Topic: CB Newbie needs advice

[cafedreamer]

Hi guys, I didn't want to post this in the tech section cause its not really a tech question.  I just purchased a 1978 CB750 F that did not run when I bought it.  It did not run, for one because it sat for awhile and two because it had electrical issues.  Bad coils, bad plug wires, dead battery, and a rat's nest of a wiring harness.  Also all the cables have been disconnected at one end or another and they will all need to be reattached.  Let me also say that dream bike is a CB750 cafe racer like the one Teach has built on this site and the ones Carpy has built.  I was reading in the tech site where a bike that needs work may not be the best for someone to get into this hobby.  Is this too much work for someone just getting started?  I took a motorcycle safey course 2 years ago, but never started riding due to funds and work.  Now I am switching jobs and should have more time on my hands to enjoy life.  I was just curious if anyone thought this project maybe too daunting for a newbie?

Thanks

[cafedreamer]

I should also ad that I will probably have to do all of the following before the my ride will be road worthy.

-Hook up coils
-Hook up battery
-Check and attach plug wires
-Hook up cables
   -throttle
   -choke
   -brake
-Get new throttle grip
   -hook up throttle cables
-Test/Fix fuse block
-Check/Clean Carbs
-Get brake handle backside attachment to bars
-Clean air filters
-Check/change fluids
-Install gas tank
-Check brakes
   -Pads
   -Rotors
   -Fluid
                -Calibers
-Clean wheels
-Check/replace rear shocks
-Check/replace the chain
-Check/replace the front shocks
-Replace tires

I look at it as getting an up close and personal relationship with my bike.  What do you guys think?

[SteveD CB500F]

This seems to be mostly basic stuff so should not be an issue for anybody.  If it starts to head towards "engine strip", then I would worry.

Any owner of one of these old bikes will have to address this list at some stage (maybe not all at once though!)

My advice.
Take it step by step and don't start too many jobs at once, as you could get disillusioned through lack of progress.

Ask loads of questions and post pictures if stuck..
Good luck.

[Glenn Stauffer]

Depends what you want to do - do you want to ride a motorcycle or do you want to work on a motorcycle.  If you just want to get on the road and ride without a lot of work, you can find plenty of runners - newer bikes or even SOHC/4 bikes - that will cost you less in the end.  If doing that custom cafe bike is what interests you right now, the 750F makes a good platform to start with.  If you can do things like tune your car and do brake work, you probably have all the tools and skills necessary to do anything you'll need to do with this bike as long as you don't need to go deep into the engine.

Check out http://www.sohc4.net where you can find wiring diagrams and the like.  The FAQ on the forums has links to online service manuals (I think) since we don't have those up on the website.

[cafedreamer]

After I posted and read what needed to be done, I didn't think it sounded all that bad.  I have done valve adjustments and motor work on my car, and done tons of DIY projects on my Jeep as well.  I will post some pics as soon as I can and just take it slow.  Thanks for the wiring link, that saves me from having to look that up.

[Gordon]

Nothing beats the feeling of going 90 mph down a stretch of open highway on a bike that you brought back from the dead with your own two hands.  I'm glad you decided to stick with it, and you will be too! 

[hymodyne]

Gordon is absolutely right! I found my 500 on a junk heap two novembers ago and now have a reliable and relatively fast (95mph)
biike that I built--primarily with the advice and assistance from folks on this site.

go for it!

hym

[ElCheapo]

There is nothing, I MEAN NOTHING more rewarding than resurecting the dead, aside from riding it ton up (100MPH=). I do this on a regular basis. Lucky you 750 F parts are cheap, very cheap. Example 76 F motor=lucky I can get $100 for it (just sold a runner for $20! On the other hand 76 K motor will sell for long over $300 easily. How about the seats? Minty F seat=$65 K seat=$150+.

Lucky you I have yet to start ripping down the 77 F I have. I would be willing to help you in the parts region and sell stuff at a fair price.

[pmpski_1]

Just start busting ass on it now so you can start riding come spring.

[cafedreamer]

Well I was having issues with getting the correct title on the bike and hopefully got all of that sorted out yesterday.  I had left the battery on the charger overnight and when I got home yesterday it had a really small charge. I hooked it and the newer coils up to see if anything worked.  Nothing did, so I guess the battery is shot. (I kind of figured it was).  Plus my multimeter had a dead battery and I didn't have any to fit it, so it looks like my first day of restoration will be put on hold until tonight.  I did a lot of internet research last night though and found a motorcycle repair site (it may have been of the board) that stated I could hook up a car batter to the bike to work on electrical problems since it won't drain as fast.  Has anyone done this, will it work as I track down my electrical gremlin? 

[SteveD CB500F]

Hooking up a car battery is fine (there's a thread on this somewhere)

I think the caution was around jump starting from a car while the car engine was running.

[TwoTired]

Hooking up a car battery is fine (there's a thread on this somewhere)

I think the caution was around jump starting from a car while the car engine was running.

The real caution is NEVER NEVER NEVER reverse polarity on the connections.  Not even a milliseconds worth.  Or, expect charging system repair.

Good luck,

[Gordon]

The real caution is NEVER NEVER NEVER reverse polarity on the connections.  Not even a milliseconds worth.  Or, expect charging system repair.

Good luck,

I can second that one!  When I first bought my 550 the battery was, of course, dead.  So I stuck the battery from my 750 in there just to get it started, but I failed to notice that the polarities are reversed on the two batteries.  Fried the rectifier and melted the ground wire in the main harness all the way up to where the coils mount.  Oh well, at least I ended up with a shiny new aftermarket rectifier for all my troubles.