Author Topic: Michigan '76 CB750  (Read 3346 times)

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Offline makemann

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Michigan '76 CB750
« on: April 18, 2011, 01:10:46 PM »
Hey All,

I just picked up a '76 CB750 barn find in Pinckney, MI yesterday. I've been reading your posts for the past week and you helped me pull the trigger on bringing her back to life. Thanks...or maybe I should wait until I finish the project to thank you!

I've seen a lot of inspiring bikes on this forum, and I hope to keep you updated and pick your collective brains in the next few months.





Ride on!
Max Akemann
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Max
1976 Honda CB750
2006 Honda Interceptor VFR800

Offline Bob Wessner

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Re: Michigan '76 CB750
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2011, 01:16:07 PM »
Welcome. Keep us posted on progress. Many have started with 'barn finds' far worse, and turned them into great rides. Good luck.
We'll all be someone else's PO some day.

Offline Johnie

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Re: Michigan '76 CB750
« Reply #2 on: April 18, 2011, 01:49:20 PM »
Agreed...looks like she has some real potential there. And pics on the 1st post. You probably already know we are fixated on pics here. What are your plans for it?
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline mjstone

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Re: Michigan '76 CB750
« Reply #3 on: April 18, 2011, 04:11:58 PM »
Welcome to the Forum makemann!  Nice find.

MJ
1972 CB500Four (Honda)
1973 CB500Four (Oliver)

Offline makemann

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Re: Michigan '76 CB750
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2011, 04:26:42 PM »
Agreed...looks like she has some real potential there. And pics on the 1st post. You probably already know we are fixated on pics here. What are your plans for it?

I think it has some potential too. I just have to reach mine. I've never attempted a project like this.

I'm a firm believer that if a post doesn't have a photo, it may not have happened.

Now that I have it in my garage, I've had a chance to think about what to do. I'm on the list to get the Gordon Frame Kit. I've ordered a BCR Dolphin tank and seat combo. I haven't decided on the color scheme, but I'm partial to Dark Highland Green with gold stripes, or solid gloss black, any shade of blue, or a silver and red two-tone job. I figure I have a year to figure that out.

Some history on the bike: I actually bought the bike in the early '90's for $900 from a Greg Braun who moved from Austin, TX to Michigan. In July '85, he spent $1918.91 with Adams Quadracycle in Austin where Brent Adams souped up the motor. I remember it running and sounding like a race bike. Anybody remember his shop in Austin?



I sold it to my brother who never had an opportunity to ride it, and it ended up sitting neglected in his barn for the last 16 years. I called him and asked him if he still had it, and if he'd be interested in donating it to his younger brother.
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Max
1976 Honda CB750
2006 Honda Interceptor VFR800

Offline Johnie

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Re: Michigan '76 CB750
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2011, 04:49:55 PM »
So it sat for 16 years and motor is not stuck...that is great news. Sounds like just the basics are needed and she will start right up for you. Cool story...
1970 CB750K0 - Candy Ruby Red
1973 CB750K3 - Candy Bacchus Olive or Sunflake Orange
1970 Chevy Chevelle SS396 - Cortez Silver
1976 GL1000 Sulphur Yellow

Oshkosh, WI  USA

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Michigan '76 CB750
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2011, 06:15:49 PM »
Welcome to the forum from another MI member...that looks and sounds like a project with awsome potential...hope to see that thing riding around the state (and beyond!) as soon as possible.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline Buell78753

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Re: Michigan '76 CB750
« Reply #7 on: July 11, 2011, 10:30:44 PM »
Hi I might be able to shed some light on your questions about Brent Adams and his shop, Quadracycle, later renamed Texas Muscle Bikes just before he closed around 1995 in Austin Texas.  I worked for Brent a couple of years in his shop, where he built my 1984 900 Ninja motor, around 1993.  This may have been his last motor ever built.  My 900 Ninja is currently undergoing a restoration, after sitting for about 10 years or more, being in mothballs.  More on this bike below.

Here is the what you have on the motor in your Honda:


There is a lot I dont know about Brent, and his wife Monica. As I understand, he cut his teeth building Honda drag bikes that set world championship records in the 1970s.  He built motors and raced against the up and coming Vance and Hines, when they were just teen age kids starting out.  He also hung with Russ Collins.  At the shop, I saw these huge big bore custom cly blocks that were for RC motors of huge displacement.  Brent also had some very cool bikes he worked on for customers, such as a built up GS1100 and a very early and rare Bimota that had a Suzuki GS motor in it. 

Brent was a real craftsman that new his stuff.  He could balance cranks, flow heads, blue print motors, and jet bikes.  Brent was a true character that they broke the mold on. Gruff, and abrasive at times. Brent new his business and how to build motors, like it his way or not! But, he was a great guy to me and was a stickler for doing a job right the first time. Working for him I got to see some real Texas spirt, independent, hard working, and to the point.  He also had a sense of humor, and some of his catchisms are too colorful for here, or maybe another time. Monica was more cheery and bright, a great counter balance to Brent.

Brent built up the motor on my 900 Ninja, the works: balanced crank and rods, undercut tranny, billet clutch, big bore kit, flowed heads, radius valve job, Mikuni carbs, D&D exhaust.  He tuned it on his dyno in the shop.  We added PM wheels and brakes to the shop.  Here is the crew, including Brent and Monica with the bike they built for me.





Here is the bike in its current state, getting restored with different body work, and lots of work to the chassis.



The full thread for the restoration is located here on RideDualSport.com

http://ridedualsport.com/forum/index.php?topic=1231.0

The bottom line, is you have a very special engine built by a local legend that knows his stuff.  Brent is a craftsman that grew up in the school of hard knocks, and Hondas were his specialty.  Its a true piece of history, and Brent has quite a legacy out there. I am interested to find more of his bikes and builds. 

I lost touch with Brent and Monica, dont know their current status...but I may make contact with Monica, as I have located her online and see what is new. 

Treasure your bike, I know you will. I rescued my old Ninja from the mothballs, and I am glad I did. 

If you know of anyone else that has a bike Brent built, would love to hear about it.

Thanks!
Christian
Christian
RideDualSport.com

Offline makemann

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Michigan '76 CB750
« Reply #8 on: July 12, 2011, 08:10:18 PM »
Very cool! Thanks for the info on Adams. I've been meaning to start a thread on what I've done to the bike to date, but work is getting in the way. I also want to scan the stack of receipts from the the work that the PO had done at Quadracycle. It is staggering, and I can't wait to get it on the road again.

Thanks again for the back story!
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Max
1976 Honda CB750
2006 Honda Interceptor VFR800

Offline Really?

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Michigan '76 CB750
« Reply #9 on: July 12, 2011, 08:35:18 PM »
Did you say you are in Battle Creek?  Let me know if you find any more. I have family there that can transport it to me.
I don't have a motorcycle, sold it ('85 Yamaha Venture Royale).  Haven't had a CB750 for over 40 years.

The Wife's Bike - 750K5
The Kid's Bike - 750K3

Offline dhall57

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Re: Michigan '76 CB750
« Reply #10 on: July 13, 2011, 03:13:15 AM »
Looks like you've got a 750 with some unique history behind it. Great find makemann! Keep us informed on your progress with it.
1970 CB750KO
1971 CB500KO-project bike
1973 CB350G- project bike
1974 CB750K4-project bike
1974 CB750K4
1976 CB750K6
1977 GL1000
1997 Harley Wideglide

Offline Buell78753

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Re: Michigan '76 CB750
« Reply #11 on: July 13, 2011, 07:46:59 PM »
I am pretty well sure this is Brent Adam's new business, specializing in parts, including SOHC Hondas.  The site has some old pictures of Brent and his bikes too.

Scroll down and you will see these pics:

http://www.texasmusclebikes.com/bikepages/sohc/index.html
Christian
RideDualSport.com