Topic: Project Back in black (75 CB750K)

[Roach Carver]

Do you have an interest in selling the f cover?.

[Old75_ratafe]

Do you have an interest in selling the f cover?.

PM sent.

[Old75_ratafe]

So more fun stuff.... Finally had a decent day last week and got out of work before it got dark and cold.  I hadn't ridden the bike in almost a month so I decided let go for a ride.  Started her up and got my jacket and gloves and stuff on.  Nice and warmed up I go to the end of my block to the main road.  Wait for no traffic and then let her scream.. go for a quick shift to second twist the throttle and hear / feel a pop and no power... Freak out for a second pull the clutch in and realize she's still running fine just at idle twist the throttle again... Yep snapped the cable.  Coasted into a parking lot kicked my idle screw up to 2500rpm and limped it the block and a half home.

So I tore it all apart when I removed the air box I noticed a lot of fuel in it specifically the number one carb boot... Which I kinda new about just confirmed it.  So one thing led to another and I ended up stripping it down taking all the wiring apart (bullets behind the headlight battery box is out etc.)  And I kinda mocked up the straight bars and later controls I bought awhile back.  IDK I kinda like them but I don't think with the current seat it looks right let me know what you think.

[Old75_ratafe]

So I ordered a new set of cables regardless and I think if I don't do the straight bars I will order some chrome superbike bars and new mirrors.  I just don't like the idea of running all those wires through them ack!

A few of you might remember me talking about a talking alarm I installed as a joke when I first rebuilt the bike... Yea it finally failed so out it comes which it was attached to the bottom of the battery box.

I also finally replaced the leaking petcock valve finally and decided I am gonna do a few updates / fixes over the winter / spring. 
On the agenda are re-cleaning and adjusting the floats properly on the carbs and properly bench syncing them this time (I just eyeballed it last time).
Boiling the carb boots in peppermint oil to bring them back to life.  They are bad enough that clamped down they allow air to seep past.
Adjusting the valves, chain, dialing in the timing and syncing the carbs.
(I never did any of that and I think I am missing a good 10hp or so especially on my low end and anything above 1/2 throttle doesn't do much)
Rebuilding the forks, installing new bearings and converting to dual front discs. 
Replacing the worn out rear shocks.
Changing my fuse box over to the ATO blade style box I made.
Finishing the HEX bolt case conversion and actually painting the case.
Stripping down and repainting the tank and side covers.  (I have some ideas on that once I draw them I'll post it)
Rebuild the japan gas gauge / cap for the tank.
Pull off the exhaust weld up the little hairline cracks on the bottom the of the #1 and 4 pipes polish the stainless and chrome up and either replace or paint the nasty rusted collars.

I'm sure there is something I'm forgetting if there is I'll post it later. 

[Really?]

Too bad about the cables.  At least you were not too far from home.

The seat looks fine.  Too bad you got screwed from the Vietnam seat guy.

God to see ya back anyway, it has been awhile.

[Old75_ratafe]

Too bad about the cables.  At least you were not too far from home.

The seat looks fine.  Too bad you got screwed from the Vietnam seat guy.

God to see ya back anyway, it has been awhile.

Yea new ones are here I just gotta get out to the garage and put it all together.  One of these days I'll pull that damn seat out and snap some pics and sell it.
In the mean time I've decided I am gonna finish the controls and drag bar setup.  I figure it this way if I don't like it I can sell it as a already wired and ready to go setup.

[Old75_ratafe]

Little update, I've been collecting more parts I could have slapped her back together and just rode her but I decided it was time to do it right and really enjoy my bike.

Spring time to do list:
Replace seals, lower, clean and polish forks up.
Install all balls front bearings (have some play in the originals.
Get both rotors resurfaced, drill rotors, install second caliper and new pads.
Install the new 3/4" lower rear shocks I got.
Install new oil pressure switch.
Clean up battery / electrics box and install the ATO 5 spot fuse holder.
LED tach mod.
Drill, wire, and install drag bars.
Shorten old throttle cables.
Replace leaking tack seal.
Adjust valves and timing chain.
Clean carbs, reset float level and bench sync.
Clean K&N filter, change oil & plugs
Set timing and then sync carbs.
Check chain tension.
Finish filling in side cover and tank emblems, sand blast tank, clean and coat inside of tank, repaint all.
Rebuild vintage gas gauge and install.
Pull stock 4 into 4 exhaust weld up cracks, polish and reinstall.
Either buy a stock or make a new seat cover.

So hows that for a list of things that need to be done.

[Old75_ratafe]

Mini mini update, weathers finally been clearing up around here unfortunately I messed up my back again and have barely been able to keep upright at work let alone work on things.  Also been busy collecting parts & gearing up for other projects.  I have suspension (everything), trans (minor), exhaust (magnaflow mufflers / tips and a repair at the Y-pipe), install of a rear disc upgrade (from drums) and body work to do on my daily driver (94 T-bird 4.6V8),  minor suspension & body work on my fiances car (96 intrepid 3.5), and the major project...  I have a 92 Firebird that I've been slowly collecting parts to do over with a 1973 .030 over 350 pontiac block with 1975 hi output factory 6H heads and a small twin turbo setup for it (T3/4 6 to 8 psi max).  I have some tire and suspension upgrades planned as well.  Also needs some body and suspension work. Gonna be a busy summer.

[Old75_ratafe]

Well some news I broke it.  Decided to start my rehab with by tearing the forks down and replacing the fork tube seals.... Didn't go so well, the tear down and disassembling it was really easy.  But when I got them apart I found a big ass gouge in the seal travel area    Lets just say there was basically no oil and the gators were torn before I removed them so I'm sure being outside for the last 15 years the gators just filled with water and rusted the seal areas.

[Old75_ratafe]

Also since I was going this far I decided to pull my cracked and leaking original HM341 4 into 4 exhaust off and try and see if it could be polished.... Which ended in disastrous results as you can see the worst of it was the #1 pipe.  But all 4 have hair line cracks or holes I think only one would actually be salvageable which really sucks cause I love my 4 into 4 and they are crazy expensive to replace so it looks like either a slipon 4 into 2 or a chap 4 into 1 are in my future. 

[Old75_ratafe]

I mocked up the other forks tonight which are off a... 78??? I think.  I measured them and they are almost 2 inches longer and the lowers only have the mount for one caliper.  I did manage to space out and get the later caliper line up with the rotor.  While I had the original 75 caliper off I took it apart and found it was sticking badly and the piston cocking when you pressed the brake.  I was able to lower them about 3/4 of an inch in the tree but still gonna be higher gonna be even more obvious once I put the 3/4" lowered shocks on the back.  O well the valving is probably gonna be better, braking surface will be better, and I can use my air caps.  I will have to buy a new fender as the 75 won't mount up and the later doesn't have the provisions for the braces either.  I also noticed something else when I spin the wheel it has a definite shift in one spot on the rim itself, looks bent    So basically the whole front end is shot and so is the exhaust.  Since I have it so far torn down already I am thinking about just taking it the rest of the way and pulling the engine and painting it and the frame.  So basically Project back in black is down for the count I am short a frontend, proper breaking system, and exhaust.  I might have a line on a cheap 4 into 1 and am thinking about finding the other side lower and converting to dual disks someone else on here did the same setup with his and it worked.

On a side note my buddy finally came through on a bike for my fiance a 1985 V30 in really good shape it just needs the carbs cleaned out (it will start right up but after about 5 to ten seconds starves for fuel and stalls) and the clutch master cylinder rebuilt....  Also he's giving me a 1983 V45 as well that needs to be gone through.  It does run on starting fluid but the inside of the tank smells horrible and looks almost as bad inside (3/4 full) after sitting with the same gas in it for 5 years.  So I might not be bikeless this season after all.

[Old75_ratafe]

So for anyone still following this thread I wanted to let you know I am still alive.  Back in Black will have a second revival sometime this summer.  I picked up a F front end dual caliper setup I just need to convert my wire rim to a dual disc setup.  Also got a new seat cover for the stock seat, a used jardane 4 into 2 exhaust, new rear shocks.... the list goes on.  My garage in the new place has no power but that should change in the next month or so here and then I can start putting her back together and maybe get some ride time in still.

[seanbarney41]

Here's a blast from the past!  Ain't nuttin' to it but to do it...riding season is well underway!

[Old75_ratafe]

Ha ha right man I might get a little time by the end.  Hell its been two years I might even remember how to ride!