Topic: Project "name pending"... 78 CB750 ***PIC HEAVY***

[timdhawk]

Well, after meaning to do this for about the last year I'm finally getting around to throwing up a project thread of my own. Also put one up at dotheton.com. This is my 78 CB750. I got it off e-gay almost 2 years ago. Rode it twice and then went to town on it. There have been many trials and tribulations with this thing so far, from spoke vendors sending the wrong spokes 3 times and then destroying a rim to powder coaters not getting it right the fist time (or second on occasion) and many parts bought that weren't needed or decided not to use...the list can go on and on!
I don't know what the final product will look like but but this is where I'm at now:

These are the e-gay pics:




Just after the first ride:


I decided the tank that came with it needed to go:

 
so I got this one instead and went to work:





cut out original filler port, repaired rust, and knocked in some knee dents and added bond-o:














Chopped off tabs and the factory seat frame ends and fab-ed a radius to fit the seat :









made a seat pan for the seat:





me tryin' things on for size: (also you can see the foot peg brackets I got off a cb500 and adapted to my 750)



Custom oil tank and electrical tray: (oil tank has since been re-fab-ed by a fab shop since mine was more like Swiss cheese and less like oil tank)









complete dis-assembly: (you can see the current state of the tank and seat)


Just back from the powder coaters:



Caswell copy-cad zinc plating system:


Before:

After:




Hand polishing as many original bits as possible:



First re-assembly:



oil tank clearance issues: (since resolved)



Freshly spoked rims and rotor drilling:






Coming together:






re-doing/rebuilding the wiring harness and fitting all the electricals in the tray:


With this project, the motor is one of the last things to get done - here is one reason why - a crack (stress) along one of the crankshaft towers:



I have a spare case but have heard conflicting thoughts as to whether or not I can put the internals from one case into another. Something about tolerances and such. I need to do more investigation. So anyway, that's what I have as of now.
I will keep the pics coming. Thanks for looking.
Tim

PS - any ideas for a project name?

[Little_Horse]

I wouldn't mind getting more info on the plating setup you have running in the five gallon bucket.

Like the build keep up the good work.

[luder]

Now thats a sweet build.......luder

[Amphibious]

threads like this give me hope for my 78.  great job so far, will be following this one!

[jeepastx]

Looks really good. Couple of questions; What kind and size tubing did you use under the seat? How did you get that bend? What kind of tires do you have on there now?

[myhondas]

Call the bike......e-fac.....take off from  "effect"....yet actually  "cafe"  backwards

[greenjeans]

That is going to be a spectacular build when finished.  Can't wait to see the finished product.

Elaborate on the plating operation you got going there - looks great.  Ever consider doing some on the side ?  hint hint.

Like the flow of the scallop/knee dents you got there.   What color is it going to be ?

And finally - absolutely love hiding the oil tank.  That will make a huge difference in the styling.   Looks faster and lighter already.

Well done.

[Alan F.]

Nice work and a good bunch of pics there.  I drooled all over, gotta go change my shirt and rehydrate....
-A

[timdhawk]

I wouldn't mind getting more info on the plating setup you have running in the five gallon bucket.

Its actually only a 2 1/2 gal. bucket. Its the copy cad/zinc plating system from caswellplating.com here's the link: http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/zinc.htm
pretty easy and works well.

Looks really good. Couple of questions; What kind and size tubing did you use under the seat? How did you get that bend? What kind of tires do you have on there now?

Its just steal tubing - 1" I think - that I got at a place that does custom exhaust work. He bent it for me to the radius of the seat tail using a cardboard template. He had to improvise a little by putting a pipe wrench in between the tubing and the bender at the end to get the ends wider than the bend. My tires are the Avon AM 26 road riders. I love the look for some reason. Seen a lot of cafe bikes with them on and they have pretty good reviews as well.

What color is it going to be ?

at this point I'm leaning towards a burnt coppery orange for the seat, tank, and headlight bucket with some black shadowing. But that it subject to change as have been many other things on this project so far... we shall see.


Thanks for the words of encouragement. It really helps in the motivation dept.

[Little_Horse]

Thanks for the link to the plating setup, it looks like your results were good too.

[dagersh]

Beautiful build so-far, looks amazing.

Keep up the great work!

Gersh

[Speed King]

Damn nice job- keep it posted.

[MilehighCB]

This project is a great inspiration to my K8 cafe build.  Very nice work, great attention to detail, and thinking outside the box. 

In another reply I mentioned that I was "borrowing" your design for the oil tank.  If you could, please lend some info on what worked for the final product.  Like what fittings, lines, fill caps, any part numbers or supplier info would be great.  From the pic's your's came out excellent and I would like to have the same result.

Keep up the great work!!

[Retro Rocket]

Great work and an excellently detailed thread. I have a spare room if you ever want to move to Australia......

Mick

[scroggins5000]

Awesome build so far. Can't wait to see it finished.

[rustrocket92]

That thing is looking awesome!

[750essess]

Looks Awesome so far. Im interested to see how you gas cap works out, I did the same thing and it leaks every time I ride with more than half a tank. I have tried making a different gasket out of an o-ring, didnt help. It might be because of not big enough vent for the fuel pump. I am planning on switching it to a bolt in aircraft cap and use a separate vent tube in front of the cap with a hose.

[timdhawk]

Looks Awesome so far. Im interested to see how you gas cap works out, I did the same thing and it leaks every time I ride with more than half a tank. I have tried making a different gasket out of an o-ring, didnt help. It might be because of not big enough vent for the fuel pump. I am planning on switching it to a bolt in aircraft cap and use a separate vent tube in front of the cap with a hose.

My cap has a built in vent. It screws in with an o-ring seal then the cap pushes in and twists to provide some vent. I hope it works. So much of my stuff is not "tested" yet...but i have faith! 

[motocyconomad]

is that an anti-theft/navigation GPS system?

nice work.

[SKTP]

Amazing build...I love the loop/U on the back of the frame...might have to steal that idea

[bgfootball67]

Nice work so far, can not wait to see the finished product...

[yellowbirdrs]

great build!!!
Are you really going to use the pillion pegs base for your rearsets?

[Holdingfast]

looks sweet! Can't wait to see it all come together!

[scartail]

Nice project!

Just wondering, did you mig your oil tank? And how much did all that powdercoating cost you (if you don't mind sharing)?

[traveler]

Nice looking racer!

~Joe