Topic: '76 CB750F

[legendary]

Guys,
        haven't been on the forum long....but I have read enough to know I have a lot to learn. I found SOHC after I bought this project....1976 CB750F with ~25K miles.

It has a clean title and .... some decent parts.  I went looking for something that I could rebuild my way and not ruin a decent restorable bike. Looks a lot better in this pic than in person. Can't see it very well from this angle..but the tank, gauges, signals were bashed in with a hammer??? Exhaust header is gone, and I have the original carbs in a box.

I am about to tackle dismantling it.

What is the first mistake I am going to make??






 

[333]

"What is the first mistake I am going to make??"

Thinking you could ruin it?

[750goes]

Try and keep all the separate parts in separate storage boxes of some sort......it makes it a little easier to if they are labelled.......or strong clear plastic sealable bags...

and take lots of photos for your reference when it comes to putting it back together..

Are you doing a complete motor out, frame up restoration or just general clean up and ride ?

It is looking reasonbale condition at the moment - all the accessories damaged can be replaced...

good luck with it..

[johnrtse]

I really like that seat!

john

[Bodain]

The first mistake will be thinking you have enough money to cover it and thinking you can recover that money when you sell it.

It will be fun though.

[Geeto67]

The first mistake? thinking you need to dismantle it to fix it and dismantling it before testing all the systems. If it were me I would rebuild the carbs, borrow or buy an exhaust and at least test fire the motor to see if she has any strange noises. This will tell you if you need to rebuild the motor or just pull it out of the frame and polish the cases. I would also test the electrical system to see what works and what doesn't and make the repairs before disassembly.

Why is this important, well it turns disassembly into take apart - refurbish - put back together instead of chasing problems that you weren't sure you had before.  Saves you a lot of time knowing it worked perfectly before you took it apart. Make a list of problem areas that you need to fix from testing and be organized. Most people disassembly a bike for cosmetic refurbishment - disassembling and reassembling doesn't really "Fix" anything, nor does it help diagnose much (there are a few things that would otherwise be hard to spot).

Looking at your bike I see no reason to take her down to the frame unless you wanted to paint the frame and do a full nut and bolt style resto.

When ever I work on bikes I go and buy a pad of little square notes and zip lock bags, When I take something apart I write on the note square what is going in the ziploc bag before I put it in. This way I can reuse bags for other projects later without having writing all over them and I can add and subtract parts from the bag. I keep all the bags In a milk crate or two. I also built a test tank for testing bike engines when the bike's original tank is no good. Usually this is just a plastic tank on a stand with a tap and a line that holds a 3-4 quarts of fuel (dirt bike oil tanks are ideal for this).   

[legendary]

Guys
   With your advice, the help of my 15 yr old and 11 year old sons, and a warm day.... the motor is out and the bike is in boxes...and zip lock bags.

Neat thing I found today- The bike has an aftermarket ignition. DYNA 000!!

What a great day guys... thanks!

SOHC4 is awesome!

333- Thinking you could ruin it?

  Too Late!

750goes- Are you doing a complete motor out, frame up restoration or just general clean up and ride ?

I have it down to the frame, I'm sending the motor out, replacing the suspension..a modern spin on a cafe.
The clear bags and Black Marker idea was excellent! Electrical is going to be replaced too. I enjoy working on old cars and on bikes, and I like riding. I don't like to plan a day of riding and end up wrenching instead . I am kind of anal so if I am riding something I do not have confidence in- I cannot enjoy myself.

johnrtse- I really like that seat!

John, that seat is not part of my future plans. If you are serious send me an e-mail. Its actually in really good shape.

Whitt_Travis-  Removing those sweet flame stickers from the side covers.

Whitt- my favorite comment!! Unfortunately, the side cover mounting tabs are broken.  I wonder if I could find a source for a new flame sticker set.....NOT!

Bodain-  first mistake will be thinking you have enough money to cover it and that you can recover that money.....

This is a hobby, not an investment..... money in- experiences out. I am good with that 

Geeto67- Is that 1967 GTO? If so the baggie and post-it note trick probably came from restoring old cars...and it applies to the bikes too.

I talked to the guy who is building the engine about the vandalism on the bike. I could see his wheels turning. He had mentioned getting it running first to get a feel for what it needed. Then he changed his mind. "Nope just pull it and bring it over. I don't want to run it and do some more harm." He is a straight shooter and has done many CB750's. I decided to go with his word on that.


 

[johnrtse]

Sent you a PM about the seat!

John

[spitfire]

Great to see another F on the road to recovery, finished rebuilding my 1976 F last year and it was all worth it.
To help put it back together lots of photos of your own bike and other bikes of same year/model are invaluable, plus the parts book.

Good luck

Den

[KB02]

I've got a few parts left over the cafe-ing of my 76f. PM me if you're looking for anything. I'll see if I've got it lying around. (gotta get onto ebay with all that stuff some day...)

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Good start. If you don't have a Honda Shop Manual I would advise either getting one or downloading it.

Also, once you get it on the road stay away from the previous owner's ex-wife. Looks like she swings a mean hammer 

[KRONUS0100]

hey another 76f.  if you don't mind updating it......78F forks and brakes and wheels are the way to go (dual front brakes).  I currently have the wider 76 gl1000 front end on mine with the dual brakes off the 78F, these are slightly bigger diameter forks with slightly wider spacing.  only had to change the bottom neck bearing to make the gl1000 neck fit.  rides smooth and stable, stops great as well.  i do highly recommend the braided brake lines from Z1 enterprises, they are well worth the money, and cheaper than the same lines from dennis kirk.  Good luck and i'll post some pics when i fix my camera connnection.

[legendary]

Matt,
         thanks for the recommendations on the fork alternatives. Believe it or not, I am going with '03-'07 Suzuki SV650 components for the suspension. I am not the first to do it.

Dual front disc brakes will be nice....

It is going to be different to say the least.... I want to build my vision of what a cafe racer would do to a CB750F frame today.

I'm keeping the frame, engine and title..the rest is up for grabs when I am done.

Steve