Topic: My 1975 cb750 project - project "island cafe"

[cbsrawesome]

I purchased a '75 CB750F last year, and have been meaning to get the restoration/remake project underway.  NOW, a year later, it's finally happened.  I've got the entire bike stripped down to the frame (pics soon).  This is my first attempt at restoring a bike, so I'm not going to be prideful, I'll need your guys help!  first, I've found a few places to locate replacement parts, but was wondering if anyone had any recommendations of places to look online.  Crazy enough, I'm from WA state, but am currently living overseas in Europe, and locating parts in the country I'm in is quite difficult!  So most will have to be shipped.  Anyway, this upcoming Saturday will be the beginning of the organizing what parts can stay and be refurbished and what can go.  I'll start taking pics and get this post going.  As it goes, I'd love any of your tips, and advise as I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions!  Also, feel free to ask me questions regarding the bike.  That way I'll know get a sense of what people are interested in, and it helps me learn more about parts, rebuilds, etc.

So here goes!  
  

[kap384@telus.net]

If you're in Europe often, check out David Silver Spares.  Looking forward to pictures.

[cbsrawesome]

thanks for the recommendation!  I've already found a lot of parts that I need to replace!

[cbsrawesome]

Ok, here's the first go around for pics, the before, the middle, and the after.  I've also included a pic I've drawn of my end goal!  Tell me what you think.

[750goes]

that is such a clean bike - seems a pity to cafe it... good project though

[kap384@telus.net]

Have to agree, but to each his own.  Good luck with the project!

[cbsrawesome]

I'm afraid the pics are quite deceiving.  as i start uploading photos of the parts and different areas of the bike, you'll see that a lot of work needs to be done.  trust me, if it was in as good a shape as it looks in the pic, i would have left it!

[kck3]

Glad you added the info about the condition- I almost shed a tear after seeing it torn down.

[Old75_ratafe]

Glad you added the info about the condition- I almost shed a tear after seeing it torn down.

Ditto and I love cafe's.  Bet you can just about fund the project selling the parts u take off though.

[bikeme2001]

I would put it back to stock if it were me, looks pretty clean for a 35 year old bike

[cbsrawesome]

So now the adventure has begun.  One of the reasons I decided to dismantle the bike was to learn how it all works.  I spent a couple of summers in my dad's shop growing up where he would outfit police cars for local police stations, and sometimes their motorcycles too.  For some reason, he never really got around to letting mr check out the engine with him, or the electrical system.  I spent most of my time doing internal body additions, setting up center consoles, laptop holders, a-frames and dividers (and the occasional shotgun rack!).  I always got the, "in a while, I'm busy."  That's fine and all, knowing that it was his business, his livelihood.  Now I have the opportunity to learn how a bike works, each individual part.  I like to think that most men want to know how something works, at least in this realm of bikes!  

So I've started sorting out what needs replacing, and what needs refurbishing, and what simply needs re-cleaning.  I started with the swing arm...

it's amazing what you find under 35 years of build up


I was a little surprised when I came across this though....



Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do here?  I'd like to keep this swing arm, knowing how expensive they are.  Wondering what others have done with similar situations.  Let me know as your advise is paramount!

And lastly, I have a question of what I should do with the rear shocks.  Anyone have any suggestions about how to get rid of this rust?  Or do you feel it more cost/time effective to just replace them?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

PM me with parts needs. I can probably help you locate. They will need to come from many places probably. I have almost enough NOS parts for a new bike in my basement for mine. It's taken 3+ years to get them.

David Silver Spares probably still has NOS swingarms. I picked one up for ~ $60. You'd need to inquire using the part number. I also got a new tach from them. Your pictures wouldn't open so I'm not sure what your situation is.

Jerry
 

[cbsrawesome]

thanks jerry, i'll check on the pics.  as soon as i get a running list of new parts i need to get, i'll be sure to let you know!

[750goes]

If you have a wire wheel on a bench grinder - I would use that to clean up your shock springs- it will clean it off pretty quickly - let you see how bad the pitting is and then decide if you want new ones...I kept mine...they will do for a little while..and from a few feet they look good.

[cbsrawesome]

ok, got the pics fixed...thanks for the recommendation on the bench grinder.  i'll try that before I decide to get new ones.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Unless the swingarm is cracked just have it powder coated. Hondaman can rebuild/upgrade the bushings for you with bronze. Our swingarms use a plastic-like bushing which isn't very good. 

Those are probably the original shocks. Orginal equipment anyway. I'd be surprised if they have any dampening left. Mine were shot in very few miles. You can not find those but other replacements are available.

[cbsrawesome]

well, it's been a while since i've been able to get the time to post.  a lot has to do with acquiring the right parts for things, which is extremely difficult living in the small country of malta.  here for two years so better make the best of it.  i was finally able to get the frame taken care of.  

as you can see, there were some pitting in areas.  most of the frame was in decent shape, but figured it needed a good once over.





got it sodablasted with the swingarm and stand



then i used a spray can primer



after painting

[cbsrawesome]

been a while since posted.  wife has me on what she sees a more important project right now...setting up a nursery....

so go the frame done and have been working on the wheels/hubs.


before:


started with 100 grit dry, then used a 350 grit dry "sponge"

and finished

didn't use 100 grit on the outside of the hubs, seemed a little too gritty for that.  used my bench buffer.  came out nice.


so just got my rims and new spokes from buchanans.  should have that all done by next weekend

[cbsrawesome]

started to take the covers off the engine for polishing.  took the crank case cover off and noticed some interesting "pitting."


i wasn't too worried about that, until i flipped it over and found it was on the inside.  i've never seen "pitting" like this.  anyone have an idea of what caused this weird design?  i'm guessing just stress over time.  more importantly, however, over time will it have an effect on the motor?  guess i'll see what i can do...

[MasterChief750]

that would be left overs from part casting i think. not an expert just what it looks like to me.

[mysta2]

that would be left overs from part casting i think. not an expert just what it looks like to me.

Agreed, they all look like that straight out of the factory.

[cbsrawesome]

it seems like life likes to get in the way of this build, but i can't complain as the most recent offset is actually pretty awesome, i am now a proud father of a little girl!  i should rename this project "project postpartum," however, as my wife has now given me the length of recovery from birth to finish this bike, ie approx 5 weeks.  we'll see.  got the wheels and spokes back from buchanan's and got those all taken care of.  They should sparkle even more once i get the tires all shined up.  Before rims/spokes pics above. new ones below:



engine is now stripped of it's old paint.  got some pretty good paint stripper and it came off alright.  i probably did it the inefficient way of using a toothbrush to apply the stuff, and then various other materials to actually remove the paint after application, but it worked alright in the end.




given my lack of equipment here in malta, i'll be painting the engine sections.  got the prep work done...lots and lots of elbow grease to make sure the surface was nice and clean and ready for paint



got the bottom and exhaust side of the fins painted, so far so good



this week's project is finish cleaning the below parts and get em painted

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Progress can be slow. Keep up the good work. Congrats on your daughter!

[cbsrawesome]

Thanks Jerry! she's a handful, but lovin' it

so i was looking at my aerosol paint that i was using for my motor parts.  it said to cure the parts, so i figured while the motor wasn't ready to be run with all parts on it, i'd throw the parts in the oven and do it that way.  aside from my wife's disapproval from the lingering smell for a couple hours, most of the parts worked, as seen below


however, one part seemed to have some bubbles pop up from below the surface of the paint.  i know that i'd thoroughly cleaned the part before painting, but this was the result from the curing

i sanded it down with 800 wet, not fully to the metal again, but just enough to get the bubbles out, or so i thought.  painted again, but got the same result.  any tips on what's causing this?   i'm thinking i'm just gonna have to strip all the paint off again and start over with this part...

[beveldrive]

Nice project, progressing really well.
I'd just rub it down. Panel wipe, paint and air-dry.

Steve