Author Topic: 1974 CB750 Rat/budget build (Read 4850 times)

tango911 · « **on:** July 16, 2011, 07:31:26 PM »

My buddy wants a good running bike but not a ton of $$ in it. So i told him id take what i have in the garage and put one together. Of course ill put new brake pads and shoes, new electrical and whatever safety features are important to have and see how in expensive i can do this for him.

here we go..........
This is one of the three 74 CB750's i got in my last to CL finds. I have 3 engines, 3 frames and 3 of almost everything i need so i shouldnt have to buy anything on line other than whatever new items we want to install on the bike.

the titled roller with locked up engine.

Non locked up engine that will pop in there.

here it is ready to install once we clean everything up.

Cleaning station

VTCBike750 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2011, 08:29:43 PM »

Nice! look forward to seeing what you guys come up with

paulh1282 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2011, 04:28:24 AM »

Im ready for this build. Be nice if you could keep a running total of what you spend on parts. Even what you have paid for what you have already...

brandEn · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2011, 07:26:57 PM »

subscribed

Beergineer · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2011, 12:37:44 PM »

I'm currently in your buddy's boat, be interesting to see if you hit the same snags I have already.

tango911 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 22, 2011, 06:09:01 PM »

The story is I bought 2 frames with engines and all the parts i need except one tank and sidecovers for $600. So this frame im working with in this thread has a title and motor that turns over and has compression and all the parts pretty much to get it up and going other than new stuff for safety. So we'll say i have $300 into it starting out since ill do another bike from the remaining engine and frame.

Bike purchase basket case $300

ADD:
new wiring harness $75
new brake shoes and front pads $43
new fork gators $21
new throttle and clutch cables and tach cable $61
new grips $11
Swing Arm Bushings $50 prob should do the bearing conversion kit but its 100.00
New Tubes and rim ring X2 $22
New Chain $67
New Firestone Spitfires $130
_________________________
Running total $780.00

This should get me on the road and running hopefully. Ill post more pics as I go.
I wanted all the safety items to be new, I will rebuild the caliper and the master cylinder.
I will get new plugs as well. Tank is cleaned and ready to install once i get the bike running I used metal rescue but had a 5 gallon bucket and did 5 tanks which came out to $13 per tank to clean.

That would put the Total Money so far at $793.00 starting to creep fast eh?
Im hoping to be under $1000.00 not including my time.

I know ill need an ignition, but i might just splice an old one i have in the cabinet. They are only $20 or so new at cb750supply.com

engine in and wired up

not purdy but ill clean it up once i know if she runs well

Ill prob use some clip on ears i have somewhere, just cant find them yet:/

lucky · « **Reply #6 on:** July 22, 2011, 06:29:07 PM »

I can never understand why all you young guys just go get another engine when you could just fix the engine you have.

Not only would you learn something but when you get it finished, you have a new engine.
You know it is good.
When you get a used engine you just have a different set of problems.

I hope you don't throw the old engine in the scrap yard or dumpster.
It has many useful and hard to get parts in it.

hondaface75 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 22, 2011, 07:02:06 PM »

subscribed. Interested in seeing if you come in under 1k and how it comes out myself. Im sure he doesnt want to tear apart a frozen motor just to have to rebuild it, just for cost reasons.

tango911 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2011, 08:25:30 PM »

Quote from: lucky on July 22, 2011, 06:29:07 PM

I can never understand why all you young guys just go get another engine when you could just fix the engine you have.

Not only would you learn something but when you get it finished, you have a new engine.
You know it is good.
When you get a used engine you just have a different set of problems.

I hope you don't throw the old engine in the scrap yard or dumpster.
It has many useful and hard to get parts in it.

I bought both frames and engines together, of course i would use the good engine first. Ill rebuild the locked engine this winter. I wish i were young :/ haha

thanks
steve

Stev-o · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2011, 08:38:14 PM »

Ha - Tango is smarter that that, he won't throw out anything good!

Great thread, I'll be watching. I have a K4 project bike that I recently bought but plan to start the project this fall (too damn hot in the garage down here!)

tango911 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2011, 05:55:01 AM »

Ok short update. I have the headlight bucket on with clip on ears i found in my parts stash and wired up just enough that i could test the starter button and make sure the electrical box was all hooked up correctly. I hard wired an ignition into the harness. Tonight i will install the oil pump, oil pan, and oil tank. Hopefully still have time to check the valves, timing and plugs then maybe start her up. Once she runs ill put the rest of the bike together.
Threw a new battery in as well. i guess ill add that to the Running TOTAL.

----------------
Battery $80.00
Running Total $ 873.00

tango911 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2011, 06:43:28 PM »

We have a runner guys. Tonight I installed the oil pump, pan, filter, oil tank, few engine mount bolts, new plugs, sanded the points, set the timing, put my 72 tank on it with gas and fired it up. Once i primed the carbs it fired right up. These old hondas are amazing!
Now i can systematically put the rest of the bike together and get her on the road. Im pushing for next week sometime if not sooner.

Heres the video of the second start up.
1974 Honda CB750 Rat bike

brandEn · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2011, 08:18:12 AM »

awesome, a one kicker!

tango911 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2011, 05:06:10 AM »

Last night I took the rear hub apart, cleaned and re-greased, the brake shoes where fine so i can deduct them from my list and use the new shoes for another project. Put the new chain on, installed the rear hand grab/turn signals. Tonight I will wire up the rear, install the 4-1 header and maybe some more electrical. After looking at the back tire, it doesnt look too bad, ill have to inspect the front as well, might save me some money, though it wouldnt hurt to have new tires on it if its going to be ridden a lot.

I also took the left side covers off, it was missing the front drive sprocket cover so i installed one i had sitting around, Plus the Coil Field screws had been taken out of the alternator cover so it was loose. So i put 3 screws in that, cleaned it up and put a new gasket in it. One that i had gotten for free in a parts find.

didnt need brake shoes for back -$43.00
Running Total $830.00

heres the rear end of the bike almost done.

My free header ready to install i just need to find some flanges. Im sure i have another set somewhere in the parts mess.

Nortstudio · « **Reply #14 on:** July 29, 2011, 07:21:21 AM »

Subscribed!

tango911 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 29, 2011, 09:24:52 PM »

Tonight, realizing that im using a k1 harness, I had to find left and right controls with the correct wires. In which i had stashed. Cleaned and got the front caliper working, Front bearings are good but will def need a tire. So I will prob get new tires front and back. Was hoping to get the header on tonight but ran out of time. I also got the headlight and dash lights working and finished wiring the rear turn signals and break light. Def taking longer than i wanted.

VTCBike750 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 30, 2011, 06:32:45 AM »

Looking good so far. Keep it up!

Stev-o · « **Reply #17 on:** July 30, 2011, 04:30:21 PM »

Nice work Tango!

tango911 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 31, 2011, 05:14:37 PM »

im just trying to catch up with all the 750s you have Stev-o

Stev-o · « **Reply #19 on:** August 01, 2011, 07:44:30 PM »

Quote from: tango911 on July 31, 2011, 05:14:37 PM

im just trying to catch up with all the 750s you have Stev-o

HA! But you have "The Dream"!!

tango911 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 02, 2011, 07:14:56 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on August 01, 2011, 07:44:30 PM

Quote from: tango911 on July 31, 2011, 05:14:37 PM
im just trying to catch up with all the 750s you have Stev-o

HA! But you have "The Dream"!!

So true !!

tango911 · « **Reply #21 on:** August 03, 2011, 10:49:01 AM »

Quick update:
All electrical is hooked up and working except front turn signals, i need a cheap set of signals for the front. now i can focus on the exhaust and the front brakes, install the seat, tank and sides and we are almost there.

tango911 · « **Reply #22 on:** August 03, 2011, 07:35:13 PM »

All done cept the clutch lever and cable, Front Brake line, and a couple tweaks on the carbs im sure.

Heres a video of it with the 4-1 no baffle. Total invested atm = $700.00 Right now because i actually havent bought new tires, so i deducted that back out. Its def too much work for me to do it again, because its prob not going to be worth enough to pay for my time but it would if i were going to keep it and ride the crud out of it.

I know im not a great orator and the video quality is off, but youll get the idea.
1974 Honda CB750 Rat bike

Stev-o · « **Reply #23 on:** August 03, 2011, 07:57:17 PM »

Looks real good and a bargain at $700. But have to be honest, the seat seems out of place.

tango911 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 03, 2011, 07:58:38 PM »

Quote from: Stev-o on August 03, 2011, 07:57:17 PM

Looks real good and a bargain at $700. But have to be honest, the seat seems out of place.

yes the seat is jank, but hey, you get what you pay for and it was free, so my buddy will inherit it

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Author Topic: 1974 CB750 Rat/budget build (Read 4850 times)