Author Topic: When I finish this 1978 750, I will be a man. (PICS) (Read 8329 times)

McQueen 750 · « **on:** October 12, 2009, 12:43:18 PM »

Over the weekend, I picked up a '78 750K that a guy stripped down and started restoring but had a baby, so I took it. It's my first bike, and I'm somewhat new to wrenching (worked on some toyotas as a kid w/ pops). I just bought shop tools/supplies and now it's time to go to work!

I'm 26 and I feel like this is going to be a coming of age project for me, haha. I'm sure I'm going to want to kill this bike and urinate in the fuel tank in the coming months but that's part of the fun right?

I'll keep updates coming and hopefully I finish in the spring/summer...

VR41997 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 12, 2009, 01:23:50 PM »

good luck to you, she doesnt look that beat up, may be it will go smoothly

sangyo soichiro · « **Reply #2 on:** October 12, 2009, 04:22:09 PM »

You have come to the right place.

esw07 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 12, 2009, 04:25:34 PM »

Hey that 750 looks really nice compared to some of the ones guys have started on here. Does she turn over and fire? If so you're in the clear and don't have too much serious work ahead of you at all.

McQueen 750 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 12, 2009, 05:20:46 PM »

Thanks guys!

esw07: She does turn over, not sure if she fires yet. PO had it running two years ago and it's been sitting in his garage since. I'm working on achieving spark right now

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #5 on:** October 12, 2009, 05:50:23 PM »

Quote

and urinate in the fuel tank in the coming months but that's part of the fun right?

You may want to read this thread.....

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=59507.0

Mick

BobbyR · « **Reply #6 on:** October 12, 2009, 06:13:00 PM »

Take your time and do it right, some TLC and she will be something to be proud of.

McQueen 750 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 09, 2009, 10:45:38 PM »

UPDATE:

After some shipping fiascos w/ my electrical parts, I've finally got spark! Feels good

PO had these steel braided cables but were too long(will sell on ebay) so I opted for Dyna suppression core cables from Z1. Also hooked up a 12v 5amp tempest battery. I'm only running the headlight and brake light. No electric start, horn, signals, etc. So i'm going to draw up a new simplified wiring diagram and redo the wiring loom. Should be able to get down to 5 or 6 wires.

McQueen 750 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 20, 2009, 11:02:52 PM »

UPDATE:
-Got a british style headlight bucket that i'll relocate the ignition to.
-Got a set of sweet clip ons w/ a steep drop. Bare steel
-Finally got my carbs mounted back on. For anyone out there: a heat gun to the carb intake boots makes this soooo much easier.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2009, 12:22:12 AM »

Looking good, can you tell me what that headlight bucket is off ? I like the look of it..

Mick

McQueen 750 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2009, 12:35:53 AM »

Hey mick, here ya go:
http://steadfastcycles.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_4_33&products_id=867

they're pretty cool, you can put gauges and switches in it and just plug up any extra holes.

Hush · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2009, 12:36:08 AM »

Nice start McQueen, aged 26 and with some good taste in bikes.......you're there son...you're there!

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #12 on:** November 21, 2009, 12:42:19 AM »

Quote from: McQueen 750 on November 21, 2009, 12:35:53 AM

Hey mick, here ya go:
http://steadfastcycles.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_4_33&products_id=867

they're pretty cool, you can put gauges and switches in it and just plug up any extra holes.

Thanks mate...

Mick

Old Scrambler · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2009, 05:02:55 PM »

Looking good.........I like the British Torch carrier. I don't have a K8 but notice your motor has exhaust spigots. They were used through K4 models and then switched to studs. Is your motor completely painted......including the case covers?

Zaipai · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2009, 07:09:38 PM »

That is a nice start, I do like the headlight also. How much work it will take depends on your final goal.. GL and waiting to see the final product!

McQueen 750 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 23, 2009, 01:46:04 AM »

Quote from: Old Scrambler on November 22, 2009, 05:02:55 PM

Looking good.........I like the British Torch carrier. I don't have a K8 but notice your motor has exhaust spigots. They were used through K4 models and then switched to studs. Is your motor completely painted......including the case covers?

I still have yet to sort out the exhaust. PO gave me a bunch of misc exhaust parts so I'm still trying to figure it all out but I ran the engine # and it came up as a 78. And yeah, the whole engine is painted

bucky katt · « **Reply #16 on:** November 23, 2009, 02:22:10 AM »

Quote from: Old Scrambler on November 22, 2009, 05:02:55 PM

Looking good.........I like the British Torch carrier. I don't have a K8 but notice your motor has exhaust spigots. They were used through K4 models and then switched to studs. Is your motor completely painted......including the case covers?

those spigots were used on k motors from 1969 - 1976.

Old Scrambler · « **Reply #17 on:** November 23, 2009, 11:56:25 AM »

Thanks for the help Bucky.........I also see that the front end and the kick-start knuckle are not the K8 style. This motor appears to have mixed pieces. Are the sprockets properly aligned? You may have some positive surprises hiding in the motor..........836-kit? Performance cam? Or maybe the bike is basically stock with K8 cases and carbs. I did not look at all of the picks because of my slow dial-up service.

McQueen 750 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 23, 2009, 03:11:06 PM »

Quote from: Old Scrambler on November 23, 2009, 11:56:25 AM

Thanks for the help Bucky.........I also see that the front end and the kick-start knuckle are not the K8 style. This motor appears to have mixed pieces. Are the sprockets properly aligned? You may have some positive surprises hiding in the motor..........836-kit? Performance cam? Or maybe the bike is basically stock with K8 cases and carbs. I did not look at all of the picks because of my slow dial-up service.

Yeah, new forks. Not so sure about the sprockets because there was no front sprocket or chcain when i got it. It's a little mixed and i'm buying miscellaneous little parts but I'll be ok.

joec3613 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 26, 2009, 03:48:07 PM »

The carbs look great. Did you do them yourself paint and all? I am pretty handy, but carbs scare me. So many small parts that need to be adjusted.

kslrr · « **Reply #20 on:** November 26, 2009, 04:05:55 PM »

Do you know what main and pilot/idle jets are in your carbs? With those pod filters and what ever pipes youe get, she will run lean with stock sized jets.

BTW, great job so far and welcome to the BEST SOHC4 site on this planet, or any planet.

McQueen 750 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 14, 2009, 04:06:11 PM »

Been slow going w/ holidays but had my first try at firing her up. Fuel started leaking out of the pilot screws, no go!

Zaipai · « **Reply #22 on:** December 14, 2009, 06:00:25 PM »

Well that does bite, but its all part of the adventure!

McQueen 750 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 05, 2010, 02:57:28 PM »

Ok, so long time no update. I really didn't work on it during holidays since things get hectic around holidays. So here's the latest:

- finally built a workbench
- got a dremel and started cleaning up parts
- powdercoated rims and switched out the rear 17" for an 18"
- relaced rims w/ new spokes
- got my new vintage Firestones!
- front controls/cables
- got new shocks & sidecovers

TODO:
- Get the damned thing started(gotta double check carbs)
- possibly redo/simplify the wiring loom
- mount tires/wheels/brakes
- get seat fabricated
- buy helmet, gloves, and jacket
- Ride.

Zaipai · « **Reply #24 on:** April 05, 2010, 07:14:07 PM »

The rims look fantastic, can't wait to see those tires on them. Glad to see you are making some progress on it..

Cheers!

.: Scott :.

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Author Topic: When I finish this 1978 750, I will be a man. (PICS) (Read 8329 times)

esw07

joec3613