Topic: '76 CB750K Project #3 - Long and Low - Final thoughts and pics

[Stoli]

Finally cleaned up the engine. Now the fun starts...

[Stoli]

[Stoli]

Carbs are done. No leftover parts! Took longer than I thought. They were in pretty bad shape. Hopefully I got all the passages clean.



Here are some before and after pics:




At first I polished the tops and bowls to a mirror finish but it wasn't the look I wanted. I don't want this bike to look too shiny, so I dulled them a bit to bring out some of that patina that builds up over the years. The velocity stacks stand out a bit more but I'll go with this for now and change it later if I don't like the looks of them on the bike. 

[Stoli]

The good news is that I made a seat cushion. The bad news is that I don't like it very much. I'm hoping it is just because the seat pan that it is sitting in isn't finished yet and it makes it look awkward. It is my first attempt at pleats (or whatever you call them). My hats off to the upholsterers who make this look easy. The vinyl is an ostrich texture. That might have something to do with it. Too shiny for this bike? I won't be able to tell until after I paint the seat pan.

Fiberglass bottom plate that sits pefectly in the saddle:


Two layers from a yoga mat that I hope my wife won't miss:


Finished product:

[BPellerine]

no need to worry it looks great!bill

[Coyote13]

Once you get the pan finished that's gonna look reaaaaaaaal niiiiiiice.  Has a bit of a WrenchMonkees stance from the side, and I dig it!

[Stoli]

Thanks guys. I almost threw my wife's sewing machine out the window when I was making it so I hope it works.

I worked on the pipes this afternoon. I am more optimistic on that front. The headers are from a 78K. The mufflers were all rusted out so I cut them off and added a small length of stainless pipe that fit perfectly over the old headers. Slash cut the ends. The headers are still pretty rough so I plan on wrapping them to just aft of the foot pegs and leaving about 9-10" of the stainless exposed. I think it will work OK. I have some baffles for them which hopefully will make it easier to tune the carbs.

[Stoli]

Forgot to mention that I did have to tweak #2 and #3 headers a bit to get them to line up right. Lots of heat and a nudge or two and they seem to have the right lines.

[Stoli]

Once you get the pan finished that's gonna look reaaaaaaaal niiiiiiice.  Has a bit of a WrenchMonkees stance from the side, and I dig it!

I must admit that WrenchMonkees rebuilt an old sportster that caught my eye and has certainly influenced the direction of this project. Glad you noticed. I guess that means that I am close to what I envisioned when I started. Albeit a v-twin and an inline 4 are sort of apples and oranges.

[Retro Rocket]

Unless you run struts on the back you are going to have trouble with the rear tire hitting the guard. Have you used those tires before..?  more show than go....{and thats putting it mildly}

[Stoli]

Unless you run struts on the back you are going to have trouble with the rear tire hitting the guard. Have you used those tires before..?  more show than go....{and thats putting it mildly}

The oil tank can be moved forward a bit and the fender trimmed if needed. If I wanted more go than show, I'd ride a new BMW. Thanks for your concern though.

[Stoli]

Time to run some wires.



No big headlight bucket on this bike to hide the nest, so will make most of the connections under the tank.

[brandEn]

I do not envy you right now, I hate wiring.
 
Have fun!

[Stoli]

The battery, regulator/rectifier, fuses and headlight relay fit nicely under the seat.

[brandEn]

WOW thats slick!!!!!! This project looks really good. I have been missing out.

[Stoli]

I do not envy you right now, I hate wiring.
 
Have fun!

   I don't mind it when I have a plan and the flow starts making sense. It's getting started that is a bit painful. It's amazing how many wires there are on such a simple bike. Seems like half the wires are for the directionals.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The battery, regulator/rectifier, fuses and headlight relay fit nicely under the seat.

Very tidy and very practical with the ventilation.

[Stoli]

Thanks. It's coming together pretty good. The new battery tray as well as the seat both mount up using existing holes (old battery box mounts) with no fancy mods. I'll get some pics up in the near future, but basically you pop the seat cushion off to reveal 2 screws that hold the seat/fender in place. (The seat pan sits on 4 rubber blocks) The battery tray is held down by a single screw (also using the old battery box mount) and is kept from sliding  by the same 2 screws that hold down the seat.

[iron_worker]

That electrical tray is slick!

IW

[Stoli]

I hate brakes! I don't know why they are so difficult for me. Seems like a simple task. Get all the air out of the lines and your done. Well, I have a Mightyvac and a Speedbleeder and it is still pure f$%king hell to me. After a few hours trying different things, I wound up disconnecting everything from the bike, holding the caliper over my head and was able to get the air out of the line. Why is it so f$%king difficult? Anyways, front brakes are done.

[Stoli]

Now, electricity, that is a different story. Love the electrons...

Modified the PAMCO so I only need to run one group of 3 wires up to the coils. It would be nice if they had this option. I wouldn't mind paying a little more if that was the case. It would also be nice if they gave you more than 2 feet of wire. It's barely enough to get to the coils - unless you run them straight up the side of the engine

[Stoli]

The 76K finally emerges from the basement workshop. Ready to experience a new life on the road.










My improved basement extactor worked well. A one man operation. Not bad for a $50 Harbor Freight winch and a motorcycle battery.

[BPellerine]

is it ready to fire up?bill

[MoMo]

That extractor is awesome, brilliant bit of good ole Yankee engineering you did...Larry

[brandEn]

Nice work!