Topic: 78 cb750 franken custom

[22kahn]

Hey guys. This is my first topic on my first bike build ever. or rather my first bike ever. I think I might have bitten off more than I can chew. At the moment the bike is not really anywhere, and im in the aquiring parts phaze which might last quite a while but I figured I would post alittle something to get my name out onto the forum and let everyone know what im up to, just incase they can give me some help.

So far ive ripped everything down and started modifying the frame. and JUST started cleaning the engine (starting to think I seriously need an engine stand.)

what I want to do an oil tank thats something like deftone's on his 750 f ss.

rear swing arm and brake assembly from an 03 kawa zx636 and the front end from either a kawa z1000 (guys at wrenchmonkees suggested 91 z1000 fork tubes and HD hydraglide triples) or a cbr900rr, so modern sportbike wheels (anybody know anything about the chainline concerns Im having with possibly throwing a cbr900 or zx636 rear wheel on this?

 As well as take out the battery for kickstart only so that I can keep a low profile double seat and still have those rear triangles nice and empty.

Then all the other parts like 4-1 exhaust, smoothbore carbs. progressive rear shocks etc etc.

Anyway here are some prelim pictures.



















Another project I would like to start in on but dont have access to a proper welding unit or spare parts to have fun with is Motorcycle furniture. So far ive just made scale models.







Thanks for looking! anyfeed back would be AWESOME.

[Ogri]

I love those first two pics - really good! 

As for putting on modern wheels..hmmm, I can see a few headaches. Off the top of my head I can't see how you'd keep the chain line parallel to the axis of the bike (unless you use a jack-shaft). Not to mention the fact that skinny tyres are waaaay cooler (and cheaper) than enormous rubber doughnuts that few riders ever actually need.

But I'll be watching with interest and hoping it works out the way you want.

[KB02]

I LOVE the furniture idea. The models look cool as hell.

Check out my project thread: Project Parts bike
I've put a Katana's front end and rear wheel on a 78 750. I pick up the donor bike on page 3 and star tearing into it on page 4. I think I've documented it pretty well, but if you look it over and have any questions, ask away (the front end was the hardest as the steering stem was too short and had to be lengthened).

[22kahn]

Update: Picked up a bunch of parts yesterday. Traded for a fixed gear bicycle that wasnt doing me any good in my shed. its all a bunch of 93-95 900rr parts: front wheel with speed sensor, fork tubes with triple and bearings, front calipers lines and master cyclinder. Then a 91-93 600rr rear swing arm with axle, pivot and rear monoshock.

Test fit acouple things quickly when I moved them into the shed.

The front end: Is really really really close to being a plain old bolt in. The steer tube is alittle bit short but the bearings are no where even near being compatible with the cups that are in the frame so I think that is eating up about 1/2 an inch which I really am hoping is all im going to need. With clip-ons I am DEFINATELY going to need to modify the tank, this should be some fun since this tank I have is already pretty dented. Im actually kinda looking forward to modding the tank. Anyone have some suggestions on what hammers to use?

New 91-93 600rr rear swing arm- The guy I was trading with didn't think that the trade was even when he was just trading the front end, wheel and brakes for the pretty much complete bicycle, so he threw in the rear swing-arm and suspension. And I am starting to see some reason in converting the rear to a monoshock system. Otherwise the fitment to the frame should be easy enough, just have to shave about .5mm off the frame mounting bracket and ream out the frame as well... otherwise its a drop-in.

Ive also been looking into either nixing the battery and running a magneto/cap, OR buying a high power lipo r/c battery http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=5582&Product_Name=Polyquest_4550mAh_3S_30C_-_50C_Lipoly_%28Version_2 (stored under the tank? or under the seat? I want to keep the rear triangles as close to clear of things as possible.) and retain electric start. The guy I traded with has an electric bike that runs for about 35miles off a custom built battery pack of lipo's that takes the same room as a small car battery (max range of 5 miles.) I might wind up getting a scrap frame and tank from him to make some furniture.

::::: ::Edit:: ::::: (didnt want to double post, dont know how those rules go on this forum)

Stopped raining so I got a chance to pull the stuff out and throw it together quickly to see where I could possibly put mounts for the monoshock. took some pictures too. Im getting more and more excited about this now.

mountings for the rearset. (yes I would like to keep a second space open for the ladies)


Swing arm pivot holding up the shock, I think that the center support will be braced and the mounting bracket on there. then the counter for the suspension onto the centerstand and affiliated tube, im thinking that bracing will be added here too.


Rear wheel is the 16" front wheel, Just wanted to elevate the swing arm to get a better idea of shock positioning. and I dont have a rear wheel yet.

[Roach Carver]

you wont be able to ditch the battery totally. the alternator has to have it to fire up the magnets. mono shock looks great but you also have to relocate your oil tank. looks great so far!

[cb750gearhead]

lookin good its going to be a cool looking bike

[deuce_454]

you wont be able to ditch the battery totally. the alternator has to have it to fire up the magnets. mono shock looks great but you also have to relocate your oil tank. looks great so far!

not  true.... the magnets generate the coil exitation as they move past the coils... you dont need any external powersource, you can only turn off a magnet-ignition by grounding the magnet.... trust me!

[22kahn]

No real progress. unpaid internship eats up time and doesnt provide compensation for it. Waiting on wheels and to get some machining done on the frame, before welding up mounting tabs for rearset, suspension mounting, and several other things. Getting rid of a bunch of the OE stuff to get wheels, so I decided to mock up the layout with the original wheels for kicks.



anybody know anything about getting a title or registering a frame that you dont have a title for?

[KB02]

The front end: Is really really really close to being a plain old bolt in. The steer tube is alittle bit short but the bearings are no where even near being compatible with the cups that are in the frame so I think that is eating up about 1/2 an inch which I really am hoping is all im going to need. With clip-ons I am DEFINATELY going to need to modify the tank, this should be some fun since this tank I have is already pretty dented. Im actually kinda looking forward to modding the tank. Anyone have some suggestions on what hammers to use?

Conact the guys at All BAllz Bearings and see what they have to offer. They were able to suggest bearings for me that I was able to mix and match and make something that would work for my Katana front end on my CB.

anybody know anything about getting a title or registering a frame that you dont have a title for?

Depends on what state you live in. Different states have different laws. Vermont, for example, does not require a title for any bike over 10 years old; just a bill of sale.

[magnum56]

Just check with your local DMV office.  I lost the title for my "former" basket case, so here in Michigan when I was nearly ready to ride I just gave the DMV the VIN (frame serial number) and what I could rememeber about who and when I got the bike.  They ran a search to insure it was not stolen, registered by anyone else, etc. (cam back a couple hours later) and they gave me a title to proceed.

[Industrial Cafe]

good ideas, so far it looks good.
what camera are you using?

[Industrial Cafe]

where'd this guy go?

[KB02]

I have no idea. I just realized that he and I live in the same area. I'll have to look around for him.

[Roach Carver]

you wont be able to ditch the battery totally. the alternator has to have it to fire up the magnets. mono shock looks great but you also have to relocate your oil tank. looks great so far!

not  true.... the magnets generate the coil exitation as they move past the coils... you dont need any external powersource, you can only turn off a magnet-ignition by grounding the magnet.... trust me!

I know this is too little to late, but sorry, it is true. no battery, no fire. Go remove your bettery and kick it. should be great exercise for you.

[22kahn]

hey guys, its been a damn long while, and I havent gotten much further. Went today to help a friend pick up a ducati m900 so im back on the warpath. Im gonna try and get as much as I can without money... try and get the frame and suspension set up done and finish up the tank and seat. Ill be posting pictures of the tank progress within a week.

Industrial Cafe- Im using a Sony a700 with either a 28mm 2.8 or 50mm 1.4 lens.

KB02- I completely forgot that you lived around the burlington area! Ive already moved back to MD. but im pretty addicted to that area so im sure ill be back in no time.

In the mean time: do you guys have any idea what the wrenchmonkees dudes did with the oil tank in their most recent cb750? ive been staring at the images looking for it... only thing I can think of is that its integrated into the tank or thats a really really firm seat cuz the cushion was replaced with a tank...http://www.wrenchmonkees.com/CB01.html

[shane]

wasn't that one of the 'club black' bikes, the ones they built for show only?

[KB02]

Club Black #01.   

I just studied the pictures on their web site as well. There are clearly oil lines coming up off the engine. I would say, based off of the pictures, that the oil tank is incorporated into the gas tank.

[Industrial Cafe]

great!

wrenchmonkees bike-- it's a show bike for "club black", it doesn't run.

[Zaipai]

Yea, I read also that it does not run and the oil lines just goto the frame, but they are non-functional they are just tacked to the frame.. Tho I don't know that for a fact..

.: Scott :.

[Industrial Cafe]

it was discussed at some length in the inspiration gallery.
hey 22kahn, you got any ideas of what your finished bike will look like?
drawings, photoshop?

I belive I read somewhere that those 3 wrenchmonkey bikes are totality nonfunctional.  They were made for some nightclub.......shame that they will never be ridden.  

Nonfunctional like the spark plugs are pulled or ?

Not sure...  It was from Pipeburn.com  The post had this wrenchmonkey quote, "We got an order for display and decoration bikes, to a nightclub in Herning, Denmark, name of this place, CLUB BLACK! They are not meant to be riden, and all we did are pure cosmetics and made them look good and black, so we have no clue to how these bikes would be like to drive, but we could guess!"

[22kahn]

A sketch of what Im thinking for the cb750. I want it to have a super raw industrial look to it... lots of raw metal.... but Im not sure my skill level in building and fabricating will really allow for that. Maybe on my next build.

some of the features I still have to figure out:
-removeable rear passenger pegs/mounts (im thinking braze in threads for allen bolts)
-battery and wiring harness tucked into a fiberglass compartment under the seat (use LiPO battery packs for their smaller size and better recharge characteristics. I think its gonna be a kickstart only)
-squeeze the oil tank between the trans housing and where the monoshock will be. (need to figure out the suspension so I can start mocking up cardboard models to figure out capacity and feasibility)

what I still need to find
-first off cbr600 f3 wheels (once I get these I can figure out the suspension and get the frame sorted out.)
-controls
-bars
-lights/electronics
-brakes (I think I have cbr600 front brakes and they will not mount up to the cbr900rr front end I have)
-and everything else.. haha which is most likely ALOT more than I can imagine at the moment, not seeing this project getting done before next summer.

but here is where Ive gotten on the tank... its more or less a temp "messing around" paint job on it.. until I can really put in some quality time with the bondo, or find a new tank.



here are some other random sketches ive done. I need to scan some of my newer ones.

[traveler]

3rd up from the bottom ....I like!

[Industrial Cafe]

AWESOME!
I like the cricket.
check out the swing arm on frankenbikes bastard-
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70436.0
there's holes!