Newbie CB750 Cafe Project

[ljonny18]

Hi, I am new to this forum and am hoping to use it to gather some information and help / advice as yesterday I picked up my new (and first) project bike: A 1983 Honda CB 750 RC 04 which I plan to do up into a cafe style bike.

I got the bike cheap in an Ebay Auction although it is in a lot worse condition than I originally thought and is currently a non starter.

I have no current fixed plans for the bike so any inputs are welcome !!! The first step is to try and get the motor started to see what I have to work with

As mentioned, this is my first project and I am a bit of a novice but looking forward to seeing what I can do with the bike !!!

I will update this forum as I make progress with the bike !!!

Attached is the picture taken from the Ebay Ad.

 

[manolon6]

some ideas for the painting http://www.crdmotorcycles.com/

 

[my-79-750-k]

Looks solid enough. Get it running first, then worry about aesthetics. Does it kick over, click the starter, make any noise at all? Start with the battery and work your way through the electronics until you get spark, then start with fuel delivery, etc.

 

[ljonny18]

@manolon6 - the site looks good !! thanks for posting

@Jewbacca - thats the plan !!! Currently the bike has no battery in it I have one on order so as soon as it arrives I will install it and see whats what. The previos owner said it ran well a while back but has since been sat in hes garage (for over a year) and does not start anymore... He thinks its related to the carbs. I will let you know how it goes.

 

[my-79-750-k]

"Ran when parked" a quote often heard around here hahaha. Good luck man.

 

[ljonny18]

Its a runner (sort of). After finally getting the correct battery sorted for the bike, I fitted it and after a while of trying get it started

However, there was a not too healthy knocking noise from the engine The engine is coming out in anycase biut if anyone has an idea re what it is likely to be im interested. It sounds like a "mechanical" knock so im guessing its going to something like primary chain rattling or crankshaft bearings ?

 

[YogiBear]

the cam chains are known to loosen up on those motors. I would check that when you get the motor pulled

 

[ljonny18]

the cam chains are known to loosen up on those motors. I would check that when you get the motor pulled

Will do - thanks for the tip !! Will post some pics of the progress soon

 

[ljonny18]

Sorry, I have been having a few problems sorting out an image server to link my posts to... I have now sorted it put so will upload a few updates re the project

A couple more pics before I get to work on it:

 

[ljonny18]

The bike had no power at first I thought it had a flat battery until further investigation proved it had no battery at all :

 

[ljonny18]

The new battery arrived, so I filled it with acid and let it charge for a few hours before fitting it:

After checking the oil and giving it some fresh petrol, it eventually started

 

[ljonny18]

Today I managed to find a bit of time and I started to prepare the engine for removal.
Some progress pics:

Managed to clear a bit of space (althpugh not much I have too much junk) so I can work arounf the bike a bit easier:

The carb rubbers(both sides) were that old and worn they were solid and had now flex in them at all therefore I had to remove / move back the Air box and housing to give me more room to maneuver the carbs and have any chance of getting them out. To enable me to move the air box housing back I had to firstly remove the Battery casing:

Battery casing out:

 

[ljonny18]

Onto the Carburetors:

Removing the Throttle / Choke cables:

and out

 

[ljonny18]

Time to remove the scratty old Exhaust:

Tacho cable:

HT leads:

Front sprocket:

 

[ljonny18]

The motor is now pretty much ready for removal (i hope) its all free of components and cables connecting it to the rast of the bike. I just need to drain the engine oil and somehow get this nut undone:

I cant for the life of me undo it - its solid... I will try and get a nice long(er) breaker bar and give it another shot. If anyone has any ideas re how to get it off, I would appreciate any advice (its the big swingarm nut)

 

[sam]

You could try wrapping a spanner with a towel and hitting it with a hammer. That's normally what I do when a torque wrench won't work.

 

[ljonny18]

You could try wrapping a spanner with a towel and hitting it with a hammer. That's normally what I do when a torque wrench won't work.

Thanks for the tip, I did just that, and eventually got the bolt off along withe the help of an extended breaker bar and a little help from a friend

 

[ljonny18]

After another day spent in the garage I managed to get some more progress done (i cant wait for the clocks to change and the weather to get better, so I can get some hours in after work during the week).

My mate T came round to help me get the motor out, but first we had to finish a few bits off to prepare the motor for removal:

This is the bolt I have been having a few issues with re getting it off:

We eventually got it off (after some effort and an additional trip to the DIY store)

Jack in place to take some of the engine weight:

Started to remove the engine bolts:

And frame mountain bracket bolts:

Ready to be lifted out:

Out

Cheers T

 

[ljonny18]

Next onto stripping the rest of the bike:

First off, the wheels, front wheel:

and the back wheel:

 

[ljonny18]

Backend / Swing arm removal: