Topic: Seattle SOHC noob

[ev0lve]

Hi there!

Just picked up a running 75 CB750 ($500!) and in searching out parts and such came across this site. Seems it will need just about everything as the front caliper is seized, the heads leak, tires and chain are ten years old (out of registration since 1998), clutch is adjusted all the way out and some random electrical weirdness that's hopefully just bulbs (yeah, right).

Where were you guys 22 years ago when I had a 400F that needed a new top end? (oh, right... I'm old. No internet back then

Looking forward to posting pics and showing off my ignorance. Here's a couple from the day I picked it up.



Thanks to all as I've already gleaned a metric ton of good SOHC info concerning chains, sprockets, gasket kits and HD studs just lurking.

Feeling pretty confident about tearing it down BUT my very first question would be, having never done it before, would you attempt to save some cash and mount the tubes and tires yourself? Seems like it should be simple but about the only thing that scares me is random tire deflation at speed.

Second question is does this forum need another play by play tear down thread? Cause I'll do it

Thanks again!

Iggy

[markjenn]

Welcome aboard!  Nice to have another in the Seattle area.  Bike looks in pretty good shape overall.

If you're going to attempt to bring a bike like this back, you should definitely be capable of mounting your own tires/tubes.  It's really just cave man mechanics.  I do think good tire irons are important and you need good lubricant.  If you care about your rims, you want to keep them protected - cut up plastic bottles work Okay.  There are lots of tire changing tutorials on the net.

Good luck,

- Mark

[void909]

I say the more pics and posts of tear downs and rebuilds the better. You may run in to something that will interest all of us.
My .02

[ev0lve]

Thanks! It did look pretty good. The fellow had pressure washed the engine so the leaks weren't immediately apparent but it started right up and ran strong. I was, and am, pretty pleased other than parts being 2 and 3 times what I remember (20+ years on). The first shock was taking it to the shop and getting a quote for $500 to mount a couple Metzler Lasertecs (seems that was about $300 4 or 5 years ago).

The Rebuild for Dummies thread is so full of good stuff I couldn't stop reading it till I got to the end so I'm happy to add to that base and detail as much as I can for anyone else.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=29364.0

Carbs are off, cleaned and rebuilt at this point and the engine comes out today so I'll start up a thread, keep notes and take some pics.

Iggy

[dusterdude]

welcome,nice bike

[chuckpen]

Hey SOHC Seattle noob, meet another Seattle SOHC noob who just dragged home a very similar project at about the same time. 
Maybe some colaboration is in order.  Locating good parts, pricing, process, all that ..

[markjenn]

Here's some inspiration.  This is what you get after a lot of time (and money):



Get 'em fixed up and we'll go for a ride around Mercer Island.

- Mark

[ev0lve]

Niiiice. You've got the stock pipes. Mine definitely need to go along with the flanges on the header and the associated phillips bolts. But that's for the next round of work

Got some pics from this weekends tear down and questions as well so I'll start up a new thread and maybe we can continue this there. A dual thread like the Dummies one would probably yield more info and I have to say I'm all about good pics and details at the moment.

As to the ride; oh yeah!

Iggy

Edit: Maybe you don't have the stock pipes. Man, looking on eBay they're running $1200. Luckily I'm not going to be a stickler. Benjie's has some really nice pipes for $895 or so but without going the full cafe route I'm not sure how they'd look.


Eh, who am I kidding. They'd look great. Sounds pretty nice as well although who knows what exactly they did to the 550 in this video. Mine currently sounds like a sewing machine

http://www.benjiescaferacer.com/exhaust.html

[ev0lve]

Hey Chuck,

I started up a thread here
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=38242.0

Come on in and post your rebuild too!

Iggy