Author Topic: My 1975 cb750 project - project "island cafe" (Read 6140 times)

cbsrawesome · « **on:** April 13, 2010, 01:26:09 PM »

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 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2010, 06:41:11 PM »

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

cbsrawesome · « **Reply #2 on:** April 14, 2010, 09:15:19 AM »

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

cbsrawesome · « **Reply #3 on:** April 14, 2010, 01:54:11 PM »

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 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2010, 02:11:03 PM »

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

kap384@telus.net · « **Reply #5 on:** April 14, 2010, 07:30:48 PM »

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

cbsrawesome · « **Reply #6 on:** April 14, 2010, 10:11:46 PM »

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 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 14, 2010, 10:49:47 PM »

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

Old75_ratafe · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2010, 02:33:08 AM »

Quote from: kck3 on April 14, 2010, 10:49:47 PM

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 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2010, 06:02:05 AM »

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

cbsrawesome · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2010, 10:40:07 AM »

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 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2010, 11:56:24 AM »

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 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2010, 12:16:25 PM »

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 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2010, 02:22:45 PM »

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 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2010, 03:29:12 AM »

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 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2010, 02:25:41 PM »

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 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 15, 2010, 11:47:48 AM »

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 · « **Reply #17 on:** July 04, 2010, 09:31:36 AM »

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 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 04, 2010, 09:44:30 AM »

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 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 04, 2010, 09:54:19 AM »

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

mysta2 · « **Reply #20 on:** July 07, 2010, 07:27:53 AM »

Quote from: masterchief1112 on July 04, 2010, 09:54:19 AM

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 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 14, 2010, 10:38:32 AM »

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 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 14, 2010, 11:05:51 AM »

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

cbsrawesome · « **Reply #23 on:** August 22, 2010, 08:11:50 AM »

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 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 22, 2010, 08:23:48 AM »

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

Steve

cbsrawesome · « **Reply #25 on:** August 28, 2010, 06:33:23 AM »

so this past couple weeks was spent prepping other parts for paint. got the cylinder head cover, generator cover and clutch cover taken care of.

decided i wanted to go with a metallic flake for the parts i'd be painting black. i don't think this pic does em justice, cuz it looks good in person. i hope it matches up with the all the rest in the end...

and i'm starting to get all parts lined up for the rebuild, in order with their respective layout page.

it's amazing. i thought i had done a halfway decent job labeling parts when dismantling the bike, but it's funny when you look in the box with all parts that are labeled and say, "wtf!? where'd that come from and where does that go?"

cbsrawesome · « **Reply #26 on:** October 30, 2010, 04:55:31 AM »

been a while since i posted. came up with some paint problems with the engine. guy at the paint shop sold me the wrong stuff. long story short, had to strip it all down again and paint it over. now got the right paint and i like the color even more. so i guess the weeks of it being an absolute pain in the a$$ were worth it in the end...

and got it back in the frame too

next up, getting the tree/forks/shocks/wheels in place

dmill78 · « **Reply #27 on:** November 04, 2010, 01:17:38 PM »

I really like that color on the engine, could u please tell me the brand of paint and color... i'd like to use it on mine if you don't mind

thanks;)

cbsrawesome · « **Reply #28 on:** November 13, 2010, 04:35:42 AM »

the paint color is plasti kote's engine enamel universal grey. i really like the way it has come out.

cbsrawesome · « **Reply #29 on:** November 13, 2010, 04:53:18 AM »

i found myself in a bit of dilemma this weekend. how to get the bike down off the shelf. why i put it up there in the first place escapes me. nonetheless, my friend and came up with a very unconventional, slightly dangerous, and in the end successful method of getting her down.

when the engine was originally on the ground, we had her on rollers. we screwed the two roller pallets together and propped the frame up on her

notice the giant a$$ chunk of paint i took out of the rear brake caliper...sigh...

we put the shocks and front wheel on, and had intended of sliding the yellow bench under the front to give more support for rolling her down. we soon realized that the original tressels we built were lower than the shop bought one...

so we took the wheel and shocks off and somehow slid it under. then we lined up the ramp

put the front back together. getting those two rolling pallets out from under the motorcycle in order to roll it down proved to be a challenge, and what seemed like an unbelievable amount of small adjustments with the bike almost tipping over, but we finally got it down!

MoMo · « **Reply #30 on:** November 13, 2010, 05:09:59 AM »

Looking good, that is some cramped quarters you're working in, but at least it seems like it is dedicated to your use, Larry

tango911 · « **Reply #31 on:** November 13, 2010, 05:48:47 AM »

I was going to dog you out, as well, saying leave it alone, but I think its really going to be nice. Everyone has their own taste.

Looking sharp!!

cbsrawesome · « **Reply #32 on:** November 13, 2010, 06:47:42 AM »

thanks tango! you know, it's funny. the more i "restore"/"refurbish" and redesign the bike, the more I actually end up not wanting to change much. I've got to say, the next sohc i do, i'll probably just try to bring it back to it's original glory. these bikes are so great and were built to a great standard. i suppose there's just that little part of me that said, "i've got to do this one my own way" and see what happens. i think i'll end up surprising myself in the end.

cbsrawesome · « **Reply #33 on:** November 20, 2010, 04:02:52 AM »

next up, some of the front end. my tach and speed paint jobs were in pretty bad shape, and the rubbers, as well. so stripped em down and prepped for paint

painted them and they came out nice. got new rubbers and chrome holders

got a new mounting bracket too as the other one was toast, broken in two places. mounted them up and after some fooling around, got everything pretty much situated where i want them to be.

got a new right switch (will be rebuilding the other one at a later date) and the throttle handle with the brake back on too

here she is, front and back

i've been thinking a lot about the color of the engine. while i'm not a huge fan of the car, i think the color is awesome. what do you think? it's called citrus fire metallic

the technological J · « **Reply #34 on:** November 20, 2010, 04:37:02 AM »

my guess is that your painting over some oil that u dont realize.....theres a lot of crap on the inside of those covers thats super difficult to get rid of... i would just wash em real good in some dish soap and make sure to be meticulous about how u handle them

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Author Topic: My 1975 cb750 project - project "island cafe" (Read 6140 times)