So, being the 50th anniversary of the CB750, and having a local vintage motorcycle gathering in Ponoka, Alberta celebrating it, I thought I'd get my act together and address the oil leak on my 'F' and hopefully ride it on the 350 mile round trip to the show. It's been 7 years of breaking a leg, changing jobs, building a house, collecting more projects and racking up the miles on my Africa Twin (5 States and 2 provinces including Alaska this year already).
If you followed forever ago or if you are new, long story short, I restored my parent's 1977 CB750F2, completed a leg of the Godzilla run, but then developed an oil leak that I couldn't easily pinpoint. Problem was, I'd fabricated my own oil lines as no new ones were unavailable and the originals were seeping oil right through the rubber. Seemed like a good fix initially. New o-rings on the engine connections when I installed them. 40 years ago my Dad had brazed the bottom of the oil tank, which I then powder coated. A potential source if that had cracked. Long story short, even pulling the rear wheel and the inner fender, it was hard to find the actual leak source as the oil was just collecting on the hoses at the low point by the engine.
I had intended to replace my oil lines with ones from Cycle X, but they were out of stock last month. Then I discovered that CMSNL has re-manufactured oil lines for my bike. So I ordered those, new o-rings, a new oil tank drain bolt and new washers for the drain bolt and tank ends of the hoses. Wait! Aluminium washers in the tank ends of the oil lines! Whoops, I was missing those! Also, the drain bolt was worn and beat with an integral sealing surface that didn't look great. Thinking any or all of these were my source. Regardless, my plan was to replace every oil wet sealing or oil carrying component on the bike. Good news, Dad's brazing was fine and the tank is good.
New hoses look great a VERY close to original.
My old lines went to the garbage
My old oil line, tank end, and no sealing washer as shown in the parts fiche.
Aired up, leaky carb addressed, fresh oil and fuel, bled rear brake and adjusted chain. Vintage plate and test ride today to hopefully prove road worthy for Saturday.
