Author Topic: 1978 cb750 Espresso (Read 13648 times)

the-wu · « **on:** September 13, 2011, 11:28:58 AM »

So it begins! This is not a full 'BUILD' but here's a place for me to document my progress with this bike. Will be cleaning up and adding my own flare to the bike.

This is the bike on day one looks pretty good as is!

the-wu · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2011, 11:31:31 AM »

Modifying the seat on the bike. The previous owner chopped up the tail end of the frame and made a short stubby seat. Now I’m stretching it back out so that it feels more proportional. Also get a better upholstery job done. Since I cant fabricate metal I’m gonna stretch it out with plywood then refinish the whole thing. Bondo time!

the-wu · « **Reply #2 on:** September 13, 2011, 11:34:15 AM »

How the seat sits on the frame and over the wheel a little more now. Also shaped it so it sits underneath the fuel tank nicer rather than a big gap in between the seat and tank.

hapakev · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2011, 12:29:28 PM »

Much better look, IMO. It makes the lines much cleaner!

lone*X · « **Reply #4 on:** September 13, 2011, 02:30:39 PM »

Can't see a frame loop under the back of the seat. Did the PO just chop it off without adding any support? I have always been under the impression that the stock cross brace under the seat was insufficient to maintain rigidity once the rear section was cut off. You may want to address that. Nice bike to start working from. Enjoy the trip.

jaguar · « **Reply #5 on:** September 13, 2011, 03:09:29 PM »

yes the rear conector between the shocks is important, as it the front fender, or at least a front brace.
are those wheels drilled?

the-wu · « **Reply #6 on:** September 13, 2011, 03:33:06 PM »

Quote from: lone*X on September 13, 2011, 02:30:39 PM

Can't see a frame loop under the back of the seat. Did the PO just chop it off without adding any support? I have always been under the impression that the stock cross brace under the seat was insufficient to maintain rigidity once the rear section was cut off. You may want to address that. Nice bike to start working from. Enjoy the trip.

Quote from: jaguar on September 13, 2011, 03:09:29 PM

yes the rear conector between the shocks is important, as it the front fender, or at least a front brace.
are those wheels drilled?

Thanks for the replies! and thanks for addressing the rear connector issue. What kind of problems will i have if i leave it like this? Would it be a Torsion (twisting) issue or is it the rear-end collapsing inwards?

Can i just drill the frame and put a rod in with nuts/washers? or does this need to be a welded piece?

Here are some pictures of the frame without tank and tail

And yes, the wheels are drilled (by PO)

the-wu · « **Reply #7 on:** September 13, 2011, 09:23:46 PM »

Out with the old gauges and center cluster, in with smaller 2 inch speedo and tach. Cleans up the front nicely.

lucky · « **Reply #8 on:** September 14, 2011, 07:13:04 AM »

Good job on the seat modifications. Like to see the finished result.

Be careful welding around those contact cement glue fumes!!!
I noticed you were wearing gloves but no gloves for the welding.
Do not wear the tight fitting mechanics gloves while welding. If they get hot that synthetic material will stick to your skin and burn.

Can hardly wait to see your finished seat. Thanks for posting.

hapakev · « **Reply #9 on:** September 14, 2011, 08:41:02 AM »

Quote from: the-wu on September 13, 2011, 09:23:46 PM

Out with the old gauges and center cluster, in with smaller 2 inch speedo and tach. Cleans up the front nicely.

Wow, never thought of mounting those from the ignition mounts, Looks great. I made a dash panel from aluminum to mount mine.

the-wu · « **Reply #10 on:** September 14, 2011, 09:06:17 AM »

Quote from: lucky on September 14, 2011, 07:13:04 AM

Good job on the seat modifications. Like to see the finished result.

Be careful welding around those contact cement glue fumes!!!
I noticed you were wearing gloves but no gloves for the welding.
Do not wear the tight fitting mechanics gloves while welding. If they get hot that synthetic material will stick to your skin and burn.

Can hardly wait to see your finished seat. Thanks for posting.

Thanks for the concerns lucky! Haha, actually I wasn't welding. Just filing off the screws that were poking out. But note taken, good tip! The seat is well on its way now, once i get my photos organized i will keep you guys up to date!

Quote from: hapakev on September 14, 2011, 08:41:02 AM

Wow, never thought of mounting those from the ignition mounts, Looks great. I made a dash panel from aluminum to mount mine.

Thank you! yeah we were playing around seeing where it fits best, there is a slight 'tilt' on the gauges, but i can live with that. it fit nicely! We moved the choke down to another slot to make room.

Pod filters cleaned up nicely!

hapakev · « **Reply #11 on:** September 14, 2011, 10:13:30 AM »

Quote from: the-wu on September 14, 2011, 09:06:17 AM

Thank you! yeah we were playing around seeing where it fits best, there is a slight 'tilt' on the gauges, but i can live with that. it fit nicely! We moved the choke down to another slot to make room.

Oh yeah, didn't notice that. Bike looks good man, what are you're other plans?

the-wu · « **Reply #12 on:** September 14, 2011, 10:51:36 AM »

Quote from: hapakev on September 14, 2011, 10:13:30 AM

Oh yeah, didn't notice that. Bike looks good man, what are you're other plans?

Thank you! I'm mostly just going to be toying with the cosmetics, give it a new paint job, clean/tune/maintain it and get it on the road!

Here we lowered the bike with shorty rear shocks and pushed the tree area lower by a few inches. Looks WAY nicer! i like how the rear hugs the tire nicely. There will be no passengers or heavy load so hopefully the shocks will be fine.

jaguar · « **Reply #13 on:** September 14, 2011, 12:56:41 PM »

you might not have know but alot of the time lowering a bike like that effects the handling in a bad way. defiantly limits the clearance in turns

the-wu · « **Reply #14 on:** September 15, 2011, 11:38:29 PM »

Quote from: jaguar on September 14, 2011, 12:56:41 PM

you might not have know but alot of the time lowering a bike like that effects the handling in a bad way. defiantly limits the clearance in turns

Ah, great point. No, i didnt think of this. will be keeping an eye out to test my turn clearance. thanks for the tip!

and now for some pictures!

cleaning the carbs

Starting paint for the tail. bondo, sand, prime, sand, color. Going to wetsand after this and clearcoat. Now you see why the bike is called espresso?

yellowbirdrs · « **Reply #15 on:** September 16, 2011, 11:12:42 AM »

nice work on the carbs, great can paint work keep on the good work and don't forget to post the progress

the-wu · « **Reply #16 on:** September 22, 2011, 12:07:49 PM »

Lots of progress with the paint job. This is a rattle can job, will be coating it with spraymax clear coat and lots of wet sanding in between. I was skeptical at first, but I'm really happy with the way it's turning out!

lucky · « **Reply #17 on:** September 22, 2011, 02:33:10 PM »

You are doing a great job on detailing that bike!
It also helps you to get to know the bike.

I still want to see that seat when it is all done.
Get a good upholstery job.
It is well worth the dough.
There is no reason a rattle can paint job can't look good.
Just remember that spilled gas can take the paint off.
Put lots of clear coats, and if you spill a drop of gas on it do not wipe it off ,just leave it alone. After months go by it gets more resistant to gas spills.

the-wu · « **Reply #18 on:** September 23, 2011, 11:10:36 AM »

Here's what it looks like with body mounted! It's really coming together now

Sent the seat out for upholstery, supposed to be getting it back soon!

jaguar · « **Reply #19 on:** September 23, 2011, 01:58:37 PM »

cool color

your VW?

any info on those rearsets?

hapakev · « **Reply #20 on:** September 23, 2011, 11:32:12 PM »

Looking sweet man!

d1000rr · « **Reply #21 on:** September 25, 2011, 12:32:39 PM »

awesome!

the-wu · « **Reply #22 on:** September 26, 2011, 01:46:05 PM »

Quote from: jaguar on September 23, 2011, 01:58:37 PM

cool color

your VW?

any info on those rearsets?

No, thats my coworkers 70 beatle. He's been helping me out on the bike so i park it at his place haha

Got my seat back! looks amazing, was done by a local auto upholstery shop.

This is about as much work as i want to put on it so far. Now it's getting some road-time =)

I'll take nicer photos of it soon!

immortal · « **Reply #23 on:** September 26, 2011, 07:07:52 PM »

wow it looks great, how about a youtube video?

hapakev · « **Reply #24 on:** September 27, 2011, 08:02:19 AM »

Awesome! The seat looks great, actaully the whole bike does. What shop did the upholstery and what'd it cost, if you dont mind saying?

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Author Topic: 1978 cb750 Espresso (Read 13648 times)