Topic: N00b looking at buying a CB750.

[davesee]

i'm only drawing on my experience here...i learned on my 650 which is almost as heavy as a 750, and you outweigh me by 40 pounds. i also learned by myself in a parking lot everyday for a week before i went anywhere near a road. the next year i took the course, which gave me confidence in knowing that i was doing things properly. i did lot (LOTS) of parking lot riding, then residential street riding, then backroad driving and rode a lot, so practice is essential.

i also knew nothing about bikes, and have done what i thought were impossible repairs with the help of internet forums.

these guys are right on in their advice, so if you go with the 750, you'll approach it with some respect and a healthy dose of fear. i'm not sure if i could have avoided wanting to go fast at your age (even now twisting the throttle is a big thrill) and i'm sure i would have ignored everybody anyway!

[Retro Rocket]

My first bike was a K1 750 and i was only 16 years old when i bought it.  I had ridden dirt bikes before but never owned one and was a novice when i bought the 750. It was an easy bike to learn on but i had a mate ride it home for me because i had to go straight through a major city to get it home. Don't be overwhelmed with the bike, show it {and yourself} some respect and listen to what other riders say and go do a defensive riding course, didn't have them when i was young. They are not an overly fast machine and ride well when set up. Make sure your swing arm bushes and steering head bearings are in good condition, always use good tyres and i always use a steering damper with these bikes,a lot of guys don't , i only use them on a low setting but they make the bike feel much more stable. Another tip is, when riding slow or doing "U" turns, use your back brake to stabilise the bike, it will help your slow control immensely, just drag the back brake while you slowly turn and it gives you much more control, release the brake as you straighten up. You also need eye's in the back of your head and expect every car to be out to get you and you will be ok. Enjoy your new ride mate...

Mick

[madmtnmotors]

Bought my first motorcycle, a 78' CB750K, back in 1986. Rode it home, through the city (Orlando), in the dark, in the rain. Wouldn't necessarily recommend it to everybody anybody, but I figured this motorcycle would be my "Trainer" and with such a small up-front investment I could tear this motorcycle up and not have to worry about a large investment. That was twenty-five years ago, and I have yet to tear mine up.

[Really?]

The "Ride like a Pro" DVD seem to get high praise on another forum I am a member of.  In fact, there was one purchased and then they started a list of people that wanted to watch it.  They send it to then next person on the list, then that person sends it to the next person and so on.  To them, the cost to send it is cheaper than purchasing it so no one minds the small cost of sending it in the mail.  I am sure it has been ripped a few times too, lol.

http://www.ridelikeapro.com/

[gnarlycharlie4u]

If it makes you feel any better; my first bike was a 750 K7.

It doesn't feel as heavy as it is, especially after you make a few modifications to it. Steering bearings, swingarm bushings and make sure the forks are set up good and it will feel smooth and much lighter.

The bike is extremely comfortable, decently balanced, and definitely fun. Best part? I could gun it in 1st and not worry about the thing doing a backflip on me.

[gnarlycharlie4u]

Rode it home, through the city (Orlando), in the dark, in the rain.

...sigh. Baptism by fire. 3rd time I rode my bike; I just rode it till it was out of gas, filled it up and headed back home. Unfortunately I wound up being caught in a thunderstorm that had a lot of other cars pulled off to the side of the road.

Here is where I will admit to being an idiot. Highway speeds in a torrential downpour at night with very little visibility is a terrible idea. However it's one of the most thrilling experiences I've had in a long time and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Except maybe a pair of waterproof socks and underwear so I can do it again, just more comfortably.

[Toxic]

Back to the bike... for God's Sakes buy it.  It's a bargain.

Put in your garage for a year while you learn to work on it and get it sorted out the way you want it.

Take the safety course.  You young guys tend to think you are indestructible but us older farts know better.

When you complete the course buy a used " anything small "  Lots of good learner bikes out there.

After a year you will be ready to take on the CB and you will have it sorted out.

If you "buy well" a used learner bike is not going to depreciate that much in a year.

best of luck

[brycegp]

this post looks close to you...

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mcy/2015697033.html

spend an extra couple hundred bucks...ride the 550 and use the 750 as your project.  make the 750 into the bike you want while you learn on the 550...

not a bad idea, IMHO...

[dna_level_c7]

I just starting riding this year on a stock 77' CB750K. I'm 25 6'4" 270lbs so the weight wasn't that big a deal for me...

I never rode anything else before but it was my late father's bike and I was determined to learn.

2 days in the parking lot. I didn't shift out of 1st until the second day and I kept stalling out everytime I stopped. After I could shift through the gears and not stall the bike after 10 times through the parking lot I decided to hit a few back roads and have since put 1000+ miles on her.  

I have had a few close calls that remind me that I am a newbie but it's not really about fear but more respect. If you realize the outcome if you crash and internalize that before every ride that will be your greatest motivation. Just take your time... My buddy gave me the best advise I've heard so far. (IF IT DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT; DON'T DO IT!)

I am one of those type of people that learn things pretty fast though. I learned to drive in an 85' Cadillac Fleetwood when I was 12...

Otherwise I like the bike and that's a good deal!

that's my $0.02

[gnarlycharlie4u]

Yea back to the bike. Buy the thing before someone else does. I'm sure you probably won't have any trouble figuring it out provided the bike is in good working shape.

If a shift fork is busted or the brakes are seized (or don't work) or the timing is off, etc... then it will be a lot harder to learn on. Make damn sure it's good to go before you get it on the road. As of now I've spent far more time wrenching than riding but I'm ok with that. I have fun tearing things apart as well as using them as intended.

If everything is good to go then definitely take the MSF safety course or a similar course. I say take the MSF course because they provide a bike to take the course on and you'll get a discount on your insurance. My discount was $25.

When you're ready then just hop on the bike and go at it slowly.

You'll probably want a set of handlebars that aren't clubmans to start off with. At least until you get comfortable riding around.

I should have a set of stockers lying around somewhere if you want them. If not then e-bay and our classifieds section has some good deals too.

Good luck! and take it slow, you'll get the hang of it before you know it.

[eptesicus]

A lot of good info from you all. Thank you. I got my permit today, and talked to the owner of the bike again. If it isn't sold to someone else tonight, I will be looking at it and hopefully taking it home tomorrow.

Once I am confident that the bike is ready to ride, I will be taking it to the high school parking lot on my off nights to learn. I work 5pm to 5am, so I practice for hours when no one's around.

Finger's crossed. I hope I can take the bike home tomorrow!

[gnarlycharlie4u]

A lot of good info from you all. Thank you. I got my permit today, and talked to the owner of the bike again. If it isn't sold to someone else tonight, I will be looking at it and hopefully taking it home tomorrow.

Once I am confident that the bike is ready to ride, I will be taking it to the high school parking lot on my off nights to learn. I work 5pm to 5am, so I practice for hours when no one's around.

Finger's crossed. I hope I can take the bike home tomorrow!

get a helmet dude.
get a helmet
get a helmet
get a helmet
get some pads
or a jacket and some gloves
get a helmet
now.

[eptesicus]

get a helmet dude.
get a helmet
get a helmet
get a helmet
get some pads
or a jacket and some gloves
get a helmet
now.

Noted. It's required in KY to wear a helmet when you have your permit, and the first year of having your license. I will wear my work shoes, jeans, pads, good jacket, good helmet, and gloves.

[gnarlycharlie4u]

Noted. It's required in KY to wear a helmet when you have your permit, and the first year of having your license. I will wear my work shoes, jeans, pads, good jacket, good helmet, and gloves.

sexy.

don't wear anything that impedes your comfort too much or your ability to control anything obviously.
i.e. if you use kneepads but they keep your knees from bending comfortable or make them stick out to the side too much then you can probably do without them.

also... about buying the bike. If you have a friend that knows anything about bikes have him go with you.
http://www.vadriven.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182477
read this^^^ as well. there's a TON of good general bike buying info in that thread.

key points to check:
front forks - bounce the front end down a few times while he holds it upright. make sure there's no oil above the fork seals (black rubber) and make sure the springs don't bottom out.

rear shocks - make sure they're not completely f-ed up (rod isn't bent) and make sure they spring down and back alright

start it - bring a battery jumper and start the bike. unless you're planning on playing mechanic for a good (potentially looooong) while, don't buy a bike that you can't start. just don't. it may "just need carbs cleaned" but I've found that usually REALLY means you're going to spend 2-3 months and $500+ tracking down every gremiln in that motor/carbs/electrics.

If it doesn't start then you can probably talk him down by a good amount by saying that you have no idea what you're getting into if he can't prove the bike runs.

wheels - make sure that when he's holding the handlebars the wheels don't wiggle loose on the axle. check the tire pressure. make sure the rims appear to be true.

brakes - the rear is kinda hard to check, you really have to take the rear hub cover off. the front is where the worst problems occur though. test both brakes independently and make sure that each works. make sure the lines haven't frozen or cracked and the brakes haven't seized.

Above all be honest. Tell him that this will be your first bike and ask him if he thinks it's ride-able and good for you. This guy probably knows his bike better than you do and would be able to give you an idea of what you need to be weary of.

Have him demonstrate things for you if you're not comfortable trying to ride the bike.

I hope this helps. Good luck with your new moneypit

[eptesicus]

Thanks for the info gnarlycharlie4u.

Question... What does the K stand for when people refer to their bike? Is it in reference to the year that it was built?

[Stev-o]

A lot of good info from you all. Thank you. I got my permit today, and talked to the owner of the bike again. If it isn't sold to someone else tonight, I will be looking at it and hopefully taking it home tomorrow.

Once I am confident that the bike is ready to ride, I will be taking it to the high school parking lot on my off nights to learn. I work 5pm to 5am, so I practice for hours when no one's around.

Finger's crossed. I hope I can take the bike home tomorrow!

get a helmet dude.
get a helmet
get a helmet
get a helmet
get some pads
or a jacket and some gloves
get a helmet
now.

Do you think he should get a helmet?!!?

[Stev-o]

Question... What does the K stand for when people refer to their bike? Is it in reference to the year that it was built?

K is the model of the 750, there is also an F model [has a "tail" if stock].
You'll also see them referred to as "K1" [a '71] or K5 [a '75], that tells ya it is a CB750, K model and the year.

Read here for more info:

http://www.sohc4.net/index.php?q=node/84

[eptesicus]

K is the model of the 750, there is also an F model [has a "tail" if stock].
You'll also see them referred to as "K1" [a '71] or K5 [a '75], that tells ya it is a CB750, K model and the year.

Read here for more info:

http://www.sohc4.net/index.php?q=node/84

Great, thank you. That makes perfect sense.

[Tripps]

I think you'll be fine. I learned to ride on a 78 CB750K this spring, I think it's a really easy handling bike. I picked up some other bikes since then, but I took my road test on the CB and aced it, according to the tester, he didn't even make me finish the test, I did the right circles, the figure 8, he said "you can skip the left circles, I can tell you know what you're doing, been riding a while" (LMAO, 4 months, actually, but I did 8000 miles, mostly solo, on my learners permit). Bike seems to intuitively know what you want, and do it, just my opinion. And I'm an old guy, you're young and strong, LOL.