Topic: 77 CB750A several questions

[stresssolutions]

Just turned 21K on this bike, about 150 miles are mine.  Rebuilt front brakes, were sticking.  I've adjusted the rear brakes somewhat, but was wondering how long the shoes last?  I know that it matters a lot how far a bike goes before braking, ie 100 miles on freeway vs across town. 

If it turns out that my brake shoes need replacing, do you do a lot of work when you have the rear wheel off?  The tire has a lot of tread, but lots of weather checks.  What guidelines do you use for replacemnt? 

What else would you do at 21K with the rear wheel off?  Rear bearings?  chain and sprockets? tire? 

speedo question...does it take a while for the speedo to catch up to the bike?  mine does, wondering if it is normal.  Meaning, I take off, am going the same speed as the other traffic, but speedo is 15, 20, 22, 25, eventually hitting the speed I'm holding. 

Thanks

[05c50]

stress.... My rear brakes always seem to outlast the front by about a 3 to 1 ratio. Some rear brakes never need replaced,because the fronts do most of the braking and the bikes don't get ridden enough to wear them out.
You might want to look very closely at the rear tire, tread might be ok, but if you see cracks on the sidewalls and in between the tread,the tire might be on it's way to a blow out. Tires do dry out after a few years and can be a safety issue.
While your rear wheel is off, check the bearings for excessive play and use your finger to turn the bearing while you put pressure on it. If it feels "notchy"-replace them. Check the teeth of the rear sprocket. When they wear, the tooth will form kind of a hook on one side. If the sprocket is worn,replace both sprocket and chain,and don't forget about the front sprocket.
It seems like a lot of these old (classic) Hondas have lazy speedos or tachs. Two of mine do the same thing as yours. Usually it's caused by the lube in the speedo drying out. They should be disassembled to be repaired correctly. Not a real hard job,but can be a little tedious.
Hope this helps.

......Paul

 

[stresssolutions]

Thanks, Paul.  The guy I bought it from said that the front brake was only for holding the bike still at traffic lights...used the rear brake only, and I think it was because of the sticky-ness of the front brake. 

Does the jammer thing have to come off to get the speedo off?  See profile pic/avatar pic for reference.    Thanks

[hopterfixer]

Your lazy tach and speedo may be due to the lube in the cables drying out.  Clean your cables.  I disconnect mine from the gauge and slide the inside part out to clean it.  If you can reach the back of the gauge to disconnect the cable then you should not have to remove the fairing.  I can't imagine trying to stop only with the rear brake all of the time, the front brake should be used for 80-90% of the stopping power.     

[eurban]

Thanks, Paul.  The guy I bought it from said that the front brake was only for holding the bike still at traffic lights...used the rear brake only, and I think it was because of the sticky-ness of the front brake. 

Does the jammer thing have to come off to get the speedo off?  See profile pic/avatar pic for reference.    Thanks

When you stop, the weight is transfered forward.  If you want to stop effectively the front brake is the way to go. Previous owner didn't really get it right, infact, he kind of got it backwards.  Do everything you can to maximize the performance of the front brake.  A rebuild of the caliper and master cylinder (or you could replace the master with a new aftermarket one) would probably be a wise precaution, install new quality brake pads and stainless brake lines, check for proper free motion and or slop in the brake arm and adjust the fixed pad to rotor clearance properly.  Front stock brake won't stop like modern equipment but will do a much safer job of slowing you down than relying solely on the easy to lock up rear.

[stresssolutions]

Thanks guys, as a new rider, that is good info to know.  I did rebuild the MC and caliper.  Didn't replace brake line though, I did think about it and I have stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.

These bike tires are tubeless, right?  Time for me to start tire shopping. $$$

[goon 1492]

no brother they are tube type, any spoked wheel takes tubes good luck

[stresssolutions]

Some Harley doofus said that they are tubeless, just like a car.  I had thought that they'd be tubed.  Next question...do you replace the tube when you replace the tire?

[05c50]

Good insurance when you replace the tire,replace the tube. Tubes aren't very expensive and you have no extra labor cost to replace the tube.

.......Paul

[goon 1492]

don't forget the rim strip that covers the tube from the spokes on the inside of the rim, they are only 2 bucks i think.