Topic: CB750F Supersport? yea's? nah's?

[perattzi]

Hey all, what a great forum! So many amazing bikes on here with many talented and dedicated builders, I love it! So, I'm letting go of my 05 Sportster and will soon be joining the SOHC Four ranks! I was starting to cafe the Harley, but geez some rearsets and compatible exhaust will set you back at least $1200...and then there's everything else...bottomless pit. So, I am tossing around a couple of bikes as candidates for a mild cafe job. Either a 550 or 750, but I am curious about the CB750F supersports...with the boat tails. They don't seem to be as desirable as the regular K's and I am wondering if the main differences are aesthetic and minor or if these are a black sheep. What years and models should I stay away from etc.? Any input is greatly appreciated. Regards,
Joseph 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

750F.............  Hell yeah!!

Faster and handle better. But that all depends on how you ride. The 77/78 have a few more HP than all other 750's due to larger valves, springs, etc but that comes with a few more potential problems. If you find one that is extremely low miles or has already had the head rebuilt (expensive!) you should be OK for a while. How many miles will you ride and will you beat the #$%* outta it?! Not the classic the K is but it all depends on your taste in bikes. I have a 75 which I bought new so I am slightly prejudiced. The 75F & 76F are basically identical to one another. Different colors and slight difference in the rear master cylinder and gauge colors are different. Usual changes throughout model years. It has the K engine with increased HP due to combustion chamber design with same valve size as K, increased CR, stronger cam, etc. More reliable than 77/78F. I'd still love to add a 77/78 F to my garage if it's a low mileage. I know how to take care of them. 

[Sam Green Racing]

Welcome to the forum Joe Perazzo,    likeJerry said, go for the F1 75/76 with the K motor.
The later Fs 77/78 have issues in the valve and guide areas.
Plenty more knowledgeable people on here will be only to glad to help out.

Sam.

[upperlake04]

...I am curious about the CB750F supersports...with the boat tails. They don't seem to be as desirable as the regular K's...

 Good job Eldar       
 Welcome Joseph - the aesthetics are subjective (chubby vs. brawny) and most people seem to favour the bike they own.  An F might be a better starting point for a cafe.  There are many old threads about the 77-78F top end issues,  a concern but not a deal killer. 

[GoatBaSS]

The carb setup changes on the 77s on as well. I loved my 75. Disk front and rear. There are a few cosmetic differences and that is really not a big deal. Smaller cbs are fun also. Some think the 750s are large and handle like a rhino, but I have loved both K and F 750 bikes. Desire? That is yours to determine, but I would think with the scratch from the harley sale, buy one of each, and a complete parts bike and have at it. I still have not spent as much money as you mentioned those harley parts cost. If you want a bike to fiddle with the honda is it.

[UnCrash]

I have a 78 750F which I bought last winter for $400.

The bike handles great and has all the power I need. The only concern in the head is the exhaust valve guides which are prone to burnout if not properly maintained.

The tappet clearance on exhaust is best at .004.

I have both a 76 750K and a 78 750F.  The F is hands down a faster bike.  It feels heavier, but turns in better and feels racier in general.

I'm about to tear down the F and do a mild cafe job to it.  That's why the SOHC's are great, lots of options for customization that won't set you back a ton of $$$

Good luck in your efforts.

[KB02]

I'm a brake freak and LOVE the rear disk on my F1 (1976). Granted... I hate the front disk. Basically the rear is a dual piston cailper while the front is only a single pot job (that's why I'm working ona Dual disk conversion - do a search - PLENTY of info on that).

I've never actually riden a K bike, so I really don't have any direct comparisons to give you. I am working right now on a K8 (Head should be arriving back today!!! YAY!!!) and will have better comparrison for you after I get that bike built.

One thing that I have noticed is that more K's were sold than F's. What this means is that there are more of them out there and more parts (aftermarket) available for them. Just means the F will take a bit more inginuity to cafe out (See my Avatar). I habnd fabned my seat off of a stock F seat pan.

[super pasty white guy]

Just reinforcing what KB02 said-  Each F series has some parts that are unique to it alone.  By going with an F, you will run into a limited parts pool in the market (brake calipers come right to mind).  Tracking down the right caliper for my dual disk conversion is taking some time, for example.

I kinda like the uniqueness of my F just because of this relative scarcity, but it's something to consider. 

dave

[dagersh]

Joseph,

I have a couple of K's and an F.  The F is an amazing bike, very easy to ride, handles great and is very compfortable to boot.  I can spend hours and hours on it, where my K0 gets a little uncomfortable after a couple of hours - however, it may be due to a aftermarket OEM seat.

When ever I have friends up who ride, I usually pu tthem on the F - I trust it, it never puts forth a wrong foot, and everyone who hass ridden it will generally want to always ride it when given the choice (and I have some pretty crazy options for them to mess around on...)

Anyway, bottom line, you can't go wrong with an F... or with a K!  Just get rid of the Harley!

Gersh

[Lumbee]

...usually people just go with whatever SOHC is close by, and in the right price range.  Coming from an HD, I'd recommend the 750 over the 550, for the HP.  I've owned both a 78 and 77 F's.  The 77 is my current daily rider.  I think they are great bikes.  The premature wearing of the valve guides is a known issue, but is the exception and not he rule.

[dusterdude]

if you can find a k0 or a k1 in your budget,buy it,they are the best looking of the bunch,if not buy whatever you can find cause after that they are all ugly.

[Sam Green Racing]

bump

[Wheelhorse77]

I've got a 77 SS and I love it. The bike has character! Everywhere I take the bike, people ask about it, I've had people yell out of car windows asking what year it is and how it looks to be in great shape for it's age.


I ran with a newer viper on a 25-85mph blast and ran neck and neck with the 500 hp snake. Not bad for an antique.

[Steve F]

750F's.........hell yeah.  Have 2 '76 750F's.  A link to check out.........
http://www.salocal.com/sohc/1976/stv-updt.htm

[joeb]

Thats a big yes in this corner.

[UnCrash]

  I forgot to say,   Yeah Baby Yeah!!!! 

F's R F'n Fun!

[heffay]

nah... the little ones make better cafes!  eenie meenie miny GO



















... waiting for lynchmob

[GoatBaSS]

Yeah! George is a real good guitar player.