Topic: A CB750 as a daily commuter?

[super pasty white guy]

So, it's been a long while since I rode (like 20 years since high school).  Back then it was a Honda 125.  Now my work has relocated away from public transport and I've been looking to pick up a older bike to use as a commuter and to do some occassional weekend riding with my wife.  The ride to work will be about 20-30 minutes of mostly 30-45mph with only occassional stop and go traffic congestion.

After spending several months reading everything I can (including the recent post about "what should I buy for my commuter"), I've pretty much decided on looking for a 70s-80s honda.  I wanted something that I could work on myself and I want something with a bit of oomph, 'cause I've gotten real used to driving my WRX and couldn't go back to piss-poor acceleration.  Now, suddenly, I have a chance to pick up a '76 CB750 supersport in what appears to be pretty good condition.

So, am I crazy for wanting this bike (real bad)?  At this point, I'm sure that riding will come back to me quickly, but I'm pretty much a novice since it's been so long.  Will I find it to be a comfortable ride for my slower speed commute?  Is a 750 just too much power to re-learn to ride?  Am I buying into reliability problems?  Will American Dad ever be as good as Family Guy?


Thanks.  Any advise will be greatly appreciated,

Dave in DC

[Gordon]

Will I find it to be a comfortable ride for my slower speed commute?  Is a 750 just too much power to re-learn to ride?  Am I buying into reliability problems?  Will American Dad ever be as good as Family Guy?

1.  I ride a 750 to work every day in city traffic and I love it.  Almost makes me look forward to going to work... almost

2.  The 750 has a very modest amount of power compared to the crotch rockets that most novices are learning to ride on today.

3.  Depends on the current condition of the bike and how much work you're willing to put into it in the beginning.  If you do a good job making sure everything is in good working order to begin with, then it will only require the occasional routine maintenance to keep it on the road and reliable for years to come.

4.  Never

[Lumbee]

I second gordons comments.  I (like you) just got back into biking about a  year ago.  I picked up a 78 750F off ebay.  I took me about 8 months to get it to where I call it "reliable".  2 months ago I did a 1000 road trip over a weekend, and I ride it to work when weather permits.  So yes, this can be your daily commuter, not to mention just easy enough to work on so you have a little hobby on the side...

[super pasty white guy]

Thanks to both of you.  I was starting to develop a tic thinking about going ahead with the purchase.  Your reassurance is much appreciated.  Looks like I'll be a regular fixture around this site.

Dave

[Lumbee]

...thats the other great thing about these bikes...you''v got all the resources you need on this site in case you have any problems...

[csendker]

You are; of course, in the wrong place to ask if you should pick up a SOHC4 . That is unless you've already made up your mind to buy it and are merely looking for supporting votes .

I ride my 550 to work in very similar conditions every day that it isn't threatening to rain or snow.  Enough power to keep you out of trouble (or get you into...).  And it's nice that you can work on them without needing a master's in computer technology, just a bunch of wrenches and the like.  Getting something that's already running is a good move if you're just getting into, or back into bikes.  A basket-case might be a bit intimidating for a starter bike.

[dusterdude]

I second gordons comments.  I (like you) just got back into biking about a  year ago.  I picked up a 78 750F off ebay.  I took me about 8 months to get it to where I call it "reliable".  2 months ago I did a 1000 road trip over a weekend, and I ride it to work when weather permits.  So yes, this can be your daily commuter, not to mention just easy enough to work on so you have a little hobby on the side...

sorry for the hijack,mark,which bike you taking to myrtle beach?

[Ted Nomura]

I commuted with my 1972 Honda CB750K2 for nearly a decade after I bought it used in 1991 with 16,000 miles on it in near stock condition, all with original parts, including the seat, pipes and tank paint. But I decided to retire that as a commuter since I wanted to keep it in mint condition. Now I ride the 1975 CB550 as a regular commuter, which is even cheaper to maintain.

[Lumbee]

...duster...do you have to ask?   The chop of course    I may bring the stocker to just for kicks...depends on if I use a trailer, or just put the chop in my truck...

[cyclezirk]

I had not ridden since college, 15 years ago  (I sold my CM400T to pay rent and throw a kegger!).  Last fall, a friend gave me a 73 CB750 with 61K on it for wiring his garage.  Although I had been in the construction business for years, I had never worked on an engine/automobile in my life.  This last year I have spent my time reading this forum, religiously, and I am learning to breathe life back into the bike.  The bike runs now (thanks to all the guys on this site), will be my daily commuter soon, and I do have a new hobby that I like very much. 

So to finally anwer the dang question...I feel that the power is just right even after not riding for many years and it easy and fun to work on.  It wasn't that much work to get it running and it was fairly neglected so...I think it will be quite reliable.

[68grandprix]

I bought my '75 Cb750 last year for $200. It was sitting outside (in Iowa through all seasons) for years, and had 43,000 miles. I replaced the battery and tires, cleaned the points, timed it, changed the oil and adjusted the rockers and camchain. Last summer I rode it to work nearly every day (not much rain last year) going 70mph for 20 minutes and then having to go through city traffic.  On the weekends (and on the way home) I'd take it down curvy roads near me and wring it out to 120mph on the straights. I clocked nearly 3000 miles and never had a problem with the bike. I think it's a great commuter (except for the hard throttle, which I got used to). Jimmy

[Rushoid]

I bought my first bike (a '78 750F) in February, of this year, from a guy who was admittedly not a mechanic. It wasn't running at the time. In these 2 months I have gotten quite an education on motorcycle repair. Including the fact that these things are pretty darn easy to work on! I'm 6'3", 300lbs and this thing hauls my fat butt to work quite comfortably. I haven't put enough miles on it to know the MPG but it's gotta be a lot better than my 4X4 pick-em-up As I said, this is my first bike, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but it rides like a dream and gives me motivation to go to work in the morning!

Off-topic: Hey, Lumbee, what kind of pipe you got on your bike in that pic? It looks way cool! How does it sound?

[Rushoid]

Oh, and I don't think American Dad will ever be as good as Family Guy. Stewie is my hero!

[Noel]

I commuted on a CB750 for several years. In point of fact, that bike was my only means of transportation for a stretch of two or three years. It never let me down, despite an abysmal lack of maintenance.

As for a "re-entry" bike, it should be okay, IMHO. I would be less concerned about power (I think the CB750 is the perfect "not too much, not too little" bike, at least where the engine is concerned) than I would be about weight. (You 750 guys tired of hearing me moan about weight yet? )

The bike is heavy and carries its weight up high. Easy to drop at low speed or in the driveway. I'd put a small wager that you'll let it fall at least once in the first few months.

Which probably won't hurt it in the slightest.

Welcome aboard!

[jawshunter]

I don't think its too much if you take it easy. As Gordon noted, a lot of people are learning to ride on crotch rockets that are more powerful/faster.
When I was in the Air Force ( a long time ago ) a friend of mine got the motorcycle bug at the same time I did due to  another friends purchase of a 550. I found a new 78 K and bought it, so the other friend decided he had to have one as well. It was spring of 79 so most 78s were gone. He did luck out and find one which was 80 miles away on the opposite side of Omaha, NE where we were stationed. Also, he had never ridden a bike before because his parents would not let him. The day before  I drove him to pick it up, he rode the 550 around in a parking lot for a couple of minute. The next day he rode the 750 80 miles include the interstate through downtown Omaha ( I offered to ride it back for him ) back to the base. For the next two years we went everywhere on the bikes and he never laid it down.

[Lumbee]

...thanx Rush...is a Cherry bomb (glass pack)...and yea...it sounds wicked.     Been meaning to get a sound clip up of it sometime...

[mrblasty]

I'd go for it.
The 750 was my first bike and is my only mode of transportation.  It has done the job through 4 months of rain, deals well with the morning commute and tolerates my abuse far better than it should.
I picked up another one a month ago, I should have two bikes running by the end of the year.

[Dave Wyatt]

I've been riding my CB750A daily as weather permits (no snow or ice) since I re-purchased it in 2001.  A little over 10 miles each way to work and back, then throw in the occasional all day (200 - 400 mile) ride for fun.  I've put over 15,000 miles on it since '01, mostly trouble free.  With the gas it has saved, it has paid for itself.

There might be better choices in two wheels when it comes to fuel mileage, but the overall cost of operating a SOHC is very low.

[super pasty white guy]

Thanks everyone for your responses.  I wound up not getting the bike I was looking at, but lo and behold, I see that someone else is selling one too.  Maybe by the end of this week...

dave