it.

[.RJ]

Here's mine. Still in original box c/w shelf dust.

Where'd you find it?  I'd love to have one

[andy750]

I have one too....never been used in the box....only problem is I took it apart to see how it worked and now having a problem putting it all back together again....




cheers
Andy

[azuredesign]

I have one too....never been used in the box....only problem is I took it apart to see how it worked and now having a problem putting it all back together again....

I have the same problem, only with just about everything! Andy, where did you find that thing? Does anyone know if they actually work??

[seaweb11]

I bought mine on Ebay. It looks like it would work great!

[.RJ]

I bought mine on Ebay. It looks like it would work great!

I havent seen any, but I'm really not sure what to search for... how'd you find them?

[andy750]

Ebay as well. I wasnt sure mine did work which is why I took it apart 

Basically its just a ball and chain attached to a spring and the more the chain pulls (as it gets empty) I guess the spring rate increases or something and the needle is forced to Empty....

cheers
Andy

[S-Dog]

I want one.....!!!!!!!!!!

[ethos42]

Havn't had a whole lot of time (holidays, work, <insert other excuse here>) to work on the bike, but I did manage to get the engine out of the frame. The bike was laid down at some point, everything on the right side was slightly bent so getting the engine mounts off took some convincing. The parts were very happy to never move again. It's neat what a bit of leverage can do to motivate a nut or bolt to move.

I'm not sure what to work on next. I know I am curious about the 836 kit, but is it worth the money? Do you see a notable difference? How does it affect gas mileage?

If you were in my shoes (no money for bike parts), what would you work on next? I have a ton of cleaning/sanding to do. So maybe I'll work on getting everything prepped for powder coating.

Anyway, here's some pics of the progress:


There is an amazing amount of grime on the bike.


Wheels off, only thing left is the engine.


Engine is out.


That's one dirty engine!


Must have had an exhaust leak, and is that rust I see on the valve stem (second from the right)?

[Superbiker_uk]

those fuel gauges do well on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Gas-Cap-Fuel-Gauge-CB750-CB550-CB350F-CB450_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35580QQihZ005QQitemZ150184954061QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

ethos42 - keep up the good work with the build

[GoatBaSS]

I would ask the green eyed alien dog for guidance. the dog will know the way...

[ethos42]

ROFLMAO!

I would ask the green eyed alien dog for guidance. the dog will know the way...

[mrbreeze]

I would ask the green eyed alien dog for guidance. the dog will know the way...

That dog has some wicked lookin eyes dontcha think?

[Pwfyrcat1]

A regular Baskerville he is;)


Can you tell me about your polishing method.  A how to primer

Thanks

[ethos42]

A regular Baskerville he is;)


Can you tell me about your polishing method.  A how to primer

Thanks

Well, for the oil filter and the cam tensioner I started with 220 grit sandpaper (not only were they dirty/oxidized they were scratched all over) and moved from there to 500, then 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, Mothers aluminum polish, and finally Never Dull.

It takes a bit to get the mirror finish, but each level of sanding takes progressively less time. The 220 takes the longest since you are trying to remove any pits, scratches, dents, etc that are there. After that you are just smoothing out the scratches left by the previous layer.

It's quite the process, gives you plenty of time to think about life, the universe and everything

I'm pretty happy with the results, but I think I would like to try using a bench grinder with a polishing wheel on it. as it might make things go a little quicker. I used one once when making a knife (on of my friends father-in-law's makes sword canes).

I'm always on the lookout for quicker methods to clean things up. I'm currently battling a thick layer of grime on the swingarm, frame, and exhaust pipes. For the swingarm and frame I'm not too worried since those are going to be powder-coated, but the exhaust I am trying to be very careful not to damage them any more than they already are.

I'm considering how to clean the engine. It's really bad, I took a razor to it and the stuff came off in chunks. The bottom of the engine is black and oily. How dangerous would it be to take it down to one of those car wash places and use the pressure washers on it. I have the gasket kit for the engine, which after cleaning will be taken apart.

At this time I don't think I can afford to do the 836 kit. After reading around it seams that to do the kit, and get the most bang out of the bike, you really have to redo the ports, exhaust, carb jets, air pods, yada. I think right now it would be best (motivationally speaking) to get the bike running and then work on the 836 kit. I'd like to feel the bike before going through with a major mod like that.

[GoatBaSS]

plenty of ZAPP! sans 836. You will be better served to get the bike running, skim the gremlins, enjoy the process and then the ride! It should give you enough time to plan the attack and gather the supplies for the next mod.

Good to see the dog has guided your cleansing process... Sand, give dog bone/treat, sand....