Topic: CB750 K4 Build - The Cafe Tracer

[Tsunami]

That is sweet, nice and clean, I'm sure your proud and well deserved. It is a contender!

[budman]

That is sweet, nice and clean, I'm sure your proud and well deserved. It is a contender!

Thanks.  Working out the bugs.  Just got the new fork seal installed and did some adjustments.  About to attempt 50 miles on it.

[budman]

Ok.  I got my 50 miles in today.  I didn't stray more than about 10 miles from home.  I kept close so I could return to the house and make adjustments as necessary.  Nothing broke or fell off.  I'm getting used to the ride.  It's moderately stiff, but still way smoother than my rigid bobber.

The engine runs pretty good.  When the bike is in neutral it has great throttle response, but when I put it in gear I'm getting some hesitation when taking off, probably around 1500-2000 rpm.  I have to get the rpm's up for a smooth take off.  Same thing when cruising at slower speeds and I give it a bit more throttle.  I'm having a bit of a struggle trying to dial in the lower rpm range.  What might cause that?  I'm pretty sure it's carb related.  I think it may be running a bit rich too.

[palepainter]

Mine loves the 4k and higher range.  It really runs nice in that area.  I am still having charging issues.   I had to chuckle a bit when you mention that the CB is a bit smoother of a ride than the hardtail HD.    

[budman]

Mine loves the 4k and higher range.  It really runs nice in that area.  I am still having charging issues.   I had to chuckle a bit when you mention that the CB is a bit smoother of a ride than the hardtail HD.   

Yeah the CB engine smooths fine out at higher rpm's.

The roads around here are horrible.  I've gotten really good at whipping around potholes and lousy asphalt patches on the rigid, but sometimes it's like riding a bucking bronco.  It's not so bad on the CB.

[budman]

I rode my rigid bobber today for the first time since I got the Tracer rideable and been riding it all week.  While I wasn't looking someone snuck into my shop and lowered the seat on the bobber, moved the foot boards way forward, raised the shifter lever, raised the handlebars, increased the low end torque and put better brakes on it.  Weird thing is I can't find evidence of tampering.

[budman]

There's only one freebie clutch lifter plate left.  Who's going to get it?

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,164760.25.html

[palepainter]

Ill snag it for this next project.

[budman]

All the freebie clutch lifter plates are taken.  If all goes according to plan I'll have five for sale in a couple of weeks.  If it looks like there's a market I'll have more made.

[kmb69]

First ride today.  Just did five miles on her.  The biggest thing I noticed right away was that she's totally unlike my other bike.  Who would have thunk. All in all I'm pretty happy.  I still need to do some tuning, but she seems like she's pretty close.  Gotta get it insured, inspected and registered before I can do any serious breaking in.

The pictures are awesome but they do not do this bike justice. I had the pleasure of seeing this bike live and in person today and all I can say is wow! Mr. Budman is an artist - a real craftsman. Attention to detail is second to none. Very clean, very unique, and very finished.

Just discovered that Budman is a neighbor and only lives a block and a half from me. He came by for a visit today and I was truly blown away at the level of detail he has applied to this ride.

Too kool!

[budman]

The pictures are awesome but they do not do this bike justice. I had the pleasure of seeing this bike live and in person today and all I can say is wow! Mr. Budman is an artist - a real craftsman. Attention to detail is second to none. Very clean, very unique, and very finished.

Just discovered that Budman is a neighbor and only lives a block and a half from me. He came by for a visit today and I was truly blown away at the level of detail he has applied to this ride.

Too kool!

Thanks, Keith and thanks for letting me come by today.  Your shop and your collection are incredible.  I couldn't take it all in.  Awesomeness everywhere I looked.  I'm going to be talking about it for days.  Sure hope I get another invite.

[kmb69]

Bud, You are welcome anytime. We are usually out in the shop every day of the week.

Again, your bike is really sanitary - awesome! Really deserves BOTM.

[budman]

I spent most of yesterday dealing with carb issues, but I think it's all fixed.  Got a good ride in today.  The Tracer ran great.  Took some photos while I was out.

[WesTenRacing]

Nice! Checking out those pallets for your next tail faring?

[budman]

Nice! Checking out those pallets for your next tail faring?

I thought the pallets made for an interesting contrast.  I've had my eye on them for a while, but for a different, non-motorcycle project.

[budman]

I've decided to sell the five remaining billet clutch lifter plates I have on hand.  Details are in my thread in the "Free Stuff" section.

[budman]

Ok, so it's not motorcycle related, but this is my newest acquisition.  A 1978 Engelhardt C1.  I picked it up at the Dallas Guitar Festival on Saturday.  Lovin' it.

[budman]

I have no luck when it comes to speedometers.  I've installed at least five on my bobber...the electronic type.  They only last about 10,000 miles if I'm lucky.

Now the light on the aftermarket speedo I installed on the CB750 doesn't work.  Fuse is good.  Tested the wiring.  I've got plenty of juice up to the connectors.  No continuity through the light circuit at the speedo itself.  Not sure I would get much of a reading anyway.  Probably has a tiny LED in it.  The speedo appears to be sealed up tight.  I don't think I can change the light(bulb).

I guess I'm not supposed to know how fast I'm going, at least in the dark.

[budman]

I just spent this 4th of July morning replacing the 46T sprocket with a 48T.  When I built the bike I installed a 17T front sprocket.  I was being conservative with the rear sprocket, I guess.  I was aiming for a little more torque, but I think I was too close to the factory ratio.  There's a noticeable difference now with the 17/48 setup.  Took a test ride down to AutoZone and found a replacement bulb for the speedo.  There was a noticeable difference in the bike's performance.

Speedo light sorted.

Just over 400 miles on the bike now.  Almost ready for the first oil change.  I was hoping I would have a lot more miles on her by now.  Gonna have to step it up, before I take her to Colorado next month.

[Dracon]

This is a beautiful bike! I've been searching for info from people who have actually used the cognito moto air box on a cb750 and you are the only person I can find. Can you give any opinion on it and if you had trouble with dead spots, rejetting, or any of the other problems people always swear this will cause?

Thanks!

[budman]

Thanks.  I'm probably not a good reference because this is the only CB750 I've ever ridden and I can't make a good baseline comparison.  I can only tell you about my experience.

I will say the Cognito Moto airbox is a beautiful piece.  I contacted them and got some dimensions because I knew I would have clearance issues.  I welded my key switch housing into the upper corner of the frame in front of the oil tank.  I knew I wasn't going to run a stock airbox, but didn't do a full engine mock up installed in the frame prior to all the paint work.  What I got from CM was a 750 airbox with a shorter 550 element and screen.  I still had clearance issues so I had a buddy mill down the mounting/flange plate, then I had both plates powder coated gloss black.  The matte black anodized finish didn't match the bike.

As far as performance goes, I had bought a jet kit that didn't work out so well and I had a mismatched #2 carb body.  Once I got the right carb body I installed 110 jets and the bike was running fine.  I bumped the jets up to 115s out of curiosity, but was getting too much gas.  I reinstalled the 110 jets and I'm going to leave it at that.  I don't know about any dead spots.  The bike has quick throttle response and now that I've got a 48 tooth rear sprocket it pulls better.

[budman]

Out racking up some miles today.  Rather warm day.

[Stev-o]

Looks great, Bud.  Wild mural, where is "Arland"?

[budman]

Looks great, Bud.  Wild mural, where is "Arland"?

Missing a couple of letters.

[MauiK3]

Stunning bike, lots of skill to create something like that.
My little resto is pretty much "make it like it was built" with a few aesthetic changes to make it like my K0 back in the day.
Steve