Topic: european cafe racer

[mazingerzeca]

Hello all.
I started stripping my cb750 K7 this summer. Now everything is disassembled and ready to be chromed, painted, zincated and sandblasted.
The idea was to build something inspired on Samoto bodywork, similar to Tracy, but I have never done fiberglass, and seems a very hard task for me, so I will go an easier route, building a sead from a gas tank, which was inspired by a member of this forum: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=34200.0
Maybe later I will try to make a Samoto bodywork, these are impossible to find.
As I said, the bike is a K7, but I will change the K7 tank for a K6 tank, which has a visible cap. For that, I have to cut the tank attachments and weld new ones for the K6 tank, which are different. The same for the left sidecover. After that I will take the frame to be powdercoated. The tank is a K6 tank too.
As for the engine, the pistons and barrels are ok, so I will put new rings. I will have to install new exhaust guides and valves, and will replace chains and crankshaft shells.
The handlebar is a european one, but I will put a flat handlebar, a bit lower (superbike bars?). The clubmans seems to be very low for riding comfort, as I've read here.
This is how the bike was before stripping:

[mazingerzeca]

some more

[mazingerzeca]

and more

[mazingerzeca]

this is the Samoto bodywork I referred to:

[mazingerzeca]

Hello.
Sandblasted the engine and painted it with VHT SP127 engine enamel, which has to be cured on an oven. I managed to find a ceramic oven big enough. Changed the crankshaft shells and it is ready to close.
Also changed the valves and valve guides. I thought about boring the cylinders to 836 wiseco kit, but as I've read here it wouldn't be enough without a head job, and I can not find anybody here to make that job, so I think that I will leave the cylinders stock and install new rings. Also, the bike is a K7, which carburettors are not easy to rejet for a 836 kit. I'm not very proud for being so conservative, but I think I wouldn't notice a big improvement just with a 836 kit.

[mazingerzeca]

the cylinder head

[pae]

That engine is looking really nice, good work.

Phil

[HedNut]

Man that's clean!...great looking engine indeed. Good Work!

[mazingerzeca]

Hello.
Finally I got the whole engine assembled. I had to mount it upside down, because it was very difficult to make the pistons enter the cylinders on pairs (outer and inner pistons), so I entered them on the pistons one by one, and after it I attached the cylinder head and put the engine upside down to mount the crankcases with the cranckshaft and gears. Much more easy that way. And this is how the engine looks right now.
I also polished some parts. I will assemble the parts together (engine, forks, headlight, mudguards, frame and so on) and will join them together in the summer, in a bigger shed, at my parents' house, because the shed in which I' working now is 8x10 feet. I can get the bike assembled there, but maybe I could not take it outside by the door.

[traveler]

Looks great!

I won't say 836 dosen't make a difference...but without head work (porting) and a cam....most of the performance you read about won't be there.  A 736 with a MReick head and hot cam will smoke a 836 on stock head and cam, IMHO.

Too many people get hung up on "cc"s when the power is in the head and cam.

The engine looks GREAT!

Thanks for sharing!  Cool to see a K7 being built to this level of detail.

Now If I can just get my 550K to turn out this nice.....

~Joe

[HedNut]

Wow....looks better every time I open this thread.  Your method of installing the pistons sounds great, with the cases apart...I'm sure it would be a lot easier...and safer! (for the piston rings)

Cheers!!!  Keep up the good stuff

[wannabridin]

i have to agree with the piston installation!  this sounds a LOT better than doing it the other way around!!!  i might have to give this a shot myself!!  and pics of this process you could share with the class??  great looking build so far, i hope mine can go together this well!!

[mazingerzeca]

Sorry, I didn't take any pictures, but is a very straightforward process. Just be sure to put the cylinder head flat on the floor, over some cardboard, and a box under the upper crankcase.