Topic: Drews new 1973 750

[Drew]

Here it is when I brought it home at night.  It was pretty hard to get out of the back of my truck with no front brakes or any help. The scooter in the next picture is my girlfriends.  She bought that and I started thinking about how I always liked those old Hondas...  Since I have absolutely no mechanical back ground or experience it took me a while to rebuild the brakes and get the carbs cleaned up and tuned.  Snapped the chain on the first test ride (I guess I should have anticipated that) which cracked the sprocket cover.  Since then I have got it tuned up pretty good and have driven it around town a bit on the rare day without rain here in Seattle. I bought a spare bottom end for 30 bucks that I thought I could practice on tearing into it and for basic education. Last weekend I built a new work bench so that I can get organized before I strip it all down.  I guess my next step is to find something to ride while this one is in pieces.

[Drew]

more pics

[dave500]

practising on an old engine is a good way to hone your skills and to see what to expect.

[brandEn]

Man nice bike, I really want a 73 cuz its the same year I was born. Where in Seattle are ya? There are a bunch of us on here.

You might want to make sure your chain didn't crack the case in front of the sprocket. Seems like that is a common occurence on these when the chain breaks. I hope its not!

[Drew]

I'll check the case right away.  I'm in the Central District.  Your bike looks great and just in time for some better weather I hope.

[Toxic]

Well since you have been riding it since you cracked the sprocket cover when you broke the chain, chances are you didn't crack the case.  You would probably know it with all the oil puking out of it.  Still check it anyway, it won't take long and it's good piece of mind.

If your's is fine consider yourself one lucky lad.

[Duanob]

Hey Drew and wecome to the wonderful world of SOHC4. If you don't have any mechanical experience now, you will. There is plenty of parts available although I'm always shocked at how hard to find and spendy some parts can be. I got most of my parts (plenty!) off of ebay. And some from here.


Seattle area local event:
There area couple of classic bike swap meets coming this weekend.
One at the Skagit Fairgrounds on Saturday and another just across the border in Tsawassen BC on Sunday.

I'm waiting for Backfire Moto night to start up again now that my machine is running. I think it's the third wednesday of every month in Ballard but I haven't heard if it starts in May or June.

Hope to see you on the road around town.

[tweakin]

Nice, another western washington sohc4'er.  Good looking bike and this is a great place to get ideas and questions answered.

Welcome...

[Drew]

Hey thanks for the welcomes from all the local guys.  There are some incredible builders around here.

[Drew]

As a gift to all the Seattle members I started the tear down of my bike knowing that as soon as I did the weather would turn good!  Here are a few pictures including, current state, boxes of parts, and exhaust that won't ever be on this bike again since I got a pretty decent set of 341's on ebay.  I have been sick in bed for 5 days and wished I could have used the time off to get the bushings out of the swing arm.  Quite a pain to do that, if anyone has some handy tips send em my way.

[brandEn]

If the swing arm bushings are stock they are just plastic. Get a hacksaw blade and slowly and carefully cut a slit in one being careful not to cut through to your swingarm and tap them out with a long screwdriver or something similiar.

[Drew]

they sure aren't plastic.  I guess that means they were previously replaced.  I quartered one with a hack saw and still couldn't get it to move easily.  I had to leave the garage for the night so i didn't really give it my all.  I'm sure they will come out next attempt.

[brandEn]

Here is a good link
http://www.sohc4.net/index.php/archives/308

and

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=55801.msg600989

[Drew]

Thanks BrandEn hopefully I'll have some garage time tonight.

[Drew]

Heres a quick update.  Got the engine out and the frame stripped down all except for the bearing races.  As soon as I get them out it will be time for powder coating!

[Drew]

another pic, didn't realize the oil stains were so bad.