V10Pilot
Been Around the Block
I picked up this '79 Honda CB750L for $200 in non running condition. I don't have an exact plan just yet but I am going for a cafe/brat setup for sure. I want to be able to get a passenger on the back from time to time so I'm probably leaning towards brat at this point. I am by no means a professional builder/fabricator/mechanic but I'm not completely new to basic mechanical work. I've done motor and suspension work on my 2000 Viper and rebuilt a 2001 Kawasaki ZR-7S back to showroom condition. I'm learning as I go but reading other pages shows me I'm in good company and you guys and gals have a tremendous collective knowledge here.
A few quick points I can think of while I'm writing this first post:
-I bought a set of spoke hubs because I'm not a fan of the Comstar wheels
-The tank is pretty bad but I'm going to try and save it. In the video link you'll see my Fiji bottle tank hanging off the left side.
-The carbs seem to have come from a CB750F. They have VB42B stamped on the side and all the docs I've seen say I should
have VB42A or VB42C. I don't know if there are major differences between A,B, and C carbs or if they just came from the
factory with different jets and needles. I'm not sure if running these carbs will make much difference with the (presumed) stock
motor.
-I'd like to do a full engine tear down and rebuild.
-The electrical and charging system works great at this point but I may upgrade to electronic ignition before I rebuild the bike. (possibly even go with an M-Unit but I'll decide that later)
Is there anything I should measure or check that is easier BEFORE taking the bike apart for the build?
I cleaned and replaced soft parts on the carbs and it seems to be running great for a bike that hasn't been on the road in 10+ years. I bought it from a guy that used to ride it when he lived in Indiana. He brought it with him here to Denver and that's where the bike will live now. I only turned the pilots out two turns to start and it seems to run great. I am however NOT an expert when it comes to carbs so I'll rely on as many sources as I can to figure out the correct setup later.
Link to a video of it running after the carb cleaning and rebuild.
https://youtu.be/347tfYIeaXk
A few quick points I can think of while I'm writing this first post:
-I bought a set of spoke hubs because I'm not a fan of the Comstar wheels
-The tank is pretty bad but I'm going to try and save it. In the video link you'll see my Fiji bottle tank hanging off the left side.
-The carbs seem to have come from a CB750F. They have VB42B stamped on the side and all the docs I've seen say I should
have VB42A or VB42C. I don't know if there are major differences between A,B, and C carbs or if they just came from the
factory with different jets and needles. I'm not sure if running these carbs will make much difference with the (presumed) stock
motor.
-I'd like to do a full engine tear down and rebuild.
-The electrical and charging system works great at this point but I may upgrade to electronic ignition before I rebuild the bike. (possibly even go with an M-Unit but I'll decide that later)
Is there anything I should measure or check that is easier BEFORE taking the bike apart for the build?
I cleaned and replaced soft parts on the carbs and it seems to be running great for a bike that hasn't been on the road in 10+ years. I bought it from a guy that used to ride it when he lived in Indiana. He brought it with him here to Denver and that's where the bike will live now. I only turned the pilots out two turns to start and it seems to run great. I am however NOT an expert when it comes to carbs so I'll rely on as many sources as I can to figure out the correct setup later.
Link to a video of it running after the carb cleaning and rebuild.
https://youtu.be/347tfYIeaXk