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Offline ntm1974

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What would you do with this cb750?
« on: May 03, 2011, 07:50:45 AM »

I picked up this 1976 cb750 cheap and was hoping to make it into a cafe racer.  I have limited experience and don't know where to begin.  I have the shop and clymer manual and was planning on getting it functionally sound first (ie: engine and carbs tuned.)  From there, I don't know what to do.  Rearsets? Clip ons? Lower profile seat (will any cb750 seat work on here?)  Different exhaust?  I was hoping for some advice on mods to make the bike more functional and faster.  The engine is a CB750E.  It also came with an extra engine, also a cb750E and a ton of other parts (wire harness, brakes, wheels, etc.)


Here are a few pictures.


   
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Offline flybox1

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2011, 08:01:22 AM »
Sweet!  looks like you have a great place to start.
really, IMO, its too clean to cafe...but if i HAD to, i might go euro or superbike bars, a solo seat, upgrade the brakes and suspension, land leave the engine as is. 
Follow your manual service interval and make it a strong runner first.  ;D
then make your mods, one at a time.


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'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

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Offline oldhondarider

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2011, 08:01:39 AM »
Very clean... nice find!

If it were me... I'd lose the seat for a low pro seat... maybe something like this.
http://www.caferace.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=C&Product_Code=CR-0020&Category_Code=RRBT

I have a couple... good quality.. they fit 750's as well as 550/500's.  little sanding and they're ready for paint.

I like the look of clip ons over clubmans...   

Not sure that exhaust goes with the cafe racer look... but it would on my chopper.. if you ever decide to scrap it.. let me know how much you want for it.

and what flybox1 said.. "make your mods, one at a time"...  take your time..

OHR
« Last Edit: May 03, 2011, 08:03:37 AM by oldhondarider »
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Offline Old Scrambler

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2011, 08:06:07 AM »
Its all up to you and your style..............When you begin to make changes I recommend that you have a theme in mind........copy something already attractive to you.........our build an original........sure, the seat, rack, crash-bar and pipes should go so you don't look like a 70s geaser. I think what you are asking is how to get the bike to look cool rather than as a family cruiser............or there is a lot of appreciation and good value in the market for a restored original.
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Offline flybox1

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2011, 08:15:51 AM »
its almost too cool to change.  i mean its stuck in the 70's!!
and how many CB's do you see out there ON THE ROAD with a K/Q and a 2' sissy bar!?!?  ;D
i'd loose the bags and rack and ride the $ht out of it AS IS!  8)
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'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline greenjeans

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2011, 08:17:57 AM »
Go through the inspiration thread in the project forum....  It will take a while, there are some great ideas in there.

I also agree with flybox - get it running strong first.   

Or....  you could just sell that hunk-of-junk to me  ;)

Whatever you do, get rid of the sofa bed of a seat that's on there - pronto.   Have fun.
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Offline Coyote13

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2011, 08:33:18 AM »
I agree, just loosing the seat, bags, and changing the handlebars will make a world of difference.  Some nice subtle changes would be to get rid of the reflectors and change out your blinkers, tail/brake light, change out the pipes, maybe throw a nice coat of paint on it. A small fairing on the front will help with the "look" and a low 2-up seat will help slim it out while keeping its functionality.  Just tossin some ideas around!


But first, like everyone says, get her running and running right.  Then dick with cosmetics. Good luck and have fun with it!
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Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2011, 10:56:20 AM »
Put on a pair of bell bottoms, a paisley shirt, some gold tinted aviator sunglasses, maybe a metal flake helmet and ride it with pride.
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KingCustomCycles.com

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2011, 12:15:34 PM »
Get it running properly and serviced.  By that time the experience gained will guide you.
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Offline Toxic

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2011, 12:31:36 PM »
chop the exhaust just before the turn out.

that is one clean engine.

have fun
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Offline oldhondarider

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2011, 01:33:05 PM »
Quote from: Toxic on May 03, 2011, 12:31:36 PM
chop the exhaust just before the turn out.

that is one clean engine.

have fun

Hell...I'll trade him a chopped exhaust for the exhaust with turnout ;D
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"I have never seen a wild thing feel sorry for itself. A little bird will fall dead, frozen from a bough, without ever having felt sorry for itself."   D. H. Lawrence

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Offline pablo78cb550

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2011, 01:35:33 PM »
trade it for a lighter 550.  ;D
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Offline ntm1974

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2011, 01:51:46 PM »
Quote from: pablo78cb550 on May 03, 2011, 01:35:33 PM
trade it for a lighter 550.  ;D

You know, I wanted a cb550 but this was just too good a deal to pass up and already have a cb350F.  I wasn't sure there was enough of a difference between the 550 and the 350.

I should also mention that it is an "R" title, although thus far, everything looks decent.  It also came with enough extra parts, including an extra engine, carbs, wheels with good tires, wire harness, L & R controls, front brake and then some.  I am thinking maybe the best bet is to get this running really well then try to pick up an extra frame and tank for a cafe build.

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Offline vames

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #13 on: May 03, 2011, 01:56:46 PM »
Does the world really need yet another Cafe racer? My suggestions:

1) Remove ridiculous seat and sissy bar.
2) Add stock seat.
3) Change to CB400F Handlebars
4) Ride.
 
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Offline Radam

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #14 on: May 03, 2011, 02:06:31 PM »
Get it running strong first (of course), superbike bars, flat seat, leave the rear rack on (it's good for strapping beer on), change the signals and tail light, and trade that exhaust for one you like. (you can find someone to trade) Also, you should get another frame for your cafe build. Keep the bike you have to where it can go back to stock at any time.
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Offline pablo78cb550

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #15 on: May 03, 2011, 11:55:57 PM »
Quote from: ntm1974 on May 03, 2011, 01:51:46 PM
Quote from: pablo78cb550 on May 03, 2011, 01:35:33 PM
trade it for a lighter 550.  ;D

You know, I wanted a cb550 but this was just too good a deal to pass up and already have a cb350F.  I wasn't sure there was enough of a difference between the 550 and the 350.

I should also mention that it is an "R" title, although thus far, everything looks decent.  It also came with enough extra parts, including an extra engine, carbs, wheels with good tires, wire harness, L & R controls, front brake and then some.  I am thinking maybe the best bet is to get this running really well then try to pick up an extra frame and tank for a cafe build.

haven ridden both, i can say the 550 is great for longer distance ridding.
the 350 is lighter, but for a road trip I'd say find that 550.
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Bikes in hand:
1977 Yamaha XS650
1978 Yamaha SR500 #119!
1978 Yamaha XS400
1978 Honda CB550K
1965 Ducati Monza 250

Sold off:
1992 Yamaha FZR600
1978 Yamaha SR500- I miss it so much.
1981 Yamaha Seca 550

Offline happyogre

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #16 on: May 04, 2011, 01:37:47 AM »
Just echoing what's already been said - with the exception of the seats, sissy-bar, and side-bags, she's beautiful just the way she is. Congrats! :)
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Offline MasterChief750

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #17 on: May 04, 2011, 04:45:32 AM »
i would leave it as is. maybe a new paint job but thats about all i would do.
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Offline Stev-o

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #18 on: May 04, 2011, 06:26:14 AM »
Trash that hideous seat and get it running!
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Offline oldhondarider

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #19 on: May 04, 2011, 11:35:27 AM »
Quote from: Radam on May 03, 2011, 02:06:31 PM
, leave the rear rack on (it's good for strapping beer on),.

a good point to consider...
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"I have never seen a wild thing feel sorry for itself. A little bird will fall dead, frozen from a bough, without ever having felt sorry for itself."   D. H. Lawrence

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Offline McQueen 750

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #20 on: May 04, 2011, 12:25:22 PM »
I'd agree, loose the seat and sissy bar and get it tuned up and running strong first.

THEN throw any mods you like on there. I've always been a fan of the Kott look

http://kottmotorcycles.com/Kott_Motorcycles/Home.html
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Offline ntm1974

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #21 on: May 05, 2011, 08:08:08 PM »

Ok, here is what I did, not in any particular order:

1. Valves adjusted.
2. Points replaced (was lucky it came with extra TEC points)
3. Set ignition timing.
4. Balanced carbs.
5. Did compression test (everything between 120 and 130)
5. Took everything off of it but the seat and the sissy bar.

Took it out and it felt great until I tried to corner and was scraping the kickstand.

The rear shocks are lower than stock.  Does anyone know the stock length of cb750 rear shocks.  Is there anything else I can do to increase the ground clearance?  Is this a common problem with cb750's?

Thanks
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Offline McQueen 750

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Re: What would you do with this cb750?
« Reply #22 on: May 05, 2011, 11:22:58 PM »
I believe it's 12.5" but don't quote me. Also check to see if the PO installed lowering blocks back there.
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-1975 CB750F (Follow the thread: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=88829.msg997640 )
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