Topic: Luggage Rack Confusion

[JMWaah]

Before I send some dude money for a "universal" rack and deal with the headache of fitting it, I thought I'd ask if anyone here knows what the Hell I'm looking for in regards to a luggage rack for a 1977 CB750A.

Every rack I've found so far is at minimum 10 inches wide at the frame mounts, whereas my bike is only ~7.5 inches. I did some digging and long story short, I'm pretty sure only racks for K7 and K8 bikes will fit on a 77A, but every rack I'm finding lists compatibility with only K0-K6 bikes.

I've seen some pictures where what looks to be a bushing is connected to the rack, which secures it to the bike, but I can't find any of those racks for sale. The guy I'm buying my rack from said that these universal racks only work with bushings and that I'll have to have the rack fitted by someone who can make them.

So I'm just really confused now. I'd really like to get a rack for this bike, but I'd also like to get one that fits without any hassle. Am I supposed to be looking for racks from K0-K6 bikes and then have them fitted with bushings, or are the K7 and K8 racks a perfect fit? Or do I actually have to straight up find a rack labeled "1977 CB750A Luggage Rack" (Which I have found, it just looks WAY too big and the guy won't respond to my sizing inquiries. And he's asking for way too much money.)

Never would have thought the only part I can't find for a 44 year old bike would be a damn luggage rack lol.

In case it helps, here's a picture with relevant measurements.

[754]

Make on, then  it  will fit..

[JMWaah]

I'm not exactly a metalworker lol. I bought this bike because it's a perfect platform for learning how to do stuff like that, but I'm a few years away from having the time or space to fab my own parts sadly.

[754]

You should post your  location, someone nerby may be able to help.
 The oroblem with universal stuff is..it often fits nothing really well.
 Necessity is what drives some folks to make their own stuff..

[PeWe]

Luggage racks are missing for our old CB's.
The few NOS found cost as they were made in gold finish.

Bigger ones for lots of luggage, not beatiful but functional and the smaller that can sit almost invisible, often with flat bars on top.

Stainless steel or chrome option.

[JMWaah]

You should post your  location, someone nerby may be able to help.
 The oroblem with universal stuff is..it often fits nothing really well.
 Necessity is what drives some folks to make their own stuff..

Yeah I figured the universal ones were pretty bad in comparison, it just seemed like the best solution given the ineffectiveness of my searching.

I'm in the southern Mass area, between Boston and Providence. If there is anyone that could lend me a hand, that sure would be great. Hell I'll pay someone to ship the rack across the country if they know they can make one that will fit my bike for sure.

Luggage racks are missing for our old CB's.
The few NOS found cost as they were made in gold finish.

Bigger ones for lots of luggage, not beatiful but functional and the smaller that can sit almost invisible, often with flat bars on top.

Stainless steel or chrome option.

If you mean specifically for the A's, yeah I can't find much. I've found a bunch of racks for up to the K6 models that are all reasonably priced and in wonderful condition, but none of them will fit based on the measurements given to me.

[Remcod]

I use a krausser rack on my 750a. Not beautiful but fits. This is universele cb750, so I would not be surprised if the cb750 hepco becker rack fits also, but you can check with them first.

[JMWaah]

I just run into the same problem with those racks. They are meant to fit up to the K6 model according to the website. I
I'd love for my research to be wrong, but from what I understand K6 racks don't fit K7/8 and the 77A needs a rack that fits K7/8.

[Remcod]

I fitted the krausser just fine to my 78 750a
But you have to put the blinkers on the rack

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-A415F met Tapatalk

[JMWaah]

I fitted the krausser just fine to my 78 750a

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-A415F met Tapatalk

Well the Hepco Becker rack is an outrageous $260 and out of stock anyways (or $600 on eBay  ), and I'm not having any luck finding a Krauser rack for sale anywhere.

However, while typing this up I managed to find a rack that has specific instructions on how to mount it to a 750A, so I'll probably snag that.

Before I do though, I've honestly been in love with this rack but wrote it off because I didn't think it would fit my bike. Could someone chime in real quick to finish this search off once and for all? I'd have to get those bushings I was told about to make it fit, right? Something that looks like this?

[Alan F.]

Good luck with that one.

I didn't realize you were a local, welcome!
There are a fair bunch of us around Eastern Mass.

[Kevin D]

JM, I have been working on the same problem, but with a K1 bike and a K2 rack. I bought a used rack advertised to fit K1 and others (K2-K6?), and while it will fit a K1, it’s not easy peasy.

I looked at your photo, and at CMSNL parts lists for K7, K8, A models, and the rear frame detail is different than the early model.
Your turn signals have an added flat mounting strap extending rearward several inches.
The early models use a combination sandwich joint mating turn signal, frame, fender.

If you like I can get photos and dimensions for what I have later today: K1 bike, K2 rack. But I don’t think that will help a whole lot. The CMSNL website is tip top and helpful. The parts diagrams illuminate the differences and similarities.

https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb-four_model7148/

2000 posts! WooHoo!

[newday777]

I fitted the krausser just fine to my 78 750a

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-A415F met Tapatalk

Well the Hepco Becker rack is an outrageous $260 and out of stock anyways (or $600 on eBay  ), and I'm not having any luck finding a Krauser rack for sale anywhere.

However, while typing this up I managed to find a rack that has specific instructions on how to mount it to a 750A, so I'll probably snag that.

Before I do though, I've honestly been in love with this rack but wrote it off because I didn't think it would fit my bike. Could someone chime in real quick to finish this search off once and for all? I'd have to get those bushings I was told about to make it fit, right? Something that looks like this?

The bushings you are referring to are actually shouldered bolts(#6, discontinued) that have internal threads in the head that bolts to the frame to extend the frame for the stock grab rail and racks use bolt (#11) into the #6.

I don't have those shoulder bolts, nor an automatic. I'm in southern NH.

[newday777]

I forgot to add the fiche picture.......

[JMWaah]

JM, I have been working on the same problem, but with a K1 bike and a K2 rack. I bought a used rack advertised to fit K1 and others (K2-K6?), and while it will fit a K1, it’s not easy peasy.

I looked at your photo, and at CMSNL parts lists for K7, K8, A models, and the rear frame detail is different than the early model.
Your turn signals have an added flat mounting strap extending rearward several inches.
The early models use a combination sandwich joint mating turn signal, frame, fender.

If you like I can get photos and dimensions for what I have later today: K1 bike, K2 rack. But I don’t think that will help a whole lot. The CMSNL website is tip top and helpful. The parts diagrams illuminate the differences and similarities.

https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb-four_model7148/

2000 posts! WooHoo!

Honda just couldn't make life easy, could they?

I've checked out the diagrams on CMSNL, which is what really jump started my confusion because a lot of the frames look similar but apparently aren't. I think for the most part that I'll be fine with either of the two racks I'm looking at. It's just a bit of a gamble whether or not I'd be able to get the good looking one to fit.

The bushings you are referring to are actually shouldered bolts(#6, discontinued) that have internal threads in the head that bolts to the frame to extend the frame for the stock grab rail and racks use bolt (#11) into the #6.

I don't have those shoulder bolts, nor an automatic. I'm in southern NH.

That's perfect! I was looking at the wrong section the whole time. They have #6 and #11 in stock. I'm pretty sure you guys just solved the problem I had with the nice looking rack, thanks!

The answer was on CMSNL the whole time, which is where I basically started, just in the wrong place. Feel a bit like an idiot but progress is progress. 

[754]

The basic problem is one shock moved out 10 mm on theK7 and K8..
 But also the seats changed, and maybe the length from shock stud center to rear fender hole center.
 And an F because of the tail section attached to seat... is a very different problem..m the rack must slide back or swing sideways to get seat open.
 As far as the A model.... i dont know how much seat interferes on it..
 No big deal to modify a used rack that was cheap..... but I can see where you dont want to cut and mod a 100$plus  rack.

[JMWaah]

The basic problem is one shock moved out 10 mm on theK7 and K8..
 But also the seats changed, and maybe the length from shock stud center to rear fender hole center.
 And an F because of the tail section attached to seat... is a very different problem..m the rack must slide back or swing sideways to get seat open.
 As far as the A model.... i dont know how much seat interferes on it..
 No big deal to modify a used rack that was cheap..... but I can see where you dont want to cut and mod a 100$plus  rack.

Oh yeah, I know I won't be able to get an F rack to fit, but considering the rack I'm looking at appears to technically be a universal fit with the adjustable shock mounts; I have a good enough feeling it will fit with the appropriate spacers, which is what I hopefully just spent another $30 on lol. I double checked the seat clearance (well, I eyeballed it) and based on the rack I bought that completely impeded the seat from opening, I'm confident there should more than enough length to clear the seat.

I appreciate the help and info and while I think the rack I'm getting is a small gamble, I think it'll work out based on what I've learned here.

It's no super detailed guide on how to rebuild an engine or anything like that, but I'll return when everything arrives to share what I've learned. I'm sure there's at least a few people struggling like I am that could use the help.

Edit: This whole rack fiasco has unfortunately made me really good at changing my mind. I went out and remeasured and you're right about the 10mm being a problem. The rack I'm looking at has a width of 11" and my bike requires at minimum 12" for a tight fit. It could certainly be possible to just force it open a half inch on each side, which is what I'm sure a few people have ended up doing or at least trying, but I'd rather be safe than sorry on a rack with no refunds. I'm going to cancel my order with CMSNL for the spacers and buy the less attractive rack I found on ebay that is 12.5" wide and has original instructions on how to mount it to a 750A.

With that, all I can say to anyone who may stumble upon this in need of a rack for a 750A is good luck and look for at least 12" in width or you're SOL. K7/8 racks are the only ones that will for sure fit, other models might fit but there's a chance they just won't.

[bear]

Do you have the original grab rail for your 750A?

[JMWaah]

If I did, I obviously wouldn't be having an issue finding the correct dimensions.

[bear]

If I did, I obviously wouldn't be having an issue finding the correct dimensions.

It's obvious to me after reading your reply that you would.