Hello To All, Just thought I'd make a quick posting about my views on the most common repair and maintenance manuals, since I have recently picked up a couple I did not have until now.
I heard and read a lot about what others have had to say about these manuals, but never actually looked them over. Now, with money spent and leisure time with coffee mug in hand, I feel wiser and smaller in the bank account.......... and as is always with hindsight, realize how I could have better spent my time and money.
1) First, I am very disappointed in the Haynes manual. I have had some of their different car manuals before......... they had done a very good job with the particular car manuals I needed. Their manual on the '69 to '79 750's is hardly worth the paper it is printed on. The car manuals I needed by them had excellent photos to step you through......... The portion of the manual in the front section of the book covering engine tear down and rebuild is the "gem" of the book; its best photos and steps....... the remainder of the manual was a total dismay to me. Don't even look for bolt torque values or procedures here......... they don't exist, except for one very small and incomplete chart.
2) Clymer's was, frankly, better than what I expected. The Clymer's I bought covered only the 750's, '69 to '78. There is a combo manual that covers other engine sizes and years also. I understand that in the "expanded" manual, there is less info on the 750's. Overall coverage is certainly better than Haynes (which isn't necessarily much of a compliment). Procedures and steps are outlined better and a far greater amount of subjects covered. The manual could use an update with improved quality of photographs and procedural steps expanded on some of the topics covered. And yet, not too bad for the money spent as my Clymer's was significantly cheaper than the price of the Haynes.
3) And, I obtained what I thought was the Holy Grail. Honda's own factory manual. Prices can vary from about $40 to $150 ala Ebay-How-Crazy-Are-You? Plenty of specifications in there with plenty of torque values; but NOT all of them including procedures for torquing sequences. Plenty of photos. My one gripe is that in many instances Honda (and justly so, for it was written for their Honda dealer mechanics) assumes you know how to proceed in removing or dismantling the parts involved. There isn't necessarily a step by step discussion. Still, worth having for specs and various listings if nothing else.
4) Lastly, and the biggest surprise....... I obtained a new copy of a 1,530 page Hard Back book by Chilton, covering Harley Davidson to Triumph, Norton, Moto Guzzi and, yes, Honda 750's.
Only 65 pages are dedicated to the 750's, but............
The photos are excellent; the information given is overall superior to any of the books. Step by step procedure is best of all the books. I paid $5.00 for a Brand New copy of this book. Certainly, one of the best buys I have ever made in my life. Full specifications for everything, valve sizes, clearances, torque values for everything..........on and on; it's all in there........ things you will not find in other manuals. For those interested, it's full title is Chilton's Motorcycle Repair Manual 1981. If you are looking for info you cannot find in other manuals, chances are high that it is in this manual.
These are my views I thought I would share, for after having read so many of the other owner's views, I felt I could help by adding to our overall pool of knowledge......
~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~
