Topic: Cautiously Optimistic

[B-Max]

Hello, first, forgive the long-winded biography, I get the feeling if we ask around this story will have been told before, but here goes.

I have owned several late model motorcylces throughout the years from various manufacturers in this order 1989 kawasaki Ninja 600, 1992 Honda CBR600 F2, 1994 Honda CBR900RR, 1995 Honda CBR900RR, and a 1995 HD Fat Boy (I bought it used when I figured I was getting too old to do wheelies every time I went somewhere  . The wife and I were having a blast, thenn came the children......which required a bigger house, in a better neighborhood, and selling the last toy to achieve these family values-The Fat Boy.

When my son was 4 he learned to ride his bike without training wheels and I lobbied to get him a used Honda CRF 50 for his 5th birthday -SUCCESS. After learning to ride it, it was only a matter of weeks until he said to me "daddy, I want someone to ride with" -The plan is coming together. I then found a used Honda XR250 for peanuts and again sold the idea to the higher powers (on a side note, the wife really took a liking to the 250 and we wound up picking up a used XR400 for me).

I know by now some of you are asking what on earth this has to do with SOHC4? Well, a new street bike was not in the budget or in the best interest of the family so I never even considered the possibility, but I have this neighbor (here's where it starts getting good 

An elederly gentleman who I help occasionally around the house to move things, shovel snow off his driveway etc. He picked up a 1977 CB750F with 5700 original miles, he had aspirations of learning to ride in his retirement. He new I was a bike guy and quickly showed it to me. I was enamored with this thing and agreed to help him learn to ride (and secretly hoped this eye sore would end up in my garage.

As fate would have it, his wife and children were not thrilled with the idea of him taking to two wheels this late in the game and he was receptive to that, and made me a deal I couldn't refuse about 2 weeks ago. I can see the potential in this machine and have already been taking all the aftermaret crap off and building a OEM parts wish list -WHOA the prices and sourcing are staggering.

To make a long story a bit longer, I've been googling this bike like there is no tomorrow and have come across this forum many, many times in the past couple weeks. It's by far the most interesting reading I have come across, so here I am. I can't wait to get started on this 750 and share my excitement and frustration with some of the members here.

Until then, take care all

B-

[madmtnmotors]

Welcome aboard! Make it run and ride it! The fuel system will be the weak link since with only 5700 miles it has sat for some time without running.

Clean entire fuel system (don't overlook the in-tank filter screen at the petcock), especially the carbs
Change the oil
New battery
3000 mile service (per the manual: http://www.sohc4.net/?page_id=133)
Ride!

[B-Max]

Thanks for the welcome and tips, I’ll need them in the coming days. I’m laughing because you either know your stuff or you’ve been spying on me.  On day one the bike would not start, I narrowed it down to fuel, so I was attempting to drained the carb bowls and noticed that nothing came out. I removed the petcock and the screen is missing, and what looks like the rubber gasket had disintegrated and was plugging the fuel passage. Cleaned that out and put it back together , and it started immediately. I rode it around the block twice and felt something cold and wet on my leg. I wish it was from the joy of riding, but it was gas, the fuel line was dry rotted and split, and was pouring gas everywhere.  I replaced the fuel line to the carbs and test rode again with no leaks.  I will definitely have a look at the 3000 mile T/U.
Thanks again

[MCRider]

Welcome, looks like you've got a good one.

I've mentioned in several threads but before your time, the true problem with our CBs at this point in the game, is not wear from mileage, but "wear" from age. All the rubber bits will be hardened to stone, outside obviously, but in the engine as well. The cables will be corroded internally from condensation and lack of use. The electrcical connectors will als be corroded from age.

As you've already discovered with your fuel lines, your tires will be just as hard... and DANGEROUS, if over 6 years old. They outgas their goo that makes them soft and that sticks the plies together. So even if the tread looks wonderful, they are subject to catastrophic failure if used. If over 10 years old, they may be so hard you'll have to cut them off with a reciprocating saw.

Good news is, its running. When you get a chance, get a gasket and pull the oil pan. There will be a screen oon the oil pump. Black rubber debris there will tell you if the inside chain rollers are coming apart or not.  Tune her up and stay alert to other failures. You'll be fine and drawing crowds.

[B-Max]

Thanks MC, I understand anything 34 years old is going to need some TLC, heck I'm only 40 something and have had my share of parts needing repaired / replaced. I'll start a post in a more appropriate section when I start tearing it down, my dream is to restore to factory specs, but the almighty dollar may prevent that, at least for now. It'll be fun having the kids help out too. The cold weather is approaching here in the buckeye state, so I won't feel too bad about starting the tear down / exploration process very soon.

B-

[MCRider]

Thanks MC, I understand anything 34 years old is going to need some TLC, heck I'm only 40 something and have had my share of parts needing repaired / replaced. I'll start a post in a more appropriate section when I start tearing it down, my dream is to restore to factory specs, but the almighty dollar may prevent that, at least for now. It'll be fun having the kids help out too. The cold weather is approaching here in the buckeye state, so I won't feel too bad about starting the tear down / exploration process very soon.

B-

A nice winter time project is the swingarm pivot. Very often these go dry, and seize. The arm still moves up and down, but with a great deal of reisitance which is felt in a poor handling bike. Otherwise, you may not know there is a problem. If the bushings are seized, the bushing begins to turn in the swingarm tube, which is an area it was never meant to move.

Anyway, Forum member HondaMan offers a reasonable service for repairing this with custom made bushings and lifetime guarantee. You can do it yourself, but difficult to acheive the same result, but if you have the time to ship your arm to HM, its worth it, IMO.

While its off, you could service the steering head bearings. That's a DIY project that doesn't require machining and the end result is as good as any.