Topic: 77 CB750 F resurrection notes. (update)

[Terry in Australia]

How many people fix brakes before getting the engine running?

Well that might just be an insight into your inner confidence that you will eventually get that F2 running TT!

So, have you got that oil pumping yet? I had a problem with oil pressure on an engine that had sat for many years, and Clyde suggested that I put the bike on the side stand and remove the oil gallery plug beside the points cover, then pour a cup or two of oil in, so I did, replaced the plug (with an oil pressure gauge) and gave it about 5 more kicks, and bingo! I had oil pressure. All the best. Cheers, Terry. 

[TwoTired]

How many people fix brakes before getting the engine running?

Well that might just be an insight into your inner confidence that you will eventually get that F2 running TT!

Oh, I'll get it to run alright.  I'm just hoping I don't have to use it as a mosquito fogger!  The trans and clutch are complete unknowns as well.  Who knows? One step at a time.  I originally got it as a parts donor.  So, if that's what it becomes, then so be it.  The dual disk front end can get used on a 550, I expect.

So, have you got that oil pumping yet?

No.  Haven't been back to it since crowbarring the carbs of it.  Waiting for the new carb boots/couplers to be delivered.  Probably next week.  I'll have to do something about the corrosion on the head spigots under the rubber couplers, too. 

I had a problem with oil pressure on an engine that had sat for many years, and Clyde suggested that I put the bike on the side stand and remove the oil gallery plug beside the points cover, then pour a cup or two of oil in, so I did, replaced the plug (with an oil pressure gauge) and gave it about 5 more kicks, and bingo! I had oil pressure. All the best. Cheers, Terry. 

That's a good tip, Terry.    Thanks!  Hey, when you change the oil on one of these, does the new oil go in just the oil tank?  Or, do you put some in through a tappet cover, too? Manual says no.  But, they didn't expect the bike to sit for 20 years.

 Who knows if the oil pressure sender is even working?  It's a new adventure! 

Cheers mate!

[paulages]

considering your oil pressure problem, i'd treat it like a fresh rebuilt engine and pour some in through the tappet covers. BTW, i just got an F1 for free this week. i'll race you to the start! (you'll win...i haven't even assessed mine yet )

[Terry in Australia]

That's a good tip, Terry.    Thanks!  Hey, when you change the oil on one of these, does the new oil go in just the oil tank?  Or, do you put some in through a tappet cover, too? Manual says no.  But, they didn't expect the bike to sit for 20 years.

 Who knows if the oil pressure sender is even working?  It's a new adventure! 

Cheers mate!

No worries TT, and yeah, get as much oil into it as you can, the last thing you want is too much "metal on metal" action happening until you get the oil pumping through the engine.

The good thing about the F2 is that they had a pretty strong bottom end, and I haven't heard of any particular weaknesses in the transmission or clutch, so your bike should be fine. Have fun! Cheers, Terry.

[MRieck]

That's a good tip, Terry.    Thanks!  Hey, when you change the oil on one of these, does the new oil go in just the oil tank?  Or, do you put some in through a tappet cover, too? Manual says no.  But, they didn't expect the bike to sit for 20 years.

 Who knows if the oil pressure sender is even working?  It's a new adventure! 

Cheers mate!

No worries TT, and yeah, get as much oil into it as you can, the last thing you want is too much "metal on metal" action happening until you get the oil pumping through the engine.

The good thing about the F2 is that they had a pretty strong bottom end, and I haven't heard of any particular weaknesses in the transmission or clutch, so your bike should be fine. Have fun! Cheers, Terry.

The bottom end is very good.....just the head. God....I hope I'm not talking about someone's wife! ( I know I am)

[CB750F2]

G'Day TT. THis is what I would do If I was you and intended to ride the bike home:
1 Fix the brakes -I think that you have done that.
2 Ensure that the tyres are safe enough to ride home.
3 Drain as much oil from the motor as you can
4 Fill with fresh oil.
5 Remove the valve covers and lubricate the cam shaft lobes and valve gear by squirting oil with an oil can.
6 Remove plugs and squirt some oil into the cylinders.
7 Prime the pump using the method Terry has suggested - works well. Fit the pressure gauge as well so that you can see what is going on.
8 Fit a charged battery.
9 Turn on the ignition switch and turn the kill switch to off.
10 Kick until oil pressure light goes out - plugs still removed.
11 Use starter motor in short bursts to circulate oil until you are satisfied that the valve gear is getting oil.
12 Fit serviced carbs and fuel tank.
13 Check that the ignition system is working.
14 Check that the clutch is engaging and dis-engaging
15 Fit a set of serviceable plugs
16 Put bike on centre stand and attempt to start the motor.
17 Once you have the motor running OK and clutch, transmission, and brakes operating OK ride home and then change the oil while hot. Good Luck, Pat

[jtb]

TT, I've got a bunch of F2 stuff, too.  Check if you need anything.
John

[TwoTired]

Sneak preview (I drove it home today!  4 miles, 40MPH tops.  Still needs work though.)

So, today the carb boots arrived and I had already cleaned the carbs.  So, it was time for another go at the forlorn F.

First up, clean the coupler nubs of corrosion at the back of the head.
Clean up the band clamps and install the new boots, carbs, airbox and new K&N air filter.  The return cable was rusted and broke so a new one went on along with the freshly lubedl pull cable  and choke cable.  The split twist grip rubber got replaced with a new foam one.
Put in the good battery.  Starter spins.
Drain the oil and replace filter.  Oil looks pretty good. No water.  Translucent like new oil. But, there is a lot of sediment in the low areas of the filter.  I expect all the particulates are resting in the bottom of where ever the oil sat.
Rather than put in $23 a gallon oil that will likley get tossed pretty soon, I went to wal mater and got 4 Qts of Rottella T 15-40.
I put two quarts in the oil tank and a quart in through the tappet covers, noting that the insides look pretty good.
I borrowed the gas tank from my other F and added two gallons of fresh fuel.

Turn on petcock.  Wait for carbs to fill.  Turn on key switch.  Full choke on. Start kicking bike.  Pops on the third kick.  More kicks and leg got tired.  Oil light still on.  Hit starter button.  The button is not happy.  Takes several pushes for starter to engage.  Engine make enticing noises.  It fires while the starter motor turns but won't run with out it.  Ol light goes off!

Let the starter motor rest.  Oil light goes on!  It will now go off if you kick the bike.  This is good, I think. Turn off key switch.

Check head pipes
4 cold
3 cold
2 cold
1 warm.  !  Ah that's the eager one!

Pull off points cover,  File on 1-4 points, file on 2-3 points.  Rotate engine, verify both sets open and close.

Key switch on.  Kick bike.  Nothing but sporadic popping.

Electric start.  Kinda wants to go.  But, no joy.

Take choke off. Engine roars to life!  Hold at 3K.  Not very smooth.  Use choke to set at 2.5K.  Let 'er warm.  Check head pipes.  All HOT.  Engine smoothing out, RPMS increasing remove some choke knob.  Then all choke out.  It idles but not smooth.  Haven't synched the carbs or changed the idle screw settings yet.  But, it will idle reliably at 1400.

Well who-da guessed. The exhaust system is still sound.  Some steam vapor and bits of rust/soot blowing out when tou reve the engine.  Accelerator pump not working well.  A bit of wheeze when opening throttle.  Maybe the check valves aren't seating yet, maybe the diaphram is just too hard.  We'll see.  Absolutely no oil smoke.  Yay!

Pull in the clutch.  Rev the engine and few times to help separate the clutch disks. Press on the gear lever slowly. Snick.  The clutch works!  Let out the clutch, the rear wheel spins.  Same for second third Fourth and fifth.  Finding neutral was easy.

Wish I'd brought the chain lube, though.

Set the idle knob for 1100 on the tach.  It's still a bit uneven. But, it's reliable.

Time to drive it!

Suit up and head out for home after packing the tools and other bits back into the truck.  There is only the tial light on the bike, should get it home before it gets dark, which is earlier now due to the time change.

Lot's of chain vibration.  Needs fork seals and a fork oil change.  Bike has good power, though, if you wait for the wheeze to abate on acceleration.  Will tune on that later.  Brakes are fine after scraping off the crud on the discs.

Ride home uneventful.  Bikes starts easy now.  Getting dark.  Gotta take the bicycle back to get the truck home.  Darkness falls.

It was last registered to operate in 1985.  And, it is very easy to believe from it's condition that it has been totally dormant and stored outside since that time.

Tomorrow it's a much needed pressure wash, clean, and steel wool time.  I think this might be a good bike again after all!  But, there is still work to be done.

Cheers,

[Sam Green Racing]

I bet you're like a dog with two dicks 

Sam.

[754]

Are you doin the "Resurrection Shuffle" ??

 Put yer hands on yer hips
Ya gots to let you backbone flip..........................

[Sam Green Racing]

 

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Good to see you with a new challenge. You've sounded bored for the last 2 or 3 years.

If you need any electrical help just let us know   

[andy750]

Nice write up Llyod and glad to hear the bike has been resurrected. Good to see what steps you followed. Looking forward to more updates and more photos!

Good luck,
cheers
Andy

[bill3749]

Rock N' Roll

[jtb]

YaY, TT!

[dusterdude]

Geesh!  Have a little fun at a guy's expense (I sincerely apologize if it was taken as offensive)...

Nah, I figure if you dish it out you should be able to take it, too...

Besides, I get complaints if I make comments that are too short!


 

really?

[csendker]

Sounds good!  Just be thankful this thing didn't come with a bunch of cobbled-together stringers and saturated styrofoam.  I hear they are a pain to deal with... 

[ofreen]

Sounds like a typical Honda.  I've done the resurrection routine a few times.  It surprises me if they don't start.  It's amazing sometimes how much abuse and neglect they'll take.

[paulages]

Sounds like a typical Honda.  I've done the resurrection routine a few times.  It surprises me if they don't start.  It's amazing sometimes how much abuse and neglect they'll take.

i literally pulled a cl350 out of a ditch once (where is had been sitting for untold years), and though the crankcase was completely full of water/oil mixture, it ran after a usual tunup/ cleanup routine. these things are bulletproof!

[TwoTired]

Sounds like a typical Honda.  I've done the resurrection routine a few times.  It surprises me if they don't start.  It's amazing sometimes how much abuse and neglect they'll take.

I was pretty sure I'd get it running.  But, from discussion on this forum, the top end is NOT typical.  Happy surprise that it doesn't smoke.

Ordered more parts for it today, fork seals, air box boots, accelerator pump.

Had some other work this morning, so now its pressure wash and cleaning time!

Cheers,

[KB02]

WOO HOO!!!

Well done. (Not that I had any doubts, mind you.)   

When I bought my 750F1, it had a Custom, Mustang, King-Queen Seat on it. Since I was cafe-ing the bike, I knew it had to go, but part of me was sad to part with it. It was a really comfortable seat. I say if you've got the full dress to go with it, keep the royalty. 

[BobbyR]

I have a 78 and while it was stored inside, it was not prepared for storage. The Accel pump is probably all varnished up. It holds so little gas it will spoil very fast. A bit of solvent and thin wire should put you right.

[TwoTired]

I have a 78 and while it was stored inside, it was not prepared for storage. The Accel pump is probably all varnished up. It holds so little gas it will spoil very fast. A bit of solvent and thin wire should put you right.

I already cleaned that thing and the two check valve associated with it.  I couldn't verify the check valves actually sealed, though.  But, I could squirt carb cleaner through passageways.  At the time, I didn't stop to think about which way the fluid should go, just that there was flow.
I have a new diaphram on order as the old one, though it had no rips in it, was stiffer to flex than I expected it should be.

Oh well, if a jobs worth doing, it's worth doing twice!

Cheers,

[TwoTired]

WOO HOO!!!

Well done. (Not that I had any doubts, mind you.)   

When I bought my 750F1, it had a Custom, Mustang, King-Queen Seat on it. Since I was cafe-ing the bike, I knew it had to go, but part of me was sad to part with it. It was a really comfortable seat. I say if you've got the full dress to go with it, keep the royalty. 

Thanks,  though it is not yet ready to drive cross country. 

The King /Queen seat is on my other 77 Cb750 F.  I'm not particularly fond of it.  And, I wonder if on long rides the lack of being able to reposition your "self" might be a drawback.  But, the bike already has a K engine in it (leaking from the crack in the alternator case).  So, making that one full dress might be a better tack.

This 77 has pretty much an original core.  I'm leaning highly toward making it all original.  I'm going to need a headlight, fork ears, and turn sigs to do that, though.  So, I'm shopping.
I am going to put all the original bits back on, just so I can see what it once looked like when it was parked.  But, I think it deserves to be an F as Honda intended it. (With original exhaust, no less!)  Since I didn't buy one new, back when they were new, I'm very curious what the experience was like.  This one looks like a good candidate!

My current problem, though, is that I have more bikes than indoor storage.  I washed and polished the chrome on the bike yesterday and it's looking sooooo much better, that I can't leave it outside for the rain forecast.  So, I'm rearranging the garage to get it inside for further work.

I suppose I really should sell some bikes.      I wonder how that is done?

Cheers,

[scondon]

I suppose I really should sell some bikes.      I wonder how that is done?

Cheers,

   It can't be done, Lloyd. Your only option is to put them on permanent loan to a fellow enthusiast nearby. Now, who here is close to Fremont.....hmmmmmm.

   How's the header look on your stock exhaust? I've got a couple hanging in the garage next to the seat.