Topic: 1976 CB750F cafe build - done enough for now!

[jdubb1977]

After asking a million questions, spending way too much on parts, and learning things the hard way, I finally have my SOHC to a comfortable state of incompletion.  I'm ready to spend the summer riding instead of fixing things! 

I didn't take too many pictures along the way, and wish I would have.  The bike was in okay shape when purchased, but not good enough to be very safe.  I was lucky on 2 accounts: it came w/ Lesters (yeah!) and a Kerker pipe (mediocre shape).  Special thanks to @Ricky_Racer and @mycb750K6 for the help, parts, and good conversations.  Here's a brief history of my build.  Hope you enjoy!

Completed so far:
-new oil (10w-40), air filter, spark plugs (NGK D8EA)
-completely cleaned carbs (the simple green method)
-softened carb boots (xylene & wintergreen method)
-new side covers from LPM Replicas (pretty good stuff!)
-new metal headlight bucket from a 1977 GL1000
-replaced lots of rusty nuts, bolts & springs with SS components (Ace Hardware)
-added clip-ons, then replaced those w/ clubmans
-new headlight bracket
-new horn
-new grips (gran tourismo style)
-completely rebuilt front and rear brakes (new seals, SS lines, EBC pads), and did a dual disc conversion
-shaved off old seat mounts, lock & helmet holder
-replaced the tail section w/ Carpy’s version (back when he was nicer?)
-molded new seat (camping mat method), and had it upholstered
-side-mount license plate & brake light (currently partially working)
-completely rebuilt front suspension (new OEM seals, oil, hardware, Progressive springs)
-rebuilt & painted gauges (decals from ebay, repainted needles by hand)
-lowered the gauges (flip gauge mount upside-down and add spacers method)
-painted the frame, triple tree, forks, etc w/ Duplicolor rattle can paint & clearcoat
-painted the tank, gauges, tail, headlight, fender, side covers w/ Duplicolor copper red mica (a Mazda color), Duplicolor for the cream stripes, then lots of Spraymax 2K clearcoat
-had new decals made for all the badges (thanks @myhondas!)
-painted the headers and exhaust with VHT paint
-painted the Lesters with Duplicolor engine enamel and clearcoat

On the “To Do” list:
-figure out why my high beam, left turn signal, rear running light, etc. won’t work!
-new exhaust to replace my holy Kerker, or a baffle to solve the popping
-replace head gasket, general engine work, and then paint
-new tires, tune up, etc.

Everyone loves photos!

[MoMo]

Very nice, love the color combo of the gauges and bike...Larry

[Ricky_Racer]

Very tasteful. Nice decisions, affordable mods, great stance. An excellent, well integrated look. Tarozzi rearsets might by worth considering. Thanks for sharing. RR

[tweakin]

Well done and some great pics!

[D.WHO]

Very nice, I like the color combo, simple but they complement each other nicely.

[jaguar]

great looking bike.
+1 on the rearsets and great talks with ted.

[jdubb1977]

thanks guys.  i agonized over the paint color for months and finally told myself to just choose one.  indecisiveness....!

[jaguar]

well i think you made the right choice

[xluckx]

hey Jdub,
You have the exact license plate holder and light that I am looking for. Did you fabricate the mount or buy it as a whole unit? If so where?
thanks!!!

[jaguar]

should check out BOTM....

[jdubb1977]

hey xluckx.  a friend used his plasma cutter to make a mount.  it's basically the shape of the licence plate, w/ the circle on top to mount the tail light.  bad news is that the tail light has been causing me all sorts of grief, so i've swapped it out for an LED light.  i made the bracket this time out of Lexan plastic (that tough stuff they use for Nalgene bottles).  they sell 8x12 sheets at home depot.  i used a drill and a dremel to get the shape right.  so far, so good! 

jaguar:  yep, brandEn's build is awesome.  i've read through most of it.  inspiring!

[gnarlycharlie4u]

On the “To Do” list:
-new exhaust to replace my holy Kerker, or a baffle to solve the popping

um... do you mean backfiring? (not sarcasm) tune+sync the carbs perhaps?

[jdubb1977]

ha.  well, it only pops (aka - backfires) when slowing down, from 0-10% throttle.  as far as everyone says, that's lean, often caused by not enough back pressure.  there's no baffle in my exhaust, so i'm guessing that's what's causing it.  i could try larger pilot jets also, if i'm not mistaken.  the carbs are in good shape, but could use a good syncing. 

[gnarlycharlie4u]

ha.  well, it only pops (aka - backfires) when slowing down, from 0-10% throttle.  as far as everyone says, that's lean, often caused by not enough back pressure.  there's no baffle in my exhaust, so i'm guessing that's what's causing it.  i could try larger pilot jets also, if i'm not mistaken.  the carbs are in good shape, but could use a good syncing. 

it's not caused by not enough back pressure so much as just not enough gas once the throttle is chopped off.
back pressure can prevent this but also has adverse performance effects throughout the entire rpm range. larger pilots would certainly help bout could cause you to run rich somewhere between idle and 1/8-1/4 throttle.

try a good sync first and see if that helps

[jdubb1977]

hey gnarlycharlie4u.  a good syncing is much needed.  i'm only bench-sync'd at this point.  need to find someone local w/ a carb-sync tool, then take it from there.