Topic: 78 CB750F "Modular-ish" cafe build?

[madScientist]

The carbs are back on the bike after setting the floats to 17mm. The #2 was a little off but not enough that it should have caused the dribbling.

I found out through a discussion with Seth (big thanks for all your help) that the floats on this rack have a tendency to sometimes "hang". The dribbling could have been caused by this. That along with the petcock not shutting off properly is likely what screwed me.

I know I owe you guys some pictures but the bike is apart right now awaiting the new petcock. Hopefully I'll get that today or tomorrow and can get the ol' girl back together and snap some shots.

On an unrelated note I was looking at the brake setup and started thinking about upgrading. It was shortly after I started thinking that i purchased a rear caliper and bracket from an 82 cb900f. That will put the rear on a twin 30mm piston caliper and should bolt right up.

I'm hunting down front duals. I've got a bead on a set from a GL1100 (82) but they dont have the mounting brackets. From what I've been finding people are pretty proud of those brackets.

Anyways I'll keep you posted on what happens. I'll toss the current rear setup in the pile of 'sell'.

[madScientist]

My goodness my self control is terrible...

Work has been a little slow for me today so I've done some research and a LOT of cross referencing parts. I did a search through partzilla for the 900F parts diagrams. Nabbed the part numbers from the calipers and brackets for the front. Then checked to see the fitment of for all the parts and the common bikes they fit to.

Found that they 1985 VT1100C had the same brackets and dual calipers as the 82 900F. I then found a pretty nice looking, functioning set on fleabay complete with brackets for around $60. For that price I'm willing to give it a try. If not I have a buddy who could probably use them.

Will keep you all posted on the journey!

[madScientist]

I got the rear caliper in the mail yesterday, fuel petcock today (doesn't leak!), and the front calipers arrive tomorrow.

The rear caliper was a little rougher than I thought so I think i'm going to take my time with it. Have it powder coated and rebuild it with new pistons. I'm real happy to see that pistons for these dualies are readily available and pretty cheap at $15/pc.

The fronts looked pretty good in the photos but we'll see. I'll document the mock up and install. I'll have to add the new brake pistons and calipers to my selling thread.


On a side note...have I ever mentioned how much i LOVE this website and how much it's bailed my a$$ out tonight?

There I was, putting in the new clutch...got it all in. Was tightening down the bolts on the lifter plate and like a COMPLETE newb I didn't rotate the tightening sequence on the bolts. On the last one I heard "snap" and then this...



A HUGE thank you to Steve-O who's going to trade me a lifter plate for some other parts I was hocking. I thought for sure I was hosed...

[Sixgunsrattlesnake]

I got the rear caliper in the mail yesterday, fuel petcock today (doesn't leak!), and the front calipers arrive tomorrow.

The rear caliper was a little rougher than I thought so I think i'm going to take my time with it. Have it powder coated and rebuild it with new pistons. I'm real happy to see that pistons for these dualies are readily available and pretty cheap at $15/pc.

The fronts looked pretty good in the photos but we'll see. I'll document the mock up and install. I'll have to add the new brake pistons and calipers to my selling thread.


On a side note...have I ever mentioned how much i LOVE this website and how much it's bailed my a$$ out tonight?

There I was, putting in the new clutch...got it all in. Was tightening down the bolts on the lifter plate and like a COMPLETE newb I didn't rotate the tightening sequence on the bolts. On the last one I heard "snap" and then this...



A HUGE thank you to Steve-O who's going to trade me a lifter plate for some other parts I was hocking. I thought for sure I was hosed...


I wonder if anyone HASN'T done this

[madScientist]

That might explain why those suckers are somewhat hard to come by. I dont want to have to buy a whole darn clutch just for that one part!

I got the dual calipers mounted on the front last night. I didn't have time to get them bled out though. I might try to get a crack at that tonight. The VT1100C mounts worked flawlessly!

I'm on the fence about powdercoating them this winter. They currently have a rubberized coating on them that is still in good shape. Think i might just leave them. We'll see though.






Sorry the pictures kind of suck...

[Sixgunsrattlesnake]

what all did you do to mount that setup?

[madScientist]

Bolted it up. The 85 VT1100C calipers and mounts were the same as the 82 CB900F calipers and mounts.

I did have to flip the brake lines around to where the slight bend is on the caliper. I had them where the slight bend was at the splitter. Also, bleed them at the banjo prior to the bleeder valve. Gets you closer faster.

The ones I got off ebay where in surprisingly good condition and for considerably less money than I could find the 900F ones for. I'll attach a sheet that has the part numbers and cross referenced models for them.

A word to the wise...the calipers seem more available than the mounting brackets. For some reason folks are pretty proud of those brackets. I personally think they should only be $10 or so but the average seemed to be $20/pc. That said, when hunting for these guys, make sure you get the mounting brackets with them!

[madScientist]

I'm trying to get a good idea of how that APE clutch is supposed to go in on the 750F. I was looking at it last night and the stack height seems much too high.

I've done some reading this morning and it would seem you have to ditch the double plate and then run all the plates in the APE kit?

I currently have it set at

F D F M F M F M F M F M F M F

Leaving one steel plate and fiber plate out. However the stack still seems a tad high.

I plan on dinking arond with that this weekend so it's all set and ready for the lifter plate when it gets here. 

[brandEn]

If "D" means the double plate that should go more towards the center. Check out the parts fiche for the detailed breakdown.  As for the APE clutch tweakin could set ya straight. He has installed two in both his F bikes.

[volthause]

This morning I was awoken by the smell of gas wafting through my house. The bike is living in an attached garage and when I went out to check on things I was met with the site of probably 2 gallons of that gas on the floor 

Same thing happened to me the other night. Mine was less than 2 gallons, but my pepcock was dribbilng in the off position, and my number 1 and 3 carb floats were hung, or the needle valve was stuck open a bit.

The build is looking awesome!

[madScientist]

Branden -

Yeah D is the double. I got the pattern from another thread. I originally had it in the center. I think I'll send Tweakin a PM and see if I can get his setups...since we know those work :-D

I figure if it works on that wild 915 it's gotta work on the 836.

Volthause --

Thanks! I've been eyeing your build quite a bit. I've never restored or built a bike before and now that I've done this one I think I'm hooked. I'm kicking around making an attempt at your brat / cafe style. I have a 75 GL1000 that will likely be the next build...just not sure if i want to bob, cafe, or brat/cafe it.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Bolted it up. The 85 VT1100C calipers and mounts were the same as the 82 CB900F calipers and mounts.

I did have to flip the brake lines around to where the slight bend is on the caliper. I had them where the slight bend was at the splitter. Also, bleed them at the banjo prior to the bleeder valve. Gets you closer faster.

The ones I got off ebay where in surprisingly good condition and for considerably less money than I could find the 900F ones for. I'll attach a sheet that has the part numbers and cross referenced models for them.

A word to the wise...the calipers seem more available than the mounting brackets. For some reason folks are pretty proud of those brackets. I personally think they should only be $10 or so but the average seemed to be $20/pc. That said, when hunting for these guys, make sure you get the mounting brackets with them!

MADSCIENTIST:

Just trying to make sure I have this right.  The VT100C calipers and mounts match directly to 75-77 GL1000 fork legs??

[madScientist]

Bolted it up. The 85 VT1100C calipers and mounts were the same as the 82 CB900F calipers and mounts.

I did have to flip the brake lines around to where the slight bend is on the caliper. I had them where the slight bend was at the splitter. Also, bleed them at the banjo prior to the bleeder valve. Gets you closer faster.

The ones I got off ebay where in surprisingly good condition and for considerably less money than I could find the 900F ones for. I'll attach a sheet that has the part numbers and cross referenced models for them.

A word to the wise...the calipers seem more available than the mounting brackets. For some reason folks are pretty proud of those brackets. I personally think they should only be $10 or so but the average seemed to be $20/pc. That said, when hunting for these guys, make sure you get the mounting brackets with them!

MADSCIENTIST:

Just trying to make sure I have this right.  The VT100C calipers and mounts match directly to 75-77 GL1000 fork legs??

No sorry. I'm running the 750F forks currently and they bolted right up to those. I doubt they will fit on GL1000 legs.

I'll run numbers this weekend or early next week and post what I find on mounting to GL1000 legs. However I think brackets would need to be made for those.

Sorry for the confusion. I was stating that my next build would likely be on a GL1000.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Bolted it up. The 85 VT1100C calipers and mounts were the same as the 82 CB900F calipers and mounts.

I did have to flip the brake lines around to where the slight bend is on the caliper. I had them where the slight bend was at the splitter. Also, bleed them at the banjo prior to the bleeder valve. Gets you closer faster.

The ones I got off ebay where in surprisingly good condition and for considerably less money than I could find the 900F ones for. I'll attach a sheet that has the part numbers and cross referenced models for them.

A word to the wise...the calipers seem more available than the mounting brackets. For some reason folks are pretty proud of those brackets. I personally think they should only be $10 or so but the average seemed to be $20/pc. That said, when hunting for these guys, make sure you get the mounting brackets with them!

MADSCIENTIST:

Just trying to make sure I have this right.  The VT100C calipers and mounts match directly to 75-77 GL1000 fork legs??

No sorry. I'm running the 750F forks currently and they bolted right up to those. I doubt they will fit on GL1000 legs.

I'll run numbers this weekend or early next week and post what I find on mounting to GL1000 legs. However I think brackets would need to be made for those.

Sorry for the confusion. I was stating that my next build would likely be on a GL1000.

No worries.  I was trying to see if there was yet another bolt on upgrade for my GL1000 forks, since your last picture (before your new brakes) appeared to be a GL1000 front. 

Looking good!!

[madScientist]

Thanks! I have a 76 GL1000. However it's at my parents house. I'm going to measure the mount points on it when i get a chance and see if these brackets will work on it.

I also intend to root around in part numbers and see what matches in terms of forks and brackets. I would think it would be possible to run similar legs with the 1000 forks. As long as dimensions are proper.

Might be awhile before I tackle that though. It will be thoroughly documented since I dont think something like that has been looked at before.

Otherwise I could probably make billet brackets to fit the GL1000 legs for the twin piston rotors. All stuff to chew on while I ride it in it's current get up.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

That sounds like it will be a great resource once you have your measurement research. Looking forward to seeing it.

[madScientist]

Still haven't put the clutch in. I'm waiting on a new nut, the socket, and the tabbed retainer.

However I had to roll it out to work on some other things in the garage so I took the opportunity to shoot some photos.

I'm admittedly not as good a photographer as Branden, Tweakin, and a lot of others but i think they still look good...

[sethdhawkins]

Looks phenomenal, Chase.

[MOONDOGNYC]

Betcha' can't wait to get that seat on !   
Hey, is that a Harbor Freight rear stand ? If it is, get rid of it. I had the same one bend on me.

[tweakin]

Looks great!  I love blue bikes...  not sure why I have never built one.

[Retro Rocket]

Looks great!  I love blue bikes...  not sure why I have never built one.

Still plenty of time mate...

Bike looks great....

[tweakin]

Looks great!  I love blue bikes...  not sure why I have never built one.

Still plenty of time mate...

Bike looks great....

Just bought a blue dirtbike.

[madScientist]

Thanks guys! I cant wait to get it out on the road to see what she's capable of...after break-in of course. Now if the USPS could just hurry the hell up...

Tweakin-- What dirt bike you get and is it going to have another build thread for me to follow 

Moon -- Yeah riding on the cowel is probably going to get old real fast. I'm hoping to have a seat pan ready and dropped off at the upholsterer Thursday or Friday. Until then then...cowel riding it is.

It's a T-Rex stand. Seems to be pretty well made but I'm kind of kicking myself for not spending the extra $50 on a Pitbull. Oh well...maybe towards the end of the summer.

[sethdhawkins]

Get you some yoga mat in the interim and a lil' double sided sticky tape...voila, no more penitentiary butt

[madScientist]

Thats awesome! I'm totally doing that.