72 CB 750 Project

[Lou N]

All,

Just picked up this 72 CB with 19K miles. I plan on spending the next six months or so collecting parts and deciding exactlly what I want to do. The good news is the bike runs, starts right up, has rebuilt carbs, new tires, new battery, a rust free gas tank, the electrics all work, and there's no smoking or leaking.

The bad news is that the gas tank has two dents, the front fender is all jacked up and probably not salvageable, the frame and painted parts will need to be powder coated, there's a flat spot around 3500 RPM when the power is rolled on, there's a ton of gunk and crap all over the swingarm and lower frame (might have been from a previous oil leak?), and I think I paid about $400 too much (I'm a terrible negotiator :-\).

I would like to put on clubmans, a new header and pipe, new rear shocks, and maybe rearsets. I plan to powder coat and paint as much as possible at home and do all of the polishing I can. I started out looking for a Brit bike when I found this bike on Craig's list. Shortly thereafter I found all the cafe sites (including this awesome place) and I was hooked. Let me know what you think and I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Thanks,
Lou

 

[ndeli55]

that is too clean, leave it alone!

 

[boingk]

Thats it, mate, hand over your time machine. You know you're not aloud to bring stuff back, geez!

;D

 

[Mr.E]

that bike is NICE! what's wrong with the fender tho? It looks good in the pics

 

[Koestum]

Aw man... It won't be long before you'll regret changing anything on it. That's an amazing 98% original bike.

What's your asking price and where are you at?

 

[Lou N]

All,

Thanks, now you have me wondering if I should cafe this bike. The pictures are a little deceiving because they are so small. The front fender looks like someone tried to hammer out a bunch of small dents, it's really pockmarked. Other than that you right it would almost be easier to return it to stock, but what's the fun in that.

It's not for sale; I paid $2400 for it, seemed like a little too much, but given the fact that it was running well and rideable right now I went for it.

 

[Mr.E]

Oh btw: I really dig that seat. Is it the original? Thats what I want to re-upholster mine like, just in brown somewhere in the future....

 

[boingk]

I vote for caffinating it to the 3rd power of hot steamy espresso, but keeping the stock parts aside in a box just in case you do want to take it back to original. The tank, guards, sidecovers and bars are must-keep items at a minimum, plus anything else you replace. Bit anal for some, but a pound of prevention...

Anywho, it'll be good no matter what you decide. I sure as hell wouldn't drop 2.4k on something to be told what to do with it :

Cheers - boingk

 

[forty4ma9]

Restoration feels like a small step away from "I shouldn't ride such a nice bike, it will put too many miles on my investment" for me. I want every bike I own to be exactly what I want it to be. My number one rule is to make sure I like my ride and that I ride it. Best of luck on whatever you decide and remember to have fun with it.

 

[Lou N]

All,

I will definitely be doing a cafe build on this bike; I will save all of the parts I remove for the future if someone wanted to convert it back to original. It's not a collectors item, so as several of you mentioned I will build it to satisfy my riding style. I enjoy the research and building process as much as actually riding.

The seat is an original Honda 750 pan that was re-upolstered. I was suprised how comfortable the seat and the riding position are. Instead od clubmans I may try a drag bar style handlebar to avoid putting too much pressure on the wrists.

Thanks for all the comments that one of the things that makes these projects so much fun.

Lou