Topic: New rider

[bluezboy]

 Hey guys and gals, I just wanted to introduce my self to the forum. I just won my first bike on Ebay yesterday, a 1973 750 Cb, yes, and I am pretty darn excited about it! I've waited over 20 years to start riding and I'm looking forward to doing so for a long time.  I have to do a refresher course before I hop on my new ride. I plan on just riding her like an old man at least for the first 6 months, I'm in no hurry anyways. Any tips or insight about my bike and riding will be very much appreciated. Vern

[johnyvilla]

Welcome Vern. This forum is a great resource for someone just starting out.

The first thing I would do, would be to download a free manual from any number of sites and print the thing out. Not a Hayens or Climber, but actual the Honda shop manual.

Are you mechanically inclined?

[dhall57]

I know your excited about your CB750 Vern, there great bikes and with just general care they will give you years of riding fun. Give us some info on your new bike and of course we need to see some pictures of it. If you have never rode or haven't rode in years it's smart to take it slow at first and get use to the feel and nature of the bike. The Hwy's are so busy these day you have stay alert at all times. Better safe than sorry. I've being riding most of my life, most being Honda's, but I didn't get my first 750 until 6 months ago. A 1976 CB750K6. I love it!!

Good Luck, dhall

[GammaFlat]

Take an MSF class (often sponsored at HD dealerships).  I've heard from many riders who've been on the road for 30 years that still take an MSF every few years... especially if they are changing bikes.  

These old bikes are a ton of fun.  If you have the bucks, buy HondaMan's book listed here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=65293.0  It is incredibly good.  

If you're humble and polite here, the folks on this forum will go well out of their way to help you.  

Good luck, be safe and have fun!

John

[Alan F.]

Are you mechanically inclined?

Just like Master Yoda said,"Oh, you will be. You will be!"  and welcome by the way.   

[ieism]

Enough talking...LET US SEE THE BIKE! 

Welcome to the forum. Always smart to take it easy on a bike that is new to you. A refresh course might be a good idea if you haven't been riding for long.

[Ryan6838]

+1 on the MSF class used it to get my license and it was a very good class. Do a good look over on the bike once you get it to make shore its up to par. Lots of little things you want to check on 30 year old bikes. Lets see the bike 

[Stev-o]

Welcome! Just as said, take it slow, stay off the highway at first, get a good feel for the bike, watch for gravel!

Now we need to see pics, or at least the link to the listing.

-Steve

[cameron]

Watch the gravel, for real.

[Stev-o]

Watch the gravel, for real.

There is a paved street 1 block from my house that I will not ride on because of the gravel on it.

[steamnjn23]

in addition: take a cell phone with you. apprise a friend/family member of your adventure so they can assist as needed

[Alan F.]

Spare fuses, don't forget some spare fuses!

[bluezboy]

  Thank you all for your  good advice.  You can bet I will be taking the rider course again a few weeks, don''t worry my bike has to be shipped from Iowa, so I don't to worry about messing it up, I'll use the riding course's bikes to make any mistakes on! You can bet I'll be staying off of the highways for a long time, especially here in Atlanta, I'm sure we have the worst drivers in the nation, morons can't stay off of their phones and they never use turn signals.
   I'm going to ride her like an "old man" for a good while,  with no showing off either. I'm not a mechanic, but I have friends that know how to work on bikes so I'll be able to learn from them. The seller has included the shop manual also.  It may not arrive here until the middle of June, which won't leave me much time to get used to her before I go on vacation most of July, I'm missing her already!
    Here's some pics from the ebay listing.  Too bad she doesn't have the 4-4 pipes, but maybe I'll cough up the cash for them later. Overall I think it's a great first bike. 

[Stev-o]

Looks very nice, congrats. Mind if we ask how much?
Are you going to lose that sissy bar??

[Hinomaru]

Welcome! Check under the seat for the tool kit and owners manual. They were included when the bikes were sold new and they do come in handy. Sooner or later you will need to look up part numbers and I use Motogrid quite a bit because they also have the quick part lookup feature which is also a cross reference.

http://www.motogrid.com/pages/parts/viewbybrand/7/honda.aspx

Here's a sample tool kit:

[bluezboy]

   Don't worry, that sissy bar will not be following me around anytime soon. Maybe when I take a long trip after I get at least 5K miles under my belt. I paid $2200 for this bike, maybe more than I should, who knows, but I was about to let the other bidder have it! I 'll see if the tool kit is there when it arrives.

[gravano]

Nice bike! Very clean.

My advice:
Remember to turn off your signals after you've turned.
Right after a rain the oil surfaces on the street. Try not to ride at that time.
Practice cornering so you know the speeds you're comfortable with.

[sangyo soichiro]

Always be on the lookout for animals that might run out in front of you. 
Always assume the car is going to pull out in front of you. 
Never ride in a car's blind spot. 
Never speed over hills and around corners when you can't see what's on the other side. 
As others mentioned, gravel on the road can make you wipe out.

Make sure you know which way the petcock is for "On" and "Reserve" (or else you'll find out the hard way...).
Remember, it's nice and warm during the day, but at night it gets cold!  Dress appropriately.

Always be vigilant!

[bluezboy]

 thanks for more great advice guys about riding, I will make good use of all of it. I'll be taking the riding course in a few weeks, my bike may not be here  for about three weeks. Sheeesh!