Topic: CB750K7 Nine Lives Cafe Racer - au revoir

[Tews19]

Yeah I have Chris' 4-1 in The mail right now for my 550...

I think I read the header will discolor after a while of use... I wonder if you can get it chromed?

[Retro Rocket]

I mentioned that for everyone else reading , I was in early on the very first run of pipes {a couple of years back or more} ..., I think the one I have was the first one made with the removable tail section and springs on the header, Chris sold it to me extremely  cheap...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The first version of Chris' replica CB750 pipe was made back prior to March 2009 -- over four years ago.  That was the version that was on the bike previously.  It was not a two-piece design, nor did it have the springs, but it did feature cross-overs.  It was ceramic powder coated satin black.

The two-piece design came into play about two years ago.  It differentiated itself from other Yosh replica pipes.

Tews:  Yes, you can chrome it, powder coat it or leave it plain.  I would ceramic PC it, as the chrome can discolor from the heat.  You can get powder coating in metallic colors, too.

[Retro Rocket]

The first version of Chris' replica CB750 pipe was made back prior to March 2009 -- over four years ago.  It was not a two-piece design, nor did it have the springs, but it did feature cross-overs.  It was ceramic powder coated satin black.

The two-piece design came into play about two years ago.  It differentiated itself from other Yosh replica pipes.

Tews:  Yes, you can chrome it, powder coat it or leave it plain.  I would ceramic PC it, as the chrome can discolor from the heat.  You can get powder coating in metallic colors, too.

The first version of Chris' replica CB750 pipe was made back prior to March 2009 -- over four years ago.  It was not a two-piece design, nor did it have the springs, but it did feature cross-overs.  It was ceramic powder coated satin black.

The two-piece design came into play about two years ago.  It differentiated itself from other Yosh replica pipes.

I know, I never said his first pipe was 2 piece { do a forum search on the pipes, you'll find that out}.  Chris was and still is a member here mate, and like I said, I was in on this from the start when Chris was having the pipes made for Carpy..., Chris wouldn't send me his first pipe because it was 1 piece and cost a fortune to ship to Australia, He told me to wait as he was making a 2 piece pipe that would be cheaper to ship, I am pretty sure I got the prototype of the 2 piece pipe in stainless {about 3 years ago} .... I am well aware of what went on , I spoke to Chris only a couple of months back and I am buying one of his multi piece race pipes {different again} for my Billet block 1000cc bike.. I just checked, it was early 2010 when I got my 2 piece stainless pipe.. For $400 bucks shipped...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Retro,
I have no beef with you and I respect you. I do not doubt that you heard a version of "what went on" with Chris. With all due respect, since you were not involved in our friendship, our circle of friends, nor were you part of what went on, you cannot fairly weigh in on what happened. This thread is not the place to discuss it.
Suffice it to say, Chris and I were friends but no longer. He's got his pluses and minuses. The pipes he has Don manufacture are great.

[Retro Rocket]

Retro,
I have no beef with you and I respect you. I do not doubt that you heard a version of "what went on" with Chris. With all due respect, since you were not involved in our friendship, our circle of friends, nor were you part of what went on, you cannot fairly weigh in on what happened. This thread is not the place to discuss it.
Suffice it to say, Chris and I were friends but no longer. He's got his pluses and minuses. The pipes he has Don manufacture are great.

I never attempted to "weigh in" on anything that happened between you two, never did... I just pointed out where the pipes originated..... I know he can be hard to deal with, that hasn't been my experience though....

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Fair enough, Retro. No worries.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Got the replacement clip-ons in the mail (damn Amazon is fast sometimes!):




I decided to take Branden's advice and invert the fork ears, so they slant UPWARD (instead of this):

[KrautKoffin]

Love those knee dents!

Who did the knee dents? Looks amazing!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Love those knee dents!

Who did the knee dents? Looks amazing!

Andrew "Bondo" Babish in Orange, CA; 626-419-6646.  He paints for Jay "Lossa Engineering" LaRossa.  I think he did a great job on the body work and the paint.  Very reliable and talented.

[KrautKoffin]

Love those knee dents!

Who did the knee dents? Looks amazing!

Andrew "Bondo" Babish in Orange, CA; 626-419-6646.  He paints for Jay "Lossa Engineering" LaRossa.  I think he did a great job on the body work and the paint.  Very reliable and talented.

Thanks, I'll definitely be giving him a call!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Having to modify the steering stops for the larger, wider GL1000 forks, so they don't bang up the tank and the beautiful new paint job.

The GL1000 brakes have been rebuilt using the lighter phenolic pistons from Goddfrey.  I was admiring Doctor Dave's EBC rotors on his Super Sport build, but I think I will save that upgrade for later -- depending on how the bike stops with the drilled, stock rotors.  I also may add a steering damper depending on how it handles, but with the geometry close to stock and new bronze swingarm bearings and tapered neck bearings, I may be able to get away without one.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The stock fork caps for the GL1000 are: (1) a wee bit ugly; (2) a little prone to allen bolt stripping; and (3) not a multi-tasker (as they do not allow for pre-load adjustment).


Here are the dimensions of the stock GL1000 fork caps:


There are replacements out there that are pretty close to CB750 fork caps (with an outward 26mm hex pattern) -- available on ebay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/400485175037?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_1360wt_1161) -- but they do not offer pre-load adjustment:


Rob (aka Voxonda) has machined preload adjusters for the 37mm GL1000 forks (http://www.voxonda.com/2010/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2:03-01-11&catid=1:latest-news):



His first run are sold out, but I think there's demand out there for more.  I am awaiting mine to be shipped!   Great looking product, and functional. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

For those of you, who have transplanted the GL1000 front to your CB750, are you running a front fender?  IF SO, given the sheer ugliness/size of the GL1000 front fender, did you come up with a better-looking solution??

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Harsh's CB750 is using a modified GL1000 fender -- cutting out the whale tail low end portion of the fender:


I'm trying to get some detailed pictures for ideas -- if I decide to install a fender.  Unfortunately, I don't think I can adapt my already painted CB750 fender, since it has different mounting points than the GL1000 forks, and welding on a GL1000 bracket will toast the paint.

Ideas?  Pictures?

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

GL1000 Brakes powdercoated, rebuilt and reassembled with new pads.  Ready to mount to the fork legs.




Brembo Master Cylinder from Riders Discount with braided stainless lines:

[Bankerdanny]

Having to modify the steering stops for the larger, wider GL1000 forks, so they don't bang up the tank and the beautiful new paint job.

The GL1000 brakes have been rebuilt using the lighter phenolic pistons from Goddfrey.  I was admiring Doctor Dave's EBC rotors on his Super Sport build, but I think I will save that upgrade for later -- depending on how the bike stops with the drilled, stock rotors.  I also may add a steering damper depending on how it handles, but with the geometry close to stock and new bronze swingarm bearings and tapered neck bearings, I may be able to get away without one.

My dressed GL1000 has to weight at least 200  pounds more than your bike (plus I weight 226 on my own) and I find that my front brakes are plenty strong. On your bike they should be a substantial improvement over the stock 750.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Having to modify the steering stops for the larger, wider GL1000 forks, so they don't bang up the tank and the beautiful new paint job.

The GL1000 brakes have been rebuilt using the lighter phenolic pistons from Goddfrey.  I was admiring Doctor Dave's EBC rotors on his Super Sport build, but I think I will save that upgrade for later -- depending on how the bike stops with the drilled, stock rotors.  I also may add a steering damper depending on how it handles, but with the geometry close to stock and new bronze swingarm bearings and tapered neck bearings, I may be able to get away without one.

My dressed GL1000 has to weight at least 200  pounds more than your bike (plus I weight 226 on my own) and I find that my front brakes are plenty strong. On your bike they should be a substantial improvement over the stock 750.

Thanks, Bankerdanny.

I'm figuring that newly rebuilt brakes, stainless steel braided lines and a Brembo radial master cylinder will be a significant improvement over the stock set up.  I doubt that the EBC rotors will be necesssary for this project.  I have a hard time not trying to make incremental improvements.

[brandEn]

For those of you, who have transplanted the GL1000 front to your CB750, are you running a front fender?  IF SO, given the sheer ugliness/size of the GL1000 front fender, did you come up with a better-looking solution??

I am using a fender from a 1978 CB750 F3. Its mounts perfectly to my GL1000 lowers. I did shorten it up though.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

For those of you, who have transplanted the GL1000 front to your CB750, are you running a front fender?  IF SO, given the sheer ugliness/size of the GL1000 front fender, did you come up with a better-looking solution??

I am using a fender from a 1978 CB750 F3. Its mounts perfectly to my GL1000 lowers. I did shorten it up though.

Nice!  It looks much better than the whale tail GL1000 fender!

[ogsmakdade]

Great thread/ build.

Persistence and quality parts, can't beat that combo! 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Great thread/ build.

Persistence and quality parts, can't beat that combo! 

Thanks.  It's certainly taken enough time!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The GL1000 brakes, including braided stainless steel lines, are now installed and working!





The new Brembo MC and Vortex clip-ons have now replaced the Braking MC and Tarozzi high-rise clipons.  In addition, at Branden's suggestion, the fork ears have been inverted:





Here's a picture of the bike with the tank mounted. 



As I expected, the seat needs to be slightly shortened to accommodate the longer Super Sport Tank.  In addition, I will have them build up a lip at the front of the seat to fill the crescent shaped gap at the end of the tank.  I am sending it back to HT Moto to have them modify the seat they previously uphostered.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

More inspiration from Branden.  I have decided to install a front fender.  I like the size and mounting hardware of the 1978 CB750F fender, so I picked up some pieces on ebay.  First, a fender in pretty fair shape:




Second, the mounting bracket off another spare fender:




I will probably cut off the speedo-cable loop off the left side of the mounting bracket and and re-weld it onto the right side of the bracket.

[brandEn]

Your bike is looking sweet. Glad I could help!