Topic: Lowering and or Dumping a CB750

[VJ400]

I only note that what you want to do deserves a much less desirable original bike to alter...........That looks like a fairly original K2 and may bring a good price if it was clean, shiney, and ran well. You don't have to rake the frame........just get a different triple-tree and 37mm or larger tubes..........Lots of work.  I'd sell what you have and buy one already built.

ok......so whats a triple tree and tubes? At this point i would really like to just dump it and replace the rear fender and gas tank and call it a day. I wanted the rake so i wouldn't hit the frame unless i can accomplish that in other ways. I dont want to do anything i cant reverse.

[VJ400]

With a raked neck the ride is extremely stable at any speed above walking... maneuvering is another issue.
With the struts on, mine was like riding on a buck board - or my old sportster, take your pick. A cushier seat would have helped... 
It's a much better ride with shocks.
20" seat height, 34 degree rake, 6+ swingarm, struts, and a steering stabilizer, I've ridden mine at 143mph at the strip - and then home.
It's all in what you like! 

I wish I knew what you were trying to tell me

[seanbarney41]

Of course you said you were new to all this.  My best advice to you is to ride the bike stock for awhile, as you learn about the many facets of motorcycling and basic mechanical skills and knowledge.  You have never experienced any of the things guys here are telling you about so I don't think you are capable of making these choices yet. (and they may not be all that important ) Start with the basics.   You will be happy you did in the long run.  None of this is a slight on your taste or character.  Of course you will eventually do what you want, it justs seems like you are getting more advice than you asked for and there is plenty more of it here...

[VJ400]

Of course you said you were new to all this.  My best advice to you is to ride the bike stock for awhile, as you learn about the many facets of motorcycling and basic mechanical skills and knowledge.  You have never experienced any of the things guys here are telling you about so I don't think you are capable of making these choices yet. (and they may not be all that important ) Start with the basics.   You will be happy you did in the long run.  None of this is a slight on your taste or character.  Of course you will eventually do what you want, it justs seems like you are getting more advice than you asked for and there is plenty more of it here...

You have a really good point. But when you say stock is that stock height stock bars stock seat stock tank ect.?

[seanbarney41]

Sure...I know you're thinking how easy it would be to just swap handlebars or something.  Guess what, the wiring for just about everything runs through the handlebars and it's a pretty big pain in the ass dealing with it.  I'm sure you're thinking the thing looks real nerdy stock, and to a certain extent I agree.  I'm simply suggesting that you clean it up, get it running, and ride it like that at least until you're used to it and have a little more knowledge and experience under your belt.  Customizing will be a handful when you don't have the basic understanding of how motorcycles work.  I'm totallly not trying to tell ya, that you can't do it...but I bet if you try you're gonna miss out on a lot of the best part about motorcycles...which of course is riding them!  Plus, I guarantee you're gonna make friends in your area that can help you with this stuff a lot faster if your riding the thing.

[Terry in Australia]

Custom bikes, like the ones pictured, represent the classic American penchant for "form over function". Take a perfectly functional motorcycle, remove the rear suspension so that your teeth rattle over every minor bump in the road, and "slam" the front suspension so that you reduce your bikes ability to cope with anything like it's original design brief, all so your bike will sit so low that you can use your alternator cover for a sidestand.

It will be uncomfortable to ride over distances longer than your driveway, it'll handle like a pig, just about every part of the bike will scrape on the ground during cornering, and your local chiropractor will become your new best friend.

No biggie, you've said that you only want it for local riding, so most of the afore mentioned "concerns" aren't an issue. As long as you're aware that by "customizing" your bike to look like those two showbikes is limiting (and definitely not enhancing) it's abilities. Just my two cents worth, of course. Cheers, Terry.      

[Retro Rocket]

Leave it as it is and start reading up on the sort of things you want to do, but the bikes you refer too are show bikes and would be extremely uncomfortable to ride and once you hit a pothole on a rigid  rear suspension bike you will wish you had some shocks, and by the way, the rear shocks ARE coil overs.... That bike you have would make a much better stock ride and would serve you much better, i would hate to see you wreck that bike only to find out that you don't like it one little bit.....

Mick

[Anti-Johnny]

It would be cool to learn how to do that kind of work, but short of someone doing the exact work and mailing you the pictures and detailed information, its not going to happen unless you learn the bike yourself. Get it running reliably then start tinkering. Its much more enjoyable to figure things out on your own. You either need $$$$$ or time and $$$. So start reading, imo. The Clymers book is a good place to start for general info, and you can download the full manual here. I spent 3 forum days reading before I even touched anything on the bike and its all been cosmetic.

[754]

 Let me straighten a few things out,
 I doubt those 2 bikes are slammed on the front.

 They can be ridden, I rode mine longish distance, 500 plus miles  in a day.. without any break-in riding. To me that is not really high miles, but I know riders witrh shocks that dont like to do more...

 Its not for everybody, you personal mileage may vary...

 One thing I will mention, I cut off my sidestand mount, and I run high pipes, this gives  some ground clearance. I welded a few mounts to frame for back fender, they can be ground off. If you cut your sidestand carefully, it can easily be put back on.

 Just saying it can be done without ruining the frame..and put back to bone stock.. EASIER than what some do to their frames when setting up rearsets.

 So yes, speaking from real experience you can run that style, and go back to stock, should you decide you like that better. Want to see what it feels like for a day, remove springs from your shocks, or put struts on.. if you run midpegs, you can lift your butt a bit oon the bumps and save your spine..

 Go with what you like, not someone elses idea of what they think suits you...

[Retro Rocket]

Well Frank, if you read all the new guys posts you would realise that we are giving him good advice, he no idea of what is involved {his words} and what it would do to lessen the practicality of the bike, he had no idea what a strut was a couple of days ago. We all know you like rigids and choppers but that puts you in a minority here and in the real world and from my previous experiences you rigid guys are fanatical about them and screw the consequences. I have ridden a couple of rigid choppers and they were absolutely terrible, one was a paucho and i'm not too sure what the other was, both were 750/4's. Even with the incredibly flexible frame on one of them, hitting any bumps in the road was a painful bone jarring pain in the butt. I would consider building one for looks and riding to local bike and car shows but i would NEVER ride any distance on one. Another thing the OP should be aware of is that the lack of rear suspension is BAD for the proper operation of the rear brake, making it skid because there is no rear shock to help it remain in contact with the road surface. If you ride around on glass smooth roads then ride a rigid, if you want a safe commuter that can handle all situations then leave suspension on it. Like Terry said, if you want to leave remnants of your side stand, engine covers and footpegs on every corner you go round then lower away, otherwise, until you have some more knowledge of customising bikes, clean it up and ride it the way it is whilst doing some research and gaining some valuable knowledge and personal experience to give you your desired outcome.... 

Mick

[somesuch]

... just about every part of the bike will scrape on the ground during cornering, and your local chiropractor will become your new best friend.

No biggie, you've said that you only want it for local riding, so most of the afore mentioned "concerns" aren't an issue. As long as you're aware that by "customizing" your bike to look like those two showbikes is limiting (and definitely not enhancing) it's abilities. Just my two cents worth, of course. Cheers, Terry.      

In Texas, cornering is not a concern, since there are no corners, and using an alternator cover as a side stand, I think it is a great idea!

--Nick

[754]

 Retro, did the rigids you rode have forward controls.?. BIG, I mean huge difference..
 Note, I did suggest he TRY it with, either struts or springs off shocks first.
 I know you like cornering hard, some of us dont.
 Some of us are talking about this style of bike from what they THINK, I am talking from REAL experience.

 The only thing that hits on mine is the rear pegs. I rode it 950 miles to Bonneville and back. On the way back, I was riding with a 78K750, I backed off a bit in the twisties, letting him go ahead, but ended up going same speed or faster.. Neither of us are roadracers and we were on a not yet travelled by us road.

 A major point here to consider is that  it can be reversed, I did not alter the frame in a manner I can not correct. If that was the case, I would advise differently. What he is asking about is not your average chopper, it a different bike.

 He lives in a land of lowrider cars WITHOUT SUSPENSION, hot rods, rigid bikes... dont know how well you know him, but he may well be one of those people that enjoys/embraces one of those lifestyles.. He said he wants it for around town, and the roads are straight..

 Also re my bike, I did not build it like that for the street, I was bracket racing it, then one day I thought, lets put lights back on, and try it on the street.. I enjoyed it enough I left it that way.. looks like I am not the only one..

 There is a thread buried on here, by 1080, of that bike and the trip to Bonneville..with pics..

[Terry in Australia]

... just about every part of the bike will scrape on the ground during cornering, and your local chiropractor will become your new best friend.

No biggie, you've said that you only want it for local riding, so most of the afore mentioned "concerns" aren't an issue. As long as you're aware that by "customizing" your bike to look like those two showbikes is limiting (and definitely not enhancing) it's abilities. Just my two cents worth, of course. Cheers, Terry.      

In Texas, cornering is not a concern, since there are no corners, and using an alternator cover as a side stand, I think it is a great idea!

--Nick

Yeah mate, you've convinced me to move to Texas, build a bike like one of those trailer queens in the pics, and buy a nice soft hemorrhoid cushion in case I ever decide to ride it to Bonneville............ 

[754]

 Well, I got news you guys down under may not like.

 I finally managed to get a KO motor and frame, plus I found one for my buddy..
 and guess what we are building, strutted, slammed 750s..

 not just one but 2 of them..

[Really?]

I had a 750 some 25 years back.  It had home made struts on it by the PO.  It was fine on a flat road but I can still feel the jar through my spine when I hit some hole in the road.  True.  I lost that bike.  I broke something in the motor I think, left it in the side of the highway, came back a couple hours later and it was gone. 

I do like the looks of those bikes though.

[Retro Rocket]

Well, I got news you guys down under may not like.

 I finally managed to get a KO motor and frame, plus I found one for my buddy..
 and guess what we are building, strutted, slammed 750s..

 not just one but 2 of them..

Its not about not liking them Frank, because like everything they have their place, its informing a newbie about them in the right context that was my point. The Paughco framed bike i road had forward controls and rear pegs and it was actually better to have your feet rearward when riding over bumps so you could take some weight off your butt, really mate it was a short trip bike at best and horrible on bumps, not too mention it scraped everything on the corners. I really like the looks of a good rigid but if i owned one it would be a short ride to the local bike and car shows like i said earlier....Make sure you do build threads with your new acquisitions....

Mick

[Terry in Australia]

Well, I got news you guys down under may not like.

 I finally managed to get a KO motor and frame, plus I found one for my buddy..
 and guess what we are building, strutted, slammed 750s..

 not just one but 2 of them..

No worries Frank, I'll be interested in seeing your pics as your build progresses. I'm about to start my K0 build, but because genuine K0 parts prices are silly (I just missed out on a pair of crappy K0 forks on EBay that went for almost 300 bucks..........) I'm going to build a "custom" too, not quite a "Cafe Racer", but a mild custom with lots of quality after-market parts of the era, including a pair of Ceriani forks that Mick generously donated to the cause, wider Borrani rims, Koni shocks, (because my back is already pretty bad from jumping out of Airplanes) etc etc.

It'll be a mild 836 (because the K0 head's already been ported and I've got a good set of 836cc pistons, Andrews K grind cam etc) but will be fun to ride, and "period correct". I did think about using the K0 cases for my 1060cc RC engine build, but I couldn't bring myself to boring out the K0 cases to accept the 73mm sleeves. Anyway, it'll still look like a K0, just better. Cheers, Terry.

[754]

 Yes, the price of being KOrrect has really gotten nasty, and I would rather put the money towards nasty engine..

 I sorta like those bikes shown, and the MadMel bike..will probably end up with something in between..

 Would like some KO styling cues, probably the red with goldstripe tank (might be 450 tank) and some sort of ducktail on a custom seat.. Louvered metal polished sidecovers would be cool..

 I got a late KO engine, and an early lower end. The early has some case issues, a Yoshi rod let go in there.. it is already cut for big-bore.. so ne tears shed over wrestling with cutting for big-bore 

[VJ400]

Retro, did the rigids you rode have forward controls.?. BIG, I mean huge difference..
 Note, I did suggest he TRY it with, either struts or springs off shocks first.
 I know you like cornering hard, some of us dont.
 Some of us are talking about this style of bike from what they THINK, I am talking from REAL experience.

 The only thing that hits on mine is the rear pegs. I rode it 950 miles to Bonneville and back. On the way back, I was riding with a 78K750, I backed off a bit in the twisties, letting him go ahead, but ended up going same speed or faster.. Neither of us are roadracers and we were on a not yet travelled by us road.

 A major point here to consider is that  it can be reversed, I did not alter the frame in a manner I can not correct. If that was the case, I would advise differently. What he is asking about is not your average chopper, it a different bike.

 He lives in a land of lowrider cars WITHOUT SUSPENSION, hot rods, rigid bikes... dont know how well you know him, but he may well be one of those people that enjoys/embraces one of those lifestyles.. He said he wants it for around town, and the roads are straight..

 Also re my bike, I did not build it like that for the street, I was bracket racing it, then one day I thought, lets put lights back on, and try it on the street.. I enjoyed it enough I left it that way.. looks like I am not the only one..

 There is a thread buried on here, by 1080, of that bike and the trip to Bonneville..with pics..

Sir. I must congratulate you because you hit the nail on the head. Since my first car i have tried to do setups that were not ideal for everyday driving. If there was a way i could do it i was going to try regardless of the consequences. If some thing broke or did not work it was to be fixed and back to the drawing board. My car now has a ride height and suspension setup this is very impractical yet I love the look of it and drive it everyday. The car runs a 255/35/19 yes has a contact patch no bigger than one of your front motorcycle tires. This is normal for me and i would like to apply some of my ideas to a bike. There are a few thing from the bikes shown that i would like to do as far as the rest it will be an experiment. All of the factory parts will be kept and refinished to put back on when I'm ready to let go of it but other than that it will be getting modified the first go around. If I feel like being comfortable and stylish, we have a 2005 Honda Rune sitting in the garage that doesn't get enough attention.  

EDIT**** BTW i was just notified that SWIFT could make a spring with higher spring rates for the bike so I think i have a good idea for the rear suspension.

[754]

There is something about being low and slammed  that is sort of nice.. still gets you down the road without clearance like for offroad..
 I have highpipes on mine, huge difference in how much clearance is needed.. thise bikes in the pics, look like they cant ride over a speedbump..

 Stockers are made to fit what in Hondas mind, fits the largest group of riderrs, plus they are constrained by EPA and other regs..
 Last 1.5 years I been riding a stocker.. I hate how high it sits and holding it up at an offcamber roadway at a light..

[VJ400]

There is something about being low and slammed  that is sort of nice.. still gets you down the road without clearance like for offroad..
 I have highpipes on mine, huge difference in how much clearance is needed.. thise bikes in the pics, look like they cant ride over a speedbump..

 Stockers are made to fit what in Hondas mind, fits the largest group of riderrs, plus they are constrained by EPA and other regs..
 Last 1.5 years I been riding a stocker.. I hate how high it sits and holding it up at an offcamber roadway at a light..

So is riding a low bike any different than driving a low car? My car cant get over a speed bump without destroying it. My job just put new RUBBER speed bumps in the parking lot and i take out a new chunk of it almost every time i go over there. But on a bike that isnt exactly the most lightweight thing how hard is it?

[Retro Rocket]

Your pipes will drag on speed bumps and you loose ground clearance on corners, you build a lowered bike and you ride it accordingly, it is really nothing like a lowered car because all the lowered cars i have owned handled well, lowering a bike doesn't help handling at all.

Mick

[Anti-Johnny]

Even on regular speed bumps I go around them. I was riding at night when I first got my bike and didnt notice this incredible tall speed bump and scraped the #$%* out of my pipes on it. I thought I had for sure torn something off the bike. I'd make sure my pipes ran along the frame and not under it.

[paddy paul]

 Here is a pic of mine, still under construction, notice the the 2x4 as the kick stand,  waiting for steering stem bearings, so I will tell you how it rides this weekend

[754]

 Slab-of-foam and you are good-to-go...

 Stock cutoff pipes are great for clearance.. Any header will give you trible on a slammed ride.. out the side scrapes cornering.. in the middle hits on speedbumps..

 Build a high pipe.. whole new world after that...