Topic: Decisions, decisions, decisions. You all are influencing me.

[ditchen]

Sorry for the long-winded post.

Okay, I got this 75 cb750 last Oct. Now I have been looking through the galleries and all over the web regarding all the mods, styles that have been done to these bikes as well as the very clean originals. So I am spending hrs just looking at the bike and wondering what I should do.

The bike condition from 1(bad) to 10(great) is around a road worthy 6 (from being 30ys old and sitting in a barn the last 21yrs). It is all original (except HD rear rim and lower shock mounts) and un-molested with 12k on the clock. I have all the paper work, bill of sale and manuals from when my Dad bought it new.

Not sure what it is worth now or after if I change/restore it. It does not need to be rebuilt, just some TLC. I am torn between wanting to restore it, change it looks, give it more HP, etc. Or do I just keep on cleaning it up and leave it just the way it is and find another project.

Boy, I need to quit reading these threads and looking at the galleries of all the great things you done with all of your SOHC's.

[Raul CB750K1]

If it belonged to your Dad, then find the original wheel and parts and put it back to roadworthy original condition. There is only one bike in the world that belonged to your dad -I'm guessing-, but millions of bikes that you can modify.

Raul

[clarkjh]

I agree with Raul.

put it back to stock if you can, you've got the paper work from day one.  There will always be another one to mod.

James

[Bob Wessner]

I agree on the restoration crowd, but I'm something of a sentimental old fool (among other things). Read folks comments and replies to you, take them all into account, then go back out and stare at it some more. The answer, one way or the other, will eventually come to you. Good luck.

[martini]

I have to agree with Raul on this one as well. Restore that puppy to its original glory, once thats done get yourself another bike and cafe the s*%t out of it.

[upperlake04]

here here - couldn't agree more. You have a great opportunity to have a low mileage original piece of history. They are getting rarer. Once you 'improve' it that is gone forever unless everything you do is reversible and you save all the parts. If it was mine the family heirloom angle would also factor in. Spend your time and money tuning and crispening what you have.  you lucky dog 

[csendker]

Stop looking and start riding.  Everything becomes much clearer while on the open road.

[ditchen]

Stop looking and start riding.  Everything becomes much clearer while on the open road.

If it was warmer here I would be riding instead of looking at it for sure.

Thanks for the feedback, pretty much what my got feeling is. Problem is, all this time to think about it while tinkering and no good weather to be riding the old girl.

[cbjunkie]

see - i'm gonna come down on the restoration side on this one...   i think everything that's been said, particularly what Raul said about it's intrisic value as a part of your connection to your dad will make it even more valuable if it's restored. right on Raul!

but then i restore old buildings for a living, so i'm not so far off from restoring a bike one of these days probably 

[heffay]

i'd say restore too... but, then again, there's steel braided brake lines.  and, new grips and modern tires and you get my drift... restore/update

[Magpie]

Please restore/crisp it up and keep it in a safe place - there's too much history there and besides original ones are too precious to lose. If you feel the need to tinker clean up dad's bike then buy a rough one to play with. What's the value? Priceless!
Cheers,
Cliff.

[clarkjh]

Heff, I thought you were on Vacation?

[ditchen]

Oh, Bob, thanks for starting that thread on pluging the oiler. Uhm, that help me find that mysteries oil leak. Boy did I fel dumb. 

[heffay]

leaving at the end of this week!

today and tomorrow last day of classes before spring break
friday get ready to hit the road
saturday... HIT THE ROAD!!!!!!!!     

[GroovieGhoulie]

Stockify it.

[dusterdude]

remember,its only original once.

[bill440cars]

 If you're going to go by the vote of this forum, it seems that restoration is inevitable and for the record. I vote for restoration also. You see, I can't afford a bike like my Dad had and his have been gone for some time. He is, at 80yrs old, working on a 78' CB750A but, his bikes in the past were mostly Indians (When Indians really were Indians!) His last bike before he got the 750A, was an old
250cc 2-stroke Jawa that he modified extensively from one end to the other. Now, for those who don't know much about the old Jawas (beginning to at least the 60') were kinda like VWs in that they weren't very fast, didn't change much from year to year and dependable as all get out. His 250 would
blow the wheels off the Honda CL72 scramblers and stay up with 500 & 650 british twins in offroad type racing. What I getting to is, I've managed to get an old Jawa 250 and, (with Dad's help) we're going to recreate his old Jawa 250. I know, it's not a Honda SOHC4 but, you gotta respect the fact that I'm talking about a bike that Dad had and that should mean something to everybody.
                                               Later on.  Bill

[my78k]

Going to differ from the crowd on this one...

Not sure I'd do a resto job. Reason is that because it was your Dad's I personally would add my own touch and then kinda view it as something we both had a hand in and enjoyed...

Kinda strange I know but my thoughts are...you have pics and other stuff to remember "him" by, but the bike to me would be a little more personal if I had my touches in it as well.

Wait a sec...just realized that I made the assumption he had passed. Kinda a big assumption to make so sorry if I was wrong. If he is still around get his perspective...

Dennis

[dusterdude]

bill,that is so cool.

[bill440cars]

                          Thanks duster, he was pretty proud of that old Jawa but, he let me make it
         streetable and ride it to high school.  I used to take on others and beat most of them and then
         I'd tell them the engine was built in 1950! They weren't too happy. Well, enough of this I
         guess, I don't want to hijack this post. Thanks again duster for your comment. Later on, Bill

[cb650]

Been thinkin on putting the race bike back to original as it was dads that he bought new in 81.
But then it would more subject to more street use and all the BS involved. As now its pampered like a baby.




                    Terry

[ditchen]

Wait a sec...just realized that I made the assumption he had passed. Kinda a big assumption to make so sorry if I was wrong. If he is still around get his perspective...

Dennis

Pop is still around, pushing 80. He was over listening/looking at it after I did some cleaning and had it breathing again. I almost got him to take it for a spin. But backed out, Mom would not have been very happy about that. Long story and she almost has a valid reason.

Anywho, Pop is pretty much do what I want to it, so he says.

cb650, that is very cool about you and your Dad building the bike together. Good Luck with the project.

[ProTeal55]

My 2cents....

I am a big believer if it is YOUR bike/car/etc, you should do what YOU want to it.
I got on this issue with GEETO67 about what i should or shouldnt call my bike a month
or so ago. 

If you feel you should do a restro, then go for it.
If you always wanted a cafe racer, then go that route.

You only live once, do what you want the first time.
or the other option, buy another bike...

[heffay]

one things for sure though!   take that damn HD wheel off!

[ProTeal55]

One things for sure though! take that damn HD wheel off!

HD Wheel ?
Who has a HD wheel ?
If anyone wants to get rid of a 16'' HD wheel, get ahold of me....