Guys,
Long time between drinks as it were but I didn't want to jump the gun until money had been spent.
After much deliberation and research (and a lot of help from a few of you here) I decided to reach out to the experts and do this the right way.
Whilst I loved re-building my CB400F from the bolts up, I realized with the amount of fabrication and obscure knowledge needed to build a CR750 replica approaching some sort of authenticity, I would need to lean heavily on the experts. I figured so much so that in the end, I might as well have one of them do all the 'heavy lifting' for me.
So after a lot of reading here on the SOHC forum, I got in contact with Mark at M3 Racing and asked if he'd be interested in building me a streetable CR750/Dick Mann replica of sorts. He has been terrifically patient and understanding with me while I sorted my finances out and changed my mind about things.
The overall goal of the project is to make an authentic enough CR750 replica that is ridable on the street. So a headlight, indicators and side stand. Outside of those parameters, I am erring on the side of authenticity wherever I can. I understand that is where the value is in these bikes. Sure, I could end up with a very expensive cafe racer that resembles a CR bike, but I'm sure I'll love it regardless.
We're a few weeks into the process and we've settled on his M3 Racing team 766cc piston. I want a CR750, not a CR836. However the real reason is because my best mates got a BMW 75/7 and I want there to be an even playing field when I beat him! I was also worried that if I were to ever get good enough to attend a track day or whatever, I would like to stay in correct class.
I would like to have the faring be removable. As I'll be riding this bike around as much as possible, I don't always think a full fairing will be practical. So with Mark's help we have agreed on a faring mount that will be removable at the front tube but still leave the gauges and headlight on the bike. Mark even said he recalled seeing a fairing mount exactly the same as this when he purchased some of the left over Honda RC750 factory parts year ago. This sums up what I would like this bike to be. A street version of a CR750 (which I guess you could argue is the CB750!).
As I want this to be authentic, I believe I need to add the large rear hub. That would be the easy part really, because as the devil is in the details on these bikes as you're all aware I'm sure. I see what H2Eric is doing with
his CR750 build and I drool. I would love to reach that level of detail. Front and rear hubs, engine fins, magneto cover, front 4-bolt lowers etc.
Cost is a factor, but I also know I spent way too much on my CB400F and figure with M3 Racing handling this, my money will be well spent.
I'll keep you all updated with progress and try to get some progress photos up soon.
Thanks again to everyone that has helped.
Rick.