Topic: 1978 CB 750 F Cafe Project R.L.H.

[flaherty500]

Hahahaha I didn't realize the Fire hydrant was in the picture.

My wife is, a combat medic, para medic and fire fighter, and you should see some of the stuff she brings home.

I have not heard back from Carpy, I'm giving him some time.

I guess plan B is to take the original tank and modify it to look cool. My new welder friend is on board to help with what ever needs to happen. All it takes is money... Of course, It's a good feeling when I have these minor to major set backs to have some one with skills. Craig has forgotten more about welding in the last 10 minutes than I will ever know 

[srook]

The real Dunstall tanks did not cover the frame tubes at the rear, why would you expect a repro to cover them?  That is how the tank sits.  Look at Carpy's bikes on his site they sit the same way.  I don't mean to sound rude but I don't think this is a Carpy problem.  Your expectations didn't meet the product, but were your expectations realistic?

From the Dunstall Catalog circa 1974


Another Dunstall Honda from circa 1973


In both pics you can see the rear of the tank sits on top of the frame rails.  Carpy's tank sits the same way.
Scott

[flaherty500]

Scott, clearly you know something about the history of Dunstall tanks and you wanted to let me in on that information.

It's not like I didn't ask for information.

It has been my experience that starting a new hobby requires a fairly thick skin.

[traveler]

Matt.....who are you finding that rebuilds SOHC4 engines?

~Joe

[flaherty500]

Joe,

My guy is a bit of a crazy old motorcycle mechanic. I'm thinking I should have a rebuilt engine in a few weeks. I'm looking forward to posting pictures.

As soon as I get it the first thing I'm going to do is modify it and then #$%* about how it won't fit 

I'll keep you posted.

[flaherty500]

Hey Y'all,

So, I'm going to be posting this a few other places so if you read it twice I'll apologise in advance.

I talked with another board member who...

1. Lives in the same comunity as I do.
2. Has the same tank I do.
3. Was cool enough to let me compare the two.

Thanks again Tom, your bike is going to be great!

I could tell right away that the ears were not the same, the tank on the left is mine.



Here is a close up of mine...


Here is a close up of Tom's...


Now I shouldn't have to say this, again, but I have not altered the tank in any way. Likewise, Tom's tank is also unaltered.

As many of you have pointed out... I don't know how to mount this tank. This is, in fact, the first Dunstall tank that I have mounted to a CB750 (clearly I was gone that day in shop some 22 years ago)

The ass end of both tanks sits up high, I was wrong to think this was as big of an issue as I did. Here is Toms tank mounted.


I'm going to go ahead and send it back to Carpy. He is genuinely interested in customer satisfaction and I know we will get this worked out soon.

Later

[flaherty500]

Hey Y'all,

Lots of good stuff going on with my bike in the last few weeks. I have been up to my neck in guitar projects but I press on with the RLH too. My project has hit a few road-blocks and will, no doubt, hit a few more before it's all said and done. My tank situation with Carpy worked out about as well as could be expected. He is a stand up guy, he did not seem interested in sending me another tank but he did send me my money back. I moved forward with Plan "B" and modified the existing 78F tank.



I think it turned out pretty nice, here is another pick with the seat...


I also picked up the engine...



I still have a long way to go. I'm trying to figure out the oil tank, do I... use the original or retro-fit another? I was thinking about mounting one of the chopper style units with the battery compartment. Either way I don't want to remove the tabs for the original until I decide.

[lucky]

Since I am planning on rebuilding the engine it has to come out. Robert and I discovered that it was far easier to lay the bike on its side and remove the frame by wiggling it off of the engine.

I did learn a few things about my project bike during the disassembly process. I was told  that my carburetors were from a 1975 engine, it turns out that the entire engine is from a 75. I also do not believe that the carbs were cleaned by the guys at my local shop. Even though they said they had been.Lots of crud and crap still in the unit and there is no way they were off the intake boots in the last several years as they were so hard and stubborn I broke two broom stick trying to get them off.

Who is rebuilding the engine?

[lucky]

Looks like the "crazy old guy" built you a nice looking engine.

I hope it included new cam chain guide rollers.
You know those 33 year old rollers would just come all apart.

There seems to be hundreds of the CB750's out there with only about 20,000 miles on them, but they all need to be stripped down to the frame and treated for corrosion, and repainted or powder coated,engines completely rebuilt and carbs completely rebuilt.

[hapakev]

Its not so bad having an older engine, they are much easier to get parts for.  Project's looking good man.