Topic: CB750K7 Nine Lives Cafe Racer - au revoir

[lucky]

I bet those CR carbs really fixed that carb problem!!!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Believe it or not, the bike hasn't been fired since it was rebuilt.  So I'm waiting to see how much horse it makes with the big bore Wiseco kit, cam, porting and CRs. 

I feel like I took a long nap from the cafe/vintage genre to improve my riding on modern sportbikes (RC51 and GSXR-750).  I can't wait to get this bike finished and ride it. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I decided to swap out my Clubmans (even though they have painted checkers) for Tommaselli Adjustable Clubmans (http://guzzino.com/tococlba.html).  That way I can adjust the angle of the bars so they are not quite as severe and provide for better counterstearing leverage.

I'm working with Andover Norton to figure out which parts I will need to get my magnesium GP calipers operational especially if they need a rebuild.  I also might swap out the Braking 16 MC to a more modern master cylinder with a electric brake switch built in.  Unfortunately, when the Braking MC was installed, we neglected to re-intall a pressure switch so as of right now, no brake lights are operational (no bueno).

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Just got my Brembo master cylinder with the brake switch built in from Riders Discount.  That should mate well with my stainless brake lines and eliminate the need for an extra line/pressure switch.

My donor tank is still at Chivo's paint shop in Orange waiting for some fresh knee dents and paint. 

I am also thinking of getting one of Hondaman's blade fuse blocks to swap out for my old and tired tube fuse block.

As soon as I have the tank ready, I will get her running and braking and on the road.

[Trevdawg]

Very nice

[Stev-o]

Welcome back...looks great.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'm definitely re-committed. The tank will take some patience so I can have it match the deep charcoal metallic with ice pearl checkers. It was such a shame to lose the first tank.

I'm hoping my oil leak is a minor issue. I really don't want to open it up again. I'm in a slight hold with the tank. After that, I'll get the motor and carbs dyno tuned and the brakes done.

I pulled my disassembled K2 out of mothballs and inventoried parts.  It's tempting to start this one but I need to finish the  K7 first.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Welcome back...looks great.

Thanks, Stev-o! Glad to be back.  I'm glad to see the forum is stronger than ever and still has lots of familiar names.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Okay.  I just got a replacement Monza-style gas cap for the new tank from Carpy.  (http://www.cb750cafe.com/products-page/tanks/stainless-steel-gas-cap-with-flip-top/)

My painter is taking the replacement tank and cap to my welder freind to close the flip top and install the new cap and (maybe) fabricate the knee dents.  I'm hoping he can make short work of it, so I can get the tank back to the painter.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I just got my brake pads for my vintage AP Racing calipers from Andover Norton.  For anyone wanting to buy AP Racing products here, they have the best pricing and turn-around time, and are the most helpful and responsive.  I spent weeks waiting for a response from AP's USA contact GP Tech in Michigan (sent emails and called -- voicemail full). 

That still leaves the tank, installing the brake pads, and fixing an oil leak before firing the engine.  I also bought some adjustable Tomaselli condor clubmans to lessen the severe angle of my (fixed) clubmans so my wrists won't fall off.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Okay then . . . my welder (Ole at Welding Works in Orange) just got the new filler cap installed into my replacement tank and formed the knee recessess/dents.  He removed the old cap and flap, welded in a panel and then welded in the new filler cap. 

I just dropped off the tank to be lined and pressure tested.  I should have it back in about a week.  Then it's off to my buddy Scott aka "Chivo" to get the tank prepped for paint and paint it. 

tank1 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

tank2 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

[YogiBear]

I like the cap alot

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

It's a stainless steel Monza-style cap from Carpy:  http://www.cb750cafe.com/products-page/tanks/stainless-steel-gas-cap-with-flip-top/

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I just picked up the tank from Tom's Radiator in Orange.  They lined and pressure tested the tank.  Now I have peace of mind that the same thing won't happen again.  Roland at Tom's is a great guy.  As a courtesy, he also cleaned off any superficial rust and contaminants and got the tank surface ready for paint -- to save my painter some time. 

A few minutes later, I delivered to tank to Chivo at the Sled Shed for paint!  He's going to paint the same base color paint and ice pearl checkers, and then I've given him some freedom to embellish it with either gold leaf or other details.  I also picked up some vintage Honda wing decals.  I can't wait.

To Do:
Replace Braking MC with Brembo MC with built in light switch
Install brake pads and bleed lines
Replace key ignition with NOS switch to match new key for the seat
Replace (fixed) clubmans with adjustable Tomeselli condor clubmans
Fix a nagging oil leak
Make sure there are no electrical gremlins
Break in motor and tune carbs

The VVMC (Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club) is holding their annual rally on September 15, 2012.  (http://www.venicevintage.com/rally-info/rally-sponsor-vendor-info-and-contract-package)  I met Shannon (of SS Classics) from VVMC at a Deux Ex Machina event and his crew.  They seem like an awesome group of people.  I would love to ride the bike to the rally, but it's going to be a stiff challenge to get it done in time.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Quick update:

The tank is getting some body filler to contour the knee dents.  Unfortunately, the tank was sealed without the filler cap.  If you get one of these caps from Carpy, apply some epoxy to the screws and leave the filler cap in during the sealing process.  Then paint.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

A significant set-back . . .

I took it over to a new wrench to get the bike to fire and complete it.  Unfortunately, there is a laundry list of problems.  The more significant ones (so far) include improper wiring to the switches, coils and Dyna 2000; the brake mounts while pretty do not appear to be secure enough; and (after getting the bike to fire) there are oil leaks everywhere (to the oil cooler, on the oil pan and sidecovers, valve cover, etc.).

It looks like we will have to pull the motor just to repair the leaks and to make sure the engine work was done properly. 

[MRieck]

That blows.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Well, I'm hoping that the project is getting back on course.  Unfortunately, the motor NEEDS to come out -- to fix the numerous oil leaks.  I plan to paint the cases, since they are not high-polished and, without any paint, clear or powdercoating, they will oxidize.  I am also going to replace the refinish the black chrome pieces in black powdercoat, to make cleaning and maintenance easier.

The new bars (Tommaselli Condor Adjustable Clubmans) look great installed and are less severe on your wrists, along with the new Brembo MC (with a light switch built in, so that takes care of the fact that a pressure switch was not installed on the previous Braking MC. 

I'm praying the engine internals are not as screwed up as everything else was.   

Since the vintage calipers were missing the pad retainer clips/pins, I called up Andover Norton and ordered some spares.  Nick and Phil came through again.  If you are looking to source AP brake parts, you will be much better off going through Andover Norton (even if you are in the US like me).  Their prices are competitive, too.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I got the brake pad pins from Andover Norton, so now my brakes are somewhat functional.  I say somewhat because the original aluminum mounts were fabricated from aluminum and polished (not anozided or hardened).  They have way too much flex and will likely snap under repetitive loads (braking).  If so, the calipers and lines would likely fall into the spokes and cause a huge problem. 

The motor is scheduled to be pulled next week.  Unfortunately, all of the black chrome plating is not holding up on the finned engine covers, so I am going to powdercoat those black, and paint the cases with Duplicolor (over the wire brushed and slightly polished cases).  Are there any SURE-FIRE instructions to getting the paint to adhere to the cases?  I've heard complaints on the forum about chipping. 

I just ordered new gaskets from Tim at Cycle X that should be here by the end of next week, so they'll be ready to replace the leaking ones.

NOTE: I will be replacing my black chrome fork ears (plating looks great on these -- no oxidation, ready as is or you can paint or powdercoat them) with the Joker Machine ones.  They are in great shape along with all of the rings that attach to the gators.  Let me know if you are interested in buying them from me.  You can email or PM me.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Engine coming out tomorrow.  All of the black chrome is getting replaced with powdercoating (the black chrome was discoloring on the finned covers and powdercoating will eliminate some polishing upkeep).  I got a set of gaskets from Cycle X to replace the leaky points, clutch, oil pan, cam, etc. gaskets. 

The 4-1 has a minor exhaust leak on one of the flanges, so I'm taking it to Power Pros to see if Don can fix it.

While the engine parts get powdercoated, I will begin prepping the engine cases for VHT paint.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Well, the engine is out.  Now I have to sort out parts for powdercoating -- finned covers, fork bottoms, headlight mount, etc. -- and start prepping the engine cases for paint.

I took the 4-1 over to Don at Power Pros and he fixed the leak in about 2 minutes.  FYI -- he manufactures most of the 4-1 Yosh replicas you are all buying. 

[immortal]

Very nice project!

I have the same gas cap and I had a hell of a time with leaks from the fuel pressure building up. I tried different types of sealers and gaskets and finally made a gasket from a sheet of rubber and used Permatex aircraft gasket sealer and it finally worked.

My painter told me I should of welded that cap before I painted in hindsight.

I'm an Expat from the Uk and I have some chequers and britt stuff on my Pegasus bike also!

Keep up the good work!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I am planning to pick up the motor and take it to my painter to paint the cases this weekend.  Slowly but surely . . .

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Very nice project!

I have the same gas cap and I had a hell of a time with leaks from the fuel pressure building up. I tried different types of sealers and gaskets and finally made a gasket from a sheet of rubber and used Permatex aircraft gasket sealer and it finally worked.

My painter told me I should of welded that cap before I painted in hindsight.

I'm an Expat from the Uk and I have some chequers and britt stuff on my Pegasus bike also!

Keep up the good work!

Thanks, Immortal.  I love your bike -- just checked out your build string (I think I saw it a couple of years ago, when it was still a work in progress.  Now, it's stunning.

I just got some sour news on my AP brake calipers.  They don't sit deep enough onto the disc, and because of their width, they will hit the spokes if I lower them further onto the disc.  The bummer is that I will likely have to ditch them in favor of stock calipers!  I just spent a couple of months getting pads and pin retainers from AP in England just to find that it was a waste of time and $!  Much thanks to the builder on that!  Now, I need to source a pair of used stock calipers.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I trolled eBay craigslist etc. looking for a matching set of calipers and mounts for the last 3 weeks. I finally decided to use a GL front end I was saving for my next project. So now I'm moving up to 37mm forks, new rotors, calipers and triples. The larger diameter forks and triples should help improve front end handling. I would love to use my new anticipated 37mm triples from Rob at Voxonda too.

Fitment-wise, I'm hoping my gauges, ignition, etc. bolts to the GL triple. I'm wondering what I will need to do to about my front fender to get it to fit the wider forks.

No news from my painter on my engine or tank but I expect he's been busy with holiday commitments.