Topic: new member's CB750 cafe

[geniusanthony]

Hello all, I have been trolling several bike sites for some time now as I have initially been looking for a platform to start on, again. A little history I caught the cafe bug randomly while serving in Iraq on a base needing some way to keep my mind lucid. Regretted selling off my XB9R Buell I had bought new in 03 only to sell in 07. So as I was, I caught the bug and eventually migrated to the Honda. Out of sheer luck I found my 71 listed as an Ebay ad. Turns out it was from a member here. So I guess in that regard I lucked out to have bought from an enthusiast as opposed to Ma an' Pa Kettle who have this scooter thats been sitting for 20 years cause it wouldn't start one day. So enough boring words, we all wanna see pics. I hope that you'all can give me some direction and pointers along the way to build her just a bit prettier and mo' better.

Tony

[geniusanthony]

Further down the line, I added some clubmans, headlight visor, blinkers etc.. more pics of the progression. First is when I bought her I got out of order.

[geniusanthony]

Above is the makings of the cowl I hammered out of aluminum and below is the cowl fitted and not yet trimmed. Also is the makings of the seat pan, where I had tried using the original hinges as I didn't feel right about cutting all the tabs off the frame.

[geniusanthony]

By now the tank is stripped and the tail is a bit more trimmed, I have started taping off and imagining paint to no avail, but thus is my method perhaps. I built a better taillight from a stock blinker, If anyone likes I can show you the guts but it was pretty easy. Add a contact for dual filament and paint the inside with testors clear red till the color was right. Probably not legal but bright enough and looks better than the factory brick.

[geniusanthony]

light

[geniusanthony]

frame cleaned up, motors getting bathed at this time.

[geniusanthony]

engine clenaed, frame red, swinger silver, halfway through reassemble.

[geniusanthony]

I don't actually work as fast as this may seem but I am just glossing over the progress to get us to current and help the rest fall together through some group criticism.
This is a mockup with no paint on the tank obviously but this pics is what made me try the exhaust to be shown in like 5 or so images down. I think I found the right red though. Not too gaudy I think.

[geniusanthony]

Since it may come up in questions, The controls are decent zinc or aluminum pot metal alloy sumthingorother that polish up quite nice. Something I learned on alloy wheels that have anodizing thats gotta go is that the yellow can of Easy Off oven cleaner strips anodizing quickly and saves the time of sanding through it.

Tank half done, I decided halfway through that scallops were ti but this was the only way I felt good about integrating , maybe not a true scallop but I think it find some old school coolness. Around this time I wanted to try my hand at pinstriping. I found out thats its hard but we press on.

[geniusanthony]

first wack

[scunny]

the reds good, go bare metal for the tins until you decide. I did that and have stayed naked.

[geniusanthony]

together and drivable, still not happy with the cowl, the seat is only vinyl to keep myself from sliding around too much. My commute is only 3 miles so it is just bearable for now, exploring options.

[geniusanthony]

Still coming up to present, the tins err tail will stay naked, eventually it polished up nice with enough sanding. I keep telling myself to build an english wheel that I found on a rodders forum but that will have to wait till I really want a front fender.

[geniusanthony]

forgot nex pic, remember how I mentioned above that I liked the open pic during the mockup without any stuff hiding the wheel. so I tried this to see if I could and also just cause.

[geniusanthony]

The exhaust is by no means finished just good enough till I figure out what I really wanna do with it. For those who feel inclined to ask I do know something about engines so I ensured that my primaries stayed equal length and that the merge into the collector went smoothly. They could look and be better and they will. Just need like two rainy days.

Made a seat from a thrift store jacket, that was an adventure. Also striped the tail to flow into the tank a bit better since the shape is  just a touch off.

[geniusanthony]

Pretty much current, the best pic I have at the moment.

[geniusanthony]

Close up of the tail striping, I intend to stripe the borders of the tank ion black since my one shot is a touch too bright, maybe I can mix it up a bit with a drop of black and get it closer, I am not opposed to re-striping the tail as I have gotten better and more creative. I don't quite understand why I have this sudden interest in stripes and it may clash genres a bit but the hotrod culture seems to parallel custom bikes somewhat.

[geniusanthony]

So after all that we are current and I am a bit stuck. I have a new cat-eye tail that fits nicely under the cowl, I may put that on soon, I have kinda been slacking. Maybe tomorrow I can get some cleaned up photos that we as a group may critique and build from. I think I may be like 75% there but pulling it all together will take some effort on my part since now that the hard work is done the details are harder to spot. So thanks for reading and help me finish.

Tony

[RatFink84]

I think the stripes look great! I wish  I was steady-handed enough t stripe. Do you stripe a lot? The designs are great and symetrical.

[geniusanthony]

Thanks for the props on the striping, I have been learning for about a month of leisure time half hour here and there practice. Honestly the hardest part is coming up with designs and finding your own style. I still don't know if I have found mine yet.

[geniusanthony]

Got a little work done today. After watching a little oil vapor coming from my cylinder head at a light one day I had intended to make or buy a little pukebox to catch this vapor. I bought a 1 inch copper nipple, some caps, petcock, barb and filter and went to it. I still need to add some mounting tabs but I think it'll work out well. I think a copper mesh stuffed inside should help it congeal and solidify.

I know that too much mist is either a sign of running hot or worn rings, I had been sitting at lights for too long that day...but I may go through the motor yet. Probably this winter.

[Steve_K]

I like your direction on your scooter.  I like the headlight cowl and the paint choices.  Good project to watch.
Steve

[geniusanthony]

I broke a big toe playing soccer so I haven't ridden in weeks or even worked on it in weeks.
I guess I had better drink more milk. Anyone got a suggestions on some little projects you can see that the scoot needs?