Greetings from San Antonio, Texas
I've joined your forum looking for information and perhaps advice. Since 1983, I've owned a '72 CB 750. It was to get me through college, which it did and much more. We've had a long, happy relationship which has included cross-country trips, including Canada.
Today, I'm not sure what to do with it. It has 68,000 miles and leaky head gasket which fouls the two interior spark plugs. Compression is low on the two inner cylinders, and the clutch seems to be nearing the end.
Still, it starts right up and runs hard and has no trouble going to redline. To me, it doesn't feel like a worn motor. I drive the thing almost daily.
The second owner (I'm the 3rd) said the first owner had had it bored, as he was angry when Kawasaki introduced the Z-1 right after he'd bought the new '72 CB. But there was no paperwork and my purchase was 26 years ago. (Can you tell I like the bike?)
What do you think?
Do I....?
1) Have the head gasket and clutch replaced? Is it worth it on a motor with that many miles
2) Have the mechanic rebuild it? The head gasket is going to be $350, a complete rebuild, including the clutch is about $1100. But if the motor was already bored once, I assume to 832cc, will there be a larger kit?
3) Find it a good home?
4) Find a scrap yard?
(Are these prices even realistic?)
Really, I like the bike. Even though I've owned newer and more expensive others, there's something about the CB that grabs me.
If some of the more experienced out there have a minute to help, I'd appreciate it. My mechanical repertoire doesn't go beyond oil changes, valve adjustments, and sparkplugs.
--Batavicus
