Topic: Bike blown over by 100mph winds... Repair questions

[JohnCurW]

Woke up the other morning to find my bike lying on its side in a pool of rainwater and gasoline, weather reports said we had 100mph straight line winds (no tornadoes this time).  Survey of the damage shows that the speedo housing is pretty banged up (but speedo is working) and the left rear turn signal is destroyed along with the weld between the turn signal mount and the grab bar.  I count myself luck it wasn't alot worse, but I'm feeling like a real idiot for buying a 32 year old motor cycle with 2000 miles on it and in almost pristine condition, and not having a garage to put it in.  Now for the questions.  The motorcycle is a 78 CB750A.

1) Is there anything I should know about replacing the speedo housing?  Considering that the speedo shows that it has less than 3000 miles on the bike, I would rather not mess it up and have to replace the entire thing.

2) Should I replace the entire grab bar, or could I take it to a shop and have the turn signal's mounting bracket welded back on?  I never learned to weld and I don't have the equipment.

3) I have found several replacement turn signals on e-bay but I am unsure which are the correct ones, the ones that look correct to me are for a 1980 CB750, but I know that the 750s were completely changed after 1978, The bike is completely stock and, before last week, in incredible condition and I would like to keep it that way.

[754]

Check fot battery acid damage..

[JohnCurW]

Sorry, bit of a newbie when it comes to bikes, what sort of battery acid damage should I look for?

[lone*X]

Your battery is a lead/acid battery and is located under the seat.  With the bike laying over for a period of time sulfuric acid could have leaked.  If so take the battery out and wash everything down with a baking soda and water solution (heavy on the soda).  Depending on how much acid is lost you may need to flush and refill the battery with electrolyte instead of just topping off with distilled water.

[taxiscooter]

Hello John,  I have a 750k7 and live here in tulsa also... would be happy to help you check over your 750A. Lemme know

[JohnCurW]

Thank you both,

Taxiscooter, that sounds great.  Where are you in Tulsa?

                                         -Curtis

[fastbroshi]

Your battery is a lead/acid battery and is located under the seat.  With the bike laying over for a period of time sulfuric acid could have leaked.  If so take the battery out and wash everything down with a baking soda and water solution (heavy on the soda).  Depending on how much acid is lost you may need to flush and refill the battery with electrolyte instead of just topping off with distilled water.

Mix it up and put it in a spray bottle.

[taxiscooter]

taxi25@sbcglobal.net

[xenoscr]

As far as your speedo. I have an older bike but it looks like the speedo is similar in design if not the same. I recently pried apart my speedo and tach to apply a set vinyl gauge faces to refurbish the faded originals. If you can find a housing that matches at a salvage yard, ebay, etc. you should be able to pry the ring off the gauge using a small tool, I used a small flat headed screw driver. It will take some time and you'll want to slowly work your way around making several revolutions. You'll only want to bend it a little bit at a time until you've got it pried up enough to separate the top and bottom half. You should be able to transfer your mechanical bits to the new housing and reassemble them. Putting the ring back on is a bit tricky. You'll need to protect your new housing from scratches, a couple layers of masking tape should do. Then use a pair of pliers and a cloth and slowly work around the ring crimping it back down. It'll take you a few hours work but it's worth it.

The other method I've read about involves cutting the ring off with a dremel tool and gluing it all back together with epoxy. This would be quicker and easier but then you'll have a hell of a time separating them again if you need to.

XeNoSCR