Topic: Getting back on

[Nayl]

So, hi.  I'm new, been lurking for a few months, finally figured I'd join in and start out by asking for some very general advice.  I'm looking to get a bike for the first time in about 25 years.  I've always loved bikes, but my original love affair with them faded in my late 20s about the time that I got my first car and couldn't support two vehicles.  I had a RD400 and a 81 CB750F that were an absolute blast, and a 77 XS650 that I still  think is one of the best looking bikes ever made, even though it was slow and vibrated like a paint shaker as you approached 70.  Now I'm at a point where I have the time and the money and the space to have a bike just for fun (fun being both in the riding and the restoring), and I'm trying to decide which part of the pool to jump into.

Couple of things I've already decided - current bikes don't appeal, the modern styles are just too... styled, form doesn't seem to follow function anymore.  And the few retro bikes just don't seem real somehow, like the 2013-14 CB1100.  I've been trolling ebay and craiglist for a couple of years now gradually getting a sense of what's out there for used machines, and also getting a good feel for what pushes my buttons in terms of style and function.  Not surprisingly, I find myself gravitating to bikes built in the 70s and early 80s.  I'm also not interested in buying someone else's perfect restoration - part of the fascination is being able to work on  a machine and know I set it up right.

So, a couple of specific questions:

1.  How much $ am I looking at, generally, to take your average $1500 ebay sohc 750K or F from rough to "looks and runs like new" condition?  I've looked at a lot of the build  threads here, and you guys do some spectacular things with these bikes, some of which I suspect run into tens of thousands of dollars.  The most radical things I'm likely to get into are maybe a GL1000 front end (which seems like a reasonably cheap and good mod) and a few mild engine mods - 60 to 70 real rear wheel HP strikes me as more than enough, my memories of my dohc cb750F are that it was about as fast as I needed to go, ever.

2.  What basic tools/equipment should I consider investing in?  If I do go with a sohc 750, I will start with Hondaman's book, which I imagine will answer a lot of this, but until then, I'm interested in what this community thinks in general on this topic.  I have a Harbor Freight outlet about 15 miles away, and a fairly generous sized workspace, so I'm already considering a few items like an air compressor, soda blaster and an engine stand.  I have a fairly good collection of hand and power tools, but I don't think I'm interested in building a spray booth or learning the finer points of doing my own paint - if I can't rattle can something I'm happy to hire a pro for it.  My general skill level for other things could probably be described as medium, I do recall rebuilding my RD400's top end after blowing a hole in one of the piston crowns because my chosen solution to fouled plugs was hotter plugs (yes, I was young and very stupid).

3. F vs. K -  I've never actually ridden a sohc honda, my closest approach was the aforementioned dohc F.  I recall that bike as having huge power, and sometimes dubious handling - it had a very disturbing headshake around 100mph.  I also remember the valve adjustment being a real pita.  So I've decided to try a sohc, partly because I just like the looks better, and  partly because of the sheer volume of tech support available right here.  But I'm having a tough time deciding between K or F - the F's sound like they handle better, and I like the longer wheelbase, but then I've seem people saying dubious things about the valve trains on them.  Also, the 69-76 Ks are just classic looking, in a way the Fs aren't.  Opinions?  Warnings?

Thanks in advance for any advice, and for all the very entertaining lore I've already absorbed here.

[Stev-o]

First off, welcome from Texas.

1. A $1500 eBay bike would be a good start, expect to spend $500-$1000 to get it roadworthy (tires, brakes, full tune up).  Generally speaking, the more you invest in the purchase, the less you may have to put into it.  I look into other avenues vs eBay for buying a bike.  NY has a lot of vintage motorcycles at a very reasonable price.  Here's one I found, price is maybe a little high, but looks pretty good...

http://rochester.craigslist.org/mcy/4538060822.html

2.  Basic hand tools is all that is needed to work on these bikes, you'll use wrenches and sockets more than anything.  My air compressor just airs up the tires.  Depending on what you are working on, you may need a few specialty tools, ie torque wrench, sync gauges, impact driver. 

3.  Get the model bike that most appeals to you, I like em all!  The earliest K models are the most valuable and collectable.   Check em all out, you'll get a feeling on which is the one for you, it just happens.  Look for one in good original cond, not hacked up. 

Good luck. 

[billingstitan]

Tough call ... it depends very much on your how obsessed you get with having your bike running and looking 'perfect.' Also depends a lot on luck and patience.

If you can find a bike with good bones - mostly original parts - then you are talking about $500 to $800 to get it what I consider 'safe.'

Get a manual and do the 3,000 mile service is the advice you'll hear on here - and it's great advice.

First on my list are always:

1) Front and rear bearings
2) front & rear brakes and seal(s)
3) tires - even if they look good, if they are over 5-6 years old, replace them - you can get a set of shinkos for about $50-60 a tire
4) oil, filter; then a short change after I've run it
5) speaking of a 'short change' drop the oil pan, clean - new gasket
6) new gaskets/o-rings for each of the annoying leaks that inevitably spring up
7) new chain & sprockets (depends - but often)
new air filter
9) check the front shocks - usually need seals and fresh ATF
10) check the wheels for wobble, loose spokes
11) check your steering bearing - often okay, but too loose, or for flat spots
12) sparks plugs
13) check ignition timing - new points are pricey for these
14) Check/adjust valve clearances
15) Clean the ever-loving s**t out of your carbs - lots of good threads on here - cleaning the carbs can not be emphasized enough.
16) After a thorough cleaning - synch those puppies (after all your ignition, valves, etc. have been set)

Aaaand, I'm sure I'm missing a few things. In my experience, as you rehab them, more and more things just pop up - but I definitely nail those items (not necessarily in that order, except the final synch of the carbs always goes last) to make sure the bike itself is safe.

One other piece of advice - after you get those basics done, if the bike hasn't been run for year, then run it before dropping any more money into or wasting time chasing leaks (assuming something isn't WAY off).

I've found a lot of problem on these SOHCs that have sat - such as tiny leaks - will resolve themselves after putting a few hundred miles on the bike.

As far as tools - well, that's one of the awesome things about these old hondas - they really are designed for the garage mechanic. The biggest help I've found is a good carb synchronizer - I got a chrome one with universal attachments for about $110 shipped. Well worth the money.

Other stuff - I dunno - I'm hooked on brake cleaner for cleaning up the parts on these ... if it doesn't have the original tool kit, then you'll need to get a plug socket that thin enough to work (at least for the 550s).

A brass wire wheel is very helpful, as well as sh**load of shop towels. Otherwise, I can't think of a lot of 'specialty' tools I've needed for these ... although that said I've had bikes for a long time so I've got tools all over the place so maybe I'm missing something.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

The 75/76 CB750F has the same valve train as the K's so that is a non problem. It's the 77/78 F that wears out valve guides more quickly. That can be remedied.

The amount you spend depends on how deep you want to go. A serious high performance engine build can set you back $7000 to $8000. Would you even need to spend anything other than tune up stuff or upgrades like electronic ignition/coils/plug wires?! Probably not.

I'm one of those guys that has gone all out. I've sourced unavailable NOS parts from 9 countries over 5+ years. I've picked Honda for what I could still get. I did the engine right. WELL over $10,000 invested. That's a one time thing for my baby that I bought new.

Find a decent starting bike and you should be able to do everything that is needed for under $5000 easily. Finding that bike takes time, patience and persistence and you may have to do some driving to go get it.   

[Don R]

I seem to see a lot of decent F's in NY for sale. I own both an f and a K. the k feels a bit smaller than the F but now that I'm riding both regularly I don't notice it much. They are great bikes, the 69-76 K's have the classic look. Tell people what you are looking for, it's surprising where they come from. People are starting to tell me about ones here or there now that they know I've got a couple. (few)