Topic: 1978 CB750 Side Cover Emblems. Also, "Valley Green Metallic" question...

[fendersrule]

Hi all,

I'm prepping my 1978 CB750 over the winter for paint. I've decided that since I'm a green man, that this bike will be green. "Valley Green Metallic" is what I've decided to go with. I plan on doing all the prep work to my covers and tank, and just dropping it off at the local paint shop so that they can apply the base coat/ clear coat (and the decals). I take it that I should not have any problem telling them "Valley Green Metallic"? For some reason, I've read somewhere that this color can only be matched and that there isn't a paint code. If this is true, then is there anything close?

I will also need some side cover emblems. It seems that the 78 CB750 emblems are nearly impossible to find. Because I'm not a huge fan of the font (I dislike the 77 CB750 emblems also), are there any other direct-fit emblem options? They don't have to be original to the bike, but I'm looking something that will look coherent with the rest of the bike, especially the stock tank emblems.

[Geeto67]

Your painter will have no idea what valley green metallic is.

If your painter is worth his salt he will have a chip book and will let you look through it. then you can pick something close. Make sure you get the dupont code because then you can order more paint for touch up if needed. If there is a modern car color that you like that makes it easier, jeep has a lot of nice greens, as does chevrolet and ford.

best advice I can give you about the sidecovers is fill the emblem hole and get a vinyl shop to cut you a decal in the color and font you like. Then have the painter apply it and clear over it so it looks like it was painted on.

No painter I know will "accept" your prep and just spray over your work. It may cut down their prep work considerably but honestly if I were a pro painter I wouldn't warranty any paint job I didn't do the prep work on.

[fendersrule]

Thanks a ton for the response!

I'm definitely against filling holes unless absolutely necessary. I'd rather do it with metal since I can weld and do it right. But I really don't want to gunk up my nice side covers with fiberglass just to fill a hole. I know the 77k and 78k emblems will fit, but are there other emblems that will also drop in and fit as well? The Super Sport emblems are wider, so the holes don't match up. Some of the older CB emblems look narrow and they could work (and they are plentiful on eBay).

Looks like I'm going to have to go with a modern color. I've always liked my Shale Green Metallic Pearl on my Jeep:

http://carimages1.everycarlisted.com/images/jeep-liberty-bedford-oh_42464_3W578101_4.jpg

[Geeto67]

did a quick google search and found a supplier for CT70 resto guys that stocks valley green metallic paint. Might be worth a look.

http://www.ct70paint.com/valley-green-metallic.html

[fendersrule]

Very nice find. I think I'll pick up the base + clear combo from them.

The question still remains about the emblems. What CB750 emblems would fit the 77-78 side covers?

I have one of these, but the poles are too wide (though I love the font styling more than the stock 78k):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-NOS-CB750-Side-Cover-Emblem-Set-750-CB750F-75-77-87127-392-000-/221169140117?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item337eb54195&vxp=mtr

This would be interesting...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB-CB750-Custom-750-CB750C-New-Original-Side-Cover-Emblem-1980-1982-NOS-/251206435778?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a7d1203c2&vxp=mtr


This would look good I think:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-1970-Honda-CB750-CB-750-Original-Side-Cover-Emblem-Set-/230905570940?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35c30b667c&vxp=mtr

[Stev-o]

You could make any of them "fit".  The Custom was a DOHC, I would avoid it.

[fendersrule]

I'm looking for a straight fit, no gluing or any other funky modifications.

Yea Geeto67, some shops do not accept other prep work. However, there are 75 shops around my area, so finding one that will should not be difficult.

Any shop that says "no" will be there loss, financially and quality-wise. I'm not asking for a warrantee either. I'm confident in my work, and it's probably better than what you'd find at most any other body shop. I've done it all (ok, so maybe I haven't straightened a frame yet), and anything that gets prepped by me deserves to be in a showroom. I have no problem making that statement, and can easily walk the walk. Just bringing a few examples of my work should help if needed.