Topic: New to the community, comments, questions, tips, etc.. definitely welcomed

[nominal00]

Hi all,

I wanted to introduce myself to the community.  I just bought my first bike, 78' cb750, with the express intent on it being a long-term project.  The goal is to turn it into my ideal cafe racer, as money and time permit.  In the mean time I'd ride it and enjoy it for what it was.  I did a lot of research and finally settled on the cb750.  The one I bought is in great running condition and like most 30-year old bikes it needs a little work.  I am a newbie to cycling and vintage bikes, so I will probably use this forum extensively for info.  I am slowly working thru a checklist of basic maintenance and replacements on it to keep in running safely.  So far I changed the spark plugs, oil and oil filter, and air filter.  The drive chain is a bit rusty, so I think I'll change that out.  The tires have plenty of tread left on them, but have cracks in the side walls that make me a little nervous, so I think those will get changed out pretty soon.  More  The only immediate issue is that the break light won't work, it just stays on constantly.  I checked the rear stop switch and it seems to be fine.  For some reason the previous owner removed the front stop switch.  Anyways, there you have it.  Questions, tips, general comments, definitely welcomed.  Picture below.

Cheers,     

[seaweb11]

Welcome. I have two 750's and just finished a 3750 mile 3 week cross country trip on my 78K
They seem to be a very stout bike.  I Love mine.



P.S. You seem new so I will say......... when you change your chain, replace both front and back sprockets. don't ask just do it  

[mcpuffett]

Hello and welcome you have come to the right place for help and advice  if i were you i would change the tyres just for safety and peace of mind  , cheers Mick.

[clarkjh]

Welcome to the site. 
Did you pull the bulb to see if there is corrosion in the socket or that the wrong bulb might be installed?  If you unplug the back stop switch does the light go out, if so then its the switch.

James

[Hush]

Make sure the previous owner didn't just twist the old front switch wires together, that will give you "on all the time" scenario.
Welcome to the forum from the New Zealand guys.

[1974CB750rider]

Since your new I'll give a heads up on the oil filter to. When you change your filter, theirs a thin washer between the filter and spring and a lot of times the washer sticks to the old filter and gets thrown away. Been there done that myself. Make sure you keep the washer, it will run with out it but it keeps the spring from damageing the filter. Also at the top of this page there's a thread for service manuals that can be down loaded and saved to your hard drive. I'd get the one for your bike they come in real handy. Good luck and welcome aboard and welcome to the world of the greatest motorcycle ever produced.

[fmctm1sw]

The only immediate issue is that the break light won't work, it just stays on constantly.  I checked the rear stop switch and it seems to be fine.  For some reason the previous owner removed the front stop switch. 

Make sure something isn't plugged into the wrong connector (especially if you have evidence that someone messed with the electricals).  My high beam light was stuck on for months and months until I looked around and found I plugged it into the wrong connector when I put the headlight in it.   

[nominal00]

Thanks for all the tips guys, they're all very helpful.  Unfortunately as a I looked a little closer at the wiring, I realized that the previous owner re-routed some of the wiring, which is why the stop switch circuit was not working.  If anyone has some tips as to how to go about fixing it, that would be helpful.  Otherwise I'm going to have to go thru it wire by wire, comparing it to the wiring diagram.

[clarkjh]

If the harness is like is sounds to me, best bet is to trace all the wires and wire to the diagram for the bike.

James