Topic: CB750K7 Nine Lives Cafe Racer - au revoir

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Don,

Couldn't agree more with your observations on some service providers!  Your bike is coming in good, looks great.  I too can vouch for the SuperBrace worth ever penny, well built and the folks there have great customer service.  Remember persistence counts!

Thanks for the vote of confidence.  There's something about seeing the motor complete and in your bike again that gives you a real charge.  It was the just the encouragement I needed to get excited about his bike again.

I will definitely check out Superbrace.  I've also been looking at the Telefix, too.  Both look like solid products.

I love the GL front on your bike.  What kind of wheels do you have there?  Those dual horns say, "Get out of the way!!"

[Bankerdanny]

Progress to report.

The motor is back in the frame and it's beginning to look like a motorcycle again!!  The engine covers are now powdercoated black, including the valve cover.  It was discovered that the finned starter cover from my prior builder did not fit properly, and needed to be milled just so it would properly bolt in place and seal the starter compartment.  I am really happy with the new look of the motor, with the fresh painted crankcases and powdercoated bits.  When its finished, I will likely sand the edges of the fins on the cylinder and head to offset the black VHT paint.





Right now the bike is fitted with the CB750 milled forks.  The GL1000 forks lowers are being powdercoated black and then they will swap in place with the rest of the GL1000 front end parts (trees, brake calipers, brake discs.  The front will look similar to this mock up, but have the slightly larger diameter (37mm vs 35mm forks).  This will cure the brake caliper to disc fitment issues. 

The tank has been stripped of the creme-cote and is now being re-lined.  I will be picking it up from the radiator shop this week and dropping it off to my new painter to get some house black with ice pearl checkers. 

I don't think my OCD would allow me to use that clutch cover with the fins not at the same angle as the cylinder and points cover fins.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Progress to report.

The motor is back in the frame and it's beginning to look like a motorcycle again!!  The engine covers are now powdercoated black, including the valve cover.  It was discovered that the finned starter cover from my prior builder did not fit properly, and needed to be milled just so it would properly bolt in place and seal the starter compartment.  I am really happy with the new look of the motor, with the fresh painted crankcases and powdercoated bits.  When its finished, I will likely sand the edges of the fins on the cylinder and head to offset the black VHT paint.





Right now the bike is fitted with the CB750 milled forks.  The GL1000 forks lowers are being powdercoated black and then they will swap in place with the rest of the GL1000 front end parts (trees, brake calipers, brake discs.  The front will look similar to this mock up, but have the slightly larger diameter (37mm vs 35mm forks).  This will cure the brake caliper to disc fitment issues. 

The tank has been stripped of the creme-cote and is now being re-lined.  I will be picking it up from the radiator shop this week and dropping it off to my new painter to get some house black with ice pearl checkers. 

I don't think my OCD would allow me to use that clutch cover with the fins not at the same angle as the cylinder and points cover fins.

That's pretty funny.  Thankfully, the black fools your eyes.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I forgot another mention.  I picked up a set of brushed aluminum Steel Dragon velocity stacks (with screens) from Mike Mentges.  They sure look pretty.  They will be going on my CR29's soon.

IMG_0001_zps664dfd31 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

More progress.

Just picked up my newly lined Super Sport gas tank and took it to my new painter.  It's being stripped, blocked and primed for house color black with ice pearl checkers. 

I'm deciding as to whether to go for the vintage Honda "HM" wing logo or the modern wing logo.  I'm leaning toward the vintage.

[goldarrow]

Wow 4 years in the making.  Nice looking progress so far. Remember, persistent.

 Those wheels you asked above post are the Lester's

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thanks for the encouragement!

I reached Rob aka Voxonda by PM, so hopefully we can get the GL1000 triple tree project rolling. I know there are a host of members who have done the fork swap and would love to upgrade the triple clamps. Rob's design for upgraded CB750 trees is clean and robust. I will let you all know what develops.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I visited the painter to confirm the color scheme and my choice of decals.  I was between:
Vintage Honda Logo
photo3_zps99c03d58 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

and
Modern Honda Logo
photo2_zpsb76142c1 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

I opted for the Vintage Wing logo, since it has some gold in the HM logo which will help tie into the gold leaf 750 logo on my side covers

Now I have a set of spare "HONDA" badges I won't be using
photo4_zps5dc5ed54 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr
They're in pretty good shape save for some wax in the recesses that I can clean with a Q-tip.

The tank should be painted in less than two weeks.  I'm looking forward to seeing it.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Right now the GL1000 forks have been disassembled and the lowers are out for powdercoating.  I may have to buy new tubes and springs (and possibly some Racetech gold valves). 

If I end up having to buy new fork tubes, is there any good advice as to the length of the GL1000 fork tubes -- meaning, should I go with stock length tubes or shorter ones.  I believe that the stock GL1000 forks are longer than the CB750 forks, but I'm not sure by how much.  Advice??

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The CRs are now back on with my pretty, new Steel Dragon velocity stacks.  I sent a new batch of parts to be powdercoated, as well: Lucas-style taillight, headlight rim, and the 4-1 exhaust (for ceramic powdercoating).  I'm ditching the Yosh-infringing logo for something else.

The gas tank is prepped for paint, so my finished parts will be coming together soon.

I'm still trying to determine what size fork tubes to buy to replace the old pitted GL tubes.  I'm also looking into upgrading the fork internals -- such as Racetech gold valve cartridge emulators and new progressive springs.  If I decrease the fork tube length (I believe the stock GL tubes are longer than CB tubes), I will probably need to buy different springs than ones engineered for stock GL tubes.  Suggestions??

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Visited the painter last night to check progress and drop off the decals. I got an unpleasant surprise. My cosmetically pretty Super sport tank has some rust pinholes on the top!  WTF!? Apparently the radiator shop did not pressure test the tank or it would have caught them.

photo_zps77ed4614 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

The painter is going to attempt a spot repairs if the metal is strong enough. If not, I may consider patch metal repairs. If that's not feasible or practical, I'll consider sourcing an aluminum tank.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

CRAP!!!

photo1_zps7359f318 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

photo2_zps2c3e86f5 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

[mrrch]

Bummer,lots of holes.
Braze holes and reline the tank maybe.

[brandEn]

Man #$%*ty. At least they are on the top so you don't have to worry about any repair leaking as much.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Bummer,lots of holes.
Braze holes and reline the tank maybe.

That's exactly the plan using silver brazing.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Man #$%*ty. At least they are on the top so you don't have to worry about any repair leaking as much.

I'm hoping for the best. If this doesn't pan out, I may end up springing for an aluminum tank. Of course, that may necessitate some changes to the seat. I'd rather not have to open that can of worms.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Well, I visited the shop today.  Still waiting for powercoating to the fork legs and a bunch of other bits.  Then a second round of powdercoating will go out for some overlooked parts, including satin black ceramic powdercoating for the 4-1 exhaust.

I still need to figure out the front end in terms of new fork tubes, progressive springs and maybe the Racetech gold valve emulators.  Here's a phone picture of the motor in WITH the CR carbs mounted with the new velocity stacks.  Bling!

photo_zpsb8d52d99 by Donald Leonhardt, on Flickr

[cheftuskey121]

Well, I visited the shop today.  Still waiting for powercoating to the fork legs and a bunch of other bits.  Then a second round of powdercoating will go out for some overlooked parts, including satin black ceramic powdercoating for the 4-1 exhaust.

I still need to figure out the front end in terms of new fork tubes, progressive springs and maybe the Racetech gold valve emulators.  Here's a phone picture of the motor in WITH the CR carbs mounted with the new velocity stacks.  Bling!

absolutely gorgeous mate

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Well, I visited the shop today.  Still waiting for powercoating to the fork legs and a bunch of other bits.  Then a second round of powdercoating will go out for some overlooked parts, including satin black ceramic powdercoating for the 4-1 exhaust.

I still need to figure out the front end in terms of new fork tubes, progressive springs and maybe the Racetech gold valve emulators.  Here's a phone picture of the motor in WITH the CR carbs mounted with the new velocity stacks.  Bling!

absolutely gorgeous mate

That's a heck of a compliment coming from the Chef. Thanks!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Does anyone know what the stock fork tube length is for 75-77 GL1000 forks?

I'm trying to order my replacement tubes from Racetech.

I'm also thinking of swapping my Clubmans for the adjustable Tarozzi 2 inch riser clip-ons. http://www.fastfromthepast.com/servlet/the-Clip-dsh-ons/Categories

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Got my Telefix fork brace from Wild Hair Accessories. Really nice looking part. Spec 2 has them slightly cheaper $170 versus $195 but Wild Hair/Streetfighters was much more responsive via email.

[Bankerdanny]

It looks like you have 8 little Daleks attached to your valve cover. LOL

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The bad news: the rust had thinned out the metal too much to patch the wholes with brazing.

The better news: the tank is repairable. I'm having the rusted metal cut out and patch repaired with new metal. I'm also going to pound in some knee dents.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Awaiting delivery of some CB crack:

Honda OEM petcock for the fuel tank
Tarozzi high clip-ons from Fast from the Past (thanks Jim)
Dime City billet upper triple clamp, gauge mounts and dash/key mount (my first purchase from DCC)

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

It looks like you have 8 little Daleks attached to your valve cover. LOL

Ok, I finally looked up what the heck a Dalek is.  I never watched Doctor Who before.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalek