Author Topic: Maduncle's brat style CB750F - now called "The carb eater"  (Read 76877 times)

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maduncle

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Hi there folks,

I have been asked to put up a build thread here on my project, since I put three pictures in my 'new member hello' post.

So I will begin a build thread here, and back track to January when I got this bike.



A 1977CB750F Supersport, running fine, just in need of a 'tidy up' - or a serious re-imagining.

So why did I choose a CB750 as my first ever project bike? Basically because I was looking for a 1970's bike with good cafe racer potential and after trawling around the web (and probably seeing a few of your bikes) I decided the CB750 was for me. I wanted a big bike and I had previously owned a VFR800, so I saw the CB750 as the 1970's forerunner of my VFR.

So - a couple of spins around the block and then pull apart time. I am not going as far as engine removal this time around, just pulling off the bits I don't want on the bike.



Now I decided fairly early on that this was going to be a bit of a hybrid bike in style, sort of cafe racer, sort of brat bike, but with of a steampunk influence (my creative roots). In fact my bike is called the 'High Tea Racer' (Sort of a steampunk version of cafe racer). Here is my first attempt at being different.



Leather 'pony express' saddle bags to go where the plastic side covers were. And they will be detachable.

I decided that browns and creams would feature on the bike rebuild, so I wrapped the pipes in a cream exhaust wrap. I left the first part of the pipes clean of wrap as a couple of folks here said that this was a good idea to let heat off the pipes. I know nothing about this, but I liked the look.



Well - there is a start, more story and photos soon.



« Last Edit: December 04, 2011, 02:05:27 AM by maduncle »

Offline Toxic

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2011, 03:57:09 AM »
Nice job on the pipes.

At least you are starting with something that you know is complete and runs.

More pics....

maduncle

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2011, 04:37:21 AM »

Okay Toxic - more pics it is.

Now, where were we?

The pipes went back on the bike once the wrap work was done.



Meanwhile, I had picked up an earlier model tank, as I wanted something a little higher and shorter on the bike. Plus I wanted a tank with a keyless flip up fuel cap because once the alarm is fitted this would be a keyless bike. Even though the tank looked ratty, you could see the new bike it created.



So now I needed a seat to suit the tank location. I looked at the price of seats and decided to have a go at making my own seat pan, and getting it upholstered. I wanted a long low flat seat with a bit of a kick on the end.



Here is the aluminium seat pan profile cut with a jigsaw and bent in the vice to cover the exposed rump on the tank.



Then I decided to bend the rear of the pan up to give it a finish, and fit aluminium angle around the edge of the base for strength.





Finished seat pan, complete with mounting bolts that poke through two holes in the frame.



Now I needed to shorten the bike frame to suit the new seat pan, so I took the angle grinder to the bike...



... sent the bike off to a specialist workshop here in Melbourne called 'The Mischief Makers' (Craig there is a brilliant bloke), who then tidied up the frame rear end to match my seat pan.



You can visit The Mischief Makers website at http://themischiefmakers.tumblr.com/

Meanwhile, finished seat, upholstered in a dark brown vinyl.



Testing the seat on the bike with the newly painted tank.

But what's this? The tank is now painted? More on the paintwork soon.



Offline Syscrush

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #3 on: May 12, 2011, 06:49:07 AM »
This is exciting.  Nice work on the seat, looking forward to seeing more.
Life is precious: wear your f'n helmet!
There's nothing more expensive than a free bike...
FWIW, I'm not a shill for Race Tech - I've just got a thing for good suspension and the RTCE's are the most cost-effective mod for these old damping rod front ends.

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2011, 11:51:28 AM »
Very cool. Love the leather side covers
"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Coyote13

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2011, 12:48:39 PM »
Think I'll go ahead and save this for later. Nice build man.
'78 CB750K.  Throttle ripper.
'71 CB100.  Grocery getter.
'01 XL883.  Panty dropper. Gone but not forgotten.

Offline jasonseasen

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #6 on: May 12, 2011, 05:32:11 PM »
I am interested in hearing about the paint work as well.
Love the seat and the side bags.

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2011, 05:44:43 PM »
Gday Maduncle, do you still have the "F" tank, and if yes, what condition is it in..?  Would you be interested in selling it if its in reasonable condition....I don't want to line a tank....Thanks
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

Offline tedone

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2011, 06:19:13 PM »
Awesome fabrication on the seat pan. Very clean and well done.
Very unique side leathers and seat. I will be watching for final pics. Keep at it.

maduncle

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2011, 06:21:55 PM »
Gday Maduncle, do you still have the "F" tank, and if yes, what condition is it in..?  Would you be interested in selling it if its in reasonable condition....I don't want to line a tank....Thanks

Funny you should mention that - I do in fact still have the original F tank. I kept in in case I needed it for another project.

It is in pristine condition, as every dent and scratch has been filled and finished and the tank is in undercoat ready for your choice of top coat. This was all done prior to me deciding to use a different tank.

The name plate mounts were removed, filled and smoothed - so this is a very clean tank on the outside. And it is also very clean on the inside too, almost 'shiny'.

All parts are there, including the lock and key. I will take some photos of it on the weekend and add them to the thread, PM me if you want to talk $$.

« Last Edit: May 12, 2011, 08:27:02 PM by maduncle »

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2011, 07:38:58 PM »
Ok mate, i am going away for a week for work, i will PM you when i return.... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.

maduncle

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #11 on: May 13, 2011, 04:24:51 AM »

More pictures time.

So I ended up with a few parts in need of paint, and painting is one thing I know I cannot do. But - my good friend Mitch is a top gun panel beater, spray painter, artist.

And he likes to take photos of his work and put his logo (and his idea for my logo) on them.



The parts before painting, one fuel tank, one oil tank, one front fender, one headlamp bowl and one left hand side panel to go under the pannier.

We decided on an off white base (which we call 'scones and cream') and we mixed up a metallic coppery colour (which we call 'high tea').



The cream going down.



'High Tea' stripe with pin stripes across the tank, same colour on the fuel cap and the headlamp bowl. Front fender, side panel and oil tank in cream.



Finished parts.

Meanwhile - I had fitted 'Tingate' brand clip on's to the bike. These are medium rise clip on's which allow for plenty of turning without the crushing of thumbs on the tank. Very good quality clip on's and made here in Victoria. You can get them through Motociclo at http://www.motociclo.com.au/



The clip on's.

Next post - brass velocity stacks???





Offline Bakeoff

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #12 on: May 13, 2011, 09:01:09 AM »

Next post - brass velocity stacks???


Now you're just showing off...  lol

Nice work so far! The tank and seat look amazing.

Offline Coyote13

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #13 on: May 13, 2011, 03:13:53 PM »
I can already tell the finished product here is going in the Inspiration Gallery.  Really fantastic work man, can't wait to see the finished product.
'78 CB750K.  Throttle ripper.
'71 CB100.  Grocery getter.
'01 XL883.  Panty dropper. Gone but not forgotten.

maduncle

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #14 on: May 14, 2011, 04:29:36 AM »

More pics.

I mentioned i had a good condition CB750F tank, so here it is, although Retro Rocket  has 'dibs' on it.







Stand by for next post.



maduncle

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #15 on: May 14, 2011, 04:41:15 AM »

Next post - brass velocity stacks???


Now you're just showing off...  lol

Nice work so far! The tank and seat look amazing.

Thanks,

So there comes a time when every man needs to decide how he will cap his carbie air inlets, in many cases the K&N pod is a valid and tried and true solution - but I wanted to be different.

First big mistake I made was buying these.



Made in China, printed look alike carbon fibre, cheap as chips and lousy quality - and severely ugly to boot.

(I have six - any one want some?)

Then I came to my senses and decided I needed a classic look, so 'trumpets' were the go.

After a good Google I soon found Mike at Steel Dragon http://www.steeldragonperformance.com/index.html who makes amazing velocity stacks for our bikes.

I enquired about the possibility of getting brass stacks made, and Mike said it was all too easy. So in no time at all I had a set of four hand made custom brass velocity stacks with mesh filters and mounting grub screws for my bike.





Mike provides a great service and was a pleasure to deal with.


« Last Edit: May 14, 2011, 04:42:46 AM by maduncle »

Offline strtlegal

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #16 on: May 14, 2011, 06:46:38 AM »
 :o :o Looks like I'll be making that same call in the near future...Those are seriously cool stacks

Offline babyfood1217

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #17 on: May 14, 2011, 10:26:24 AM »
I must say, that seat it fairly awesome.  There are a lot of folks on this board who make do rather well without a welder and instead cold-fab alot of things together.  This seat is a very, VERY nice example of that.  Well done, looking forward to the rest...

-Chris
I need help moving my project bike from Wisconsin to Seattle, WA.  Willing to pay well.  Contact if interested.

SOHC member: #438

Project: 1976 CB750K
GSXR forks, Monoshock Rear end, 836 in progress, RC51 pipes, custom frame and everything else.

Offline Flying J

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #18 on: May 14, 2011, 10:47:58 AM »
Very nice work, I  will follow along for the ride.

maduncle

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #19 on: May 14, 2011, 03:47:41 PM »
I must say, that seat it fairly awesome.  There are a lot of folks on this board who make do rather well without a welder and instead cold-fab alot of things together.  This seat is a very, VERY nice example of that.  Well done, looking forward to the rest...

-Chris

Thanks Chris,

I do cold work metal mainly because i do not own any welding kit, I plan to do a welding course soon so I can do more of my own work on my next project.

All of my steampunk artwork is cut, tapped, drilled, bolted, etc - no hot metal work involved, and most of the steampunk metal work is brass, so you would not work it hot anyway.

But I do some hot metal art, when I am blacksmithing.

The seat pan was pretty easy, 3mm sheet aluminium, 20x20x1.6mm aluminium angle, 25x3 steel flat bar, rivets, threaded rod, and body filler to get the smooth radius on the rear edge. The only power tool was a jigsaw to cut the sheet, and a drill.


Offline babyfood1217

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #20 on: May 15, 2011, 12:18:49 PM »
Yeah, welding can be pretty awesome.  Any alot of times, it doesn't have to break the bank, but sometimes it just makes more sense to skip and do things a different way.  Your way worked well.  Keep it up!
I need help moving my project bike from Wisconsin to Seattle, WA.  Willing to pay well.  Contact if interested.

SOHC member: #438

Project: 1976 CB750K
GSXR forks, Monoshock Rear end, 836 in progress, RC51 pipes, custom frame and everything else.

Offline Free Booter

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #21 on: May 15, 2011, 09:32:56 PM »
+1 on the seat...nice job and nice fitment. (long enough for a lovely lady friend?) and great paint job on the tank. looking forward to more progress pics.

maduncle

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #22 on: May 16, 2011, 02:55:59 AM »
+1 on the seat...nice job and nice fitment. (long enough for a lovely lady friend?) and great paint job on the tank. looking forward to more progress pics.

'That's no lovely lady friend - that's my wife!'

maduncle

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #23 on: May 17, 2011, 03:02:49 AM »

Big day.

Began moving house at 7am when the truck arrived, and at 8pm now we are in our new place over the shop my wife will be running, surrounded by boxes of stuff.

But - what did come in the mail today (and it came to our new place) was the smoothed top triple that forum member ffjmoore kindly sold to me.

I had just enough time between emptying moving boxes to give it a couple of licks of satin black paint before I take it to the garage after work so it can go straight on the bike.



Yep - that is a moving box used as a paint stand, might as well start finding a use for all these empty boxes.

On another note - I have a pile of stock CB750F parts that I will not be using, anyone in need of anything in particular?

I have stock headlamp, gauges, indicators, rear cowl, air box, tool holder, handlebars, and a few other small bits.

I will take a photo of the pile and put it up here I suppose - or in the 'for sale' section.

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Maduncle's brat style CB750F build project
« Reply #24 on: May 17, 2011, 02:20:29 PM »

More pics.

I mentioned i had a good condition CB750F tank, so here it is, although Retro Rocket  has 'dibs' on it.







Stand by for next post.

I'm still away working mate, will talk when i get back..... ;)
750 K2 1000cc
750 F1 970cc
750 Bitsa 900cc
If You can't fix it with a hammer, You've got an electrical problem.