Author Topic: My First Motorcycle - 1979 CB750 SuperSport (Read 5899 times)

Chelsey Wood · « **on:** July 11, 2011, 01:07:49 PM »

Hi everyone!

I am brand new to the forum, to motorcycles, and especially to Cafe Racers. I fell in love with cafe racers a long time ago and have wanted my own bike since I was 18. Fast forward 5 years and I finally went out and found an old beater. It is a 1979 CB750 SuperSport. I will go into details about the bike with my second post, but for now I will just say that I am very excited to be here and have already learned so much from these forums. So, thank you all.

I have no experience working on bikes or cars, so this is going to be a huge undertaking. I am getting a little help from my friend Mitch, who you will probably see in some of my pictures that I upload. I want to document this project from beginning to end. I am going to need your help with a LOT! I will be posting tons of pictures. I look forward to hearing back from everyone, thanks again in advance!

Here we go...

articblue · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2011, 02:52:47 PM »

welcome to the forums and welcome to the ~~fun~~ um learning experience with choice words that is old motorcycles.

The forums should provide lots of advice and pictures.
Good Luck.

First bit of advice: Make sure you can get the bike running before jumping off the deep end and customizing.
Second bit of advice: Ask questions...there are no stupid ones it's all part of learning.

I'm looking forward to your progress.

Oh and Post Lots of Pictures cause sometimes reading's hard

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2011, 03:24:38 PM »

Thanks @articblue!

So far, I have gotten the bike running. My friend and I got her started with just a new battery. Sounded great! (especially with a rotted off exhaust!) lol.

Any feedback anytime is more than welcome.

Let me get started:

Pinhead · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2011, 04:22:47 PM »

You won't get as much support here since your '79 is DOHC instead of SOHC.

Having said that, I'll be following since that's my favorite body style out there. If you have any ignition or charging trouble us 650 guys can help since your bike has the same ignition and alternator as the 650.

Good luck!

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2011, 04:39:44 PM »

Hmmm... I guess I am just ignorant. I could do a search, but would you mind explaining the difference between DOHC and SOHC in laymen's terms?

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2011, 04:41:30 PM »

ps... Very embarrassing seeing as I was SO excited to be joining the club. =

Pinhead · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2011, 05:34:40 PM »

DOHC = Dual OverHead Cam. You have separate camshafts for the intake and exhaust valves.
SOHC = Single OverHead Cam. One camshaft controls both the intake and exhaust valves.

Your DOHC bike has 4 valves per cylinder while the older SOHC engines only have two.

Besides the afforementioned alternator and ignition parts, not much is interchangable between the two bikes without major modification (though I would LOVE to fit your tank, sidecovers, and seat onto my '79 CB650.

Don't get too discouraged, though; there are guys on the board that have DOHC bikes, just not quite as many.

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2011, 05:44:01 PM »

See, I am learning new stuff already. Thanks!

I am glad I didn't start buying stuff already then! lol

So far, the only thing I have purchased is a used 1981 CB900F Gas tank since mine got a big dent when moving it... sigh. I REALLY hope it fits... crossing my fingers.

Question: is the best way to upload photos on here to embed them from flicker?

Thanks!

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2011, 06:24:31 PM »

Here is my friend Mitch helping me load her into the back of my parent's truck. Thanks Mitch!

Took four of us and a 25 foot running start to get her into the back!

First night in the barn:

Love the stance

Nice booty

Horrible lighting... sorry guys!

Left side

Left side of tank

Lyle's Toy?

mmmm look at that sweet corrosion...

Only 8,267 original miles!

some nice oxidation

rusted out exhaust...

rusty springs

more oxidation

This is gonna be fun! Lots of work ahead of me.

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2011, 08:31:23 PM »

After sitting for almost 14 years, with just some starting fluid, we got this beast started up the first try. All she needed was a battery. Shot a bunch of rust out the exhaust, but I can't blame her, the exhaust had rusted all the way through...

Sorry about the awkward close up... had to cut out my friends shirt for work reasons.

Enjoy!

My First Motorcycle - 1979 CB750 SuperSport

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2011, 08:55:29 PM »

You can still hang out here but you will have to post in the "other bikes" thread.

There is a forum for the DOHC4 bikes too.

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2011, 09:05:35 PM »

I hope I moved the forum correctly....

verify?

Thanks so much guys!

Dyrden · « **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2011, 09:48:20 PM »

Might want to check this out for a little inspiration for your DOHC....

http://anatomyofacaferacer.blogspot.com/

Stev-o · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2011, 09:51:26 PM »

Welcome from Texas! That a nice first bike, I like your atitude. Good Luck........

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2011, 10:48:41 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on July 11, 2011, 09:51:26 PM

Welcome from Texas! That a nice first bike, I like your atitude. Good Luck........

Thanks Stev-o! I appreciate your welcoming!

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2011, 10:51:25 PM »

Quote from: Dyrden on July 11, 2011, 09:48:20 PM

Might want to check this out for a little inspiration for your DOHC....

http://anatomyofacaferacer.blogspot.com/

I've seen that blog before. In fact, I believe it is where I have received inspiration for my bike already! I will be posting some builds that have inspired me thus far soon. Hope you enjoy my project. Any feedback is welcome.

scottly · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2011, 11:23:35 PM »

I had 3 co-workers that had brand-new '79 750s back in the day. I always liked the styling of those bikes.

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #17 on:** July 12, 2011, 12:34:52 AM »

Quote from: scottly on July 11, 2011, 11:23:35 PM

I had 3 co-workers that had brand-new '79 750s back in the day. I always liked the styling of those bikes.

Thanks!!

I have a cleaning question:

My brother and I are going to start cleaning all the plastics on my bike. Some of it needs to be re-painted before it is put back onto the bike. Does anyone have a procedure they follow when preparing plastics (e.g. fenders, side covers, headlamp bowl, air filter box, etc) for paint? I want to make sure I'm using safe cleaning products and painting right.

Thanks in advance!

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #18 on:** July 12, 2011, 07:31:20 PM »

First Photo Shoot:

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #19 on:** July 12, 2011, 07:37:28 PM »

Some more pictures...

14 years of sitting gas...

bill440cars · « **Reply #20 on:** July 13, 2011, 07:19:51 AM »

Hey, welcome to the forums. Like has been said, even though YOURS is a DOHC, folks will welcome you in alright. Nice Ride that you have picked up on too. I'm Jealous. Always wanted an "F" model of the SOHC AND the DOHC. Never have gotten either one. I DID manage to pick up on an '80 CB750K, a few years back. Here is a shot of it, with a sidecar that I put on it. The sidecar is getting ready to come off of there though. And I have plans for the bike, in the ways of mods.

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #21 on:** July 13, 2011, 04:45:39 PM »

Quote from: bill440cars on July 13, 2011, 07:19:51 AM

Hey, welcome to the forums. Like has been said, even though YOURS is a DOHC, folks will welcome you in alright. Nice Ride that you have picked up on too. I'm Jealous. Always wanted an "F" model of the SOHC AND the DOHC. Never have gotten either one. I DID manage to pick up on an '80 CB750K, a few years back. Here is a shot of it, with a sidecar that I put on it. The sidecar is getting ready to come off of there though. And I have plans for the bike, in the ways of mods.

I like the looks of your bike and sidecar! Very cool! I appreciate the nice words and make sure to post a link to your "mod" thread.

bill440cars · « **Reply #22 on:** July 13, 2011, 05:19:09 PM »

Quote from: Chelsey Wood on July 13, 2011, 04:45:39 PM

Quote from: bill440cars on July 13, 2011, 07:19:51 AM

Hey, welcome to the forums. Like has been said, even though YOURS is a DOHC, folks will welcome you in alright. Nice Ride that you have picked up on too. I'm Jealous. Always wanted an "F" model of the SOHC AND the DOHC. Never have gotten either one. I DID manage to pick up on an '80 CB750K, a few years back. Here is a shot of it, with a sidecar that I put on it. The sidecar is getting ready to come off of there though. And I have plans for the bike, in the ways of mods.

I like the looks of your bike and sidecar! Very cool! I appreciate the nice words and make sure to post a link to your "mod" thread.

Thanks, I had the initial intentions of Doing the "Side Car Thing" because my Wife and I worked with a couple of young "Special Needs boys" and the one I worked with was Wheelchair. So I was going to build a rack to mount on there somewhere and put his wheelchair on there. Then, a buddy here locally, came onto a "folding" wheelchair and I was really getting into doing this up right. Another SOHC4 buddy, sent me some aluminum pieces to build the wheelchair rack from. Then I had some problems out of him (the Special needs boy) and I started losing interest, as HE was causing problems between me and my Wife. So, anyway, I have decided to pull the sidecar from the 750, as I DID feel like I was holding back a great running bike, with that sidecar. If I put it on anything, it will most likely be the '77 CB750A that I have and need to breathe some life into. But, rest assured that, when I can get started on that '80 750, I will post a thread on it.

In the meantime, I will be watching to see yours progress. Bill

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #23 on:** July 17, 2011, 11:31:33 PM »

Rear End Take Apart

phew. that took a while.

Chelsey Wood · « **Reply #24 on:** July 18, 2011, 12:40:53 PM »

As you can see, my chain and sprockets are rusted pretty bad. I've removed almost all the rust from the chain sprocket, but I'm curious, if I use rust remover to clean the chain, is it safe to use still? I'm on a budget remember, so if I can restore parts I will, but I want to be safe.

Thanks in advance!

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Author Topic: My First Motorcycle - 1979 CB750 SuperSport (Read 5899 times)