Topic: Another project bike, '78 CB750F

[capnspif]

With all the project bike postings I thought I'd throw mine out there. This started out 2 1/2 years ago as a '78 750F in really bad shape with a junk motor, picked up for $100. Progress has been slow as time allows but the front/rear is basically sorted out. Front is the Honda '96 900RR with 17" wheel from a 600F3, rear is '96 600F3. There is still a mountain of work to be done but the plan is to finish up a few more parts to fabricate and then tear down for powder coat and paint. I'm still undecided on re-wiring or salvaging the original harness, cafe style seat, plus a hundred other details. The original motor was toast but I found a decent, low mileage '74 motor. Anyway, hopefully it will be done in time for next summer. 

Mike

[canyon750]

That's a great start to your project!  I wish I had the time and $$$$$ to make mine as clean as yours is becoming!  Keep up the great work!

[maksuttt]

Looks great. Did you modify frame to instal rear end?

[nuke]

whats involved in installing that front end on? staright bolt on ro major mods...I love the look of that beefy front wheel. keep the board posted. nice
nuke

[capnspif]

Thanks Canyon, I wish I had the time and $$, it has been 2.5 years! 

The swingarm goes in pretty cleanly, I had to grind a few thousands off the inside of the frame to get clearance. The pivot bolt from the 750 is a couple mm smaller dia than the 600's, although the 600's is too short. I still need to find a bolt long enough at the right diameter, or get some steel rod and have it cut and threaded on the ends, then drill out the frame a mm or two. Other than that, welding on the shock mounts is the biggest PIA. The stock 600 wheel spacers work fine, tire is centered on the bike. Front sprocket offset is an issue but I'll have to get one machined up.

The front end is mostly bolt on. Do the steering stem swap, grind the steering stop down to get the right lock to lock, a little grinding on the ignition lock bracket and it's bolted up. Still left is a bracket for the gauges & brake line crossover unless I spring for braided lines. And, I need to source the necessary '93-'94 600 mechanical speedo drive and wheel bearings I guess.

Canyon, any close up pics on mounting the gauges, did you just bolt to the upper triple?

[Loudpipe]

Nice! Looks pretty badass. Can't wait to see how it comes out when she's all done!

[ktp1598]

Very nice....That's about how long it will take me. I'm going mostly stock though on my '78. More pics please!!!

[canyon750]

I had to modify my gauge cluster a little to make everything fit.  I don't think i have pics on my website but here's the link:

http://home.earthlink.net/~canyonrunr/index.html

I still have the stock swingarm but want to change it.  Let us know when you get things sorted out!

[AR-Guy]

Ok newbie question: so changing out the front fork is what gave you the ability to run the bigger front tire and rim?

If so what size tire and rim are you running?

Thanks,
buck

[canyon750]

I'm running a 17" 120 series Dunlop D207 right now.  The rear is a 17" 160 series Dunlop D220.

[AR-Guy]

Thanks canyon750. What you did/are doing is exactly what I would like to do. 

 But I am still a bit confused.    You had to change out front fork and rear swing arm to get those wheels and tires to fit correct: as they would not fit on the stock front fork and rear swing arm.

Sorry for the pestering questions but I would like to learn this stuff…

Buck

[miles nowhere]

Thats pretty much the set up im going for on my 78F. Ive been trying to figure out the swingarm swap, its good to see its not too huge an ordeal. Did you just TIG mounts on the swingarm where they were on the stock swingarm? Did you decide against mounting the mono shock from the F3 due to engineering issues or personal preference? 
-miles
..oh and thats a nice lookin bike

[canyon750]

I'm still running the stock swing arm!     Look at the pictures again, you'll see.  But this is not my thread so I don't want to take up too much space here.  We should be talking about Mike's beautiful project!!!    Mike What did you have to do to change out the swing arm on your project?  Is that sw from a CBR 900/600?

[canyon750]

One more thing!!  What about the speedometer?!?!?!  I've been running without one for a while now.  How is the CBR unit going to work on the CB?? That's what I need to know!

[AR-Guy]

... But this is not my thread so I don't want to take up too much space here.  We should be talking about Mike's beautiful project!!!    ...

Sorry folks newbie mistake (well that’s my story and I am going to stick with it...)

Mike I do love the bike and wish I had the $$$ (and knowledge) to do it now. That is how I would like my suspension to end up functioning and looking.   

But my question is Mike did you go to the new set-up “Front is the Honda '96 900RR with 17" wheel from a 600F3...” so you could fit larger wheels & tires (they look cool) or was it for performance/ handling? 

Buck

[capnspif]

Buck, It's more show than go I expect, I liked the look. There's a pic out there of Tim Shutters bike on VJMC's web site, also at http://www.inct.net/~rob_eberle/tims_other1.htm and http://vjmc.org/members/shutterst.htm. That plus Canyon's bike inspired me. I didn't think there was enough clearance for the 160 rear tire with the stock 750 swingarm so I opted for the CBR600F3 swingarm.

Miles, I made up some shock mounts and mig welded them on, would like to have had a tig welder though. The mono shock would have meant welding the frame, relocating the oil tank and battery box. I'm just not that ambitious with my engineering skills.

Canyon, the swingarm is a stock '96 cbr600F3 with tires, brakes and wheel spacers. I still have to work out the rear master cylinder since the 750 unit was rusted solid. The '93-94 cbr600 had a mechanical speedo drive and I have the drive/cable. I'm hoping the right wheel bearings/spacers from the '93 will mount right in to the '96 wheel and the cable will fit in to the cb750 speedo. We'll see, still keeping an eye on eBay. If not I may need to do one of the aftermarket electronic speedos eventually.

Thanks for all the comments. it's not too difficult a job if you have the time and patience. Lots and lots of patience. 

[canyon750]

The CBR's wheel just BARELY fits in the stock swing arm with the 160 series tire.  It actually rubbed on the chain for the first 50 miles but not anymore!!     As for the speedometer, I think you would have to change the unit to a CBR gauge.  I'm not sure but I think they have different ratios. 

I'm glad I inspired you to do the mods!  Tim's bike also got me excited about changing things on the 750.  I was able to contact him and he gave me some insight on how to get the job done.  He also sent me some updated pictures of how the bike looks now.  I'll look them up tonight and see if I can post them!  Now I know I'm not the only crazy nut bending wrenches out there!!

[superchode]

is that a VFR in the background? you have good taste.

[AR-Guy]

Ok if I was not excited before after checking out the links I dang sure am now!!!   (Canyon, yours did not link to anything)

Capnspif, I dig the look and am going to do it even if it was no real performance upgrade also.  I will for sure be looking at your bike for more ideas!

Well I pick up my bike tonight so the question   will come even faster now….

Thanks ahead of time….
Buck

[canyon750]

Give the link a minute to load.  There're a lot of pictures on there.  I just tried it and it came up no problem.  Let me know if you're still having problems and I'll check it again.

Wayne

[AR-Guy]

Buck, It's more show than go I expect, I liked the look. There's a pic out there of Tim Shutters bike on VJMC's web site, also at http://www.inct.net/~rob_eberle/tims_other1.htm and http://vjmc.org/members/shutterst.htm. That plus Canyon's bike inspired me.

Wayne, it is the one "Canyon's bike" that I do not get to link anywhere. Or now that my small brain thinks about it were you just underlining it? But the first two links: way cool bikes  and lots of ideas foe mine!!! 

Thanks,
Buck

[canyon750]

Well I didn't see that one.  But that's not my post.     If you look down furhter in the thread I posted my link in an email that I wrote!

Wayne

[capnspif]

Wayne, would love to see those new pics of Tim's bike if you can get them posted.

Thanks Superchode, that is my daily driver, '99 VFR. 50K great miles and still running strong. 

[AR-Guy]

Well I didn't see that one.  But that's not my post.     If you look down furhter in the thread I posted my link in an email that I wrote!

Wayne

Dammmm I got learn to read!!!!    Yea i saw the link there and was just saying that this one was a no pointer... oops...

Buck

r.i.f. !

[rdub3017]

Capnspif - have you looked into any other swingarms or rear wheel setups for your bike? I am just curious if there is a "best" option on swingarm/rear wheel setups as far as sprockets lining up. I like the look of putting a newer streetbike swingarm and wheel on....plus better brakes