Topic: New member from Colorado

[steve swan]

Hi, my name is Steve Swan.  I'm a new member from Front Range, Northern Colorado.  I'm friends with a few members i know frequent this excellent site.  I wonder if Ray Bayless is still around.  He was very helpful and did a great job recording a presentation by Bob Hansen (r.i.p.) and Bob Jameson at the 2009 AMA VMD.  My first Honda 750, my Dad (r.i.p.) purchased new at Olsen Bros, Honda-Triumph in Sioux City, Iowa, September 30, 1969.  It was stolen August 1971 and recovered a couple months later in pieces.  I briefly had a K2 Sunflake Orange 750, but sold it and bought a new 74 Commando.  Around 2000, i thought it would be really nice to have a Honda like the one i had in 1969.  Not knowing much about my old bike, i soon learned it's vin put it in the pre-7515 range and learned what the term 'sandcast' meant.  I knew it's vin because i still have the bill of sale and registration from 1969.  So, i got interested in finding one like my old 69 that was stolen and my interest took me to the point of learning as much as i could discover about the 69 models by meeting people, studying the bikes and literature.  I have two 1969 Honda 750's; one i ride and the other i don't ride.  I really enjoy riding my 750.  I'll give a go at trying to post a picture of it.  Other than the blue-green paint, seat cover and exhaust, it's otherwise original.  The rolling chassis came out of a shed in Alabama, had sat in the shed for 17 years; it still had it's key in the ignition switch.  I was really surprised and happy it cleaned up so well.  A good friend of mine found cases that were only a few numbers off from the frame number.  So, i am really lucky to have such a nice mostly original 69 to ride.  For new bikes, i ride Moto Guzzi and am restoring one last bike for myself, a 1927 Harley-Davidson JD like my Dad had when he was 21.  I want to experience what my Dad experienced and am really looking forward to the day i can take it for it's first ride.

I am restoring a 1976 F1 Supersport and need the expertise of F1 owners, so i figured this club would have some fellows with experience.  This restoration is for a friend of mine; he wants the restoration to be like orignal, so i've got my work cut out for me.  I'm wondering where i can source Sulfur Yellow paint or a formula.  If it's wishful thinking there might be a nos exhaust system or side covers out there someplace....  Also the seat trim in Sulfur Yellow...  If anyone can help me out or steer me in the direction of F1 parts sources, i would truly appreciate it and so would my friend.

look forward to meeting some of you and thanks in advance.

Sincerely,

Steve Swan

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Steve,

The Front Range is long...... as you know. Can't say about the sulfur yellow but frankenstuff can cover you on the sidecovers that will need painting Phantom Gray. If I can help give me a shout in the Springs. I do F/F1's.

NOS exhaust.... that's the funniest thing I've heard in a long time. Seat trim... right..... anyway, get in touch. I bought NOS from 9 countries over 5 years and may be able to advise.

 

[steve swan]

Hi Jerry, thanks for your reply.  I'm up in Ft. Collins.  Glad to know you're into the F series. How can we get in touch ?

[70CB750]

Welcome, Steve.

[steve swan]

Thanks, Prokop !

[HondaMan]

Hi, Steve!
I'm in Lakewood, halfway between you and RXman.

I'm also doing an F1. Just finished the tank/seat paint in Sunburst Orange last Fall.It has the OEM "balloon" exhaust, but a little banged up. I'm thinking of sending it to Advanced Custom Chrome in PA to see if they can resto it?

I also have a fairly nice F1 (later) tapered-style muffler and pipe set. My immediate plans are to put this set on the bike while the other is at PA, as they are anything but fast. The last set of 4 headers I had them do took almost 3 months!


After this is done, the tapered pipe and headers will be available. Don't know your timetable?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Hi Jerry, thanks for your reply.  I'm up in Ft. Collins.  Glad to know you're into the F series. How can we get in touch ?

Steve,

This is probably the best way for a while. Send PM's. Easier for me to do late nights. I'm going to be out of town as much as in for the next month or longer. Sailing to Key West next week and drag racing with our crew in Valdosta early next month. Working in Burlington and Denver in between. Plus while at home I am finishing my basement and building a 750 engine into a 1000 for another 75 750F. Working a little and having fun a little more  Getting the daughter graduated from high school and situated in college too. I'll do what I can to help. I can give you an accurate idea of what is available and show you how to find Honda availability. Patience, time and money is all it takes. Luck and help are good too.

Jerry

[kmb69]

Welcome aboard Mr. Sandcast.
You will find this forum a little "louder" and considerably more "random" than the SC forum.
A few of our SC friends participate occasionally and Mark dual posts his VIN 97 build here.
And Greggo's SC 4286 restoration which just won Bike of the Month for March. Way to go Greggo!
I hang out here to learn all I can from the Sidecar racers, Salt racers, and the Drag racers.
Got some real pros on here that can make these old Hondas sing to high heaven.
I will keep an eye out for parts/info for your F1 project. Again, welcome Steve.
Keith

[steve swan]

Hi Keith !  oh.... dear.  I don't want to try to live up to the moniker "Mr. Sandcast."  Yes, i'm certain there's some guys here with great knowledge  and expertise on numerous things CB750.  steve

[kmb69]

Just so you SOHC guys and gals know, Steve is being quite modest. 
Until very recently, Mr. Swan ran the Sandcast Owners Only Club website and forum for a number of years.
He is VERY knowledgeable of MOST things - preproduction, Sandcast, and K0 CB750's.
My previous comment is framed such because we continue to discover undocumented anomalies, uniqueness, and changes that Honda made to the pre and early production bikes.
Sorry Steve, I just had to out you!      

Keith

[steve swan]

Thank you Keith for your friendly welcome !  Keith is correct.  there is much more we don't know than we do know when it comes to things sandcast !

[steve swan]

Hi Jerry, thanks for your reply.  I'm up in Ft. Collins.  Glad to know you're into the F series. How can we get in touch ?

Steve,

This is probably the best way for a while. Send PM's. Easier for me to do late nights. I'm going to be out of town as much as in for the next month or longer. Sailing to Key West next week and drag racing with our crew in Valdosta early next month. Working in Burlington and Denver in between. Plus while at home I am finishing my basement and building a 750 engine into a 1000 for another 75 750F. Working a little and having fun a little more  Getting the daughter graduated from high school and situated in college too. I'll do what I can to help. I can give you an accurate idea of what is available and show you how to find Honda availability. Patience, time and money is all it takes. Luck and help are good too.

Jerry

Thanks Jerry, thanks for your reply !  I just finished dismantling the chassis, inspecting and making a list of parts needed as things came apart.  I  must be a little ahead of you, my sons are all pretty much grown up and making their way.  a couple pictures of the project, my middle son in the background after we lifted frame off engine.  i'll be in touch via pm's.  Sometime this summer, will have to come down your way !  Thanks again !

[steve swan]

Hi, Steve!
I'm in Lakewood, halfway between you and RXman.

I'm also doing an F1. Just finished the tank/seat paint in Sunburst Orange last Fall.It has the OEM "balloon" exhaust, but a little banged up. I'm thinking of sending it to Advanced Custom Chrome in PA to see if they can resto it?

I also have a fairly nice F1 (later) tapered-style muffler and pipe set. My immediate plans are to put this set on the bike while the other is at PA, as they are anything but fast. The last set of 4 headers I had them do took almost 3 months!

After this is done, the tapered pipe and headers will be available. Don't know your timetable?

Hi Hondaman !  thanks for your reply and offer for help.  will have to come down your way sometime.  I'm not on a tight time schedule to get the F1 done, would be nice if it was more or less pretty much together a year from now...  Yes, i could be interested the exhaust.... i do have the original exhaust for it;as difficult as the mufflers are to find, it's possible i may wind up needing to restore the one that came with bike.  it's got some pretty deep scratches and a couple small dnets, but nothing on the directly visible upside... and no rust.  so all of that is a plus.  I've used a plater in Oshkosh, Nebraska for the past 15 years, Smitty's Chrome Plating.  Oshkosh is directly north of Julesberg about 40 miles.  He does beautiful work.  If you're interested in giving him a try, let me know, i can give you his contact info.  looking forward to meeting you !

[HondaMan]

Hi, Steve!
I'm in Lakewood, halfway between you and RXman.

I'm also doing an F1. Just finished the tank/seat paint in Sunburst Orange last Fall.It has the OEM "balloon" exhaust, but a little banged up. I'm thinking of sending it to Advanced Custom Chrome in PA to see if they can resto it?

I also have a fairly nice F1 (later) tapered-style muffler and pipe set. My immediate plans are to put this set on the bike while the other is at PA, as they are anything but fast. The last set of 4 headers I had them do took almost 3 months!

After this is done, the tapered pipe and headers will be available. Don't know your timetable?

Hi Hondaman !  thanks for your reply and offer for help.  will have to come down your way sometime.  I'm not on a tight time schedule to get the F1 done, would be nice if it was more or less pretty much together a year from now...  Yes, i could be interested the exhaust.... i do have the original exhaust for it;as difficult as the mufflers are to find, it's possible i may wind up needing to restore the one that came with bike.  it's got some pretty deep scratches and a couple small dnets, but nothing on the directly visible upside... and no rust.  so all of that is a plus.  I've used a plater in Oshkosh, Nebraska for the past 15 years, Smitty's Chrome Plating.  Oshkosh is directly north of Julesberg about 40 miles.  He does beautiful work.  If you're interested in giving him a try, let me know, i can give you his contact info.  looking forward to meeting you !

Well, Hi, Steve!
If you look back about 4-5 years, you might find a discourse I had with you at Sandcast only? I didn't realize it was you.

I'd be VERY interested in finding a plater within driving distance, like NE. The guys in PA do a terrific job, but are show-car guys and spend at least 50% of their time delivering and going to shows, so they are painfully slow. The last set of 4 header pipes took 4 months from ship to ship dates. I have 4 bikes 'stacked up' waiting on chrome stuff, now.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Well considering Keith outted you and you are a K0 guy, a tid bit of info here: the first F's, the 1975, were originally referred to as 1975 CB750 K0 Super Sports. They became the 1976 F1 on or about the first production date of 4/7/1975. Just wish my #1954 carried the K0 weight of your Sand Casts!

Great info on the chrome guy!

Get in touch anytime. Looking forward to seeing your bikes!

[steve swan]

Smitty's Chrome Plating, 304 Avenue E, Oshkosh, Nebraska, 308-772-4301. 

Warren Smith aka "Smitty" just sold Smittys last yeaf to father/daughter business partners, Kevin Klockman.   Smitty's staying on until Kevin and daughter are on their own.  So, it's a 2 person run shop.  Kevin's cell is 308.289.5139.  Their turn around time is variable, usually, I'd say about 45-60 days.  I've had parts back in less than 30 and as long as 90.  Smitty used to plate alot (for one man) of high volume H-D same type parts.  I assume Kevin is also.  I've had Kevin do work for me since Smitty sold, the quality is as good as Smitty.  Worth a try.  Send a part and see if it meets your spec.